High affinity antibodies for binding epitopes of BoNT/B and hybridomas that produce such antibodies are described. The antibodies may be used in a kit for detecting BoNT/B in a sample.

Foodborne botulism is a serious condition in which the patient experiences a gradual flaccid paralysis, 18 to 36 hours following consumption of contaminated food. If untreated, botulism can be fatal. Treatment is a lengthy process that may require hospitalization for several months with continuous mechanical ventilation (CDC, 1998, Dembek et al, 2007).
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the causative agents of botulism, and are the most potent naturally-occurring toxins known (Lamanna, 1959). There are seven serotypes of BoNTs, designated A through G, with serotypes A, B, E and F most frequently associated with human cases of botulism (Hatheway, 1990). BoNT/A is the most widely studied and best characterized of the BoNT serotypes—a cursory survey of the scientific literature indicates that there are approximately three times as many publications about BoNT/A than the next most frequent serotype, BoNT/B.
In the United States from 2001 to 2007, a total of 139 cases of foodborne botulism were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The majority of these cases were caused by intoxication by BoNT/A (76 cases) or BoNT/E (46 cases), with only 10 cases directly linked to consumption of food contaminated with BoNT/B. However, in the same seven years, BoNT/B was the causative agent of 387 of the 663 cases of infant botulism (58.4%) recorded by the CDC (National Botulism Surveillance, 2001-2007).
Although BoNT/B is a less frequently observed cause of foodborne botulism, it is nonetheless a significant threat to food safety. The largest recorded outbreaks of foodborne botulism to occur in both the United States and United Kingdom (UK) were attributed to the consumption of food contaminated with BoNT/B. In April 1977 in Michigan, a total of 59 patients were diagnosed with type B botulism, caused by eating a sauce made from improperly home-canned jalapenos. Eleven of the patients required hospitalization, although there were no reported deaths (Terranova et al., 1978). In June 1989 in the UK, 27 patients were intoxicated (one of whom died) by BoNT/B-contaminated hazelnut yoghurt (O'Mahony et al., 1990).
At the molecular level, BoNT/A and BoNT/B function in a similar manner. Both toxins are comprised of a 100 kDa heavy chain (Hc) and a 50 kDa light chain (Lc), linked by a single disulphide bond. The Hc functions by binding nerve cells and facilitates the internalization of the Lc, a zinc metalloprotease, into the pre-synaptic neuron at the neuromuscular junction (Montecucco & Schiavo, 1994; Simpson 2004). The Lc of BoNT/A cleaves synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) whereas the Lc of BoNT/B cleaves synaptobrevin-2 (Schiavo et al., 1992; Blasi et al., 1993). Either cleavage event prevents the docking of acetylcholine-carrying vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, thus blocking the release of the neurotransmitter into the neuromuscular junction and ultimately prohibiting the contraction of the muscle (Simpson, 2004).
The development of a sensitive sandwich ELISA for the detection of BoNT/A, with a detection limit of 2 pg/mL was recently reported (Stanker et al., 2008). The mAbs (F1-2, F1-5 and F1-40) that form the foundation of this sandwich ELISA have been extensively characterized. Binding of these antibodies to the other serotypes of BoNT was undetectable (Stanker et al., 2008; Scotcher et al., 2009a & b). Whilst these studies have allowed the development of a test specific for BoNT/A, it is now necessary to develop a novel collection of mAbs to facilitate the development of a sandwich ELISA-based test specific to BoNT/B.

High-affinity monoclonal antibodies for botulinum toxin type B

The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture


In a method of sequencing signal processing in the communication mode of a digital cellular radio system for conveying digitized speech communications between a terminal and a base station by means of traffic frames each comprising time slots the terminal has a time slot for sending to the base station and a time slot for receiving from the base station. The communication comprises blocks representing groups of speech samples. Each block is formed of sub-blocks each conveyed during traffic frame time slots. During each traffic frame the following are effected: a configuration process, the processing of a receive time slot, the processing of a send time slot, the processing of a send block during a particular send traffic frame, and the processing of a receive block during a particular receive traffic frame.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention concerns a method of sequencing digital signal processing in the communication mode of a digital cellular radio system using timedivision multiple access, for example the pan-European cellular radiotelephone system.
2. Description of the prior art
The digital signal processing will now be explained with reference to a terminal in order to clarify the disclosure, although this must not be seen as limiting the invention in any way. The terminal exchanges information by means of radio signals with a base station which is an access point to the cable communication network. It therefore comprises a radio circuit which converts the receive radio signal into a baseband digital signal and carries out the converse operation to produce the send signal. It also comprises a signal processing circuit which carries out various operations on the baseband receive signal to produce a digital speech signal to be routed to a converter circuit and which carries out the converse operations on the send signal. The converter circuit carries out the digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions constituting the interface between the microphone and the loudspeaker of the terminal, on the one hand, and the signal processing circuit, on the other hand. The terminal also comprises a control circuit which directs the operation of the terminal, including the radio circuit and the signal processing circuit. Hereinafter the expression digital signal processing is to be understood as referring to all of the operations carried out by the signal processing circuit.
The expression communication mode is to be understood as meaning the operating mode after call set-up is completed.
In other words, the following explanation presupposes that the call set-up procedures have been accomplished already (they do not form any part of the present invention).
The radiotelephone systems of interest are so-called time-division multiple access systems. These use repetitive frames subdivided into time slots. Communication between a base station and a terminal takes place over a communication channel comprising two separate time slots in each frame, one for each transmission direction, these time slots always occupying the same position within the frame.
One specific system using this method is the panEuropean digital cellular radiotelephone system defined by the Groupe Special Mobile (GSM) of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
The invention will be explained with reference to this particular system, so that it is possible to refer to a known infrastructure, in particular the recommendations published by the GSM.
It follows that:
the baseband digital signal is a digital signal modulated by Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) at 270.3 Kbit/s,
the speech digital signal comprises samples each of 13 bits at 8 kHz,
communications with the control circuit essentially concern process commands, signalling and synchronization information.
The GSM system uses two overlaid time structures, namely multiframes comprising either 26 frames or 51 frames and called by convention 26 multiframes and 51 multiframes, respectively. The 51 multiframe is used in the call set-up procedure. The 26 multiframe is used to route the calls.
In communication mode the terminal therefore uses the 26 multiframe, call set-up and the change from the 51 multiframe to the 26 multiframe being explained in GSM recommendations of series 04 and 05. The various functions to be implemented in this mode can be divided into send functions and receive functions:
- send functions: PA0 + send speech processing: production by encoding of a speech block of 260 bits from 160 speech samples each of 13 bits, which represents a full rate call to use the GSM terminology (GSM recommendations 06.10, 06.12, 06.31 and 06.32). PA0 + channel coding: production of a coded block of 456 bits from a speech block (GSM recommendation 05.03). PA0 + interleaving: formation of an interleaved block of 464 bits from sub-blocks of two coded blocks (GSM recommendation 05.03). PA0 + encipherment: producing packets of 116 bits from the interleaved blocks, each packet comprising two sub-blocks (GSM recommendation 03.20). PA0 + packet processing: production of a burst in the time slot format by adding control bits to a packet (GSM recommendations 05.01 and 05.02). PA0 + GMSK modulation: digital modulation of the bits forming the bursts (GSM recommendation 05.04). PA0 - receive functions: PA0 + GMSK demodulation: this function is the counterpart of GMSK modulation and recovers the packets. PA0 + decipherment. PA0 + de-interleaving. PA0 + channel decoding. PA0 + receive speech processing: recovery of 160 samples each of 13 bits at 8 kHz from a speech block of 260 bits. PA0 - during each traffic frame the following operations are effected: PA0 + a configuration process, PA0 + the processing of a receive time slot to recover the pth sub-block of the (j+n)th coded block and the (p+s)th sub-block of the (j+n-1)th coded block from the pth receive packet, PA0 + the processing of a send time slot to group the pth sub-block of the (j+n)th coded block and the (p+s)th sub-block of the (j+n-1)th coded block and form the pth send packet, PA0 - during a specific send traffic frame for each value of j processing a send block by forming the (j+n+1)th coded block to be sent from a group of speech samples to end, PA0 - during a specific receive traffic frame for each value of j processing a receive block to recover the (j+n-2)th coded block received and recover the group of speech samples received corresponding to it. PA0 - during each signalling frame the following operations are effected: PA0 + a configuration procedure which among other things gives the value of q, PA0 + a receive procedure for recovering the two sub-blocks of the qth packet of the ith received coded signalling block, PA0 + a send procedure to group the two sub-blocks of the qth packet of the ith send coded signalling block, PA0 - during a particular decoding signalling frame, for each value of i, there is effected after reception of the decoding procedure to recover the respective receive signalling information, PA0 - during a particular coding signalling frame, for each value of i, there is effected before sending of the first packet of a signalling block a procedure for coding the respective send signalling information.
The solution usually adopted is to execute these various functions in parallel in a so-called multitasking sequence which means using dedicated units for each function or group of functions, these units being able to operate simultaneously. The functions are clearly delimited and appear as such in the GSM recommendations. This solution is further justified by the complexity of the functions which leads naturally to considering them individually and also considering separately the means of generating them.
However, multitasking is characterized by the following features. Firstly, it imposes a complex structure of interrupt management at the level of the control circuit in order to coordinate the implementation of the various functions in the various units. Secondly, it requires the use of large buffers to store intermediate results generated by the various functions. Thirdly, it increase the complexity of synchronization of signal processing relative to that of the GSM system. One immediate consequence of these characteristics is the need to provide dedicated modules to meet the requirements of multitasking, which increases the surface area of silicon used. This is not desirable with regard to the cost or size of the circuit, factors of particular importance in the case of portable terminals.
Accordingly, one object of the invention is a method of sequencing digital signal processing which is of the single-tasking or serial type.

