Selective and efficient multifunctional nanoporous catalysts containing spatially distributed organoamine and silanol groups, and methods of preparation thereof. The catalysts have been observed to be very highly efficient in catalysis of the Henry reaction.

1. Field of the Invention
Selective and efficient multifunctional nanoporous catalysts and methods of preparation thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Multi-step and efficient synergistic catalytic processes to various types of biomolecules by biological catalysts (enzymes) are very common in living organisms. Many notable examples of such enzymatic and antibody catalytic processes involve acid-base cooperative or efficient bifunctional catalysts. By mimicking these extraordinary abilities of nature, some conventional homogeneous bifunctional acid-base catalysts have been synthesized, such as those disclosed by Breslow et al. in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 10988-10989. However, the efficiency and selectivity of these catalysts, which often depend on the relative separation distances between the acid and base catalytic sites, are often poor because the materials lack a continuous range of acidic and basic catalytic sites. Hence, a considerable amount of recent effort has been directed towards the synthesis of heterogeneous solid-state, acid-base catalysts having well-controlled, high concentrations of acidic and basic catalytic sites.
A family of mesoporous materials, which were first reported in 1992, has been widely and effectively used as hosts for a variety of catalytically active functional groups, including acidic and basic sites, to produce efficient heterogeneous catalysts. By postgrafting of the residual surface silanol groups of the mesoporous materials with organosilanes, high surface area and tunable nanopores containing solid-acid and solid-base mesoporous catalysts for reactions such as Knoevenagel condensation, catalytic oxidation, and Michael addition have been synthesized, as reported by Cauvel et al. in J. Org. Chem. 1997, 62, 749-751; and Rao et al. in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1997, 36, 2661-2663. However, to the best of the applicants' knowledge, almost all postgrafting syntheses of catalysts reported to date are typically done by stirring mesoporous materials with excess organosilanes in non-polar solvents such as toluene or cyclohexane at reflux temperature, 112° C.
Postgrafting of organosilanes onto mesoporous materials in toluene in reflux indeed allows an effective inclusion of densely populated or high concentrations of covalently bound organic functional groups, including organoamines. However, this synthetic approach also has drawbacks as it grafts most of the surface silanol groups of the materials. The latter groups, which can act as weak acids, generally increase the efficiencies of a number of organoamine catalyzed reactions such as the Henry reaction and nitroaldol condensations. Furthermore, the presence of densely populated organic groups reduces the surface areas and pore volumes of the materials. Therefore, densely populated organoamine catalysts synthesized in toluene are typically accompanied by loss of catalytic efficiency. For instance, metallocene catalytic groups immobilized on densely populated postgrafted organoamine synthesized in toluene have lower catalytic efficiency for polymerization reactions than corresponding samples containing sparsely populated metallocene groups, as reported by McKittrick et al. in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 3052-3053; and Hicks et al. in Chem. Mater. 2006, 18, 5022-5032. However, the synthesis of the latter materials involves a lengthy multi-step procedure consisting of preparation of bulky imine containing organosilanes and postgrafting the groups in toluene to form densely populated imine functionalized mesoporous materials. Upon subsequent hydrolysis of the bulky imine groups, spatially ordered organoamines and silanol groups are formed.
Recently, Katz et al. described the synthesis of organoamine functionalized silica gel catalysts containing silanol groups in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 3737-3747. These bifunctional catalysts showed increased efficiency and selectivity for the Michael and Henry reactions compared to the corresponding materials without silanols. However, the surface area of silica gel is low, the number of the bifunctional groups in the material is limited, and the distribution of the two groups is difficult to control. Davis et al. have also reported the synthesis of sulphonic acid and organoamine bifunctionalized catalysts for nitroaldol reaction by self-assembly in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2006, 45, 6332-6335. However, these materials have a low number of randomly distributed acid and base groups.
What is needed to address these problems is a catalyst material that can be synthesized by a simple, straightforward process, that has both acidic and basic functionality, and that has a high efficiency with respect to catalyzed reaction rate and yield.
Additionally, many pharmaceutical and industrial catalytic processes involve multiple, similar reactants and competitive reactions while a product from one of the reactants or reactions is only needed. The production of specific products by selectively catalyzing a specific reactant or reaction in a mixture of similarly reactive compounds or from competitive reactions is often necessary for the efficient production of various fine chemicals and industrial materials in high yields. Consequently, the development of selective catalysts and the efficient catalysis of one specific reactant have remained important research areas in catalysis and materials science; however, achieving these goals is often met with considerable challenges. For instance, by using the differences in the sizes and shapes of the reactants and their mass transport into the catalytic sites on solid zeolite porous supports, many selective catalysts have been synthesized. However, due to the narrow pore-sizes of zeolites, selective catalytic reactions of only smaller molecules are possible.
The recent advances in the synthesis of organic- and organometallic-functionalized mesoporous metal oxides and imprinted polymeric and imprinted metal oxide nanostructured materials have opened up synthetic strategies to novel selective catalysts. While the nanoporous structures in mesoporous materials enable size and shape selectivity as in zeolites, the higher pore diameters and the large surface areas in mesoporous materials further allow surface immobilization of large numbers of various organic groups to tune the surface properties and pore-diameters of the materials without severely clogging the pores as in zeolites. Functionalization of these materials with organic groups of specific hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity modifies the immediate dielectric environment of the catalytic site and enables reactant of matching polarity to access the catalytic sites and undergo preferential catalytic reactions. For instance, by co-condensation of two organosilanes, Lim and co-workers report in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 4090-4091 the synthesis of bifunctional mesoporous organosilica materials that are selective to hydrophobic groups. These materials, however, achieved the required selectivity with a maximum of 50% yields in over 24 h and selectivity only for hydrophobic reactants. Co-condensation procedures in synthesis of mesoporous organosilica often results in poorly ordered mesostructures, which might be one of the reasons for the low yield of the Henry product by these materials. Very recently, Anwander and co-workers synthesized functionalized mesoporous silicas with two steps grafting in non-polar solvent, cyclohexane, to pore-size engineer cage like pores of SBA-15 materials for size-selective catalytic transformations, as disclosed in Chem. Eur. J. 2007, 13, 3169-3176. They used various sized long chain alkyl dimethylaminosilanes and organoaluminum compounds and they demonstrate aluminum-catalyzed Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction of differently sized aromatic aldehydes (benzaldehyde and 1-pyrenecarboxyaldehyde).
What is needed to address the problems where a single reaction pathway and product is desired from multiple pathways and products is a multifunctional catalyst that has tunable selectivity and that is simple and straightforward to synthesize.

Selective and efficient bifunctional and trifunctional nanoporous catalysts and methods of synthesis thereof


An apparatus and method for controlled ventilation and aeration of liquid medium includes a dome supported by a flotation device, a lower housing supported by the flotation device, the lower housing connected to the dome, wherein a sealed space is defined under the dome and above the flotation liquid, one or more orifices, the orifices configured in the dome, and an aeration apparatus positioned within the sealed space and partially submerged in the flotation liquid, wherein the aeration apparatus includes one or more parallel shafts, at least one first disc positioned axially on one of the shafts, at least one second disc positioned axially on another of the shafts, wherein the second disc is interleaved relative to the first disc, and wherein a surface of the first disc rotates in a direction opposite a surface of the second disc relative to each other resulting in a mixing area therebetween.

