Improved processes for preparing and crystallizing N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid are provided. The processes include adding N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid seed crystals to N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid reaction solutions. Provided are beds of crystallized N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid having improved permeability and filtration rate and reduced impurities.

N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (known in the agricultural chemical art as glyphosate) and its salts are conveniently applied as a post-emergent herbicide in aqueous formulations. These compositions are highly effective and commercially important broad-spectrum herbicides useful in killing or controlling the growth of a wide variety of plants, including germinating seeds, emerging seedlings, maturing and established woody and herbaceous vegetation, and aquatic plants.
One of the more widely accepted methods of making N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine compounds comprises the liquid phase oxidative cleavage of a carboxymethyl substituent from an N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid ("PMIDA") substrate using an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a heterogenous oxidation catalyst. For example, N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine may be prepared by the liquid phase oxidative cleavage of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid ("PMIDA") with oxygen in accordance with the following reaction sequence:

Processes for the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,724,103 and 4,775,498 to Gentilcore, incorporated by reference herein, describe a commercially useful process for making PMIDA from an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt of iminodiacetic acid (e.g., the disodium salt or "DSIDA"), a strong mineral acid, a source of phosphorous acid and a source of formaldehyde. In a first step, a strong acid salt of iminodiacetic acid ("IDA") is formed by reacting the DSIDA with aqueous HCl. In a subsequent phosphonomethylation ("PM") step, the IDA acid salt is reacted with phosphorous acid and formaldehyde to form PMIDA. PMIDA concentration in the reaction solution increases as the reaction proceeds and eventually a highly supersaturated solution is formed. Before formaldehyde addition is complete, a PMIDA supersaturation critical point is reached resulting in a crystallization event that is sudden, violent and nearly instantaneous thereby causing PMIDA to "crash" from solution. Formaldehyde addition and PMIDA generation continues after initial crystallization in a dynamic system of concurrent PMIDA generation and crystallization. Reaction by-products and impurities include, for example, N,N-bis-(phosphonomethyl)glycine ("glyphosine"), glycine, N-methyl-N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine ("NMG"), N-methyl-iminodiacetic acid ("N-methyl IDA"), iminodiacetic acid, unreacted formaldehyde, and the sodium-acid anion salt (e.g., NaCl). Gentilcore teaches that the PMIDA process may be optimized by splitting the total DSIDA charge between the hydrolysis and PM steps thereby converting only that portion of DSIDA added to the hydrolysis reactor to the IDA acid salt. The remainder of the DSIDA is added along with the formaldehyde to the PM reactor. The DSIDA added during the PM step is converted to IDA acid salt in situ by HCl released upon consumption of IDA.HCL in the phosphonomethylation reaction and any free HCl remaining in solution thereby minimizing the amount of acid that it is necessary in either the hydrolysis or the phosphonomethylation steps to prevent generating significant or excessive amounts of N-methyl-iminodiacetic acid by-product. By using HCl more efficiently, by-product containing less sodium chloride (NaCl) is generated, thereby producing a purer product and requiring less water to solubilize the NaCl.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,994 to Baysdon et al., also incorporated by reference herein, describes a process for preparing PMIDA from a source of IDA wherein the formaldehyde source and source of phosphorous acid are simultaneously infused into the reaction mixture. PMIDA is precipitated from the reaction mixture by cooling or pH adjustment. Disadvantageously, crystallization by cooling results in protracted processing time with an associated inefficient use of process equipment at the expense of decreased throughput.
The prior art processes are complicated by the necessity of removing the sodium-acid anion salt from the PMIDA product. Where the acid is HCl and the salt is NaCl, a significant portion of the NaCl is present in the PMIDA product slurry as a solid. Sodium chloride has low solubility in the presence of HCl due to the common ion effect, while PMIDA is readily soluble in the presence of HCl. By contrast, PMIDA has a low solubility in water under neutral conditions, while NaCl is readily soluble. Thus, salt removal requires that the NaCl be dissolved in the reaction solution after the formation of PMIDA is complete. Dissolution is done by adding a dilute base, such as sodium hydroxide, to the reaction mixture so that the pH is adjusted to the point at which NaCl is soluble. Adding additional water ensures that most of the NaCl is solubilized. The pH at which NaCl is readily soluble generally corresponds to the PMIDA isoelectric point, i.e., the point of minimum PMIDA solubility. Thus, upon pH adjustment conditions are most favorable for PMIDA crystallization. Crystallized PMIDA can then be isolated from the mixture by solid-liquid separation means known to those of skill in the art such as, for example, filtration or centrifugation. Isolated PMIDA may then be washed to remove residual NaCl and other impurities, and dried.
PMIDA crystallization in processes known in the art may be generalized as follows. First, rapid crashing of PMIDA from solution results in a large number of relatively small crystals that tend to form dense packed beds in solid liquid separation equipment thereby exhibiting low permeability and liquid removal capability resulting in protracted processing times and associated process bottlenecking and incomplete impurity removal. Second, rapid crystallization may increase occluded (i.e., included or "trapped") impurity rich mother liquor in the crystalline structure, which is difficult to remove in the PMIDA isolation and washing steps. Third, the relatively large volume of water required to solubilize NaCl may lead to an increased loss of PMIDA in the mother liquor and also result in waste volume increase. Moreover, the large volume further contributes to solid-liquid separation equipment bottlenecking issues.
Generally, a high degree of supersaturation driving force is necessary to initiate crystal nucleation. In various crystallization systems, seeding of saturated solutions is known for initiating crystallization, and in both saturated and non-saturated systems seeding may be used to provide sites for accretion of crystals and to regulate crystal growth. For example, where product is to be crystallized from a reaction solution, the solution may typically be cooled or its pH adjusted to establish supersaturation and, thus, generate a driving force for crystallization. In various known systems, seed crystals may be added prior or subsequent to the adjustment which establishes supersaturation. See, e.g., Liaw U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,088. One of skill in the art will recognize that seed crystals can be added to a non-supersaturated solution in order to provide a site for material crystallization. It is well known to those skilled in the art that following the completion of a product-generation reaction, seed crystals may be added to the non-supersaturated product solution followed by, for example, pH adjustment or cooling at a predetermined rate in order to generate and maintain a sufficient level of supersaturation, thus driving force for product crystallization. In those methods supersaturation is induced, for example, by solubility reduction via pH adjustment or cooling, but not dynamically by product generation via chemical reaction. See generally U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,088 to Liaw. The prior art does not describe seeding dynamic systems wherein product generation and crystallization occur simultaneously.
One of skill in the art will also recognize that rapid induction of a high degree of supersaturation in the absence of seed crystals can result in instantaneous, uncontrolled, nucleation and crystallization with limited post-nucleation crystal growth. Such crystals are typically small with high impurity inclusion. Generally, generation of high supersaturation is done by instantaneously reducing solubility, for example by pH adjustment to the solute isoelectric point, addition of a solvent in which the solute exhibits low solubility, or rapid temperature reduction by "flash crystallization."
The prior art provides little teaching regarding controlling particle size and particle size distribution in dynamic processes in which product generation and crystallization from solution occur concurrently. In such systems supersaturation is induced by reaction rather than by solubility reduction through, for example, pH adjustment or temperature change. Likewise, little guidance is provided in the art for controlling crystal growth rate in such dynamic systems.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,011,988 and 5,338,530 to Thunberg describe the crystallization of iminotriacetic acid (N(CH2COOH)3 or "NTA") from a mother liquor solution containing about 2.9% NTA, 6.3% IDA and 22.6% Na2SO4. The mother liquor pH is adjusted to the NTA isoelectric point of about 2.1 followed by NTA seeding to initiate crystallization. Notably the initial concentration of NTA is low; thus, high degrees of supersaturation are never achieved.
Although PMIDA processes known in the art are of significant utility, a need persists for improvements that might further reduce product cost, increase product purity and throughput, and reduce environmental impact. A significant advancement over the prior art could be achieved by developing a high throughput process whereby PMIDA crystallization is controlled to yield product characterized by crystals having a low degree of impurity inclusion, and having a large, uniform and porous crystalline morphology. Moreover, the crystals should be capable of forming a uniform, substantially porous bed in solid-liquid separation equipment and exhibit a high dewatering rate thereby maximizing the effectiveness of removing impurities by washing, and material throughput. It would be a further advancement if the crystals could be quickly prepared in a controlled manner by, for example, crashing from solution or flash crystallization thereby obviating the need for protracted rate controlled crystallization cooling cycles.

Altering the crystal size distribution of N-(phosphonomethyl) iminodiacetic acid for improved filtration and product quality


Low cost test for Integrated Circuits or electrical modules using a reconfigurable logic device is described. In one embodiment, the invention includes configuring a reconfigurable logic device to comply with input standards of a device under test, applying test signals to the device under test, detecting output results of the device under test, and analyzing the detected output results.