Method of sequencing signal processing in the communication mode of a digital cellular radio system


A process for producing oxygen-containing compounds containing at least one oxygen atom bonded to two distinct carbon atoms which are not bonded together and not comprising a multiple bond comprises a step a) for hydroformylation of a feed comprising at least one olefin containing four to seven carbon atoms to at least one aldehyde, in the presence of a catalyst and a synthesis gas under hydroformylation conditions, a step b) for hydrogenation of this aldehyde to at least one corresponding alcohol, and a step c) for transforming at least one alcohol obtained from step b) in the presence of a catalyst under conditions for producing a mixture containing at least one ether or at least one acetal.

The invention relates to a process for producing oxygen-containing compounds containing at least one oxygen atom bonded to two distinct carbon atoms which are not bonded together and not comprising a multiple bond. This oxygen-containing compound belongs to the group formed by ethers or to the acetal group.
The production of ether from a hydrocarbon feed containing olefins has been described, for example, in International patent WO-A-94/26685. That document describes the production of a mixture of ether and alcohol by hydrating a feed comprising an olefin containing two to eight atoms in the presence of a catalyst comprising a modified beta zeolite. The examples are limited to the case of forming isopropyl alcohol and diisopropylether from propylene.
U.S. Pat. No. 886,918 describes a process for producing ether(s) of a mixture of ether(s) and alcohol(s) from a feed comprising at least one olefin containing two to seven carbon atoms, introduced into two reaction zones of a conversion unit. The first zone consists of hydrating the olefin to the alcohol. In the second zone, a portion of the lipido-colloid is dehydrated to the ether and a further portion of that alcohol reacts with the olefin introduced into that zone to form the ether. The catalysts used in the hydration and etherification zones contain identical or different acidic zeolites. That process only describes the case where the olefin is propylene.
French patent FR-A-1 576 890 describes a process for preparing acetals by reacting an alcohol containing three to eight carbon atoms and aldehyde generating substances such as trioxane, in the presence of acidic catalysts such as ion exchange resins.
The process of the invention is of particular application to feeds containing linear or branched olefins containing four to seven carbon atoms in their molecule and produced by conventional manufacturing routes such as fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), steam cracking, oligomerisation of olefins containing less than four carbon atoms, or by dimerisation of olefins containing less than four carbon atoms using, for example, the DIMERSOL process from the Institut Francais du Pxc3xa9trole.
By way of example, gasolines from catalytic cracking units enable different hydrocarbon cuts with a high olefin content to be produced. In future, gasolines used as fuels must contain fewer olefins for environmental reasons. Further, ethers and acetals have high cetane numbers in mixtures. Firstly, the process of the invention can eliminate olefinic FCC gasolines and secondly, it can convert them into ethers or acetals which when added in suitable proportions to gas oils result in a gas oil with a cetane number which is higher than that of the starting gas oil. Further, incorporating these oxygen-containing compounds into the gas oil can produce a gas oil which pollutes less. The invention thus concerns a process for upgrading these olefinic cuts and in particular olefinic cuts from FCC which can also improve gas oil oils obtained in the refinery either by distillation or by transformation of other cuts, for example the gas oil cut from FCC. The invention also concerns a gas oil with an improved cetane number obtained by incorporating at least one oxygen-containing product formed in the process of the present invention. It further concerns the use of these products, ethers and/or acetals and in particular ethers as bases for high cetane number fuels.
In a particular implementation of the invention, the olefins contain five to six carbon atoms and originate from a light gasoline cut leaving a FCC unit. This particular implementation of the invention is better for simultaneous upgrading of both the gasoline cut obtained by cracking by eliminating a large fraction of the olefins it contains to produce a gasoline cut with a lower olefin content, and of the gas oil obtained by cracking by adding at least a portion of the oxygen-containing compounds formed during elimination of the olefins from the gas cut, resulting in the production of a gas oil fuel with a cetane number which is higher than that of the cracked gas oil without additives.
The process of the present invention for producing oxygen-containing compounds containing at least one oxygen atom bonded to two distinct carbon atoms which are not bonded together and not comprising a multiple bond comprises a step a) for hydroformylation of a feed comprising at least one olefin containing four to seven carbon atoms to at least one aldehyde, a step b) for hydrogenating this aldehyde to at least one corresponding alcohol, and a step c) for transforming at least one alcohol obtained from step b) into a mixture of products comprising at least one oxygen-containing compound containing at least one oxygen atom bonded to two distinct carbon atoms which are not bonded together and not comprising a multiple bond. This product mixture comprises at least one oxygen-containing compound containing at least one oxygen atom bonded to two distinct carbon atoms which are not bonded together and not comprising a multiple bond belonging to the ether or to the acetal group.
Step a) of the process of the invention comprises hydroformylation of a feed comprising at least one olefin containing four to seven carbon atoms in its molecule. Hydroformylation transforms the feed containing at least one olefin into at least one aldehyde containing five to eight carbon atoms in its molecule. It is carried out in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst and a synthesis gas comprising a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a H2/CO ratio in the range about 0.5:1 to 3:1, normally in the range about 1:1 to 2.3:1 and usually in the range 1.5:1 to 2.3:1.
The hydroformylation process used in the context of the present invention is preferably the KUHLMANN (PCUK) process described in xe2x80x9cReactivity and Structure Concepts in Organic Chemistryxe2x80x9d, 1980, volume 1, published by Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, N-Y, pp 165-166.
The catalyst used can be any hydroformylation type catalyst based on cobalt, rhodium or ruthenium. Usually, catalysts based on cobalt or rhodium in the form of carbonyls or carbonyl complexes are used. Preferably, a catalyst based on unmodified carbonyl cobalt is used which has the advantage of being less sensitive than rhodium based catalysts to poisons such as acetylenic compounds, sulphur, halogens, and carboxylic acids. In a particular implementation of the process of the invention, the hydroformylation catalyst used in step a) is dicobalt octacarbonyl Co2(CO)8.
Hydroformylation uses a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen known as synthesis gas obtained using any method which is known to the skilled person. In particular, said synthesis gas is obtained by partial oxidation of straight run vacuum residues. Synthesis gas normally contains five principal elements, namely hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and water, and also impurities which originate from the feeds being treated or from the oxygen used, such as argon, nitrogen and hydrogen sulphide.
Manufacturing synthesis gas by partial oxidation usually involves distilling air to obtain a gaseous mixture which is highly enriched in oxygen containing, for example, 95% by volume of oxygen. The petroleum residue is then partially oxidised using this highly oxygen-rich gaseous mixture. The high temperature encourages the formation of soot which can be limited by injecting water vapour.
The gaseous mixture obtained is then enriched in hydrogen by steam converting carbon monoxide which can be encouraged by an excess of steam. After cooling by quenching, the synthesis gas is separated from the acidic gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide using any means which is known to the skilled person such as adsorbing the acidic compounds onto a capture mass or in a basic solution.
Hydroformylation is carried out in a reactor in the liquid phase. The temperature is normally in the range about 100xc2x0 C. to 200xc2x0 C., usually in the range about 150xc2x0 C. to 180xc2x0 C., and the total pressure is normally in the range about 10 to 50 MPa, usually in the range about 20 to 40 NPa, and more preferably in the range about 25 to 30 MPa.
The hydroformylation reaction generates aldehydes and primary alcohols as the principal products, in particular when the H2/CO ratio is 1.5:1 or more. The product obtained following hydroformylation contains paraffins and secondary products such as heavier compounds, for example the trimer and tetramer of the olefins.
Only the aldehyde and alcohol stream, which is separated using any means known to the skilled person, is sent to the hydrogenation unit. The paraffins originating from the FCC and the secondary products are evacuated.
Step b) of the process of the invention is hydrogenation to at least one primary alcohol of at least one aldehyde obtained in step a). Hydrogenation of aldehydes to the corresponding primary alcohols is known in the art. It can be carried out in the liquid phase or in the gas phase. The article in xe2x80x9cHydrocarbon Processingxe2x80x9d of March 1993, pages 67-74 describes different aldehyde hydrogenation catalysts such as catalysts based on cobalt, nickel and/or copper with the recommended addition of an alkali element and/or a transition metal, on a silicon oxide support. Copper and nickel are highly sensitive to sulphur and phosphorous compounds, and thus the use of catalysts operating at high temperatures and pressures but which are less sensitive to these impurities has been proposed. Non limiting examples which can be cited are a catalyst based on oxides of zinc and chromium with or without an aluminium oxide, the catalyst based on molybdenum disulphide on carbon, and the catalyst NiS/WS2.