Wastewater from both municipal sewage systems and from industrial waste product exhausting systems is usually collected in large ponds, ditches, or basins that are referred to as wastewater ponds. Such ponds may be a few to several feet deep and may cover quite a number of acres of surface area. The wastewater usually includes large amounts of organic and inorganic waste material that, if left untreated, creates severe odors and can generates toxic products.
Moreover, EPA has published dissolved oxygen (DO) criteria for liquid, such as fresh, salt and brackish water, and wastewater, sewage and industrial wastewater discharges into the same bodies of water to protect organisms and their uses from the adverse effects of low DO conditions. The Agency developed these criteria because hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen) is a significant problem for lakes, streams, rivers, and coastal waters that receive a lot of runoff that contain nutrients (for example, nitrogen and phosphorous and other oxygen-demanding biological wastes). Excessive nutrients in aquatic systems stimulate algae growth, which in turn uses up the oxygen needed to maintain healthy fish, shellfish, and other aquatic life populations.
EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) for lakes, streams, rivers, and coastal waters has shown areas exposed to some dissolved oxygen concentrations of less than 5 mg/L. Long periods of DO below 5 mg/L can harm larva life stages for many fish, shellfish, and other aquatic life populations.
The EPA's dissolved oxygen criteria apply to both continuous and cyclic low DO conditions. If the DO conditions are always above the chronic criterion for growth (4.8 mg/L), the aquatic life at that location should not be harmed. If the DO conditions at a site are below the juvenile/adult survival criterion (2.3 mg/L), there is not enough DO to protect aquatic life.
Under the Clean Water Act (CWA), states, territories, and tribes must adopt water quality criteria to protect designated uses. The EPA has promulgated regulations to implement this requirement including levels of DO (see 40 CFR 131).
The most common method of wastewater treatment uses an activated sludge process. This process involves three major steps. The primary treatment stage consists of a simple separation between dense sludge, which is sent to an incinerator or land fill, and the remaining effluent liquid sludge then undergoes secondary treatment. Secondary treatment is where the biochemical consumption of organic material takes place. The microorganisms present in the liquid sludge feast on the biomass in the wastewater pond. Extensive aeration is needed for the bacteria to consume the organic wastes.
The third phase of treatment can be simple or extensive depending upon the extent of pollution and the requirements for water purity. Its purpose is to remove inorganic pollutants as well as any organic mass not removed by the primary and secondary stages. Lastly, the treated water is discharged back into the environment. This discharge must meet federal, state, county and city government standards for discharged water, such as minimum dissolved oxygen levels deemed necessary to accommodate marine life, before such wastewater can be discharged into a river or stream.
The activated sludge process is a biochemical process in which aerobic bacteria consume the organic pollutants in wastewater. Because the bacteria are aerobic, their efficiency of consumption is very dependent upon the amount of available oxygen dissolved in the liquid sludge. In the wastewater treatment process, aeration introduces air into a liquid, providing an aerobic environment for microbial degradation of organic matter. The purpose of aeration is two-fold: to supply the required oxygen to the metabolizing microorganisms and to provide mixing so that the microorganisms come into intimate contact with the dissolved and suspended organic matter.
Various aeration approaches have been used; the two most common aeration systems are subsurface and mechanical. In subsurface aeration systems, air or oxygen is pumped below the surface to a diffuser or other device submerged in the wastewater. Fine pore diffusion is a subsurface form of aeration in which air is introduced in the form of very small bubbles into the wastewater pond. One type of an oxygen diffuser for wastewater treatment process requires constant movement of the diffuser to different levels and positions within the wastewater pond and performs minimal mixing of the wastewater and oxygen. In addition, un-reacted air or oxygen bubbles make their way to the surface and do not become dissolved in the liquid. If oxygen is the source, then the oxygen that makes it to the surface of the wastewater pond is wasted as it vents to the air above the pond.
Mechanical aeration and mixing systems take on various forms, such as downdraft pumps, which force surface water to the bottom, updraft pumps, which produce a small fountain, and paddle wheels, which increase the surface area of the water. In addition, all such devices mix wastewater by moving large amounts of heavy water or hurling it into the air resulting in high energy consumption for these devices. Some such devices generate large amounts of odor and foam while agitating the wastewater and consume large amounts of electrical power resulting in high electricity cost for operation.
Moreover, testing of aeration of liquid in the field revealed that as liquid temperature rose the ability to dissolve oxygen into the incoming liquid was being greatly reduced. This is a chronic problem with virtually all types of aeration devices. While it is true that water has less capacity to hold gas or solids in suspension when warm, the significant drop in the efficiency of all aeration operations in the summer months could not all be attributed to this phenomenon. It became evident that under conditions commonly encountered in many of the applications where aeration is required, applications such as waste water treatment and environmental remediation, the liquid to be treated could contain unusually high concentrations of unwanted gasses or bad gas. This condition of saturated or super saturation of carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide is usually caused by biological loading (decaying organic matter) as well as other types of pollution such as nitrification of the liquid.
Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for an economical apparatus and methods for scrubbing and aeration of wastewater, sewage and industrial waste, or other liquids, such as fresh, salt and brackish water, and more particularly, a process for efficiently adding dissolved oxygen into such liquids within a closed receptacle or in motion in a pipe while minimizing odor, foam and energy consumption.