1. Field
The present description relates to the field of testing integrated circuits and electrical modules, and in particular to a low cost, test system using standard, high volume, reconfigurable components
2. Background
Integrated circuits (IC's) and electrical modules are typically tested before being released for sale. In normal semiconductor production processes, every single IC is tested for faults. A diagnostic test is often performed as well, so that systematic errors in production may be remedied. The test equipment is large and expensive and must be programmed and electrically configured for each new product. For many products, one piece of test equipment is required to test the IC when it is not powered. Another piece of test equipment is required to test the IC when it is powered but not functioning and a third piece of test equipment is required to test the IC when it is powered and functioning. The considerable expense in acquisition and maintenance for all of the test equipment is a significant factor in the cost of an IC or electrical module.

Low cost test for IC's or electrical modules using standard reconfigurable logic devices


A method for manufacturing a hollow plastic product. The method includes the steps of forming a reinforce member in a desired shape having a defined welding surface formed with a first hole by injection molding; forming a hollow main body by blow molding using said reinforce member as an insert, thereby having said reinforce member integrally formed with said hollow main body and having a portion of said hollow main body extended into said first hole in the shape of a mesa when blow-molded; thermally welding a top end surface of a connector pipe to said welding surface and also to a top surface of said mesa shaped portion; and forming a second hole in said top surface of said mesa shaped portion to be aligned with said second hole, thereby forming a fluidic communication passage between an interior of said hollow main body and an interior of said connector pipe.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a hollow plastic product and its manufacturing method, and, in particular, to a hollow plastic product having a connector pipe, which may be used as a duct, hose, tube or the like for flowing a gas, such as air, or liquid, such as water and its manufacturing method. In particular, a hollow plastic product of the present invention may be advantageously used as a duct, hose, tube or the like of an air intake system or a fuel supply system to be used in combination with an internal combustion engine of an automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among the components of an air intake system of an automobile, blow molded products are used for ducts, hoses, tubes for introducing air into an internal combustion engine, a blowby hose for returning a blowby gas containing the oil components that are produced at the engine to these ducts, etc., and components for connecting the bypass pipe to the air intake duct during idling. Such hollow plastic products as these ducts, pipes and tubes are often added with a connector pipe for establishing a connection among these components for operating the engine and its associated control equipment. For example, it is so structured that the blowby gas containing the oil components produced at the engine is returned from the engine crank case to the air intake duct and the bypass pipe during idling is connected to the air intake duct, in which case a connector pipe is provided at each connection.
Heretofore, in the case of adding a connector pipe having such a function to a blow-molded hollow product, a connector pipe molded by injection molding was used as an insert in molding, or a connector pipe was thermally welded afterwards. In particular, in the case where the adherence provided by insert molding is poor and a required air-tightness cannot be attained, use was made of a method of welding a connector pipe to a blow-molded product.
These ducts, hoses and tubes generally differ in the outer diameter of a main body as well as the diameter of a connection portion depending on the size of a companion component to be connected and a required flow rate, and a connector pipe added to the main body is also required to have a diameter in compliance with its companion component to be connected. For this reason, there is a case in which a connector pipe to be added to such ducts, hoses and tubes which have been manufactured by blow molding is required to have a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the main body of such blow-molded ducts, hoses and tubes.
It is, of course, possible to mold such ducts, hoses and tubes with a portion, to which a connector pipe having a larger diameter to be added, partially increased in outer diameter when blow molding. However, when such a portion of partially increased in outer diameter is formed by blow molding, the blow-up rate of a parison, i.e., a cylinder of a molten resin, supplied at the time of molding increases so that the thickness of that portion of the main body becomes smaller than the rest. In this manner, since such a blow-molded portion which has been increased in outer diameter becomes thinner, if, for example, a connector pipe is to be added to that portion by insert molding, the adherence strength of the insert becomes poor so that there is an increased chance for the insert to be disassembled, or, in some cases, the parison, when blown up, breaks to thereby form a hole. In addition, in the case of adding a connector pipe by thermal welding, a thin portion of a blow-molded product may become so deformed due to the heat at a melting step of thermal welding that it is impossible to complete the thermal welding.
Besides, there is a case in which flexibility is required for blow-molded ducts, hoses and tubes. In this case, since use is made of a soft resin in forming a main body to be blow molded, if a connector pipe is to be added to such a flexible duct, hose or a tube, it will easily fall off because of poor adherence strength if added by insert molding, and thermal welding cannot be used because the flexible blow-molded main body would become softer and deform undesirably during the pressure bonding stage of thermal welding.
In such conventional methods as described above, if a connector pipe was added to a blow-molded hollow product of a duct, pipe or tube, in particular, both comparable in diameter, the portion of the product to which the connector pipe was added became thinner, so that such problems as reductions of adherence strength, formation of holes and incapability of using thermal welding were brought about. The structure and size of a connector pipe to be added to a blow-molded hollow product was limited. Moreover, in the case of a blow-molded duct, hose or tube having flexibility, since the main body of such a product was made of a soft resin, there was a disadvantage of poor adherence strength of a connector pipe when added and there was also a problem of incapability of using thermal welding because the main body became too soft when heat was added during thermal welding. Thus, the material to be used for the main body was also limited.
FIG. 4 illustrates a structure resulting from a conventional thermal welding process as an example. As shown, a connector pipe 55 is added to a blow-molded hose 11 by thermal welding. In this case, however, if the diameter of connector pipe 55 is larger, a welding area at a welding portion 33 becomes smaller, so that the welding or adherence strength is reduced. Thus, the design of connector pipe 55 is limited and there is a case in which a desired product cannot be produced. In addition, since the welding portion 33 of blow-molded hose 11 is defined by a portion where the parison is enlarged during a blow-molding process, it becomes thinner, which tends to make it difficult to carry out thermal welding properly.
Furthermore, if the blow-molded hose 11 is made of a soft resin material, there may be a case where thermal welding cannot be applied since the hose 11 may become too soft when heat is applied, thereby causing the hose to be deformed.

Method for forming a hollow plastic product


An umbrella includes a hollow shank that is open at an upper end. A hollow lamp holder unit is provided on the upper end of the shank and has a closed upper end to which a plurality of ribs are connected, an open lower end formed with a central hole to permit the shank to extend into the lamp holder unit, and a positioning rod which extends from the upper end and into the shank. The positioning rod has a longitudinal groove formed on a periphery thereof. A slidable ring is sleeved on the shank. A plurality of spreaders are connected pivotally to a periphery of the ring member at one end and are connected pivotally and respectively to the ribs at the other end. A lighting element is mounted securely on the lower end of the lamp holder unit adjacent to the central hole. An electric cable unit is disposed inside the shank and extends through the groove in the positioning rod and into the lamp holder unit, thereby interconnecting the lighting element electrically with a power source. A support member is secured on the shank between the lamp holder unit and the ring member and is spaced apart from the lamp holder unit. A transparent tubular cover is retained removably between the lamp holder unit and the support member to permit removal of the lighting element when the cover is removed.

1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to an umbrella, more particularly to an umbrella with a lighting device that is mounted securely on the shank of the umbrella.
2. Description Of The Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional umbrella includes a main shank 91. A support member 92 is mounted on the top end of the main shank 91. A plurality of ribs 93 are connected pivotally to the periphery of the support member 92 at one end to support a canopy (not shown) thereon. A slidable ring 94 is sleeved on the shank 91. A plurality of spreaders 95 are connected pivotally to the periphery of the ring 94 at one end and are connected pivotally and respectively to the ribs 93 at the other end. The ring 94 is movable between a first position, wherein the ribs 93 are adjacent to the main shank 91, and a second position, wherein the ribs 93 form an angle with the main shank 91 so as to open the canopy. When the umbrella is used at the night, a lighting device is provided on the umbrella and is activated to give light. The lighting device includes an electric cable 96 which is wound on a respective one of the spreaders 95 and the shank 91. The electric cable 96 has a first end connected electrically to a power source (not shown) and a second end with a lamp 97 connected electrically thereto such that the lamp 97 is suspended from the respective one of the spreaders 95.
The drawbacks of the above-described conventional umbrella are as follows:
1. Swinging of the lamp 97 when there if a strong wind, thereby resulting in possible damage thereto.
2. The electric cable 96 is exposed, thereby resulting in rapid wearing of the same.
3. Since the lamp 97 is exposed and since the surface of the lamp 97 has a relatively high temperature after a relatively long period of use, scorching occurs when a body part contacts the lamp 97 accidentally.


An active/standby switching system includes two AAL2 (ATM Adaptation Layer Type 2) cell assembling/disassembling processor units (20, 30) as an active system and a standby system so that active/standby switching is carried out between the active system and the standby system. The active/standby switching is carried out by transferring, from one of the AAL2 cell assembling/disassembling processor units (20) which has been the active system to the other AAL2 cell assembling/disassembling processor unit(30) which has been the standby system, handover information to prevent cell loss of AAL2 cells from occurring as a result of the active/standby switching and uncompleted cell data in the course of disassembling, the AAL2 cell assembling/disassembling processor unit (30) to become a new active system receiving the handover information and the uncompleted cell data and carrying out AAL2 cell assembling or disassembling.