In one particular implementation of the process of the invention, hydrogenation is carried out in the liquid phase and in two steps. The first step is carried out in the presence of a catalyst which is preferably based on molybdenum disulphide on carbon and the second step is carried out in the presence of a catalyst which is normally different from that used in the first step. In this second step the catalyst used is preferably based on nickel on alumina. The reaction temperature is normally in the range about 100xc2x0 C. to 300xc2x0 C., usually in the range about 200xc2x0 C. to 250xc2x0 C., and the partial pressure of hydrogen is normally in the range about 10 to 30 MPa, usually in the range 15 to 25 MPa. The operating conditions are usually identical in the two steps. The hydrogenated product is usually treated using any means known to the skilled person to produce a fraction which is enriched in alcohol which is used in step c) of the process of the invention to form a mixture of products containing at least one ether or at least one acetal.
In the case of ether production, step c) of the process of the invention is dehydration of at least two molecules of alcohols obtained in step b). The mixture of products obtained during this dehydration comprises at least one ether containing 10 to 16 carbon atoms in its molecule, and usually 12 to 14 carbon atoms in its molecule, unconverted alcohol, olefins and water. The ether obtained can be symmetrical or unsymmetrical.
The catalyst used in the dehydration reaction is any type of catalyst which is well known to the skilled person to carry out this reaction. Preferably, an acidic catalyst usually comprising at least one solid mineral, for example a polysiloxane, grafted with at least one organic alkyl sulphonic acid type group normally containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms and more preferably 2 to 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, or an aryl sulphonic group normally containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the aryl group, or an alkylaryl sulphonic group normally containing 7 to 24 carbon atoms in the alkylaryl group.
In particular, said catalyst, which preferably comprises a polysiloxane type solid grafted with at least one organic group, is sold by DEGUSSA under the registered trade mark xe2x80x9cDELOXANxe2x80x9d. The preparation of such a solid is, for example, described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,552,700, 5,354,831 and 5,380,791. These solids have a strong Bronsted acidity.
The polysiloxane type solid mineral used is preferably grafted with at least one alkylsulphonic acid type organic group. This mineral solid in the catalyst used in step a) of the process of the invention generally comprises at least one unit with formula (I) below:
xe2x80x83(O3/2Sixe2x80x94R1xe2x80x94SO3xe2x88x92)H+xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
where R1 is an alkyl radical usually containing the number of carbon atoms mentioned above.
These catalysts can operate at low temperature, for example at 130xc2x0 C., which encourages good catalyst stability, and which also means a long catalyst service life. If the endothermic nature of the reaction is also taken into account, and thus the favourable displacement of the thermodynamic equilibrium by raising the temperature, with these catalysts it is possible to operate at a high temperature (typically between 180xc2x0 C. and 220xc2x0 C.).
The fact that the grafted solid is mineral and non organic, for example polysiloxane in type, means that such temperatures can be used without substantial degradation of the catalyst.
The primary alcohols obtained in step b) are dehydrated in the liquid phase at a temperature which is normally in the range about 100xc2x0 C. to 300xc2x0 C., usually in the range 120xc2x0 C. to 250xc2x0 C. and at a pressure which is normally in the range about 0.1 to 0.3 MPa. The mixture of products formed during this endothermic reaction contains ethers as the principal products and olefins as the secondary products, also unconverted alcohols and water.
This mixture of products containing at least one ether, at least one olefin, at least one unconverted alcohol and water, is then transferred to the fractionation section from which the desired ethers are recovered. Recycling at least a portion of the olefins contained in this mixture to hydroformylation step a) can be envisaged. Similarly, a portion of the unconverted alcohols obtained in step c) can be isolated form the mixture of products by at least one separation then recycled to the inlet to dehydration step c).
In a particular implementation of the process of the invention, the olefins obtained in step c) are isolated from the mixture using two separation steps, normally a distillation followed by decanting and the unconverted alcohols obtained in step c) are isolated from the mixture, usually by two successive distillation steps.
The olefins and water obtained from step c) are separated from the ethers and unconverted alcohols by distillation at a pressure in the range about 0.1 to 1 MPa, usually in the range 0.2 to 0.6 MPa. The olefins and water leave overhead; the ether and unconverted alcohol leave from the bottom of the column. Said olefin is then separated from the water by decanting.
The ether and unconverted alcohol are also fractionated, usually by distillation, at a pressure in the range about 0.1 to 1 MPa, usually in the range 0.2 to 0.6 MPa. The unconverted alcohol leaves overhead and the ether is removed from the column bottom. The alcohols are usually about 50 to 95 mole % converted to ethers and the unconverted can be recycled to transformation step c).
In the case of acetal production, step c) of the process of the invention is an acetal synthesis which transforms the primary alcohol obtained in step b) into a mixture of products comprising at least one acetal containing 11 to 17 carbon atoms, unconverted alcohol and water. The acetals which are obtained contain 11, 13, 15 or 17 carbon atoms. They can be symmetrical, unsymmetrical, linear and/or branched.
The acetals can be synthesised by reacting the primary alcohol obtained in step b) with 1,3,5-trioxane or with a 1,3,5-trioxane derivative containing at least one alkoyl substituent in the 2, 4 or 6 position in the presence of an acidic catalyst. This reaction is encouraged by the presence of a small quantity of water; it is thus encouraged by recycling unconverted alcohol which contains water. By way of non limiting example, said catalyst can be an acidic ion exchange resin (H+), preferably a sulphonic resin such as AMBERLYST 15 from Rxc3x6hm and Haas.
The operating conditions are: a temperature normally in the range about 70 xc2x0 C. to 100xc2x0 C., a hourly space velocity (HSV) of about 0.1 to 10 hxe2x88x921, and a pressure normally in the range about 0.2 to 1 MPa, preferably in the range about 0.2 to 0.5 MPa.
1,3,5-trioxane has low solubility in alcohol and tends to re-crystallise when the temperature drops. The acetal formation procedure usually comprises stirring the alcohol-trioxane mixture at a temperature normally in the range about 10 to 100xc2x0 C., preferably in the range about 40xc2x0 C. to 60xc2x0 C., for 1 to 20 hours (h) and normally using a mixture in which the mole ratio between the 1,3,5-trioxane and the alcohols is in the range about 3 to 20, usually in the range about 3 to 15, to completely dissolve the trioxane.
In addition to the acetals formed, the mixture of products obtained in step c) also comprises trioxane and alcohol which has not reacted and essentially heavy products from trioxane ring opening, different from that envisaged for acetal formation.
The acetal obtained in step c) is isolated from the mixture of products by at least one separation step. A portion of the unconverted alcohols obtained in step c) is also isolated from the product mixture by at least one separation step then recycled to acetal synthesis step c).
In a preferred implementation of the process of the invention, said acetal is isolated by two successive distillation stages. The first distillation stage is carried out substantially at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature sufficient to distil the unconverted alcohol and the water formed. Acetal and a distillation residue (polyformol) which is soluble in water, is recovered from the bottom of the column, and the unconverted alcohol and water are recovered overhead. The second distillation stage is carried out under vacuum under reduced pressure, normally in the range about 100 to 500 Pa. Acetal is recovered overhead and the residue is recovered from the bottom of the column.
The water and unconverted alcohol from the first distillation stage are separated using any method which is known to the skilled person. As an example, simple decanting can recover a phase which is rich in alcohols containing a portion of the unconverted alcohols and a little water and which is recycled to acetal synthesis step c), also a phase which is rich in water.

Process for producing oxygen-containing compounds containing at least one oxygen atom bonded to two distinct carbon atoms which are not bonded together and not including a multiple bond


A selectively lockable orthotic joint is provided in which a pressure sensor having a thin layer of variably resistive material generates a control signal when an actuation force is applied to the sensor. An electronic circuit operatively connects the sensor to a mechanical orthotic joint that can be selectively locked and unlocked in response to the control signal. The control signal may be uniform in strength selectively locking and unlocking the joint. The control signal may also be variable in strength wherein the orthotic joint provides increasing or decreasing resistance to motion responsive to a corresponding increase or decrease in control signal strength. The device is suitable for use as a foot/ankle/leg orthotic having a foot sensor which selectively operates a mechanical knee joint.