Methods and apparatus for controlled scrubbing and aeration of liquid medium


This invention relates to a novel Biomolecule Transduction Motif (BTM), Mph-1 peptide (Mph-1-BTM), which has the potential to transduce many biological response modifiers effectively into the cytoplasm, intracellular organelles or nucleus of prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells in vivo and in vitro, and the related technological methods using Mph-1-BTM. This Mph-1-BTM can be used in the development of new recombinant protein vaccines or DNA/RNA vaccines, gene and protein therapy, production of pharmacologically or medicinally useful proteins, or pharmaco-medicinal drug therapy.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to Mph-1 Biomolecule Transduction Motif (Mph-1-BTM), a novel intracellular biomolecule transduction peptide, which delivers biologically active, functional or/and regulatory molecules in vivo and in vitro into the cytosol, organelles or nucleus of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and the utilization of the same.
2. Background Art
Generally, living cells are not permeable to macromolecules such as proteins or nucleic acids. The fact that only small-size molecules can permeate through the membrane of living cells at very low rates has restricted the research to develop drugs to cure, prevent or diagnose diseases using macromolecules including, for example, proteins and nucleic acids. On the other hand, because most of the substances manufactured to cure, prevent or diagnose certain diseases have to be delivered into the cytosol with their effective amounts, there have been several methods developed delivering those substances from the cell surface of the target cell into the cell.
Methods used to deliver macromolecules into cells include electroporation, cytosol fusion using liposomes, a highly concentrated projection technique of a projectile coated with DNA on the surface, calcium-phosphorous-DNA precipitation method, DEAE-dextran transfection, infection with modified viral nucleic acids, and direct microinjection into a single cell, etc. Moreover, there have been attempts to deliver macromolecules using nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo these days, but it is only in its beginning step technologically and clinically. Furthermore, these methods can deliver macromolecules to only a few of the target cells, and its efficiency is not sufficient enough to be applied clinically. Also, most of these methods cause side effects on the other cells.
In this regard, the demand of the development of a novel method of delivering biologically active macromolecules into the target cells effectively in vivo and in vitro is increasing (L. A. Sternson, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 57:19-21(1987)). Chemical addition of lipid peptide (P. Hoffmann et al., Immunobiol. 177:158-170(1988)) or use of base polymers such as polylysine or polyarginine (W-C. Chen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad Sci., USA. 75:1872-1876(1978)) were provided. In addition, it was reported that folate of a transporter was transferred into a cell in the form of a folate-conjugate. But it has not been confirmed yet that the folate was transduced into the cytosol. Also, Pseudomonas Exotoxin is known as a transporter (T. I. Prior et al., Cell 64:1017-1023(1991)). However, the effects of biologically active macromolecules delivered into the cytosol and their general application have not been clearly verified yet. Therefore, an effective method of transducing biologically active macromolecules into cytosol and nucleus of living cells is highly demanded.
In addition, the efficient delivery of DNA/RNA as well as macromolecules, such as proteins, into cells in vivo and in vitro is considered to be one of the essential techniques required in the field of biotechnology and applied medical science. The delivery of DNA/RNA into cells acts as a decisive factor for gene therapies, for studying the relation of the function of a protein encoded by the gene in vivo and in vitro, and for the development of novel remedies using DNA/RNA. However, since DNA/RNA cannot permeate the cell membrane efficiently, it is very important for using genes in basic and clinical researches to improve the permeability.
For this reason, liposomes, nanomolecules, and viral vectors etc. are developed to deliver DNA and/or RNA into a cell in vitro and in vivo, and the possibilities of the use thereof were examined and investigated. However, concerning beneficial-effects and side effects, it has numerous problems to be resolved. In particular, regarding liposomes, since the side effects against cells and the cytotoxicity are very serious, their application was limited to basic research. As for nanomolecules, though it has been receiving attention these days, the decomposition of carrier particles in vivo, the poor efficiency of transduction and the immunological responses elicited by the molecules should be studied further and should be resolved. As for retroviruses, it has a problem in that it cannot infect undividing cells. Adenovirus or adeno-associated virus vector also has a very limited clinical application. Furthermore, these two types of viral vectors may elicit immune responses against the other viral proteins, so its treating efficiency has many doubts. Therefore, a new way to transduce DNA/RNA into cells efficiently and less detrimentally is needed.
Meanwhile, proteins regulating physiological phenomena in vivo, are produced by bacteria, such as E. coli, as a form of recombinant protein, and have been employed in the treatment of numerous diseases. The proteins, which were synthesized in bacteria, however, were known to be inefficient in folding structures and functions in comparison to the naturally folded proteins in vivo. Thus, there have been lots of attempts to produce proteins in yeasts, insect cells or animal cells, and to make the proteins produced in bacteria refolded using transgenic animals. However, these methods require further studies and full understanding on many molecular cell biological intermediate steps, and their transduction efficiencies are very low. And they are not cost effective.
Several PTDs (Protein Transduction Domain) have been reported as a result of this demand. Among them, Tat protein, which is a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) viral protein, has been mostly well studied. The Tat protein was known to operate more efficiently when containing amino acids 47 to 57 (YGRKKRRQRRR) (SEQ ID NO:19), where positive charged amino acids are concentrated, than continuing full-length 86 amino acid protein (Fawell S. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:664-668(1994)). Other examples of PTDs are amino acids 267 to 300 of Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 protein (HSV-1) (Elliott G. et al., Cell 88:223-233(1997)), amino acids 339 to 355 of Antennapedia (ANTP) protein of Drosophila (Schwarze S. R. et al., Trends Pharmacol Sci. 21:45-48(2000)), and artificial combinations of positively charged amino acids. Regarding the PTDs mentioned above, we, inventors, found that they contained lysine and arginine abundantly, wherein the arginine was considered to play a great role in the transduction of biomolecule into cells. And it was supported by the published document that disclosed transduction activities of artificial peptides consisting of positively charged amino acids. (Laus R. et al., Nature Biotechnol. 18:1269-1272(2000)).
With regard to the transduction mechanism of macromolecules into cells when using PTDs, there are 2 (two) hypotheses. The first is that PTDs ruin the plasma membrane, and transmit the molecules across it. The second one is that PTD uses the plasma membrane to form a new vesicle that can carry the molecules into the cells. Moreover, there are suppositions that PTD has structural features that can form new channels in the membrane (Becker-Hapak M. et al., Methods 24(3):247-256 (2001)).
However, experiments with artificially combined amino acids with 12 arginines and 12 lysines suggested that the hypothesis that the existence of lysine and arginine at specific positions induced the formation of new channels might be wrong (Rothbard J. B., et al., Nature Med. 6(11):1253-1257 (2000)). In addition, considering the facts that only the proteins, which were bound covalently or non-covalently to PTDs, were transferred through the cell membrane, the hypothesis, that PTDs ruin the plasma membrane and translocate the molecules across it, was not acceptable. Furthermore, according to our studies, PTDs represented transduction abilities both at 37° C. and at 4° C., which suggested that PTD neither made new channels nor made new vesicles.
Recently, as a new type of PTD, Membrane Translocating Sequence (MTS) was developed. Its amino acid sequence was synthesized based on the signal peptide of FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor), while amino acids of the signal peptide were known to have features quite different from those of PTD amino acids as follows: (a) 3-5 numbers of arginines or lysines exist non-continuously together with serine or threonine, and there are no glutamic acid and aspartic acid, (b) one or more basic amino acids, and 6-12 numbers of hydrophobic amino acids, (c) serine, threonine, or small size hydrophobic amino acid exists abundantly, and glutamine, aspartic acid are present in small amount, (d) 10 random amino acids are present between 1 or 2 basic amino acid(s) that are gathered together. Thus, the MTS is thought to have different features in comparison to the ordinary PTDs. That is, the MTS has a different amino acid combination.
In this regard, we have tried to find out a new machinery as to the PTD transduction and decisive factors to the amino acid combination consisting of PTDs, based on the discovered features of the two types of PTDs above mentioned and based on the results of our preliminary researches. The following are two new hypotheses derived from the decisive factors and requisites for the development of a new type of PTD of the present invention: 1) considering that i) unfolded proteins are transduced more efficiently than completely folded ones, and that ii) once the unfolded proteins are transmitted into organelles or cells they are not eliminated from the organelles or cells, and that iii) PTDs do not utilize receptors to perform endocytosis or phagocytosis, it seems that the PTDs use channels present on the cell surface. Accordingly, hydrophobic amino acids, such as alanine and valine, are highly demanded; 2) Since PTDs transmit molecules into the nucleus efficiently, its function may be similar to transcription factors. Therefore, PTDs would be found frequently in transcription factors. And the PTDs may use channels similar to translocons that transmit proteins into organelles.
Based on these two hypotheses and requisites, we searched the gene bank. With the factor that the conventional PTDs have lysines and arginines abundantly, we selected about 10,000 primary candidate genes. Among them, 500 genes were chosen by applying the requisites of signal peptide, and 100 genes of the 500 genes were confirmed as to have alanine and valine. Finally, 20 genes were selected by applying the factors required for the transcription factors, and then the transduction efficiencies were tested therefor. In addition, fusion proteins of each of these candidate PTDs and β-galactosidase were expressed and purified, and the functions of these proteins were detected using Jurkat T cells. As a consequence, amino acid sequence 858 to 868 of Mph-1 (number of gene bank: U63386), a mouse transcription factor, was found to have unexpectedly significant transduction ability and was named Mph-1-BTM (Biomolecule Transduction Motif).
Thus, we completed the present invention with the findings that amino acids 858 to 868 of Mph-1 have significantly excellent features as an intracellular biomolecule transduction peptide, thereby any target proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and chemical compounds can be efficiently delivered into cytosol and nucleus in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we found that an expression vector having 5 (five) successive DNA/RNA sequences, which specifically bind to DNA/RNA binding domains, could be transduced in vivo and in vitro into the specific organs or cells, using the Mph-1-BTM and using the DNA/RNA binding domains (DBD and/or RBD) that bind to the DNA/RNA to be transduced, wherein the expression vector could include regulatory elements comprising a promoter that induces gene expression selectively in specific organs, tissues or cells.
Below are more detailed descriptions according to practical examples. Below practical examples are there to show examples, and this invention is not limited to this range. Moreover, the technical reference of this invention is combined to the invention as a reference.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Biomolecule transduction motif Mph-1-BTM and the use thereof


A bar clamp having a ratchet for fastening a clamped work piece is provided with a fixed jaw carrier at a front end of a slide bar; a moveable jaw carrier moveably put on the slide bar and including a transverse channel distal the slide bar, and a gear adjacent to the channel; a shaft partially disposed in the channel and including two parallelepiped ends; two cam members each including a rectangular hole complimentarily put on one parallelepiped end; a control lever including two fitting members disposed in tunnels and each including a rectangular hole complimentarily put on one parallelepiped end, a pivot hole, and a pin; a ratchet assembly including a spring actuated trigger mounted on the control lever, and a link secured to the trigger and including a pawl member in gear engagement with the gear; and a bifurcation member including two opposite curved slots.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to bar clamps and more particularly to a bar clamp having a ratchet mechanism for fastening a clamped work piece.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional bar clamp comprises a handgrip; a fixed jaw carrier; a slide bar comprising two opposite wing members; a moveable jaw carrier comprising a transverse channel, a trough extending from a center of the channel to one end of the channel, a bottom recess, and two opposite stop members in the recess wherein the slide bar passes the channel with the wing members being stopped by the trough in a locked position; and a U-shaped spring-actuated lock assembly in the recess and comprising inverted U-shaped opposite first and second lock members being engaged with the wing members in the locked position, and first and second projections between the lock members and a bottom of the lock assembly and being engaged with the stop members in the locked position. Pushing the locking assembly until being stopped will disengage the lock members from the wing members.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

Bar clamp having a ratchet mechanism for fastening a clamped work piece


The starter electromagnetic switch includes a switch coil creating magnetic force to move a plunger for closing the main contact thereof, a switch terminal bolt having a head portion fixed to a switch cover covering the main contact, and a shaft portion to which a switch cable is fastened by tightening a nut thereto, and a conducting plate for electrically connecting the switch coil and the switch terminal bolt to each other. The conducting plate has a mounting hole formed therein. The shaft portion is passed through the mounting hole without making contact with the conducting plate. The conducting plate is supported by the switch cover in a state where a certain distance is kept with a bearing surface of the switch terminal bolt when the nut is not tightened to the shaft portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a starter electromagnetic switch for controlling supply of electric power to a starter motor.
2. Description of Related Art
As disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-111231, such a starter electromagnetic switch includes a switch coil connected to a key switch through a switch terminal. This switch coil serves as an electromagnet which creates an attraction force when the key switch is turned on to supply the switch coil with a current from a battery. A plunger, which is slidably installed inside the switch coil, is attracted to a stationary iron core forming a magnetic circuit of the electromagnet (switch coil) when the electromagnet creates the attraction force, to thereby close a main contact of a starter motor. When the key switch is turned off, the attraction force disappears, and accordingly the plunger is put back under the action of a bias spring, to thereby open the main contact.
The starter electromagnetic switch is installed on the starter before the starter is mounted on a vehicle. Such a conventional starter electromagnetic switch has a problem in that, if the switch terminal thereof is accidentally applied with a voltage, the plunger is moved, causing a pinion of the starter to project unintentionally. Accordingly, it has been necessary to pay careful attention so as not to apply a voltage by mistake to the switch terminal until the starter is mounted on the vehicle, and a specific switch cable is connected to the switch terminal.