This invention relates to an active/standby switching system and an active/standby switching method which are capable of preventing occurrence of cell loss at an AAL2 (ATM Adaptation Layer Type 2) layer.
An AAL2 cell assembling/disassembling processor is used In an ATM exchange or a system for carrying out application processing using an ATM cell. The AAL cell assembling/disassembling processor comprises a single processor unit which actually carries out processing. There is no AAL2 cell assembling/disassembling processor having a dual-system structure including two processor units as an active system and a standby system. As the degree of multiplexing is increased and a processing band is broadened, the processing ability of the single processor unit is greatly improved. However, because the AAL2 cell assembling/disassembling processor has such a single-system structure, an influence upon occurrence of system down of the single processor unit becomes more and more serious. In view of the above, there is an urgent demand to achieve an AAL2 cell assembling/disassembling processor having a dual-system structure.
As a first conventional technique similar in technical field to this invention, a "switching device" is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-44090 (JP 2002-44090 A). Th first conventional technique is an invention related to the switching device for switching an active route and a standby route for transmission of an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) cell between a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit of the switching device includes ready signal generating means for generating a switching ready signal for requesting switching between the active route and the standby route, packet assembling means which is supplied with upper layer variable-length data to be transmitted and received between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit and converts the upper layer variable-length data into a series of packets to produce a packet stream and which produces a switching position indicating packet in response to the switching preparation signal and inserts the switching position indicating packet into packet streams to be sent through the active and the standby routes at insert positions coincident with each other to produce active and standby packet streams, and a plurality of cell assembling means of a redundant structure supplied with the active and the standby packet streams for Individually multiplexing the active and the standby packet streams to assemble active and standby ATM cells, respectively.
On the other hand, the receiving unit includes a plurality of cell disassembling means of a redundant structure for disassembling the active and the standby ATM cells to reproduce the active and the standby packet streams as reproduced active and reproduced standby packet streams, respectively, and packet disassembling means for detecting as a detected insert position the insert position of the switching position indicating packet in each of the reproduced active and the reproduced standby packet streams and reproducing the upper layer variable-length data from a part of the reproduced active packet stream before the detected insert position and a part of the reproduced standby packet stream after the detected insert position.
The "switching device" disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-44090 intends to achieve uninterrupted AAL2 switching but never achieves active/standby switching without cell loss at an AAL2 cell level. The reason is as follows. In an existing active/standby switching method, information necessary to assembling/disassembling of an AAL2 cell (such information will be referred to as "handover information" in the present specification) is omitted upon carrying out active/standby switching so that the cell loss at the AAL2 cell level inevitably occurs after the active/standby switching.
For example, the AAL2 cell has a structure such that user data of a plurality of users are multiplexed in a single cell. As illustrated in FIG. 3, us r data of a single user may extend across two AAL2 cells In the situation where such cross-cell data are present, it is assumed that the handover Information (for example, a sequence number) for confirming the validity of the order of the AAL2 cells is not supplied from a formerly active system to a formerly standby system. In this event, the sequence number of each of the AAL2 cells is unknown so that the order of the AAL2 cells is not guaranteed. This results in a disadvantage that the AAL2 cell can not be assembled.

Active/standby switching system and active/standby switching method


A first mobile terminal comprising a screen configured to display a first window for displaying messages communicated between the first terminal and a second terminal; a user interface, wherein a user may interact with the user interface to update content in a first message displayed in the first window, wherein the first message is previously communicated to and displayed on the second terminal; a processor for detecting updated information and constructing an update packet comprising information about the updated information; and a transmitter for transmitting the update packet to the second terminal to cause a corresponding content update in the first message previously displayed on the second terminal.

Instant messaging refers to exchanging messages in real-time between two or more communication terminals. Popular instant messaging services are provided by Microsoft™, ICQ™, AOL™ and Yahoo™.
Unlike a dial-up system such as the telephone, instant messaging requires that both parties be logged onto the instant messaging service at the same time. Also known as "chatting," instant messaging has become very popular for both business and personal use. E-mail and instant messaging are often used in a similar manner, but e-mail is not real-time.
Instant messaging service is also used in mobile communication terminals. For example, an instant messaging service such as MSN messenger of Microsoft Corporation and Nateon™ of SK Communications may be implemented over a wireless communication platform, so that a user will have access to the instant messaging service where wireless service is available.
FIG. 1 shows a usage screen of an instant messaging service in a mobile terminal. The instant messaging service usage screen 100 displayed on a display unit of the mobile terminal is divided into a viewing window 110 for displaying text messages communicated between the users, and an input window 120 for displaying messages the users input.
If a user A (e.g., a transmitting party) inputs message data by using a keypad and clicks a button to send the message, the message inputted by the user A is displayed on the viewing window 110 of a user A's mobile terminal. The inputted message is transmitted in a packet form, and is displayed on a user B's (i.e., a receiving party's) mobile terminal.
Unfortunately, due to the small keyboard sizes in mobile terminals, spelling mistakes are frequent when entering text data. The current instant messaging devices and services do not handle spelling errors and therefore a user will sometimes have to rewrite the entire message if it contains a single mistake. This wastes the user's time and resources.
A solution to the above problem is needed.

Content update feature for an instant messaging service


A method of calibrating a sensor system comprising a disposable sensor and a computer device, both the sensor and the computer device having circuitry for facilitating the transmission of data between them via a wireless communication link. The method comprises storing a final value of a monitored parameter obtained using a first disposable sensor, or some other value derivable from said final value, in a memory of the computer device, and calibrating the system for a new disposable sensor using said final value or said other value.

A "biosensor" has been defined as an analytical device incorporating a biological or biologically-derived sensing element either integrated within or intimately associated with a physicochemical transducer. Biosensors are generally designed to produce either discrete or continuous digital electronic signals that are proportional to a single analyte or a related group of analytes, although the provision of analogue signals should not be excluded.
There are many areas of application for biosensors including for example environmental sensing, chemical production, and food and drink production and preparation. One area of application that has attracted a great deal of interest however is that of medical diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment. The following discussion addresses primarily these medical applications, although it will be appreciated that the problems and solutions considered may also have non-medical applications.
A typical example of a medical monitoring biosensor is the glucose biosensor that is designed to produce an electrical signal indicative of the level of glucose present in a user's (i.e. the patient's) system. Today's glucose biosensors tend to be based around the concept of immobilising an enzyme or other reagent on the surface of an electrode to provide what is essentially a pH detector. When the reagent is exposed to a sample obtained from the patient, e.g. a drop of blood, the electrical output of the device indicates the pH value of the sample and hence indirectly the level of glucose. Commercially available glucose biosensors tend to be handheld type devices which accept a disposable test strip or element.
A user may be expected, e.g. in the case of a diabetes sufferer, to test his or her glucose level several times a day in order to provide a sufficient degree of feedback to allow intervention if the detected level deviates significantly from the "normal" level. Biosensors of this type have their limitations. In particular, due to the need for users to prick their skin to obtain a blood sample, and to then perform a short but still inconvenient test procedure using the biosensor, users may not perform the test as often as required. Skin pricking is also painful and, over the long term, can result in serious skin damage. These problems apply equally to other types of biosensors which measure analytes present in blood and thus require the provision of blood samples; for example the measurement of oxygen, lactate, nitric acid, creatine, dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline. The measurement of these analytes is useful in the understanding and monitoring of diseases as diverse as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinsons disease.
Substantially non-invasive biosensors have been proposed. These might be wearable on the skin, making contact with interstitial fluid drawn through the upper layers of the skin by tiny micro-needles to provide continuous monitoring. However, the nature of such biosensors, being exposed to dirt and water and being subject to aggressive physical contact, e.g. via a user's clothes, is likely to require that the sensors be disposable, being used for only a relatively short period of time. Power consumption and battery capacity may also make disposability the preferred option. Two-part biosensor systems have been proposed that use a radio frequency wireless link to transfer data between a wearable biosensor and a central controller. Such a controller might be carried in a user's pocket or worn on his or her belt. The controller displays measured results on a display screen and may log historical data.
A typical biosensor system requires calibration of a biosensor prior to use in order to compensate for device variations and to ensure the accuracy of results. This might require, for example, measuring a parameter of a known fluid sample. In the case of a glucose biosensor, a user might be provided with a vial containing liquid with a known glucose concentration, the user breaking a seal and pouring the liquid onto the active sensor surface to calibrate the system. This approach is both time consuming and inconvenient for the user, and requires that the user be provided with a fresh vial for every biosensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,747 describes a wireless programmable system for medical monitoring that includes a base unit designed to communicate with a plurality of worn biosensor transceivers.
US2004/0096959 describes a glucose sensor in the form of a skin patch having a microneedle which penetrates the skin to draw out interstitial fluid. Glucose measurements are sent from the patch to a remote display unit, over a wireless link.
Other documents relevant to this field are:    IEEE Trans Biomed Eng, vol 35, no 7, July 1988, p 526-532;    Diabetes Technol Ther, vol 1, no 3, 1999, p 261-6;    Med Eng Phys, vol 18, no 8, 1996 December, p 632-40;    US20010041831; and    WO2000067633.