An orthosis is a brace or other orthopedic device that is applied or secured to a segment or part of a human body for the purpose of assisting in the restoration or improvement of its function. Orthoses can provide assistance in walking to persons having any of several types of walking disability. One known type of orthosis is a knee/ankle/foot orthosis which controls the motion and alignment of a knee and an ankle when a person attempts to walk. Such orthoses can be made of molded plastic materials or of metal and leather parts. Various knee and ankle joints can be added to achieve the desired function.
There are many reasons for wearing such an orthosis, including knee injuries, arthritis, stroke, brain injuries, spinal cord injury and post-polio treatment. A person who is not able to properly move his leg and/or knee joint in a sufficiently functional manner to ambulate may wear a knee/ankle/foot orthosis to stabilize his leg and allow for ambulation.
A need exists for an effective knee orthosis that is able to automatically lock and unlock during ambulation without direct manual patient intervention.


A communications card is provided having a plurality of communications ports, capable of receiving and being placed in electrical communication with a media connector, that are pivotably maneuverable from within a housing of the communications card, a closed position, to a position outside of the card, an open position, to reveal the communications ports. In a preferred embodiment, the communications card has an upper and lower planar surface from which an elongate member pivots about a pivot means between the open and closed positions. A rail insertably mated with a channel of the elongate member is provided to guide the elongate member between the open and closed positions. A spring and a cam pin act in apposition against the elongate member to maintain the elongate member in each of the open and closed positions. A tab formed in the upper and planar surfaces is provided to reveal a portion of the elongate member so that a user can depress the elongate member to cause the elongate member to maneuver from the closed to the open position and vice versa. The communications card also has a printed circuit board capable of being placed in electrical communication with a host computer. The printed circuit board is also in electrical communication with the apertures by an electrical connection means to ultimately connect the media connector, attached to a communications line, with the computer.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to communications cards. More specifically, the present invention relates to the interface between physical/electrical media connectors and a communications card useful in a computer system. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to an improved interface having a communications port rotatable for acceptance of the media connectors.
2. The Relevant Technology
Communications cards such as modems, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) or Ethernet cards, etc. useful in personal computers have generally conformed to the standards developed by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA). This organization comprised of hundreds of manufacturers of memory cards and related peripheral equipment has, by convention, determined that the spatial standard for all memory cards used in down-sized personal computers should be restricted to a rectangular space approximately 55 mm in width, 85 mm in length and about 3.3 mm, 5 mm and 10.5 mm in depth for Type I, II and III cards, respectively.
The size constraints imposed by this PCMCIA standard, however, has caused a well known incompatibility problem between media connectors and the communications card. This problem occurs because the depth of a PCMCIA Type II standard communications card, for example, is limited to about 5 mm whereas the depth of a typical media connector, such as an RJ-11 type or 8-pin miniature modular plug, is approximately 8-12 mm.
Numerous prior art devices have attempted to provide a solution to this depth incompatibility, but problems have persisted. For example, some prior art devices use flexible cord adapters matable at different ends to both the communications card and the media connector. Because of the numerous varieties of specific brands of communications cards, these adapters are often incompatible with more than one brand of card which causes inflexibility. Also, because the adapter is an extra piece of computing equipment, it is frequently forgotten or misplaced.
Other prior art devices use various snap-on adapters matable between the communications cards and the media connector. Because of their precarious positioning outside of the computer housing, these adapters are prone to breakage. If left in place during transport, they also disrupt the computer contour which causes incompatibility problems with many streamlined down-sized computer cases. Some snap-on adapters are so large that they even tend to prohibit the insertion of additional communications cards in adjoining or adjacent computer card slots. As with the flexible cord adapters, these are also potentially lost or forgotten.
Still other prior art devices use rotating members that expose a media connector jack in an extended position while concealing the jack in a retracted position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,405 teaches such a device. In this patent, to maneuver the jack between the extended and retracted positions, a user pulls or manipulates a minute finger grip. This, however, presupposes that a user has adequate manual dexterity to manipulate such a small device. As a result, difficulty is created for impaired users incapable of such manipulation.
This device is also problematic because, when the jack is exposed, no means exist to prevent the jack from rotating back from the extended to the retracted position. Such rotation, if allowed to occur with a media connector mated to the jack, subjects the media connector to breakage.
In general, this patent teaches that the rotating member is semi-circular in shape. Presumably, this allows for rotation that is substantially unhindered by the corners of a PCMCIA styled card. Disadvantageously, however, a semi-circular rotating member impinges upon the shape of the printed circuit board(s) internal to the communications card. This causes limitation in the design thereof. Subsequently, this also increases labor costs because special designs usually require unique tooling and specialty maintenance before and during the manufacture process.
While many prior art devices have tried to solve the depth incompatibility problem between the PCMCIA standard communications card and the media connector, a "pop-out" or sliding interface device has emerged as a popular solution. The pop-out interface device, known commonly as the XJACK.RTM. connector initially produced by MEGAHERTZ Corp., now owned by 3 Com Corp., solves many of the interface problems posed by prior art devices. Such solved problems include, but are not limited to: (i) the elimination of carrying along an extra interfacing device compatible with both the media connector and the PCMCIA communications card; (ii) the elimination of ensuring a DAA in the interfacing device is compatible with the computer; (iii) the elimination of physical interference between adjacent PCMCIA communication cards in adjacent slots when the PCMCIA communication card has an enlarged portion thereof larger than the conventional 5 mm thickness; (iv) the elimination of potential breakage of the interface connector when not in use; and (v) the elimination of protrusions beyond the normal dimensions of the computer so that the computer profile is more compatible with devices typically transporting laptop computers.
This pop-out interface has also had numerous variants thereof. In one particular variant, the communications card has been adapted for use with both a pop-out interface and a custom 15-pin connector in a juxtaposed manner to allow for simultaneous connections with a plurality of media connectors. Although useful, inherent with such a design is the difficulty a consumer confronts when trying to replace custom parts.
Accordingly, it is desirous to overcome the foregoing shortcomings in the prior art and still provide a communications card meeting the PCMCIA standards compatible with one or more typical media connectors.

Communications card having rotating communications port


An acoustic transducer for producing sonar waves features a piezoelectric structure with a radiating surface. A plurality of elements is attached to the radiating surface, and at least two of the plurality of elements have different acoustic properties. The acoustic transducer is designed for a wider beam angle for a thickness vibration mode while maintaining other desired vibration frequencies, maximum input power and low cost.

Sonar transducers are ideally designed for specific system needs such as beamwidth, useful range, impedance, and bandwidth. These designs are often revised based on the practical limits of available power, physical space, acoustic cavitation, thermal limits, mechanical stress, electrical stress and others. However, sometimes sonars are designed around existing legacy or low-cost hardware.
A specific example from the commercial marine industry is a piezoelectric transducer disk made of ceramic to produce sonar waves. These devices can provide dual sonar frequencies, relying on a lateral (radial) vibration mode for ˜70-80 kHz and a thickness vibration mode for ˜200 kHz. The thickness mode directly radiates sound, whereas the radial mode mechanically couples vibrations, in a Poisson sense, into a quasi-thickness direction, which in turn also radiates sound. This is one example, therefore, where a single transducer may be designed to produce two output frequencies, thus avoiding the expense of a second transducer.
In the commercial marine example, the −3 dB main-lobe beamwidth of the acoustic vibration beam produced at each frequency is primarily determined by the ratio of the acoustic wavelength and the outer diameter of the piezoelectric ceramic. The power input and output of such transducers is primarily limited by the volume of the piezoelectric ceramic, because such materials have a limited allowed energy density before a mechanical, thermal, electrical or combined failure occurs. For this specific example, the electrical driving power input limit is approximately 1.8 kW for a commonly used 25-mm-diameter by 9.5-mm-thick lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic, and the beamwidths are typically 40 and 14 degrees, respectively, for ˜75 kHz (lateral mode) and ˜200 kHz (thickness mode) operation.


A container for shipping and storing an article such as a video cassette has a base formed by a pair of spaced end walls, and a pair of spaced side walls. Integrally molded to the base is a lid having at least one destructible locking tang formed thereon which passes through an aperture formed in one of the side walls of the base. When the locking tang is inserted through the aperture, a shoulder on the tang engages the base wall and may only be disengaged from the wall by destructibly removing the locking tang from the lid. A tear groove preferably is formed in a hinge portion of the tang to facilitate removal of the tang from the lid. Also, provided on the lid and base are a plurality of projections to provide at least one snap-fit engagement between the lid and the base to latch the lid and the base together once the locking tang has been removed. A plurality of shock absorbing tabs are formed in the storage compartment to space the video cassette from the walls to reduce damage thereto during shipment.

Technical Field
The invention relates to containers. Particularly, the invention relates to a storage container for storing and shipping a single videocassette. Specifically, the invention relates to storage and shipping containers for accepting a single videocassette which is permanently locked during shipment and becomes a usual storage container when the customer receives the cassette.


A decoder may include a constellation mapper arranged to receive a symbol and to determine two constellation points that are proximate the received symbol. An index mapper may determine a constellation index corresponding to the received symbol based on the received symbol and the two constellation points that are proximate the received symbol. A coset selector may receive successive constellation indices from the index mapper and may determine a number of nearest cosets to the successive constellation indices.