Techniques for an electronic shelf label (ESL) system which uses a digital modulation technique for a modulated backscatter uplink from an ESL to a communication base station (CBS) which utilizes pseudo-random sequences instead of a single continuous wave frequency. The CBS transmits a message to an ESL using a Manchester coded amplitude modulated carrier. After receiving the message, the ESL responds by reflectively modulating a continuous wave (CW) signal with a pseudo-random code sequence. Multiple pseudo-random code sequences may be chosen, with each code sequence corresponding to a particular response. The code sequence is modulated onto a kHz carrier which is used to reflectively modulate the CW signal received from the CBS. The CBS then receives the reflectively modulated signal and correlates the received signal to determine message transmitted.

ESL systems typically include a plurality of ESLs for each merchandise item in a store. ESLs display the price of corresponding merchandise items on store shelves and are typically attached to a rail along the leading edge of the shelves. A store may contain thousands of ESLs to display the prices of the merchandise items. The ESLs are coupled to a central server where information about the ESLs is typically maintained in an ESL data file which contains ESL identification information and ESL merchandise item information. Price information displayed by the ESLs is obtained from a price look-up (PLU) data file. The central server sends messages, including price change messages, to the ESLs through a communications base station (CBS).
One presently available ESL system uses wireless communications to communicate from the CBS to an ESL. In such an approach, the communication from the CBS to the ESL, the downlink, uses amplitude modulated Manchester coded data. For communication from the ESL to the CBS, the uplink, a continuous carrier wave transmitted by the CBS that is remodulated by the ESL and reflected back to the CBS may be utilized. This technique is known as modulated backscatter or remodulated carrier wave (CW). In such a system, the uplink communication is only used for an ESL to acknowledge receipt and correct execution of the message received by the ESL. The uplink information may be modulated as a single continuous frequency lasting 360 milliseconds (ms), for example. Only a limited number of different modulating frequencies are available for the uplink. Application software infers the status of the ESL from a sequence of interrogation messages to which the ESL either responds with an acknowledgment or does not respond at all, allowing the CBS to determine memory integrity, broken display glass or battery condition, push button depression, or the like.

Methods and apparatus for a spread spectrum modulated backscatter electronic shelf label system


Methods and apparatus for processing substrates and controlling the heating and cooling of substrates are described. A radiation source providing radiation in a first range of wavelengths heats the substrate within a predetermined temperature range, the substrate being absorptive of radiation in a second range of wavelengths within the first range of wavelengths and within the predetermined temperature rang. A filter prevents at least a portion of radiation within the second wavelength range from reaching the substrate.

Rapid thermal processing (RTP) is a well-developed technology for fabricating semiconductor integrated circuits in which the substrate, for example, a silicon wafer, is irradiated with high-intensity optical radiation in a RTP chamber to quickly heat the substrate to a relatively high temperature to thermally activate a process in the substrate. Once the substrate has been thermally processed, the radiant energy is removed and the substrate quickly cools. As such, RTP is energy efficient because the chamber surrounding the substrate is not heated to the elevated temperatures required to process the substrate, and only the substrate is heated. In other words, during RTP, the processed substrate is not in thermal equilibrium with the surrounding environment, namely the chamber.
The fabrication of integrated circuits from silicon or other wafers involves many steps of depositing layers, photo lithographically patterning the layers, and etching the patterned layers. Ion implantation is used to dope active regions in the semiconductive silicon. The fabrication sequence also includes thermal annealing of the wafers for many uses including curing implant damage and activating the dopants, crystallization, thermal oxidation and nitridation, silicidation, chemical vapor deposition, vapor phase doping, thermal cleaning, among others.
Although annealing in early stages of silicon technology typically involved heating multiple wafers for long periods in an annealing oven, RTP has been increasingly used to satisfy the ever more stringent requirements for processing substrates with increasingly smaller circuit features. RTP is typically performed in single-wafer chambers by irradiating a wafer with light from an array of high-intensity lamps directed at the front face of the wafer on which the integrated circuits are being formed. The radiation is at least partially absorbed by the wafer and quickly heats it to a desired high temperature, for example above 600° C., or in some applications above 1000° C. The radiant heating can be quickly turned on and off to controllably heat the wafer over a relatively short period, for example, of one minute or, for example, 30 seconds, more specifically, 10 seconds, and even more specifically, one second. Temperature changes in rapid thermal processing chambers are capable of occurring at rates of at least about 1° C. per second to 50° C. per second and higher, for example at least about 100° C. per second or at least about 150° C. per second.
During certain processes, lower temperatures, for example, less than about 600° C., may be required. A temperature of a substrate in a processing chamber may be below 400° C. and may be as low as about 175° C. An example of such processes is forming silicides on silicon wafers. The quality and performance of processing a substrate such as a silicon wafer in a chamber depends in part on the ability to provide and maintain an accurate temperature control of the wafer or substrate. In addition, any improvement in the cool down rate of the substrate would be a major advance in rapid thermal processing of substrates. Accordingly, systems and methods to provide better control over the heating of substrates and/or to improve the cool down rate substrates in thermal processing chambers are desired.

Apparatus and method for improved control of heating and cooling of substrates


The invention pertains to agonists and antagonists of LDCAM and methods of treating disease and infection by administering one or more LDCAM antagonists or agonists.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention generally pertain to agonists and antagonists of LDCAM, as well as methods of treating disease by administering one or more LDCAM antagonists or agonists.
2. Description of Related Art
LDCAM is a homophilic cell adhesion molecule that has been shown to modulate T-cell function by interacting with one or more T-cell surface molecules thereby causing alteration of cellular signaling. LDCAM was shown to self-associate to form a homodimer and bind to B7L-1. LDCAM was also shown to generate increases in natural killer cell populations. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/778,187, filed Feb. 6, 2001, describes LDCAM and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
LDCAM is also referred to in the art as Igsf4, TSLC1, SynCAM and Nectin-Like-2 and has been characterized as a member of the Nectin-like family of immunoglobulin-like cell surface receptors and as having three C2 Ig-like domains. The cytoplasmic tail of Nectin-like receptors has a band-4.1 protein binding site and a PDZ-protein binding site. LDCAM has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene deleted in non-small cell lung carcinoma and having homology to NCAM (Gomyo et al. Genomics 62:139-146 (1999) and Kuramochi et al. Nat Genet 27(4):427-30 (2001) Masuda et al. J Biol Chem. 277(34):31014-9 (2002)).
As described herein, it has been discovered that LDCAM binds to CRTAM. CRTAM has been described as a member of a family of cell surface markers initially designated as a class I-restricted T cell-associated molecule (CRTAM) as a result of its restricted expression pattern in T cells (U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,257). cDNA library subtraction techniques showed that mRNA transcripts were expressed by activated mouse alphabetaTCR+ CD4-CD8-(double-negative) T cells, a subset of natural killer T (NKT) cells. Human CRTAM has also been identified, and shares the same expression pattern as the mouse molecule. LPTN and CRTAM exhibit the same expression pattern in T cells, suggesting the existence of a gene expression program common to class I-MHC-restricted T cells (Kennedy, et al., J Leuk Bio 67, 725 (2000)).


The vehicle adapted to move along a rail comprises a body and a levitation system, the body resting in operation on the levitation system in a main bearing direction via suspension means between the body and the levitation system to allow relative movement between the body and the levitation system in the main bearing direction. The suspension means comprise a pneumatic diaphragm suspension including a first connector connected to the levitation system, a second connector fastened to the body, and a deformable diaphragm defining a sealed cavity receiving a compressible fluid between the first and second connectors. Application to magnetic levitation rail vehicles.

Existing magnetic levitation rail vehicles comprise a body resting on a magnetic levitation system comprising a plurality of modules disposed in line under the body. The body, which is rigid, bears substantially vertically on a plurality of modules. The modules are guided on the rail. On rectilinear sections of the rail, the modules are aligned along-the longitudinal axis of the body. On curved sections of the rail, the modules are oriented to follow the curvature of the rail. However, the body is rigid and cannot follow the curvature of the rail.
The modules are therefore movable relative to the body to enable orientation of the modules relative to the body. To this end, the body bears on the modules via laterally disposed sliding tables. Each table comprises a carriage on which the body bears and which slides on a slideway which in turn rests on a module via suspensions or on two adjacent modules via two separate suspensions.
The sliding tables are components that are complex and therefore costly.


A thermoplastic resin composition that includes a polyetherimide resin and a phosphorus-containing stabilizer that exhibits a low volatility. The thermoplastic resin composition exhibits improved melt stability and improved resistance to thermal degradation.

Polyetherimide resins are high temperature engineering plastics that exhibit good thermal stability and typically do not require stabilizing additives. However, under certain extreme conditions, such as, for example, when molding unusually large parts or when operating at the upper extreme of the recommended molding temperature or residence time, undesirable changes in the polyetherimide resin, such as, for example, increased viscosity, increased yellowness and contamination of the polyetherimide resin with "black specks", may occur. The black speck contamination is thought to be the result of localized thermal degradation and carbonization of the polyetherimide resin due to overheating.
A polyetherimide resin that exhibits improved melt stability and resistant to degradation under extreme processing conditions is desired.