Embodiments of an axle monitoring system of the present invention generally include an oil bath cap plug equipped with a sensor assembly containing one or more power provision components, and an oil level monitor, a humidity/temperature sensor, a vibrational energy detector, and/or a GPS tracking chip, all of which are mounted on a microcircuit board, wherein the sensor assembly is adapted and configured to be fitted inside the axle oil bath cap plug. In various embodiments, information and/or data obtained by the sensor assembly can be transmitted, in raw or processed form, to one or more remote devices. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of an axle monitoring system of the present invention are also provided.

A majority of trailer repairs involve the trailer axles. Typically, trailer axle problems are not apparent until there is a noticeable, and often serious, axle failure. Traditionally, to diagnose any potential axle issues, the axles have to be at least partially disassembled. Specifically, the only way to effectively examine the structural integrity of the axle is to remove the hub and inspect the bearings.

Tracking and transmitting axle monitoring system


A solar cell (100) comprising a semiconductor solar cell substrate (66) having a light receiving surface formed on the first major surface and generating photovoltaic power based on the light impinging on the light receiving surface, wherein the light receiving surface of the semiconductor solar cell substrate (66) is coated with a light receiving surface side insulating film (61) composed of an inorganic insulating material where the cationic component principally comprising silicon, and the light receiving surface side insulating film (61) is a low hydrogen content inorganic insulating film containing less than 10 atm % of hydrogen. A solar cell having an insulating film exhibiting excellent passivation effect insusceptible to aging can thereby be provided.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a solar cell capable of directly converting light energy to electric energy, and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A solar cell is a semiconductor element capable of converting light energy into electric power, known types of which include p-n junction type, PIN type and Schottky type, among which the p-n junction type is widely used. It is also possible to roughly classify the solar cell into three types, based on materials composing the substrate, such as silicon crystal-base solar cell, amorphous-silicon-base solar cell and compound-semiconductor-base solar cell. The silicon-crystal-base solar cell is further classified into single-crystal-base solar cell and polycrystal-base solar cell. The silicon-crystal-base solar cell is most disseminated, because silicon crystal substrate for producing the solar cell can be fabricated in a relatively easy manner.
Output characteristics of the above-described solar cell can generally be assessed by measuring an output current-voltage curve using a solar simulator. Point Pm on the curve, giving a maximum product Ip·Vp of output current Ip and output voltage Vp is referred to as maximum output Pm, and a value obtained by dividing Pm by the total light energy incident on the solar cell (S×I: S is element area and I is intensity of irradiated light):η≡{Pm/(S×I)}×100(%)  (1)is defined as conversion efficiency η of the solar cell. For the purpose of raising the conversion efficiency η, it is important to increase short-circuit current Isc (output current value at V=0 on the current-voltage curve) or open-circuit voltage Voc (similarly output voltage value at I=0), and to shape the output current-voltage curve as being square as possible. Degree of squareness of the output current-voltage curve can generally be assessed by a fill factor (curve factor) defined by:FF≡Ipm×Vpm/(Isc×Voc)  (2)where, a value of FF closer to 1 means that the output current-voltage curve becomes more closer to an ideal square, and thereby the conversion efficiency η is raised.
For the purpose of raising the conversion efficiency η, it is important to reduce surface recombination of carriers (electrons and holes). More specifically, in a solar cell using single crystal silicon, polysilicon or the like as a substrate, minority carriers generated by the incident light such as sunray reach the p-n junction plane mainly by diffusion, extracted as majority carriers to the external through electrodes attached on the light receiving surface and back surface, generating electric energy. In this process, some of the carriers which could possibly be extracted as current may be lost through interface states which reside in the substrate surface other than electrode surfaces, and this may lower the conversion efficiency η.
Known high-efficiency solar cells therefore improve the conversion efficiency η by protecting the light receiving surface and the back surface of the semiconductor substrate, excluding contact portions with the electrodes, with an insulating film, so as to suppress recombination of the carriers at the interface between the semiconductor substrate and the individual insulating films (so-called surface passivation effect). Silicon oxide film has long been used as this sort of insulating film, but the refractive index of which is as small as 1.4 or around, and causes a slightly large reflection loss when used on the light-receiving-surface-side. For this reason, in recent years, there has been an increasing trend in using silicon nitride, having a larger refractive index, and being excellent not only in the passivation effect but also in anti-reflection effect. The silicon nitride film has conventionally been formed by the CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process such as thermal CVD, plasma CVD, photo CVD and so forth. Among these, most generally disseminated is plasma CVD.
FIG. 3 schematically shows a batch-type, parallel-plate plasma CVD apparatus, generally called a direct plasma CVD. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel 1 equipped with an evacuation device 11, substrate holders 81 placing solar cell substrates 20 at predetermined positions in the reaction vessel 1, film forming gas introducing ducts 31, 32 introducing predetermined film-forming gases, which are reactive gases, into the reaction vessel 1, a high-frequency power source 82 generating plasma by energizing the introduced gas, and a resistance-heating heater 90 keeping a deposition atmosphere at a constant temperature. In the process of film deposition using this apparatus, predetermined film-forming gases are introduced into the reaction vessel 1 at predetermined flow rates through the film forming gas introducing ducts 31, 32, and the high-frequency power source 82 is then operated to set a high-frequency electric field. By this operation, a high-frequency discharge occurs between the substrate holders 81, thereby the film-forming gases are excited to produce a plasma, and an insulating film to be obtained is formed on the surface of the substrates 20 making use of reactions proceeded in the plasma. In an exemplary case where a silicon nitride film is formed as the insulating film, silane is introduced through the film forming gas introducing duct 31, and ammonia is introduced through the film forming gas introducing duct 32, as the film-forming gases, the both are mixed and then supplied to the reaction vessel 1, so as to produce the silicon nitride film making use of decomposition reaction and so forth of silane in the plasma.
The plasma CVD is widely applied to processes of fabricating solar cells because it can ensure a relatively high deposition rate even under a substrate temperature of relatively as low as 400° C. The process, however, raises a problem in that high-energy charged particles produced in the plasma are highly causative of damages of the deposited film or the surface of the substrates (so-called plasma damage), so that the obtained silicon nitride film tends to have a large interface state density, and consequently results in only a poor passivation effect. This is also highly affective to various characteristics of the solar cell.
There has, therefore, been proposed a CVD process making use of an ECR (electron cyclotron resonance) plasma as a method suppressed in the plasma damage. FIG. 4 schematically shows an exemplary apparatus used therefor. Unlike the conventional plasma CVD process, this method is characterized in that the surface of the substrate to be treated is placed apart from a plasma region (plasma zone) so as to make use of radical species in a separated manner, allowing this method to be referred to as "remote plasma CVD", hereinafter. More specifically, a predetermined film-forming gas is introduced into a pre-chamber 101 at a predetermined flow rate through a film forming gas introducing duct 31, and microwaves, in place of high-frequency electric field, are applied to the pre-chamber 101 using a microwave generator 102. The microwaves raise the plasma of the film-forming gas, used also as a carrier gas, and generates reactive species. The reactive species flow into the process chamber 1, and causes chemical reactions with the other film-forming gas supplied through the film forming gas introducing duct 32, thereby an insulating film is formed on the surface of the substrate 20. In an exemplary case where a silicon nitride film is formed as the insulating film, ammonia as a film-forming gas, used also as a carrier gas, is introduced through the film forming gas introducing duct 31, and silane is introduced through the introducing duct 32, the both are mixed, so as to produce the silicon nitride film making use of ammonia decomposition reaction and so forth in the plasma. The remote plasma CVD is partially successful in reducing the plasma damage.
Whichever the plasma CVD process may be, there has, however, been only a little difference in that they were highly causative of plasma damage, and made formation of dangling bonds in the film more distinctive, so that it has been necessary to terminate the dangling bonds using a large amount of hydrogen contained in the film in view of improving the passivation effect (it has also been a natural matter of course that any known plasma CVD process was causative of inevitable incorporation of a large amount of hydrogen derived from the source gases). As a consequence, thus-obtained silicon nitride film contains hydrogen atoms to a maximum of 40 at %, and is causative of time-dependent degradation in the passivation effect under sustained irradiation of light, such as sunray, containing a large energy of ultraviolet radiation.
The conventional silicon nitride film formed by the plasma CVD process has also been shifted in the film composition thereof from the stoichiometric composition towards the silicon-excessive side to a considerably large degree, in order to obtain so-called field effect passivation. A large shift in the film composition towards the silicon-excessive side causes effluence of electrons produced by anion deficiency towards the semiconductor substrate so as to produce positive fixed charge on the cation side, and this results in band bending. This induces formation of an inversion layer in which electrons are excessive in the vicinity of the contact interface on the semiconductor substrate side, with which the passivation effect can be enhanced.
This structure, however, suffers from large drawbacks as described below.
(1) When intended for use as a back electrode, an inversion layer 112 formed in the p-type substrate 111 in the vicinity of an electrode 64 as shown in FIG. 5 tends to cause short-circuiting within an electrode surface, and this consequently results in a decrease in the generated current.
(2) The field passivation effect through formation of the inversion layer ascribable to electron effluence becomes distinctive only when the silicon nitride film is applied on the p-type layer side of the substrate. In the solar cell, carriers generated by photo-assisted excitation in p-type region and n-type region of the substrate are minority carriers, and it may be advantageous to use a p-type substrate, in which electrons having a long lifetime serve as the minority carriers, for the essential portion of the substrate contributive to light absorption, but this allows only a limited passivation effect to be exhibited on the light receiving surface side in which an n-type emitter layer is formed. The surface of the emitter layer is too high in the dopant concentration, so that the band bending can hardly occur only with an amount of fixed charge as much as residing in the silicon nitride film, and the field effect passivation is far from being expected. It can therefore be said that suppression of the plasma damage and consequent suppression of the interface states in the emitter layer hold the key for a desirable passivation. However, such desirable passivation cannot be obtained anyhow, because it is difficult to suppress damage by the general plasma CVD.
It is therefore a subject of this invention to provide a solar cell having an insulating film excellent in the passivation effect and less causative of time-dependent degradation of the passivation effect, and a method of fabricating the same.