The claimed invention relates to data communication and, more particularly, to decoding received data in data communication schemes.
Various schemes have been proposed to communicate data between devices. Devices that employ these schemes may communicate data at certain rates that are specified by these schemes with little or no additional configuration. Such communication schemes may encode data before transmission to protect the transmitted data against noise and/or other errors during transmission.
One scheme for transmitting encoded data may be found in the ITU-T V.92 (11/2000) recommendation. Devices that communicate in accordance with this V.92 recommendation, for example, may employ a pulse code modulation (PCM) scheme for upstream communication over a public switched telephone network (PSTN). Various sources of noise, however, may tend to corrupt the transmitted data, possibly leading to transmission errors and a lower overall data rate. Further, decoding schemes that reduce data corruption may be computationally expensive to implement.


A method, apparatus and system for increasing the recovery efficiency of spilled oil or any other viscous fluid. The surface of a rotatable oleophilic fluid recovery unit in an adhesion (oelophilic) skimmer or other recovery apparatus is patterned with a plurality of grooves configured for formation of menisci and pooling of fluid in the grooves when the surface contacts a viscous fluid. When the surface of the fluid recovery unit rotates out of (e.g., is withdrawn from) the body of viscous fluid, an amount of the viscous fluid adheres to the patterned surface. A scraper is provided having a surface geometry that matches the surface geometry of the fluid recovery unit and allows the viscous fluid to be scraped off the surface of the fluid recovery unit and transferred to a collector. Accordingly, both fluid separation and fluid recovery are made possible.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to separating fluids, and more particularly to separating and recovering viscous fluids from water or other fluids.
2. Description of Related Art
Mechanical recovery is the most commonly used oil spill response technique, and is a technique that is used in industrial applications as well. This technique physically removes oil from the water surface, and the oil is usually floating on the water surface. Unlike other cleanup techniques, mechanical recovery can be efficiently applied to treat emulsified oils as well as oils of variable viscosities. The main weakness of mechanical cleanup is the recovery rate. Mechanical recovery may be very time consuming and expensive when employed on a large scale. Mechanical recovery may also require a large number of personnel and equipment, and every additional hour of cleanup time can significantly increase the cost of recovery. Therefore, a more efficient recovery device could reduce cleanup costs significantly, as well as reduce the risk of oil reaching the shoreline.
An adhesion (oleophilic) skimmer is one of the most common types of mechanical recovery equipment. This type of skimmer is based on the adhesion of oil to a rotating skimmer surface. The rotating surface lifts the oil out of the water to an oil removal device (e.g., scraper, roller, etc.). The adhesion surface is the most critical element of the skimmer as it determines the efficiency of recovery. Various shapes of the skimmer, such as a mop, belt, brush, disc, and drum, have been developed to increase skimmer efficiency.
Two types of recovery surfaces patterns are usually used for adhesion oil skimmers. Smooth flat surfaces are used on drum, disk and belt skimmers. Drum and belt skimmers might also have a surface covered with brushes. The latter configuration has an obvious advantage due to the much higher surface area (oil covering every bristle) and formation of oil meniscuses between the bristles, but the difficulty of oil removal from the brushes may result in a lower overall recovery. Brush surfaces tend to pick up debris and water together with oil, which may affect the recovery efficiency and oil transfer process. The smooth surface area of a drum, disk and belt doesn't usually recover debris, but this configuration picks up less oil than a brush surface due to the smaller surface area.
The oil spill recovery process has two equally important goals. The first one is to remove oil from the water surface and the second one is to remove oil adhered to the recovery surface and transfer it into the collector. The recovery efficiency depends on the achievement of both of these goals. In the case of a smooth surface, the amount of recovered oil is relatively low, but close to 100% of it can be removed by a scraper. In the case of a brush surface and light to medium oils, oil covers every bristle and forms small menisci between the bristles, preventing oil from draining back into the slick. Unfortunately, the configuration of this surface doesn't allow for scraping every bristle individually and removing all adhered oil. Hence, a significant amount of oil remains on the surface after scraping and returns back to the oil slick, thereby reducing the overall recovery rate.
A brush configuration works much more efficiently on high viscosity and semi-solid oils. In this case, oil doesn't cover the bristles or penetrate inside the brush. It is merely being lifted from the water by the tips of the bristles and physically transported to the collector. This process is not exactly related to oil adhesion and spreading properties. This explains the ability of a brush surface to recover more debris than a smooth surface.
Accordingly, using brushes increases the contact surface area between oil and recovery device, and exploits the effect of capillary forces for collection of oil between the bristles. A disadvantage of the brush method, however, is the fact that brushes collect debris and water together with oil, which can clog the pipes in oil-collection device. Another disadvantage is its inability to remove large part of the oil adhered to brushes using scrapers, since they cannot scrape each brush individually. Improvement has been sought by using porous mats (or similar structures) covering the surface of the skimmer, allowing oil to penetrate into its matrix, be lifted from the water, and squeezed out by rollers into the collection device. However, such improvements are intended to increase the volume of oil that can be recovered from water per unit area of the recovery surface. Although such improvements allow a thicker oil film to be formed on the recovery surface, they do not allow for scraping out all of the recovered oil. In contrast, belts and drums with smooth surfaces allow almost 100% of adhered oil to be transferred into collector. The disadvantage of smooth recovery surfaces, however, is that only a relatively thin film can be formed on its surface and total volume of the recovered oil is relatively small.
To select the most efficient oil spill response action, it is important to understand the chemistry and physical behavior of spilled oil and the way these characteristics change over time. Viscosity increase and emulsion formation are dynamic processes of particular interest. Petroleum products and oils originated at different oil fields have extremely diverse properties and chemical compositions. Viscosity of these products can vary in the range of 0.5 mPas to 100,000 mPas. Oil weathering brings additional complication to the prediction of spilled oil properties and has significant ramifications with respect to appropriate recovery strategies. During the first twenty-four hours, some oils can lose from 5% to 50% of light compounds. A major increase in oil viscosity, caused by evaporation of lighter compounds and emulsification, will occur within hours to a few days. Therefore, the oil that has to be recovered does not have the same properties as the oil that has been spilled. Existing types of skimmers are not tailored to the properties of the product that has to be recovered and can only recover oil within a certain range of properties. They are characterized by a specific "window of opportunity"—a time period when this equipment may be used, which is largely determined by the oil properties (viscosity in particular). Outside of that time period, response measures with this equipment may become ineffective.

Method and apparatus for recovery of spilled oil or other viscous fluid

The Regents of the University of California


An apparatus and method for behavior monitoring and training for an animal, comprising a remote unit with a microprocessor, motion sensors, global position system receivers, stimulators, and batteries. The remote unit microprocessor receives monitoring and training instructions from a host unit and signals from the motion sensors and global position system receivers. The remote unit, when placed on an animal, produces training stimuli, including sound and/or electric shock, in response to digging and jumping. When a microphone and global position system receiver are also employed in the remote unit, the remote unit can also produce training stimuli in response to barking and leaving a confined area.