Stabilized polyetherimide resin composition


An object of this invention is to provide a door unlocking device adapted unlock a door by transmitting a signal in the air through a signal transmitter, which can unlock the door even when the power source of the signal transmitter, namely, the battery has consumed up. With a door unlocking device, upon insertion of an ignition key into the rotor of a key cylinder, a shutter is opened to operate a shutter switch. Under this condition, the rotor is turned in opposite directions from the neutral position according to a predetermined rotor turning pattern. The rotor turning pattern is discriminated by a rotor-turning-pattern discriminating circuit. Ensuring that the rotor turning pattern is the one predetermined for unlocking the door, the rotor-turning-pattern discriminating circuit activates an electric operating mechanism to cause a lock mechanism to unlock the door.

This invention relates to a device for unlocking the door of a motor vehicle or the like, and more particularly to a door unlocking device having a door unlocking mechanism which automatically unlocks a door in response to a signal which the user transmits through a signal transmitter or the like.
Recently some motor vehicles have been equipped with a so-called wireless door lock device which is designed for instance as follows: An ignition key is provided with a signal transmitter. The transmitter is operated by the operator to transmit a radio wave signal (propagating in the air), which is detected by received signal discriminating means provided on the vehicle body. When it is determined that the radio wave signal is the one predetermined for the door of the motor vehicle, an electric actuator is operated to automatically lock or unlock the door.
In general, the transmitter is operated on a battery. When, the transmitter being used for a long time, the power of the battery is consumed up, it becomes impossible to operate the transmitter to transmit the radio wave signal; that is, it becomes impossible to unlock the door.
In another example of the conventional door unlocking device, an ignition key has a number of small holes, and a light emitting and receiving device is provided on the side of the key cylinder. When the ignition key is inserted into the key cylinder, light passed through the small holes of the ignition key is utilized to output a signal. When it is determined that the signal is the one predetermined for unlocking the door, the door lock is opened. However, the door unlocking device is still disadvantageous in that, when the device is used for a long time, the small holes of the ignition key may be deformed or collapsed, so that the predetermined signal cannot be provided; that is, the door cannot be unlocked.

Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho


An image display device is disclosed including a metallic support plate carrying, on its front face, a plasma discharge display with an array of adjacent pairs of electrodes and, on its back face, a power supply. The power supply circuit of each pair of adjacent electrodes forms a current loop starting from the power supply and passing through the electrode then the electrode of the pair, the connection end of the electrode being linked to the power supply by means of a transverse electrical conductor placed on the front side of said metallic plate. According to the invention, the transverse conductor linked to the electrode forms a non-zero angle with said pair of electrodes. The differences in inductance between the various current loops of the display are thus reduced such that the differences in luminance between the various discharge regions of the plasma display are reduced.

With reference to the appended FIGS. 1 and 2, the Patent Application FR 2 826 765 describes an image display device including a metallic support plate 1 carrying, on its front face, a plasma discharge display and, on its back face, a discharge power supply and a control means 13 for the display. The plasma display itself includes a front panel 3 and a back panel 4 and has at least a first array of electrodes used notably for maintaining discharges by the application of voltage pulses between adjacent electrodes 7, 8 of two different series of electrodes of this first array, the electrodes having connection ends 11, 12 emerging from one side of said display. The power supply circuit for each pair of adjacent electrodes 7, 8 of two different series forming a current loop starting from the power supply and control means and passing through a first electrode 7 and then a second electrode 8 of the pair,
where the connection ends of the electrodes 7, 8 of the two different series are situated on opposite edges 5, 6 of the display and where, for each pair of adjacent electrodes 7, 8 of two different series, said current loop of the power supply circuit of this pair does not enclose the metallic plate 1.
Preferably, the connection ends of one of the series of electrodes 8 emerging from the side 6 of the display are linked to the power supply and control means 13 by means of transverse electrical conductors 21 placed on the front side of the metallic plate 1 and extending from said ends to the opposite side 5 of the display. All the power supply conductors of the electrodes are brought to the same side of the display and all the electrodes of the array are then able to be connected to the power supply and control means at a same side of the display. A single electrical power supply can thus conveniently be used to generate all the positive and negative (or null) voltage alternations of the sustain pulses.
This device also has the advantage of limiting the eddy current losses in the metallic plate (the current loop does not enclose the metallic plate) while also obtaining discharge regions of identical impedance between adjacent electrodes (current flowing through the same electrode lengths, whichever electrode pair 7, 8 is considered).
In this device, the transverse conductors are generally grouped into one or more banks of conductors. In FIG. 2, two banks of conductors 23, 24 of reduced width are provided, for example, and are disposed parallel to the base of the plasma display between the sides 5 and 6 to link the display power supply and control means 13 to the connection ends 12 of the series of electrodes 8, which are common electrodes, on the side 6 of the display. One of these banks of conductors is disposed in the upper part of the display and the other in the lower part. Furthermore, they are both inserted between the display back panel 4 and the metallic plate 1. It should be noted that, in this figure, the display power supply and control means 13 are shown beside the plasma display in order to show their connections to the banks of conductors 23 and 24, whereas they are, of course, in reality situated behind the metallic plate 1, as indicated in FIG. 1.
Given the position of the banks of conductors 23 and 24 with respect to the plasma display, differences in luminance between the display area situated at the same level as a bank of conductors and the display area situated between the banks of conductors may be observed. This is caused by differences in inductance between the current loops of the power supply circuits of the various pairs of adjacent electrodes 7, 8. Indeed, the power supply circuit of each pair of adjacent electrodes 7, 8 forms a current loop starting from the power supply and control means 13 passing through a first electrode 7 followed by the second electrode 8 of the pair, then through one of the banks of conductors 23, 24, before closing itself back at the power supply and control means 13. For the pairs of electrodes 7, 8 located near to the banks of conductors, the corresponding current loops have a smaller surface area and hence a lower inductance. The current loops associated with the pairs of electrodes 7, 8 that are located further away from the banks of conductors have a greater surface area. These current loops therefore exhibit a higher inductance. Given that the shape of the discharge in the plasma display discharge regions is very sensitive to this variation in inductance, this leads to a disparity in the light emission and hence a difference in the luminance between the plasma display discharge regions that are near to the banks of conductors and the other plasma display discharge regions.
One solution could be to provide a bank of conductors covering the entire surface of the display so as to only create current loops of minimal surface area. However, this solution has numerous drawbacks, notably a high material and production cost and a high parasitic capacitance is created between the common electrodes 8 and the bank on the one hand, and the metallic plate 1 on the other.

Connection of a plasma panel to its electrical power supply in an image display device


An automatically guided vehicle that runs guided by guide signals transmitted from guiding material laid on the floor. The wheels at the four corners of the chassis of the vehicle are casters that can be switched over between free and fixed modes. A steering drive unit which can move by itself in longitudinal direction is mounted on the lower surface of the chassis at approximately the center thereof. Sensors that detect guide signals are provided at the front and rear parts of the steering drive unit. The steering drive unit changes its operating position automatically as the vehicle switches over between forward and backward running modes. The casters change modes in such a manner that, as the automatically guided vehicle switches over between forward and backward running modes, the casters at the front function as free wheels while the casters at the rear function as fixed or pivot-restrained wheels.