Solar cell and method of fabricating the same


A circuit for detection of the presence of a permanent magnet in the vicinity of an active implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a cardioverter and/or a multisite device. This circuit includes a coil (12), able to respond to the presence of the magnet (16) so as to present a decreased value of its inductance, a resonant LC circuit (10) including the aforementioned coil, a generator (18) for pulse excitation of the resonant circuit; a circuit to analyze the pulse response of the resonant circuit, and a discriminating circuit, able to evaluate the value of the coil inductance from the analyzed pulse response and, correlatively, to determine therefrom the presence or the absence of the magnet. The excitation generator is able to deliver to the resonant circuit a burst of N successive pulses, and the analyzing circuit determines N corresponding pulse responses, and the discriminating circuit determines the presence of the magnet if, among N analyzed pulse responses, a number M (Mxe2x89xa6N) of them correspond to a decreased value of the inductance of the coil.

The present invention relates to xe2x80x9cactive medical devices,xe2x80x9d and in particular to xe2x80x9cactive implantable medical devices,xe2x80x9d as such devices are defined by the Jun. 20, 1990 Directive 90/385/CE of the Council of the European Communities. This definition includes cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, cardiovertors and/or multisite devices, and neurological apparatus, diffusion pumps for delivering medical substances, cochlear implants, implanted biological sensors, etc., as well as devices for measurement of pH or intracorporeal impedance (such as transpulmonary or intracardiac impedance measurements). The invention also can apply in an advantageous manner to non-implanted active medical devices such as Holter recorders, which are portable recorders that are carried by the patient for a long period of time to allow the uninterrupted recording of electrocardiographic signals.
Many active medical devices are designed to be sensitive to the placement of a permanent magnet in proximity to the device, which action causes the device to be placed in a predetermined operating mode or configuration. This may be done in order to test the device (or the patient) or to allow programming of the device (for example, by telemetry in the case of an implant).
This particular mode, often called a xe2x80x9cmagnet modexe2x80x9d, is a temporary operating mode, because many or at least certain of the otherwise established operating functions of the device are inhibited during the magnet mode. Typically also, the device does not present an optimum operation during the magnet mode phase.
It is essential for these active devices to detect the presence of the magnet in a reliable manner (i.e., with the best possible rejection of any disturbing phenomena), while minimizing the power consumption, which is an essential factor for autonomous (portable) medical implants that need to have the longest possible lifespan.
A first known technique for the detection of the presence of the permanent magnet uses a switch with a flexible shaft (known as a xe2x80x9creed switchxe2x80x9d). The shaft moves in response to a magnet in proximity to switch a circuit within the device.
Another technique, to which the present invention refers, is taught by the U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,127, which uses an inductor-capacitor (xe2x80x9cLCxe2x80x9d) oscillating circuit in which the value of the inductance of the inductor coil decreases in the presence of a magnetic field. This resonant circuit is excited by a signal pulse and a circuit measures the oscillation frequency resulting from the LC circuit. In the presence of a magnet, the value of the inductance is reduced and as a result the oscillation frequency increases. Consequently, by monitoring the zero-crossing characteristic of the current in the resonant circuit within a defined sensing window, or by measuring, for example, the time it takes a voltage stored on the capacitor to pass to zero for the first cycle or half cycle of the pulse response, one can deduce a diminution in the value of the inductance, and, consequently, the presence of a magnet proximate to the inductor (also referred to herein as a coil).
The disadvantage of this known technique is its sensitivity to magnetic or electric interference. Indeed, strong intensity fields, such as those which are produced, for example, by anti-theft protection devices or microwave ovens, are able to produce a large magnetic field component that can be detected by the detecting circuit. This is because the magnetic interference component generated by these devices typically has the same effect on the coil and its associated circuit as the quasi-continuous field produced by a magnet.
The problem is made worse by use of the principle of measurement by sampling, which is adopted for reasons of saving energy, specific to active implants. Thus, in the case of an apparatus such as pacemaker, the determination of the presence of a magnet is carried out once each cardiac cycle. However, there is a risk that the implant, deluded by an alternate magnetic interference field of sufficient strength to modify the value of inductance, changes to operate in the magnet mode in a manner that is inappropriate, and perhaps harmful for health of the patient bearing the apparatus.
A strong intensity electric field also can induce interferences that are superimposed on the pulse response of the oscillating circuit, and in the same way, delude the circuit that measures the period of the cycle or half cycles, and affect its response.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to propose a circuit for detecting the presence of a magnet which eliminates, or at least substantially reduces the above-mentioned disadvantages.
The circuit of the present invention is of a known general type according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,127 mentioned above, i.e., including: a coil, able to cooperate with the aforementioned magnet so as to present a decreased value of its inductance in the presence of the magnet; a resonant LC circuit including the aforementioned coil; means for pulse excitation of the resonant circuit; means for analzing the pulse response of the resonant circuit; and discriminating means able to evaluate the inductance value of the coil from the analyzed pulse response and, correlatively, to determine the presence or the absence of the magnet. Suitable circuits for the foregoing are all described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,127.
According to the invention, the pulse excitation means includes circuit means able to deliver to the resonant circuit a burst of N successive pulses, and the analyzing means includes circuit means able to determine the N corresponding pulse responses, and the discriminating means includes means able to determine the presence of the magnet if, among N analyzed pulse responses, a number M of them correspond to a decreased value of inductance of the coil. Preferably, Mxe2x89xa6N, and more preferably Mxe2x89xa7N/2.
More advantageously, the excitation means is operated in a manner whereby after having delivered a first pulse, it will continue thereafter to deliver the Nxe2x88x921 following pulses of the burst only if in response to the first pulse the analysis means has detected a pulse response corresponding to a decreased inductance value.
The excitation means optionally can include means for varying the moment of the delivery of the first pulse of the burst, and/or the intervals between the moments of delivery of the successive pulses of the same burst. The variation is preferably a pseudo-random variation and aids in discriminating interference.
When the active medical device is an implantable pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiovertor and/or multisite device, the successive pulses of the burst are preferably delivered over a duration that is shorter than the duration of a detected or stimulated cardiac cycle, as determined by the implant device.

Circuit for detection of the presence of a permanent magnet in the vicinity of an active medical device, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiovertor and/or multisite device


The clamping apparatus comprising a chuck member and a pallet member releasably fixed to the chuck member. The chuck member comprises clamping means for clamping the pallet member to the chuck member. The chuck member has first centering means and the pallet member has second centering means cooperating with the first centering means to define the relative position between the chuck member and the pallet. The chuck member and/or the pallet member are/is provided with at least one damping element consisting at least partially of a compressed composite of metal chips.

The present invention refers to a clamping apparatus comprising a chuck member and a pallet member adapted to be releasably fixed to the chuck member. The chuck member comprises clamping means for clamping the pallet to the chuck member and first centering means, while the pallet member has second centering means adapted to cooperate with the first centering means to define the relative position between the chuck member and the pallet.
Clamping apparatuses of the kind mentioned above are mainly used to fix work pieces in a positionally well defined manner in the machining area of a machine tool. Thereby, the work piece first is fixed to a pallet and then, the pallet is releasably attached to the chuck member. Alternatively, the work piece itself can constitute the pallet. In most cases, the chuck member itself is fixedly attached to the machine tool. Commonly, such clamping apparatuses are used with milling, grinding, polishing and erosion machines.
A problem in machining the work piece may exist insofar as the machining tool and/or machining fluid jets can excite the clamping apparatus to vibrations, thereby impairing the quality of machining of the work piece.