The present invention relates to the field of electronic animal training devices, and more particularly, to an electronic device that automatically and independently trains an animal not to vocalize, not to dig, and not to jump on people, and to remain within a designated area.
Electronic dog training collars that provide warning sounds, followed by some form of punishment for the purpose of training dogs not to engage in nuisance barking are well known. This type system is activated when a dog""s barking sound is picked up from the dog""s throat area by a sound-sensing device located on a dog collar. This type device does not allow a user selectable time delay before corrective action, currently thought to be desirable. This type device also does not allow a user a selectable option to apply correction only at night when barking is most objectionable.
Electronic dog training collars that provide warning sounds, followed by some form of punishment for the purpose of training dogs to stay within an established area are also well known. This type system is activated when a collar based radio receiver picks up a signal transmitted through a buried wire antenna. This type device does not provide a method for allowing the dog to return to within the established area in the event he escapes, without receiving correction.
A third type of electronic dog training collar provides warning sounds, then some form of punishment only when perceived behavioral problems are visually detected by the dog owner who activates a radio transmitter contained within a hand held radio transmitter enclosure. This signal, in turn, is received by a dog collar based radio receiver and the correction sequence is initiated. Some training collars of this type have a tilt switch which senses whether a dog is moving or standing still (pointing). This training method may allow dog owner frustration to enter into the training process which can result in over correction, causing additional behavioral problems.
In all of the above-described systems, warning sounds are provided by a buzzer or loud speaker. Punishment stimuli include electronic stimulation, loud and/or high-pitched sounds, chemical sprays, and flashing lights.
The inventor of the present invention discovered through intensive field work with dogs, that with the use of accelerometers or motion detectors, an associated microprocessor containing unique software algorithms, and supporting circuitry, the detection of heretofore undetectable and undesirable behaviors such as digging and jumping up on people and/or objects is practical. After detection the microprocessor directs the system to provide owner prerecorded voice warning, and if selected, an optional electronics based stimulus.
Acceleration-sensitive motion analyzers use acceleration sensors that are attached to an object under study which can continuously monitor the motion of the object. Accelerometers or motion detectors are used in such diverse areas as industrial, medical, railway, automotive and aerospace engineering. The accelerometers used in these devices may detect either or both, dynamic and static acceleration, and are capable of providing electrical output signals to a microprocessor and/or a data recorder.
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring and training a canine, and has potential uses in the monitoring and training of any quadrupedal animal. In a preferred embodiment all hardware and software associated with the training functions are located within a remote electronics enclosure which is attached to a dog harness at the shoulder blade area. The electronics and software located within this electronics enclosure are capable of monitoring, based on owner selected preferences, one or more of the following behaviors: digging behavior, jumping up behavior, nuisance barking behavior, and movement relative to a containment area. A motion sensor system is used in detecting the digging and jumping up behavior, a microphone located in the bottom of the electronics enclosure and just above the dog""s chest area is used in detecting barking vibrations through the chest cavity, and a global position system receiver is used to determine the position of the dog within the containment area. The motion sensors can also be used to determine the position of the dog within the containment area. Processing of motion data, sound data, and position data is accomplished by a microprocessor and its associated unique software algorithms contained within the electronics enclosure. The functions of the hardware and software contained within the remote electronics enclosure are selected by the user, and the batteries are recharged, while the remote electronics enclosure is connected to a host unit using a custom designed, magnetic latching connector. The user is allowed the option of inputting his or her own voice commands, selecting one or more of the four possible system functions described above, as well as selecting various options within each function, for example an option is available to correct for nuisance barking only at night. The selections of these options is accomplished using a four keypad, a LCD and its associated messages, and prerecorded voice assistance messages. All options are available to the user by selecting the xe2x80x98yesxe2x80x99 or the xe2x80x98noxe2x80x99 key and stepping through the host program decision tree. All user interface functions of the host unit are controlled by the microprocessor contained within the host unit. All training instruction options and user recorded voice commands are passed to the microprocessor and voice data storage chip located within the remote electronics enclosure. The remote electronics enclosure unit is completely independent from any user input once the unit is removed from the host unit and placed in the dog harness and into use. This independence insures that the device is incapable of producing overcorrection and associated unsafe situations for the dog.
An advantage of the present invention to provide an electronic device for an animal that monitors behavior, including vocalization, digging, jumping, and approaching a containment wire or predefined boundary.
Another advantage of the present invention is to monitor digging and jumping in an animal using an accelerometer or motion detector.
Another advantage of the present invention is to use an accelerometer or motion detector, microphone, and a receiver simultaneously to monitor behavior in an animal.
Another advantage of the present invention is to train an animal by monitoring behavior such as vocalization, digging, jumping, and approaching a containment wire and by using stimulators such as voice commands, electric shocks, or a combination thereof.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a remote unit contained in a harness attached to an animal to monitor and modify behavior independently.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a remote unit contained in a harness attached to an animal to receive transmissions from a containment wire defining a containment area, warn or punish when the containment wire is approached or traversed, and allow reentry into the containment area without punishment.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a host unit with a microprocessor allowing inputting monitoring and training instructions into a remote unit having a microprocessor, adjusting operating parameters in the remote unit microprocessor, and navigating through a decision process to select active functions, voice messages, sound levels, electric stimulation voltage level, and electric stimulation duration.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a host unit having a transmitter for an integrated boundary wired containment system and a battery charging system to charge batteries in a remote unit.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a remote unit contained in a harness attached to an animal to receive transmissions from GPS satellites and to compare the resulting identified physical location of the animal to a defined boundary previously entered into the remote unit via the host unit.

Dog behavior monitoring and training apparatus


A programmable logic device (PLD) with an output macrocell circuit is disclosed. Specifically, there is a field programmable logic array (FPLA) using a dedicated product term for macrocell control. Particularly, the macrocells contain a faster, more flexible, and exclusive feedback line as well as an exclusive external-input line from an input/output (I/O) pad for a registered mode of operation. Moreover, there is a registered mode macrocell which has 1) a feedback path for the registered mode signals which is activated even when the I/O pad driver is disabled, 2) an input path, to the logic circuitry, over an I/O pad, 3) a feedback path for the registered mode signals while outputting the same registered mode signals, and 4) a feedback path which avoids the unnecessary signal noise emanating from the use of a 3-state device or output driver. In addition, the macrocell allows for a disabled tri-state and still have the feedback intact for the combinatorial mode; thus, avoiding the extra noise that a tri-state creates.

HISTORY
The introduction of programmable logic devices (PLDs) was a true revolution in the hardware design world. It enabled engineers to shrink circuits requiring several devices onto a single device thus simplifying their designs while saving space and power. Traditionally, PLDs have been used in combinational circuits such as address decoders as well as sequential circuits such as bus arbitration schemes. During the last few years, advances and improvements in PLD architectures enabled the devices to grow more complex while addressing the never-ending quest for higher density and faster speeds. Despite these improvements, engineers still face certain problems and limitations when implementing.
A typical programmable logic device is composed of a user-programmable AND array, a fixed or programmable OR gate or array, followed by a macrocell comprising output registers, a feedback path to the programmable AND array, and output pads. The AND and OR arrays make up a logic circuit. The existence of a feedback path from the output registers or buffers to the logic circuit makes PLDs ideal candidates for state machine implementations.

Programmable logic device macrocell with an exclusive feedback and exclusive external input lines for registered and combinatorial modes using a dedicated product term for control


An air handling system for distributing airflow in a vehicle is disclosed and includes a passenger compartment configured to contain one or more occupants, a cargo compartment, and a flow regulating valve configured to actuate into a commanded position to apportion airflow between the passenger and cargo compartments. The air handling system also includes one or more processors in electronic communication with the flow regulating valve and a memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores data comprising a database and program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the air handling system to receive one or more signals indicating a total available airflow rate available to the vehicle and a system configuration. The one or more processors instruct the flow regulating valve to actuate into a commanded position. The commanded position is calculated based on at least a target cargo airflow rate.

An aircraft typically includes an environmental control system (ECS) that provides a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment with a conditioned flow of air. When the aircraft is on the ground, high-temperature compressed air for the ECS may be obtained from an auxiliary power unit (APU), a ground cart (GCU), or the aircraft engines. However, when the aircraft is in flight, high-temperature compressed air is obtained from the compressor stages of the aircraft engines. The high-temperature compressed air obtained from the aircraft engines may be referred to as bleed air. The bleed air is cooled by one or more heat exchangers to a predetermined temperature. The bleed air may be dehumidified as well. The bleed air is then combined with recirculated air in a mixing manifold to create the conditioned air. The conditioned air within the mix manifold is then apportioned between the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment.
It is to be appreciated that the amount of available conditioned airflow for an aircraft is finite. Accordingly, sometimes it may not be possible to supply the required amount of conditioned airflow to all areas of the aircraft. Specifically, the passenger cabin requires a minimum amount of outside conditioned airflow per occupant. The cargo compartment also requires conditioned air to meet the heating, cooling, and ventilation requirements of the cargo stored therein. For example, the heating, cooling, and ventilation requirements for luggage or other inanimate objects is quite different when compared to the requirements for live animals. However, since the total amount of available conditioned airflow is limited, either the number of occupants in the passenger cabin are reduced or, alternatively, the heating and cooling performance of the cargo compartment is limited. For example, in some aircraft, the flow rate of conditioned air to the cargo compartment is fixed. However, this reduces the amount of conditioned air available to the passenger compartment. Since each occupant requires a minimum amount of outside conditioned airflow, the available seating in the passenger compartment is reduced.

Vehicle air handling system for apportioning airflow between passenger and cargo compartments


A semiconductor memory device is provided which includes memory cells, a first error correction code (ECC) circuit configured to generate at least one selected parity bit corresponding to a selected data bit using an error correction code during a write operation and to correct an error of the selected data bit using the selected parity bit during a read operation, and a test circuit configured to selectively perform at least one of an error correction operation and a redundancy repair operation on at least one of the selected data bit and the selected parity bit based on test mode register set (TMRS) information.

Defective memory cells occur when a semiconductor memory device is fabricated. A variety of techniques are used to repair the defective memory cells. Two repair techniques are: a redundancy repair technique for replacing defective memory cells by a row or column unit and an error correction code (hereinafter, referred to as "ECC") for correcting errors of defective memory cells. ECC includes an on-chip ECC technique in which errors are corrected within a semiconductor memory device and an off-chip technique in which errors are corrected by an external controller for controlling the semiconductor memory device.
As a semiconductor memory device is scaled down, the number of defective memory cells increases sharply. A great deal of redundancy is required to replace defective memory cells using a conventional redundancy repair technique. This means that the size of a memory chip increases. A row redundancy circuit is formed of a plurality of row cell units (e.g., two or four word lines), or a column redundancy circuit is formed of a plurality of column cell units (e.g., four or eight bit lines). A problem of such redundancy circuits is that a lot of cells are unnecessarily used to repair a 1-bit defect. Also, a redundancy repair technique is not suitable to cope with reliability/quality problems caused after a fabrication process. In recent years, there has been research of on-chip and off-chip ECC techniques.