This invention relates to an automatically guided vehicle which can carry various types of loads along a guide path consisting of guiding materials such as magnetic tape laid in a factory or a warehouse.
Various kinds of automatically guided vehicles which carry loads along preset guide paths in unmanned operation have been invented and put into practice both domestically and abroad. The present applicant has also developed magnetically guided vehicles and provided them for practical use as disclosed in the registered Japan's Utility Model No.3013716 and the Japan's Patent Application No.8-196618.
The magnetically guided vehicle according to the registered utility model No.3013716 cited above has, as shown in FIG. 9, a magnetically guided steering drive unit 3 mounted detachably on the lower surface of the chassis 6 at a position slightly toward the front (near the front wheels 4). This magnetically guided steering drive unit 3 has a magnetic sensor 8 located in front that detects magnetism (magnetic force lines) emitted from the magnetic tape of the guide path, and the drive unit 3 mounted is comprised of a driving wheel 1, a driving motor 2 that drives the driving wheel and an automatic steering device for the driving wheel 1. At the four corners of the lower surface of the chassis 6 wheels 4,4' are attached. The front wheels 4 are universal casters which provide good maneuverability and the rear wheels 4' are direction-fixed. In the rear portion of the chassis 6a battery 31 is mounted, and a control device 32 which governs mainly the automatic control of the magnetically guided steering drive unit 3 is mounted on the lower surface of the magnetically guided steering drive unit 3.
The magnetically guided vehicle according to the application cited above has, as shown in FIG. 10, two magnetically guided steering drive units 3,3, detachably attached to the lower surface of the chassis 6 in an approximately symmetric arrangement, one of which is attached toward the front (near the front wheels) of the chassis 6 and the other which is attached toward the rear (near the rear wheels) of the chassis 6. The two magnetically guided steering drive units 3,3 each have at the front and rear portions magnetic sensors 8a, 8b to detect magnetism (magnetic force lines) emitted from magnetic tape of the guide path. The structure and function of the two magnetically guided steering drive units 3,3 are the same as those described in the cited registered utility model No.3013716. However, with this magnetically guided vehicle, two magnetically guided steering drive units 3,3 are always used for forward and backward running, the guide path being detected by whichever magnetic sensor is positioned in the front with respect to the running direction. For this purpose, universal casters are employed for all of the four wheels at the corners of the lower surface of the chassis 6.
Since the magnetically guided vehicle according to the registered utility model No.3013716 patent cited above (FIG. 9) is so constructed as to be driven and steered by the driving wheels 1 positioned toward the front of the chassis 6, it is practically impossible to steer the vehicle for backward running solely by means of the driving wheels 1 because of the unfavorable relationship among the direction of the driving force exerted by the driving wheels 1, the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle and the direction of running resistance force. The use of this magnetically guided vehicle must, therefore, be limited to cases in which the vehicle runs in one determined direction on a closed-loop path; it cannot be used for running on a complex path that requires the reversing of running direction.
The magnetically guided vehicle according to the application cited above (FIG. 10) allows for both forward and backward running using two magnetically guided steering drive units 3,3. Owing to the two magnetically guided steering drive units 3,3, the vehicle can be driven and steered forcibly in both the forward and backward directions in a perfectly identical manner by detecting the guide path by means of the sensor that is positioned in the front with respect to the running direction, within a certain width without fishtailing. There is, therefore, no problem in using this vehicle on a complex path that requires a combination of forward and backward running modes.
The magnetically guided vehicle of FIG. 10, using two magnetically guided steering drive units 3,3, requires fabrication costs more than twice those for a single magnetically guided steering drive unit. Moreover, the control device for using two magnetically guided steering drive units 3,3 and for synchronized driving inevitably becomes complex. Further, for mounting two magnetically guided steering drive units 3,3, a longer chassis is needed which results in an increased size of the vehicle itself. Still further, even though a control means may be introduced to minimize the trajectory difference between the front and rear wheels, it is inevitable that the minimum width of space needed for running of the vehicle at corners of the path increases, which makes employing the vehicle in a narrow space problematic.
It is the primary object of the invention, therefore, to provide an improved automatically guided vehicle which, while equipped with a single steering drive unit, can run not only in the forward direction but also in the backward direction without any inconvenience.


A burst mode control unit includes a burst period signal generation unit for generating a burst period signal which is enabled during a burst mode operation period, a burst pulse generation unit for generating a burst pulse, which is generated at every predetermined number of cycles during the enabled period of the burst period signal, in response to a read command and a write command, and a column access signal generation unit for receiving the burst signal and a clock signal and generating a column access signal which controls input and output of data during the burst mode operation period.

As is well known, a Double Data Rate (DDR), which can input and output data in synchronization with both rising edge and falling edge of a clock upon input and output of the data, operates in a burst mode in order to effectively perform continuous read or write operations.
The burst mode is set by a first burst signal BL4 and a second burst signal BL8. When the first burst signal BL4 is set to a high level, a burst length is set to 4 and thus data of 4 bits is continuously inputted or outputted by a single command. When the second burst signal BL8 is set to a high level, the burst length is set to 8 and thus data of 8 bits is continuously inputted or outputted by a single command. In general, since the burst length is defined up to 8 in a DDR2, it is easy to realize an internal command generation circuit for providing the burst mode.
Meanwhile, there has been developed a Low Power DDR2 (LPDDR2) which can markedly improve power consumption and data transfer speed of mobile devices. The DDR2 can realize a data transfer speed of 800 Mbps, which is the highest speed in the field, at a voltage of 1.2 V, and is applied with ultra-fine process of 66 nm technology to thereby allow a mobile memory chip to be packaged to a size of 9 mm*12 mm. Since the burst length is defined up to 16 in the LPDDR2, there has been a problem that realization of a burst mode control circuit for generating a column access signal which controls a burst mode operation is quite complex. Such problem will be described with reference to FIG. 1, which shows a conventional burst mode control circuit used in LPDDR2.
A conventional burst mode control circuit shown in FIG. 1 is used when a 4-bit prefetch is applied, and includes an internal command generation unit 10, a burst pulse control unit 12 and a column access signal generation unit 14.
The internal command generation unit 10 decodes a plurality of external commands CMD<0:3> in response to a clock signal CLK to generate a read command RD_CMDP, a write command WT_CMDP and an interrupt end signal BST. The read command RD_CMDP is a pulse signal generated upon a read operation, the write command WT_CMDP is a pulse signal generated upon a write operation and the interrupt end signal BST is a level signal generated from a pulse signal to pause the burst mode by an interrupt.
The burst pulse control unit 12 controls a pulse number of a burst pulse YBURSYP according to a first burst signal BL4 and a second burst signal BL8 when a pulse of the read command RD_CMDP is inputted upon the read operation or a pulse of the write command WT_CMDP is inputted upon the write operation. More specifically, the pulse of the burst pulse YBURSTP is not generated when the burst length is set to 4 and only the first burst signal BL4 is thus at a high level, the burst pulse YBURSTP is generated in one pulse when the burst length is set to 8 and only the second burst signal BL8 is thus at a high level, and the burst pulse YBURSTP is generated in three pulses when the burst length is set to 16 and both the first burst signal BL4 and the second burst signal BL8 are at a low level.
The column access signal generation signal 14 generates a column access signal INT_CASP from the burst pulse YBURSTP in synchronization with the clock signal CLK. Like the burst pulse YBURSTP, the column access signal INT_CASP is not generated as a pulse when the burst length is set to 4, is generated in one pulse when the burst length is 8, and is generated in three pulses when the burst length is 16. The burst mode is carried out when the column access signal INT_CASP is generated as such and this is because 4-bit data is basically inputted or outputted in the case that the 4-bit prefetch is applied and 4-bit data is inputted or outputted each time a pulse of the column access signal INT_CASP is generated.
Since the burst pulse control unit 12 included in the conventional burst mode control circuit configured as described above includes three clock shifters in order to provide a burst mode in which the burst length is set to 16, there has been a problem that realization of the circuit is quite complex and current consumption is very large.


A voltage measurement circuit includes a plurality of voltage input terminals that are supplied with voltage outputted by secondary batteries via voltage measurement lines, a plurality of voltage sensors connected between each of the plurality of voltage input terminals; and a plurality of constant current sources that are connected between the plurality of the voltage input terminals and supply the plurality of voltage input terminals being connected with specified voltage when the voltage measurement line is disconnected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery voltage measurement apparatus for detecting battery voltage of power supply unit including a plurality of secondary batteries connected in series, and more particularly to a battery voltage measurement apparatus for immediately detecting a disconnection of a signal line when a signal line for measuring voltage is disconnected.
2. Description of Related Art
A hybrid vehicle having a motor along with an engine as a driving source for running a vehicle has been widely known. One kind of control (mode) for the hybrid vehicles includes a parallel hybrid vehicle whose motor helps boost engine power. This parallel hybrid vehicle attempts to satisfy a driver's demand by performing various controls while securing remaining amount of a battery. The controls are for example assisting engine power using a motor at acceleration and charging a battery and such. The battery is usually comprised of a plurality of battery cells connected in series because high voltage is required.
A plurality of voltage sensors are used for detecting a voltage of this battery. A plurality of battery cells connected in series to constitute a battery is divided into an appropriate number of cells and modularized. The plurality of voltage sensors are provided to each module and connected with each module by voltage measurement lines.
When a disconnection occurred on a voltage measurement line, it is important to immediately detect the disconnection and take a failsafe action. Accordingly, the technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-116776 describes that in general, each module is connected with a resistor for detecting measurement line disconnection in addition to a voltage sensor comprised of semiconductor integrated circuits and filter portion. FIG. 4 is a view showing a voltage measurement apparatus described in this technique. In the voltage measurement apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4, resistors for detecting disconnection 2-1 to 2-n are placed. Resistance values of resistors for detecting disconnection 2-1 to 2-n are alternately placed in each module with different values. In the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4, if a voltage measurement line Q is disconnected for example, a voltage value detected by voltage sensors 4-1 and 4-2 will be the value corresponding to a resistance ratio of the resistors for detecting measurement line disconnection 2-1 and 2-2 respectively. This allows the voltage sensors 4-1 and 4-2 to detect a voltage not normally detected, consequently the disconnection of the voltage measurement line can be immediately detected.
However it has now been discovered that a voltage measurement apparatus of a conventional technique requires that resistances for detecting measurement line disconnection 2-1 to 2-n to be inserted in parallel to each module, where the resistances need to be several MΩ so as to suppress current in standby mode (dark current). Nevertheless a detectable resistance value is limited, and thus it is difficult to reduce current below a resistance value being limited.