Clamping apparatus for releasably fixing a pallet


The backlight module includes a front frame, a backboard, a heat sink, a light source and a light guide plate. A quantum dot unit is arranged between the light guide plate and the light source. The heat sink, light source and light guide plate are arranged on the backboard, with the heat sink fixing the quantum dot unit to the backboard. The backlight module further includes a middle frame arranged between the backboard and the front frame, and coupled to the heat sink.

Recently, a quantum dot type light emitting diode has got more and more attention in the field of liquid crystal display. By adopting the quantum dot type light emitting diode as a backlight source, the color purity of a liquid crystal panel can be improved, and meanwhile the color density of a color filter does not need to be strengthened, so that the power consumption of the liquid crystal panel will not be increased. Additionally, the color gamut of the liquid crystal panel will expand accordingly, for example, can be increased by about 30%. Furthermore, by changing the size of a quantum dot, the emission wavelength of the quantum dot type light emitting diode can also be controlled.
FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a liquid crystal display using a quantum dot type light emitting diode as a backlight according to prior art. As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal display 80 mainly includes a backboard 81, and a light guide plate 82 and a backlight 83, which are both arranged in the backboard 81. A quantum dot unit 84 is arranged between the light guide plate 82 and the backlight 83. Light from the backlight 83 enters the light guide plate 82 after passing through the quantum dot unit 84. The quantum dot unit 84 is positioned by a heat sink 85 fixed on the backboard 81. The liquid crystal display 80 further includes a front frame 86 and a middle frame 87, which mutually cooperate for clamping a liquid crystal panel 89, wherein the middle frame 87 is provided with a transverse part 87a used for positioning the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 89, and a lateral part 87b, which is vertical to the transverse part 87a and is extended from the inner side of the front frame 86 to the bottom wall of the backboard 81 along a front-to-back direction. The lateral part 87b can be cooperatively assembled with the backboard 81 through such connecting elements as a hook (not shown) or the like, in order to position the middle frame 87.
At present, for the liquid crystal display, an ultra-narrow frame is a fashionable pursuit. As a means of achieving the ultra-narrow frame, the frame of the backlight module is also required to be as narrow as possible in design. In order to achieve the narrow frame, the front frame can be narrowed. However, this can only narrow the frame of the liquid crystal display to a small extent, and is possible to result in weakening the mechanical strength of the entire backlight module. In addition, the narrow frame can also be achieved by decreasing the thickness of the side wall of the heat sink, but this will affect the heat dissipation effect of the liquid crystal display.
Thus, a technical solution is needed, which can greatly narrow the frame without resulting in other problems of the liquid crystal display.

LCD with backlight module having quantum dot unit and frame

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


The invention concerns pharmaceutical compositions with wound healing or anti-complementary activity, and their uses, said compositions comprising, (1) at least a dextran derivative of general formula DMCaBbSuc, a, b, and c respectively representing the degrees of substitution in the groups MC, B and Su, wherein a≧0.6, b=0 or ≧0.1, and c=0 or ranges widely between 0.1 and 0.5 for a wound healing composition, and a≧0.3, b≧0.1 and c=0 or ranges widely between 0.1 and 0.4 for a composition with anti-complementary activity; (2) and at least a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, said dextran derivative being present in a single unit dose or at a concentration adapted to the desired wound healing or anti-complementary activity.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions which have a healing or anticomplementary action and which comprise at least one dextran derivative.
Different dextrans which are substituted by side chains carrying carboxylate and sulfonate groups have been described. In particular, dextran derivatives comprising, respectively, 83% or 110% of units substituted by carboxymethyl groups, 23% or 2.6% of units substituted by carboxymethylbenzylamide groups, and 13% or 36.5% of units substituted by sulfonate groups (sulfonate groups carried by the carboxymethylbenzylamide units), namely RGTA9 and RGTA11, respectively, have been described for their action, in vivo in rats, on skin repair (A. Meddahi et al., Path. Res. Pract., 1994, 190, 923-928; A Meddahi et al., Diabetes & Metabolism (Paris), 1996, 22, 274-278) and on muscle regeneration (A. Aamiri et al., Neuroscience Letters, 1995, 201, 243-246; J. Gautron et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Life sciences, Cell biology, 1995, 318, 671-6; A. Aamiri et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Life sciences, Neurosciences, 1995, 318, 1037-43).
As far as skin repair is concerned, A. Meddahi et al. (ibid) propose making good skin wounds using collagen pieces which have been soaked with a solution of RGTA9 or RGTA11; an improvement in the speed and the quality of skin regeneration is observed under these conditions. This improvement could be explained on the basis that the RGTA9 or RGTA11 trap, protect and release the endogenous growth factors which are naturally secreted during skin healing. Protection of the growth factors would make it possible to avoid their being degraded by the natural proteases, thereby preserving their ability to stimulate tissue repair.
In the field of muscle regeneration, A. Aamiri et al. and J. Gautron et al. (ibid) propose injecting rats, whose rapid muscles (EDL: Extensor Digitorium Longus) and/or slow muscles (soleus) have been crushed, with a solution of RGTA11. They observe an improvement in the regeneration of the muscles following this injection: the treated muscles exhibit a larger number of muscle fibers and more rapid reinnervation.
However, because of the method by which they are prepared, the abovementioned RGTA9 and 11 suffer from the drawback of exhibiting an irregular distribution of chemical (carboxymethyl, carboxymethylbenzylamide and sulfonate) groups and polysaccharide chains, leading to a heterogeneous final product whose properties are difficult to control.
The aim of the inventors has therefore been to select dextran derivatives which differ from the already-described compounds RGTA9 and 11 in order to provide for pharmaceutical compositions which have an anticomplementary or healing action, in particular in the fields of skin, muscle, ocular or gastric mucosal healing, which more satisfactorily meet practical requirements, in particular by exhibiting an increased activity, and which are suitable for administration to humans, this being in forms and at doses which are adjusted for optimum efficacy.

Pharmaceutical compositions with wound healing or anti-complementary activity comprising a dextran derivative


In a microwave module including a transmitting portion circuit and a receiving portion circuit, the transmitting portion circuit and the receiving portion circuit are respectively constructed by transmission lines of different kinds in which polarization planes are orthogonal to each other, and are constructed on the same surface of the same substrate. For example, one of the transmitting portion circuit and the receiving portion circuit is constructed by a microstrip line, and the other is constructed by a coplanar line. Further, one of the transmitting portion circuit and the receiving portion circuit is constructed by a microstrip line, and the other is constructed by a slot line. By this, there is obtained a microwave module in which mutual interference by an electromagnetic field between element circuits in the module can be suppressed, the circuits can be arranged close to each other without requiring a shielding member, and miniaturization of the module can be realized.

The present invention relates to a microwave module in which a transmitting portion circuit and a receiving portion circuit are integrated.
In order to suppress mutual interference between a transmitting portion circuit and a receiving portion circuit included in a microwave module, there has been adopted such means that the respective circuits are constructed with different substrates and a shielding member made of a metal plate or electric wave absorber is provided between both, or the distance between the substrates is made large.
FIG. 4 is a structural view of a microwave module disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Sho. 64-25500.
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 50 designates an FET (field-effect transistor); reference numerals 51 and 52, circuits made of microstrip lines; reference numeral 53, a shielding member such as an electric wave absorber; and reference numeral 54, a cut into which the shielding member 53 is fitted.
In the microwave module having the structure shown in FIG. 4, in order to prevent mutual interference by an electromagnetic field between the circuits 51 and 52 provided in a housing of the microwave module, the shielding member 53 is provided along the cut 54, so that isolation between the circuits is raised.
As described above, in the conventional microwave module, in order to suppress the mutual interference by the electromagnetic field between the transmitting and receiving circuits in the microwave transmitting and receiving module, the respective circuits are constructed on different substrates, and further, the shielding member made of the metal or electric wave absorber is provided between both. However, in that case, the size and weight of the module is large.
The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problem, and has an object to provide a microwave module in which mutual interference by an electromagnetic field between element circuits in the module can be suppressed, and the circuits can be arranged close to each other without requiring a shielding member, so that miniaturization of the module can be realized.
A microwave module of the present invention comprises a transmitting portion circuit and a receiving portion circuit, wherein the transmitting portion circuit and the receiving portion circuit are respectively constructed by transmission lines of different kinds in which polarization planes are orthogonal to each other, and are constructed on the same surface of the same substrate.
Further, one of the transmitting portion circuit and the receiving portion circuit is constructed by a microstrip line, and the other is constructed by a coplanar line.
Furthermore, one of the transmitting portion circuit and the receiving portion circuit is constructed by a microstrip line, and the other is constructed by a slot line.