Semiconductor memory device and testing method thereof


A synergistic combination of a water-soluble, antibacterial quaternary ammonium compound and a water-soluble oxidizing agent is found to improve effectiveness in controlling bacterial growth in swimming pool water, particularly hard water.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to water purification and more particularly relates to methods and compositions for disinfecting water in swimming pools.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
The water contained in swimming pools of any size need not be of potable quality but for aesthetic and hygienic reasons it is desirably maintained free of solid and microbiological contaminants. Normal maintenance may include filtration, for example through sand, diatomaceous earth or cartridge filters and treatment with a biocide such as chlorine or chlorine containing compounds.
In recent years, the art has sought to replace chlorine as a pool water disinfectant because of certain disadvantages associated with its use. For example, chlorine in biocidal (germicidal) concentrations may be an irritant to human bathers. Also, chlorine in water will react with many organic compounds which may be present in the water, to produce chlorinated derivatives commonly referred to as "haloforms"; see Rook, "Formation of Haloforms During Chlorination of Natural Waters", J. Water Treatment Exam., 1974, pp. 234-243. These haloforms, for example chloroform, methyl chloride, carbon tetrachloride, chloroacetone and the like may be hazardous to humans and their formation in swimming pool water is to be avoided. Chloramines are also formed, which are responsible for skin, eye and raucous membrane irritations and the odor of chlorine associated with many swimming pools. Removal of dissolved haloforms generally requires aeration, which also removes substantial quantities of the chlorine. In such a system, the chlorine must be replenished at frequent intervals so as to maintain a concentration of from about 0.5 to 20 ppm.
Other processes based on the use of an oxidizing agent for germicidal activity include the use of inorganic peroxy acids such as peroxymonosulphuric acid or peroxymono- phosphoric acid. However, these acidic products are relatively poor germicides and are not stable in alkaline or neutral waters such as swimming pool water.
indirect oxidants such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach) are also well known germicides but they generally are highly alkaline compositions (to maintain stability) and may cause precipitation of water-hardness salts present in the water, and may cause changes in pH which must then be readjusted with a suitable acid.
Certain selected quaternary ammonium compounds have also been used for their bactericidal activity in water supplies; see for example the descriptions given in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,332,871; 4,539,071; and 4,925,866. These compounds are generally non-irritating to humans and odor free. However, their effectiveness in water is somewhat limited to soft (low calcium content) or distilled waters. Efficacy generally decreases when the treated water is hard or has an appreciable calcium content, for example at levels of about 300 mg/liter or more.
We have discovered that a particular combination of selected quaternary ammonium compounds and an oxidizer shows unexpected antibacterial activity, even in hard waters.


The present invention provides a sulfonium salt which can serve as a photo-acid-generator, the sulfonium salt not raising the problem of poor compatibility to a photoresist polymer having an acid-dissociable group. The sulfonium salt is represented by formula (1):

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sulfonium salt useful for a photo-acid-generator (i.e., a chemical agent for generating an acid through irradiation), which is readily decomposed through irradiation with an actinic ray such as a deep UV ray, an electron beam, an X-ray, or an EUV (extreme UV ray), particularly for a photo-acid-generator for use in chemically amplified photoresist material.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of semiconductor devices such as large-scale integrated circuit devices, typically DRAMs, there is keen demand for further enhancement in density, integration, and operational speed. In order to satisfy the demand, in industrial production of electronic devices, a more rigorous level of half-micron-scale microprocessing technique; e.g., photolithographic technique for micro-patterning, is required. In micro-patterning through photolithography, enhancement in resolution (R) is a key factor. The resolution can be enhanced by employing an actinic ray (exposure light) having a shorter wavelength λ in patterning the resist material, since resolution (R) of a demagnification stepper is calculated by Rayleigh's formula: R=k·λ/NA (wherein λ represents the wavelength of exposure light, NA represents numerical aperture, and k represents a process factor).
Regarding photoresists, U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,628 and other documents disclose chemically amplified photoresists as those suitable for exposure light of short wavelength. A characteristic feature of chemically amplified photoresist is that a photo-acid-generator contained in such a resist generates protonic acid through irradiation with light, and the generated protonic acid catalytically reacts with a resist resin or other components of the photoresist when the photoresist is heated after completion of exposure. Most photoresists currently in use are of the chemically amplified type.
Meanwhile, a variety of sulfonium salts are known to serve as a photo-acid-generator for chemically amplified photoresists. However, such conventional photo-acid-generators have drawbacks; for example, poor compatibility to a photoresist polymer having an acid-dissociable group; i.e., a group dissociated or decomposed by acid. Needless to say, when a photoresist containing such a photo-acid-generator is patternwise exposed to an actinic ray, the obtained pattern has unsatisfactory shape characteristics, which is problematic.

Abstract: wherein R1 represents a linear or branched C2 to C9 divalent hydrocarbon group; each of R2 to R5 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched C1 to C3 hydrocarbon group; each of R6 and R7 represents an organic group; R6 and R7 may be linked together to form a divalent organic group; and X− represents an anion.


Disclosed are a system and a method for determining coordinates of a three-dimensional measurer probe using a beam phase interference method. Two optical fibers are mounted inside the probe, and detecting means obtains an interference pattern generated by beam emitted from a point beam source mounted at ends of the optical fibers. After that, wave front of the interference pattern is measured and a location of the point beam source is determined through a nonlinear optimization from the wave front, and thereby the coordinates of the three-dimensional measurer probe are set. Because the two optical fibers of the inside of the probe to be measured are located in close vicinity to the three-dimensional object, the present measuring system and method can reduce a measurement error, make a structure of the system simple, and thereby reduce a manufacturing cost.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for determining three-dimensional coordinates using the principle of a laser interferometer. The principle is that laser beams generated from an x-axis laser interferometer 1a, a y-axis laser interferometer 1b and a z-axis laser interferometer 1c are inputted into a probe 3a and interference patterns reflected by corner mirrors 2a, 2b and 2c of the probe are detected to set the three-dimensional coordinates. In this system, the operating range of the probe 3a increases when the volume of an object to be measured is large. In the above-described procedure, the laser interferometers 1a, 1b and 1c are failed to target the ranges of the corner mirrors of the probe so that the coordinate values cannot be measured. In addition, the laser interferometers must move together with the probe as the probe moves and they are costly apparatuses. Thus, a three-dimensional measurer employing the principle of the laser interferometer becomes expensive.
To overcome the aforementioned shortcoming, another system using a laser interferometer (shown in FIG. 1A) is constructed in a manner that x-axis and y-axis reflecting mirrors 2x and 2y reflect interference patterns and z-axis measures a laser interferometer apparatus using the laser interferometer. However, this system should use two laser interferometers and employ reflecting mirrors 2x and 2y, which are perfectly horizontal. Accordingly, the system becomes expensive and the sizes of the reflecting mirrors must be increased when the movement range of the probe is extended.
FIGS. 2 and 2A illustrate laser interferometers that compensate for the shortcomings of the systems of FIGS. 1 and 1A. Laser interferometers 1e, 1f, 1g and 1h are located irrespective of directions and an interference pattern reflected by a corner mirror 2d set at one side of a probe is detected to measure three-dimensional coordinates. This system includes a controller 91 for setting a position of the probe and a computer 90 for detecting the interference pattern to measure the three-dimensional coordinates. This system is also expensive because it uses four laser interferometers. In addition, the laser interferometers should rotate when the probe is moved.

System and method for determining coordinates on three-dimensional space using beam phase interference

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology


A remote control microdisplay device that uses hand and head movement and voice commands to control the parameters of a field of view for the microdisplay within a larger virtual display area associated with a host application.

The present application relates to human/computer interfaces and more particularly to a remote control/microdisplay device that accepts voice commands and tracks hand motions and/or head movements to provide access to application software such as executing on a remote host device.
Small, portable electronic devices capable of storing and displaying large amounts of high resolution computer graphic information and even video content continue to be increasingly popular. These devices, such as the Apple iPhone™, represent a significant trend towards convergence among mobile phones, portable computers and digital media players. (iPhone is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.) While these devices typically include a display screen, the visual experience of a high resolution, large format display cannot be easily replicated in such devices because of their physical size limitations.
As a result, consumers are now seeking a high quality, portable, color display to augment their handheld devices. One such device is a head mounted eyewear device which is worn on the user's face or head similar to a pair of eyeglasses or headphones. Another example is a hand-held viewing device. These devices include a small high resolution micro-display and lens to magnify the image. A wireless interface provides great convenience and mobility to such devices. The micro-displays can provide Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA) (800×600) resolution or even Extended Graphics Array (XGA) (1024×768) or higher resolution. For more information regarding such displays, see a co-pending patent application entitled "Mobile Wireless Display Software Platform for Controlling Other systems and Devices", U.S. application Ser. No. 12/348,648 filed Jan. 5, 2009 and "Handheld Wireless Display Devices Having High Resolution Display Suitable for Use as Mobile Internet Device", PCT International Application No. PCT/US09/38601 filed Mar. 27, 2009.