In an image processing apparatus, such as a digital color/monochromatic copying machine, for reading a color image or a monochromatic image and producing a copy image thereof, an image process section is composed of an arithmetic section which is programmed and operated by software, or image process programs. The image process programs are input from outside via an external interface and loaded in an external RAM. On the basis of input information from an operation panel, an optimal image process program is read out of the external RAM and loaded in an instruction RAM. The arithmetic section executes the image process program in the instruction RAM.

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a digital color copying machine, wherein an image of a color original is read and input by image input means such as a color scanner, the input image is subjected to a predetermined image process such as image-quality adjustment or edit processing, and the resultant image is output onto a paper sheet by image output means such as an electrophotographic color printer.
In general terms, the quality of a copy image is very important in an image processing apparatus such as a digital color/monochromic copying machine for reading a color image or a monochromic image and producing a copy image thereof.
In addition, a color/monochromic copying machine, in general, has not only an image copying function but also an extension image process function for performing various image editing such as adjustment of image quality or color or alteration of image shape.
Normally, an image process section for performing such an extension image process is constructed by a hardware logic such as an ASIC. However, because of the nature of hardware, lack of flexibility is a serious problem. For example, when a problem has occurred, there is no easy solution for it. Only specified algorithm parameters are realized. Image process algorithms meeting demands of individual users cannot be realized.
On the other hand, it is desired that a flexible image process be realized by constructing the image process section with use of an arithmetic process apparatus programmed and operated by software. In this case, however, the process speed is lower than in the case of using the hardware logic, and this is the most serious problem.
As a means for enhancing the process speed, there have been attempts to increase the speed of instruction fetch, by introducing high-speed memory devices. The high-speed memory devices, however, are expensive and it is difficult to mount a memory having a capacity enough to store all of various image process algorithms.
Under the circumstances, there is a demand for the advent of program loading means applicable to digital copying machines, which can load a proper program at a proper timing onto a small-capacity, high-speed memory device from some other memory device.


A device for the impregnation of a porous bone replacement material with an impregnation agent includes a container with a central axis and a cavity with a lid. The container has two sealable openings and elastic means. The elastic means are arranged in the cavity allowing a clamping force to be exerted on a bone replacement material inserted in the cavity. A single size container is sufficient for housing variously sized implants, where the implant placed in the cavity of the container is held, centered and protected against damage or breakage, for example, by shaking back and forth or during transportation of the container.

A device for impregnating a porous, biocompatible bone replacement material is already known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,026 to MUSCHLER. This known device comprises a chamber for receiving the bone replacement body as well as a first container above the chamber, for storing an impregnation agent and a second container below the chamber for receiving the impregnation agent flowing through the chamber with the bone replacement body. When opening a first valve set between the first container and the chamber, the impregnation agent flows into the chamber with the bone replacement body. As soon as the chamber is filled, a second valve set between the chamber and the second container opens, so that the impregnation agent can flow into the second container through a membrane arranged below the bone replacement body. A disadvantage of this known device is that the bone replacement body in the chamber cannot be clamped down in the chamber, so that the bone replacement material or implant can, for instance by shaking back and forth during transport, be damaged or broken.

Device for impregnating a porous bone replacement material


A system and method are provided for treating biodegradable waste material in a landfill by aerobic degradation. Waste material is deposited in the landfill and covered. The moisture content in the landfill is increased from about 40% to about 70% and a source of oxygen is injected into the landfill to drive and maintain primarily aerobic degradation of the waste material. The temperature in the landfill is increased to substantially eliminate pathogens from the waste material. The temperature in the landfill is controlled within a range of about 130.degree. F. to about 150.degree. F. to sustain the primarily aerobic degradation. Any combination of oxygen content, moisture content, and temperature in the landfill is monitored and varied to sustain and maintain the primarily aerobic degradation in the landfill.

The present invention relates to a method and system for treating biodegradable waste material, and particularly to an aerobic degradation process and system in a landfill.
The state of the art in landfill systems is inadequate sufficient to address the critical concerns involved with disposal of tons of garbage and waste material produced every day in major metropolitan areas. In many existing landfills, the garbage and waste material is simply buried in a landfill site. The landfills are filled with garbage and waste and covered when completely filled. In essence, the garbage and waste material is essentially entombed as a final solution. Strict environmental regulations govern all aspects of landfill closure and monitoring and the landfill and surrounding area, including ground water and atmosphere, must be monitored for up to thirty years after closure until potentially harmful by-products of the degradation process are no longer produced. This is an extremely costly venture and the landfill is essentially useless for any other purpose. If problems do occur, such as ground water contamination, the owner of the landfill is liable for clean-up costs as well as any environmental damage.
The waste material in the conventional landfills typically degrades by anaerobic degradation (without oxygen). This is an extremely slow process that produces objectional gases and other by-products potentially harmful to the environment. Under typical anaerobic conditions established in conventional landfills, the biodegradable waste material is entombed in a virtually dry and oxygen deficient state. Because the landfill lacks necessary oxygen and moisture, there is very limited biodegradation and that degradation which does occur is substantially only anaerobic. The degradation is very slow and it can take from twenty to thirty years or longer for the process to stabilize to a point where it must no longer be monitored. During the long degradation period, emissions from the degrading organic material contain objectional odors and methane gas. Also, once all of the sites at the landfill have been filled and closed, the landfill is no longer useful and an additional site must be located at great expense.
Thus, what is needed is an alternative to conventional landfills that addresses the problems noted above.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,452 issued to Fahey on Oct. 18, 1994, proposes an improvement to an anaerobic degradation system in a landfill. This patent proposes to seal off the landfill cell from the surrounding environment by a liner and a domed cover structure that maintains a positive pressure within the structure and which allows for the passage of vehicles and so forth into the structure to deposit waste material into the cell. This patent also teaches that the domed structure limits the amount of additional moisture added to the cell during its filling to reduce the rate of decomposition of the waste. Once the cell is completely full, a cover is placed over the cell which helps to reduce the formation of leachate by preventing the introduction of surface or rain water into the waste material. The patent also teaches that once covered, water or the like may be added to the decomposing material to accelerate its decomposition. Methane gas or other gaseous byproducts of the bio-reduction process are bled off from the cell and the methane gas or the like may be collected and used to run engines or generate electricity.

Method and system for treating bio-degradable waste material through aerobic degradation


An inductive coil ignition system for an engine, having at least one ignition coil which includes a primary winding fed from a voltage source and having two terminals, and a secondary winding also having two terminals. A switching apparatus is arranged parallel to the primary winding and connects the two terminals of the primary winding as a function of a control signal. An activation circuit generates the control signal.

Inductive coil ignition systems for engines, in particular motor vehicle engines, are known. The ignition coil used in such systems has a primary winding which is periodically acted upon by a primary current. This current serves to build up in the coil a magnetic field which is intended to serve as an energy reservoir. At the desired moment of ignition, the primary current is interrupted. The energy stored in the magnetic field then produces a steep rise in the voltage at the secondary winding, resulting in a spark discharge in the spark plug and a correspondingly steep rise in the secondary current. The magnetic energy stored in the coil flows out continuously into the sparks as electrical energy.
In modern ignition systems, there is now a requirement to measure combustion-related parameters as accurately as possible, and to optimize ignition on the basis of them. One method, known from the existing art, for determining such combustion parameters is represented by the ionization current measurement method.
Since the ionization current measurement method requires an extinguished ignition spark, it cannot be used in known ignition systems in which the secondary current decays slowly. Other, more complex measurement systems are instead required in order to detect, for example, incipient knocking in an engine.

Inductive coil ignition system for an engine


A microphone arrangement has an SMD housing with a sound inlet opening. A transducer receives sound waves through the sound inlet opening and converts the received sound waves into electrical signals. An analog-to-digital converter provides digital signals. An interface control unit with a digital interface is used by the chip to transmit data serially to an external device. At least one further interface is connected to a peripheral device such that the at least one further interface can be used to transmit data between the peripheral devices and the interface control unit. The transducer, the analog-to-digital converter, the interface control unit and the at least one further interface are integrated in the SMD housing.