In a display panel, the luminance and contrast are improved by making a partition semitransparent, which is a constituent element adjacent to a light-emitting section. A visible light incident on the partition proceeds inside the partition while being attenuated at a constant rate. When an external light incident on the partition from the front side is reflected off the bottom surface of the partition and returns to the front side again, the external light reciprocates inside the partition. Since the external light is largely attenuated by the reciprocation, the partition seemingly functions as an optical absorber with respect to the external light. A light emitted by the light-emitting section can transmit through the partition and radiate to the outside from the front side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display panel that is a surface device having a plurality of light emitting portions. More specifically, the invention relates to a surface discharge type plasma display panel (PDP) having partitions for defining discharge gas spaces.
2. Background of the Related Art
As a television display device having a wide screen, a 42-inch surface discharging format AC type PDP is commercialized. In this surface discharging format, first and second main electrodes are arranged in parallel on the front or the back substrate (usually, a glass plate). The first and the second main electrodes become anodes and cathodes alternately in the AC drive that sustains the lighted state by utilizing wall charge (charge of the dielectric). In the surface discharging format, compared with another format in which the first and the second main electrodes are arranged to cross each other, a fluorescent layer for color display can be arranged on the other substrate that faces the substrate on which the main electrode pairs are arranged. Thus, deterioration of the fluorescent layer due to ion impact upon discharge can be reduced, and a long life can be achieved. A xe2x80x9creflection typexe2x80x9d in which the fluorescent layer is formed on the back substrate is superior to a xe2x80x9ctransparent typexe2x80x9d in which the fluorescent layer is formed on the front side substrate, concerning a light emission efficiency.
The surface discharging format PDP has partitions each of which is arranged for every column of a matrix display for defining the inner discharge space. The partition separates the discharge connection between neighboring columns, and the size (thickness) of the discharge space is defined. Normally, the partitions are formed on the substrate on which the fluorescent layer is formed. By providing partitions having height corresponding to the thickness of the discharge space on one of the substrates, the registration of a pair of substrates in an assembling process becomes easy compared with the case where partitions having height that is a half of the thickness of the discharge space on both the substrates, for example. In addition, fluorescent layer can be provided so as to cover not only the upper surface of the substrate but also the side face of the partitions, so that the light emitting area can be increased and the viewing angle can be widened.
In the production of PDPs, the material of each member is selected considering affinity with substrate. The above-mentioned partition is formed by burning glass paste that has a low melting point and is applied in a predetermined pattern. The paste layer is formed by using a screen printing method or by cutting out unnecessary portions of a uniform layer.
Conventionally, the partition is colored by mixing a black or a white organic pigment in glass frit that is a main material of the partition, so the partition is substantially opaque. When the partition is colored black, it can absorb visible light more so as to reflect external light less, resulting in good contrast of display. In contrast, if the partition is colored white, it can reflect visible light rays more, so that the light rays that are emitted by the fluorescent layer and are directed to the partition can be recycled to the surface of the fluorescent layer for display use.
However, if the partition is colored black, the light that is emitted by the fluorescent layer and enters the partition can be absorbed by the partition, so a loss of light is generated. If the partition is colored white, external light rays may be reflected by the partition so that the contrast may be reduced. Namely, it is difficult to improve both the contrast and the intensity in the conventional structure.
The object of the present invention is to provide a display panel in which both the intensity and the contrast are improved.
A first display panel according to the present invention is characterized in that partitions are translucent that are elements neighboring a light emitting portion. In addition, a second display panel is characterized in that the partition includes a first layer that is transparent or translucent and a second layer having a large absorption ratio for visible light, and the second layer is disposed at the back side of the first layer.
In the translucent structure, useful light rays that enter the partition (light rays emitted inside the panel) pass the partition and are directed to the front though they are attenuated at a predetermined ratio. In contrast, external light rays that enter the partition propagated inside the partition and are reflected by the bottom surface of the partition to be directed to the front after passing through the partition again.
Compared with the useful light rays emitted inside the panel, the external light rays pass through the partition twice before returning to the front side, so that the ratio of the attenuation of the external light rays due to the pass through the partition is larger than that of the useful light rays. If the reflectivity of the external light (ratio of intensities of the emitting external light and the entering external light) is desired to be 0.1, the transparency xcex1 in the optical path corresponding to the height of the partition should satisfy the following inequality (1).
xcex12xc3x97xcex2xe2x89xa60.1xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
Here, xcex2 is the reflectivity of the under layer of the partition. In order to enhance the intensity of the display, transparency xcex1 is desired to be larger. If the reflectivity xcex2 is decreased by coloring the under layer of the partition dark, the inequality (1) will be satisfied and the transparency xcex1 can be increased.
In the double layer structure, the useful light rays pass through the first layer and are directed to the front side. In contrast, the external light that enter the partition pass the first layer and enter the second layer to be absorbed by the second layer. If the refractive index of the first layer is selected to the value substantially the same as that of the second layer, undesired reflection at the interface between the first and the second layers so that the external light rays that return to the front can be eliminated substantially.
According to the present invention, since the absorption of the useful light rays in the partition and the reflection of the external light can be reduced, the intensity can be improved without reducing the contrast, or the contrast can be improved without reducing the intensity. The present invention can be applied preferably to a display panel of a matrix display format in which the partitions occupy a relatively large area in the front surface. However, the present invention can be also applied to a display panel of a segment display format in which specific characters and signs can be displayed. In addition, the format of the light emission is not limited. It can be a self emission format such as electric discharge in a gas and electroluminescence or back light format for LCD.


The present invention provides a method of removing product-related inactive or partially active species, high molecular weight aggregates, as well as other process-related impurities from preparations of acidic proteins by using ceramic hydroxyapatite chromatography.

It is desirable to identify useful methods of purifying proteins that do not destroy, or significantly reduce, the biological activity of the protein. Contaminants must be removed from protein preparations, such as acidic protein preparations (e.g., immunoglobulin (Ig)-fusion protein preparations), before they can be used in diagnostic applications, therapeutic applications, applied cell biology, and functional studies. For instance, protein preparations, e.g., acidic protein preparations, often contain unwanted components (impurities), such as inactive and/or partially active species and high molecular weight aggregates (HMWA). Presence of inactive and/or partially active species is undesirable because these species have significantly lower binding capacity to the target compared to the active protein; thus, the presence of inactive and/or partially active species can reduce product efficacy. The formation of aggregates, e.g., HMWA, can adversely affect product safety by causing complement activation or anaphylaxis upon administration. Further, aggregate formation may hinder manufacturing processes by causing decreased product yield, peak broadening, and loss of activity.
The most common protein purification methods are predicated on differences in the size, charge, and solubility between the protein to be purified and contaminants. Protocols based on these parameters include affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. These chromatographic methods, however, sometimes present technical difficulties in the separation of aggregated or multimeric species of proteins, e.g., IgG-containing proteins. Techniques such as ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, for instance, may induce the formation of aggregates due to an increased protein concentration or the required changes in buffer concentration and/or pH during elution. Further, in several instances proteins show differences in isoelectric points that are too small to allow for their separation by ion-exchange chromatography. Tarditi, (1992) J. Immunol. Methods 599:13-20. Size exclusion chromatography is cumbersome and results in the significant dilution of the product, which is a hindrance in large-scale, efficiency-based manufacturing processes. Leakage of ligands from affinity chromatography columns can also occur, which results in undesirable contamination of the eluted product. Steindl (2000) J. Immunol. Methods 235:61-69. Of interest, Applicants were unable to remove the inactive or partially active species using either ion exchange, e.g., anion exchange, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography.
Hydroxyapatite chromatography is a method of purifying proteins that utilizes an insoluble hydroxylated calcium phosphate [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2], which forms both the matrix and ligand. Functional groups consist of pairs of positively charged calcium ions (C-sites) and clusters of negatively charged phosphate groups (P-sites). The interactions between hydroxyapatite and proteins are complex and multi-mode. In one method of interaction, positively charged amino groups on proteins associate with the negatively charged P-sites, and protein carboxyl groups interact by coordination complexation to C-sites. Shepard (2000) J. of Chromatography 891:93-98. Thus, acidic and basic proteins usually interact with cHA resin through different mechanisms: an acidic protein usually binds to C-sites via a coordination bond to carboxyl group, while a basic protein binds to P-sites through charge interaction with the amine group. Crystalline hydroxyapatite was the first type of hydroxyapatite used in chromatography, but it was limited by structural difficulties. Ceramic hydroxyapatite (cHA) chromatography was developed to overcome some of the difficulties associated with crystalline hydroxyapatite, such as limited flow rates. Ceramic hydroxyapatite has high durability, good protein binding capacity, and can be used at higher flow rates and pressures than crystalline hydroxyapatite. Vola et al. (1993) BioTechniques 14:650-655. Chromatographic separation using cHA can be performed in several distinct modes, such as binding mode, flow-through mode, or a combination binding/flow-through mode.
Hydroxyapatite chromatography has been used in the chromatographic separation of proteins, nucleic acids, as well as antibodies. However, in several instances, researchers have been unable to selectively elute antibodies from hydroxyapatite or found that hydroxyapatite chromatography did not result in a sufficiently pure product. Junbauer, (1989) J. Chromatography 476:257-268; Giovannini, (2000) Biotechnology and Bioengineering 73:522-529. A successful separation of antibodies and other basic proteins from impurities, such as HMWA, using cHA chromatography either in binding, flow-through, or combination binding/flow-through mode has been demonstrated in U.S. Publication No. 2005-0107594, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The present invention provides a novel method for removing product-related partially active and/or inactive species, as well as other impurities, such as HMWA, from acidic proteins, e.g., Ig-fusion proteins, using cHA chromatography techniques.