Remote control of host application using motion and voice commands


NVM cell for storing three levels of charge: one erased and two programmed states. The cell comprises a transistor structure providing a gate current versus gate voltage curve having a shape with a flat region or a second peak. To provide such a structure, one embodiment combines two parallel transistors having different threshold voltages, and another embodiment uses one transistor with variable doping. The gate current curve provides two programming zones. Programming the first state includes applying a voltage across a channel, ramping up a gate voltage in the first programming zone, followed by ramping it back down. Programming the second state comprises applying a voltage across a channel, ramping up a gate voltage past the first programming zone and into the second programming zone, followed by ramping it back down. Ramping the voltage back down may optionally be preceded by turning off the voltage across the channel.

A non-volatile memory (NVM) cell is a semiconductor memory cell that maintains its state after power has been turned off. An example of such a cell is a stacked gate memory cell, comprising a transistor which has a source, a drain, a floating gate isolated by an oxide or other similar material, and a control gate above the floating gate.
For example, in the case of a PMOS (P-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor) NVM cell, the current flowing through the cell depends on the voltage of the floating gate. Since the floating gate is isolated and not directly accessible for the purposes of changing its voltage, the voltage is altered via one of two mechanisms: (1) introducing some charge into the floating gate, and (2) using surrounding voltages and capacitive coupling (i.e. the capacitance between the floating gate and the surrounding elements) in order to change the floating gate voltage by applying a voltage to the control gate or other electrodes.
There are three operations that can be performed on such a stacked cell: Read, Program and Erase. Reading the stacked cell refers to applying a voltage between the source and the drain, followed by sensing the amount of current flowing between the source and drain. A high level of current flow indicates one state of the cell (e.g. the "ON" state), while a low level of current flow indicates the other state (e.g. the "OFF" state).
Programming the stacked cell refers to causing negative charges to accumulate into the floating gate. If this negative charge is large enough, the voltage will fall below a threshold voltage, and as a result the channel will be on (i.e. the channel will be conducting). When the channel is on, a Read operation will sense a high level of current flow, indicating that the stacked cell is "ON". This in turn indicates that a "1" bit (or a "0" bit, depending on the agreed-upon convention) is stored in the cell.
Erasing the stacked cell refers to an operation which is opposite the Program operation, causing a removal of negative charges from the floating gate. As a result, the voltage of the floating gate will be positive (or simply above a voltage threshold), causing the channel to be turned off (i.e. become non-conducting). When the channel is turned off, a Read operation will sense a low level of current flow, indicating that the stacked cell is "OFF". This in turn indicates that a "0" bit (or a "1" bit, depending on the agreed-upon convention) is stored in the cell.
Since a conventional NVM cell has only two states (one programmed state and one erased state), it can store only one bit of information. While this works well, it limits the storage capacity of the cell. Therefore, having an NVM cell capable of assuming more than two states improves memory capacity by allowing the cell to store more than one bit of information.

NVM PMOS-cell with one erased and two programmed states


Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and kits are provided for use with kinases that comprise a compound selected from the group consisting of:

The invention relates to inhibitors of enzymes that catalyze phosphoryl transfer and/or that bind ATP/GTP nucleotides, compositions comprising the inhibitors, and methods of using the inhibitors and inhibitor compositions. The inhibitors and compositions comprising them are useful for treating or modulating disease in which phosphoryl transferases, including kinases, may be involved, symptoms of such disease, or the effect of other physiological events mediated by phosphoryl transferases, including kinases. The invention also provides for methods of making the inhibitor compounds and methods for treating diseases in which one or more phosphoryl transferase, including kinase, activities is involved.
Phosphoryl transferases are a large family of enzymes that transfer phosphorous-containing groups from one substrate to another. By the conventions set forth by the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) enzymes of this type have Enzyme Commission (EC) numbers starting with 2.7.-.- (See, Bairoch A., The ENZYME database in Nucleic Acids Res. 28:204-305 (2000)). Kinases are a class of enzymes that function in the catalysis of phosphoryl transfer. The protein kinases constitute the largest subfamily of structurally related phosphoryl transferases and are responsible for the control of a wide variety of signal transduction processes within the cell. (See, Hardie, G. and Hanks, S. (1995) The Protein Kinase Facts Book, I and II, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.). Protein kinases are thought to have evolved from a common ancestral gene due to the conservation of their structure and catalytic function. Almost all kinases contain a similar 250-300 amino acid catalytic domain. The protein kinases may be categorized into families by the substrates they phosphorylate (e.g., protein-tyrosine, protein-serine/threonine, histidine, etc.). Protein kinase sequence motifs have been identified that generally correspond to each of these kinase families (See, for example, Hanks, S. K.; Hunter, T., FASEB J. 9:576-596 (1995); Kinghton et al., Science, 253:407-414 (1991); Hiles et al., Cell 70:419-429 (1992); Kunz et al., Cell, 73:585-596 (1993); Garcia-Bustos et al., EMBO J., 13:2352-2361 (1994)). Lipid kinases (e.g. PI3K) constitute a separate group of kinases with structural similarity to protein kinases.
Protein and lipid kinases regulate many different cell processes including, but not limited to, proliferation, growth, differentiation, metabolism, cell cycle events, apoptosis, motility, transcription, translation and other signaling processes, by adding phosphate groups to targets such as proteins or lipids. Phosphorylation events catalyzed by kinases act as molecular on/off switches that can modulate or regulate the biological function of the target protein. Phosphorylation of target proteins occurs in response to a variety of extracellular signals (hormones, neurotransmitters, growth and differentiation factors, etc.), cell cycle events, environmental or nutritional stresses, etc. Protein and lipid kinases can function in signaling pathways to activate or inactivate, or modulate the activity of (either directly or indirectly) the targets. These targets may include, for example, metabolic enzymes, regulatory proteins, receptors, cytoskeletal proteins, ion channels or pumps, or transcription factors. Uncontrolled signaling due to defective control of protein phosphorylation has been implicated in a number of diseases and disease conditions, including, for example, inflammation, cancer, allergy/asthma, diseases and conditions of the immune system, disease and conditions of the central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular disease, dermatology, and angiogenesis.
Initial interest in protein kinases as pharmacological targets was stimulated by the findings that many viral oncogenes encode structurally modified cellular protein kinases with constitutive enzyme activity. These findings pointed to the potential involvement of oncogene related protein kinases in human proliferatives disorders. Subsequently, deregulated protein kinase activity, resulting from a variety of more subtle mechanisms, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of a number of important human disorders including, for example, cancer, CNS conditions, and immunologically related diseases. The development of selective protein kinase inhibitors that can block the disease pathologies and/or symptoms resulting from aberrant protein kinase activity has therefore generated much interest.
Cancer results from the deregulation of the normal processes that control cell division, differentiation and apoptotic cell death. Protein kinases play a critical role in this regulatory process. A partial non-limiting list of such kinases includes abl, Aurora-A, Aurora-B, Aurora-C, ATK, bcr-abl, Blk, Brk, Btk, c-Kit, c-Met, c-Src, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cRaf1, CSF1R, CSK, EGFR, ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, ERK, Fak, fes, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FGFR4, FGFR5, Fgr, FLK-4, Flt-1, Fps, Frk, Fyn, Hck, IGF-1R, INS-R, Jak, KDR, Lck, Lyn, MEK, p38, PDGFR, PIK, PKC, PYK2, Ros, Tie1, Tie2, Trk, Yes and Zap70. In mammalian biology, such protein kinases comprise mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. MAPK signaling pathways are inappropriately activated by a variety of common disease-associated mechanisms such as mutation of ras genes and deregulation of growth factor receptors (Magnuson et al., Seminars in Cancer Biology 5:247-252 (1994)). Therefore the inhibition of protein kinases is an object of the present invention.
Aurora kinases (Aurora-A, Aurora-B, Aurora-C) are serine/threonine protein kinases that have been implicated in human cancer, such as colon, breast and other solid tumors. Aurora-A (also sometimes referred to as AIK) is believed to be involved in protein phosphorylation events that regulate the cell cycle. Specifically, Aurora-A may play a role in controlling the accurate segregation of chromosomes during mitosis. Misregulation of the cell cycle can lead to cellular proliferation and other abnormalities. In human colon cancer tissue, Aurora-A, Aurora-B, Aurora-C have been found to be overexpressed (See, Bischoff et al., EMBO J., 17:3052-3065 (1998); Schumacher et al., J. Cell Biol. 143:1635-1646 (1998); Kimura et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272:13766-13771 (1997)).
There is a continued need to find new therapeutic agents to treat human diseases. The protein kinases, specifically but not limited to Aurora-A, Aurora-B and Aurora-C are especially attractive targets for the discovery of new therapeutics due to their important role in cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other diseases.

Abstract: wherein the variables are as defined herein.