Purification of acidic proteins using ceramic hydroxyapatite chromatography


A cover and bracket are provided for covering ceiling junction box openings in which there are no visible connecting devices on the face or outer surface of the cover. The cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. A peg, which can be notched is connected to the inner surface of the cover. The bracket is connected to the junction box with connectors such as bolts or screws, and has a central engagement opening which is sized and shaped to selectively receive and frictionally engage the peg such that the cover holds fast to the junction box and covers the junction box opening. In a preferred embodiment, the central engagement opening contains spring engagement tabs which provide frictional holding of the peg. According to a further preferred embodiment, the central engagement opening is elongated to permit inversion of the bracket for installation over junction boxes that are recessed into the ceiling.

a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to covers and closures, and more particularly, to covers of electrical outlets and junction boxes.
b) Description of the Prior Art
Unlike most wall mounted junction boxes, ceiling mounted junction boxes are frequently covered immediately after installation, as homeowners usually wish to decide on ceiling fixtures at a later time. This is often due to the wide variety of lights and fans and combinations available in many styles and sizes for ceiling installation. Earlier covers were usually of the cup or pie plate type. Such prior art covers were typically attached to the junction box using a bracket and screws. This prior art bracket included a threaded hole in its center, and a short length of small diameter threaded pipe threaded into the threaded hole in the bracket. The prior art cover included a hole in its center which was sized to receive the pipe. A decorative cap nut, in this prior art arrangement, was used to engage the protruding pipe and secured the prior art cover to the junction box.
Such prior art covers, although perhaps effective at covering the junction box, were highly visible and, to some, marred the appearance of the ceiling. Later, flat cover plates were developed to maintain a low-profile when attached to the ceiling, thereby being less noticeable. The flat prior art cover plates were usually held in place against the ceiling by flat headed bolts that were screwed into threaded holes of a bracket. This type of prior art cover was an improvement over the earlier version in that it was less noticeable, however, the heads of the securing bolts had to be painted to match the cover and the surrounding ceiling. During installation of this type of cover, it was common for the installer to mar the surface of the cover while tightening the bolts (or screws) of the cover. The paint frequently chipped, making the cover visible and distracting. The cover of this type usually required "touch-up" with paint after the cover had been installed. It is characteristic of prior art covers that no matter how small or decorative, the connecting mechanism is always visible and apparent.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cover for electrical junction boxes which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.
It is another object of the invention to provide such a cover which attaches to a junction box without noticeable fasteners.

Cover for ceiling-mounted electrical outlet


A reacting device includes a base plate, a first reaction unit provided on the base plate, a reaction material being supplied thereto, the first reaction unit being set at a first temperature, a reaction flow channel being formed such that the reaction material flows therein, the first reaction unit causing a reaction of the reaction material and at least one heating unit which sets the first reaction unit at the first temperature. The first reaction unit has a plurality of reactors that communicate with each other, and the heating unit is provided between the adjacent reactors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reacting device to cause reaction of a reactant which is supplied, particularly to a reacting device that is heated by a heating unit and causes the reaction.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, development has been underway in order to mount fuel cells serving as clean power sources that are high in energy conversion efficiency on automobiles or portable devices. A fuel cell is a device that causes fuel and oxygen contained in the atmosphere to react with each other in an electrochemical manner to directly extract electrical energy from chemical energy.
Hydrogen simplex can be exemplified as a fuel used for the fuel cell. However, this fuel has a problem in handling caused by the gas that exists under normal  temperature and pressure. Although an attempt is made to store hydrogen by means of a hydrogen storage alloy, a small amount of hydrogen per unit volume may be stored. In particular, this fuel is insufficient as fuel storage means of a power supply of a small sized electronic device such as a portable electronic device.
In contrast, in reforming type fuel cells that reform a liquid fuel having hydrogen atoms such as alcohols and gasoline to generate hydrogen, a fuel can be easily stored in a liquid state. In such fuel cells, there is a need for a reacting device having: a vaporizer that vaporizes a liquid fuel and water; a reformer that causes the vaporized liquid fuel and a high temperature water steam to react with each other, thereby taking out hydrogen required for electric power generation; and a carbon monoxide removing unit or the like that causes reaction of oxidizing carbon monoxide that is a byproduct of the reforming reaction to remove carbon monoxide that is the byproduct of the reforming reaction.
In order to downsize such reforming type fuel cells, for example, development of a micro-reactor or reacting device has been underway in which a groove is formed, and there are laminated the vaporizer, the reformer, and the carbon monoxide removing unit formed by bonding metal substrates, that serves as a reaction flow channel in which the groove causes the  above-described various reactions therein.
For example, in a reacting device configuring a reformer, an operating temperature is equal to or greater than 250° C. that is a comparatively high temperature. In order to cause a reforming reaction that sufficiently meets a design value, it is necessary to set a whole reaction flow channel uniformly at a predetermined temperature. On the other hand, in order to properly cause the reaction, it is necessary to lengthen the reaction flow channel. Therefore, the reacting device may comprise a plurality of reactors in which the reaction flow channels have been formed. In such a case, it is difficult to maintain each of the reactors configuring the reactor at a comparatively high uniform temperature. In the case where there is temperature non-uniformity in each of the reactors, a reforming reaction sufficiently meeting the design value is not carried out.


An arrangement for loading rate tables has a switchover module that is connected between a meter of a postage meter machine and a modem, between a postage calculator of an external scale and the modem. A control line drives the switchover module, so that the modem and the postage calculator can be functionally directly connected to one another for the purpose of loading rate tables.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an arrangement for loading rate tables of a type suitable for use in postage meter machines and postage-calculating scales.
2. Description of the Prior Art
German PS 38 23 719 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,735 disclose initiating reloading of a rate table for postage fees at specific points in time from a remote data center. When the data exchange is initiated by the server of the data center, the postage meter machine must always remain on, which, of course, is disadvantageous.
Alternatively, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,490,077 and 5,606,508 disclose initiating the data loading on demand by the postage meter machine, whereby the database is updated dependent on conditions (such as, for example, name, date) after the postage meter machine is turned on. In order to provide the majority of postal customers with an up-to-date rate table in time, the new table is stored in a memory of a transmission medium (chip card or cell of a GSM network) separately from the postage meter machine long before it takes effect. When the postage meter machine is turned on, the date of the calendar module of the postage meter machine is employed or is operated with further conditions that have been entered, in order to select the table that is loaded into the memory of the postage meter machine when it is initialized. An updating of the previous table ensues when loading from a memory of the transmission medium into the memory of the postage meter machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,706 (European Application 724 141) discloses making a data input into a scale that is connected by interface to a postage meter machine in order to update rate table data with data. The loading of the data ensues by modem to the postage meter machine from a remote data center. The loading and updating ensue immediately following one another. When information is present that rate table data are to be updated, a loading ensues and, if necessary, the rate table data are intermediately stored in the postage meter machine and a sector-by-sector deleting of the old postage table in the non-volatile memory of the scale before the transmission of the new rate table data from the intermediate memory of the postage meter machine to the scale, and the new rate table data are written into the non-volatile memory of the scale. A number of tables can be stored in the scale. Each table, however, refers to a separate mail carrier that can be selected by a keyboard. The minimum validity date of a rate table allocated to a carrier identification number CIN is stored and is interpreted by the postage meter machine in order to form request data as needed for loading new rate table data, or for updating in the memory of the scale according to the CIN. When, however, the minimum validity data is simultaneously the conversion date from an old to a new rate table, then a backlog occurs in the communication with the data center when a large number of postage meter machines wish to communicate with this data center on the same day.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,641 discloses a postal fee system with validity check in the terminal equipment at the user side. The postage rate table is transmitted from the data center to the terminal equipment. A code belonging to the postage rate table is also transmitted from the data center to the terminal equipment. The terminal equipment generates a comparison code from an information based on the received postage rate table. The validity of the received postage rate table can be checked in the terminal equipment on the basis of the comparison of the received code to the generated comparison code. The terminal equipment thus can verify the communicated postage rate table. An extremely large number of modems would have to be employed for reducing the backlog in the communication with the data center when a number of postage meter machines wish to communicate with this data center on the same day, which increases the outlay at the data center. Communication problems also arise due to the backlog. These lead to a lengthening of the conversion process to a new postage rate table for a number of devices. The user cannot operate the affected device for mail processing during this time.
In the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,706, the scale uses the modem of the postage meter machine for loading rate tables. The time of the loading is determined by the postage meter machine, which interprets the date data. In German Application 198 43 252.6-53, the loading is triggered by the device that contains the postage calculator. When a postage-calculating scale is connected to a postage meter machine that contains a modem, the load data are passed through the I/O controller of the postage meter machine. As a result, the loading rate is low.