Various microphones that can be connected to an external device, for example, to a mobile telephone or to a computer are known. Such a microphone may be part of a headset, for example. Often, further peripheral devices besides the microphone need to be connected to the external device. If a headset with a microphone is connected to a mobile telephone, for example, it is also possible to connect an input device, which allows the volume to be adjusted, for example, to the central device. Peripheral devices can furthermore be connected to a central device together with a microphone for a wide variety of further functions. Examples in this regard are further microphones for noise reduction or cameras for video recording.
If a further peripheral device, for example, an input device, is connected to a headset with a microphone which is connected to an external device, there is then the problem of transmitting data from this peripheral input device to the central device.
A solution to this problem is disclosed in WO 2009/091660 A1. This document describes a headset with an input device which can be connected to a mobile telephone or a computer by means of a jack plug. Data transmission from the input device to the computer or the mobile telephone involves the use of the same signal channel as is also used for the data transmission from the microphone in the headset. To this end, the signals produced by the input device are converted into ultrasonic signals. These ultrasonic signals do not disturb the signals on the microphone, since they are imperceptible to human hearing. The solution to the aforementioned problem as disclosed in this document is very specific, however, and is suitable only for instances in which the signals from the peripheral device can be meaningfully converted into ultrasonic signals.
WO 2009/091660 A1 proposes using the signal channel of the microphone for the data transmission between the peripheral device and the central device. Various drawbacks arise in this context, however. Firstly, this requires the peripheral device to be equipped with complex switching logic, and secondly the signal channel of the microphone can be used to transmit only a limited number of signals. Particularly if the peripheral device is a mechanical device which does not have any semiconductor circuits, the implementation of an interface in the peripheral device is very complex.
A further solution to this problem is disclosed in the German publication DE 102005042904 B4. In this case, a microphone capsule is connected to a controller by means of a preamplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. The controller is in turn connected to an external device, e.g., a computer or a mobile telephone, by means of an interface. The controller is also connected to an input device which has a display and buttons. The input device communicates with the external device via the controller and the interface.


An object of the present invention is to obtain a composite image by a small computation amount and short process time in parallel imaging using three or more reception coils. By performing a scan using three or more reception coils and with reduced phase encoding steps, data of the reception coils is collected, and an image is generated from each of the data. A combination of images used for unfolding operation is selected from combinations of the images, and a composite image is obtained by operation using the selected combination of images and a square matrix of sensitivity coefficients of the corresponding reception coils.

The present invention relates to a parallel imaging method and an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a parallel imaging method and an MRI apparatus capable of obtaining a composite image by unfolding operation with a small computation amount and short process time by using three or more reception coils.
Hitherto, a parallel imaging method is known in which a scan with reduced number of phase encoding steps is performed by using a plurality of reception coils, data of the reception coils is collected, images are generated from the data, and a composite image is obtained by unfolding a folded image by unfolding operation using the difference of sensitivity distributions of the reception coils (refer to, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-79595
[Non-Patent Document 1] Klaas P. Pruessmann et al. "SENSE: Sensitivity Encoding for Fast MRI", Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 42 (1999), pp. 952-962
The conventional unfolding operation has a problem such that when the number of reception coils becomes N (≧3), the computation amount increases by the number of possible combinations of two values in N as compared with that in the case where the number of reception coils is 2, and the computation amount sharply increases. For example, when the number of reception coils is three, the computation amount increases by three times. When the number of reception coils is four, the computation amount increases by six times.

Parallel imaging method and MRI apparatus

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC


A sanitary napkin includes a napkin body having a liquid-absorbent layer for absorbing and retaining liquid and a projection projecting from a body surface of the napkin body. The projection is secured at laterally spaced base ends to the body surface of the napkin body. A distance between the base ends varies longitudinally of the projection. A height of the projection from the body surface of the napkin body decreases with increasing the distance between the base ends.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sanitary napkin with a projection disposed on a body surface of a napkin body and more particularly to a sanitary napkin whose projection can easily conform to the contours of the woman's body so as to be effective in preventing leakage of menstrual blood.
2. Description of the Related Art
There have been known sanitary napkins with a napkin body containing a liquid-absorbent layer and a projection projecting from a body surface of the napkin body.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H11-513921 discloses a sanitary napkin in which a primary absorbent component having a generally triangular cross section is disposed on a body surface of a secondary absorbent component. The primary absorbent component is constructed by wrapping a hydrophilic foam structure in an outer cover. The cross-sectional shape of the primary absorbent component does not change over the length of the sanitary napkin.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H09-313529 discloses a sanitary napkin whose upper surface layer is centrally folded to form a jetty. This jetty has longitudinally-extending elastic members in its right and left side portions and is raised from the body surface of the napkin body under elastic tension exerted by the elastic members. The jetty extends longitudinally of the sanitary napkin with a uniform width.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-320638 discloses a sanitary napkin in which a T-section three-dimensional wall formed of a liquid-permeable sheet is disposed on the body surface of the napkin body. This three-dimensional wall has elastic members for exerting a longitudinal contractive force and is raised from the body surface of the napkin body when the napkin body is curved with front and rear edges of the napkin body being drawn closer to each other by the elastic members. The width of the three-dimensional wall does not change over the length of the napkin body.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-504727 discloses a sanitary napkin which has a liquid-absorbent layer and a topsheet disposed on a body surface of the liquid-absorbent layer with an absorbent body and a stiffening element interposed between the liquid-absorbent layer and the topsheet. The topsheet, the absorbent body, and the stiffening element form a hump having a generally triangular cross section. In the hump, both the width and height gradually increases from the front end to the center and gradually decreases from the center to the rear end.
In all these conventional sanitary napkins, a projection designed to fit against the wearer's body is disposed on the body surface of the napkin body so as to prevent leakage of liquid such as menstrual blood.
In the woman's crotch, however, the cleft varies in shape anteroposteriorly to have different opening widths and depths for different regions. Around the vaginal opening and the labia majora, the cleft has a relatively large opening width. Near and behind the anus, the cleft lies between the buttocks. The cleft between the buttocks (or the intergluteal cleft) becomes the deepest behind the anus and then shallower toward the coccyx.
Moreover, in order that the liquid absorbent layer of the sanitary napkin can effectively absorb liquid such as menstrual blood discharged from the vaginal opening, the sanitary napkin should reliably fit on the vaginal opening and its vicinity.
In the sanitary napkins disclosed in the Patent Publication Nos. H11-513921, H09-313529, and 2002-320638, however, the projection is uniform in width and does not change much in height over the length of the projection. Therefore, the projection, which is not in conformity with the contours of the woman's crotch, may cause a problem of failing to snugly fit on the vaginal opening or to reliably find its way into the intergluteal cleft.
In the sanitary napkin disclosed in the Patent Publication No. 2001-504727, on the other hand, both the width and the height become the largest centrally of the projection. When the center of the projection is applied to the vaginal opening and its vicinity, the projection tends to make a wearer feel uncomfortable because it is too high. When the center of the projection is applied to the intergluteal cleft, the projection cannot easily find its way into the intergluteal cleft because it is too wide. When the center of the projection is applied to the coccyx and its vicinity, the projection tends to create a gap between the napkin body and the buttocks because it is too high.


There is provided a flat antenna that includes a feed conductor, and at least one non-feed conductor positioned on either one side or both sides of the feed conductor depending on the required reception band. Thus, a flat antenna that is capable of receiving television broadcast can be miniaturized. In addition, a matching circuit that is so configured that the resonant frequency of the flat antenna is made variable is provided integrally. Through this matching circuit, the resonant frequency of the flat antenna can be varied so as to correspond to the desired reception channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flat antenna, an antenna unit that is integrally equipped with matching (tuning) functions and a broadcast reception terminal apparatus, which are suitable for receiving television broadcast, for example.
2. Description of Related Art
As a broadcast receiver apparatus of a portable size that is capable of receiving television broadcast, there is a conventional TV broadcast reception terminal 100 as shown in FIG. 1.
Ordinarily, a stick-shaped antenna 101 for receiving television broadcast in the VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) bands is attached to such a TV broadcast reception terminal 100.
With respect to the UHF band, for example, of the UHF band ranging from 300 MHz to 3,000 MHz, television broadcast is carried out using the lower frequency band (470 MHz to 770 MHz). Therefore, the antenna 101 becomes larger. For this reason, as shown in the drawing, the antenna 101 of the conventional TV broadcast reception terminal 100 protrudes from the body of the terminal.
As a miniaturized antenna for mobile communication terminals such as the TV broadcast reception terminal mentioned above, there exist ones in which a three-dimensional structure is formed on a high dielectric material, such as ceramic, and electromagnetic waves are radiated by exciting a feed current thereto (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-252516).
However, as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-252516, in order to configure a miniaturized antenna using a high dielectric material, it is necessary to form a complex three-dimensional structure. Therefore, there is a problem in that the structure of the substrate forming the antenna inevitably becomes multi-layered, and manufacturing costs increase.
In addition, when a miniaturized antenna is configured using a high dielectric material, the resonance value of the antenna becomes extremely high, and the frequency band extremely narrow. Therefore, when the range of frequencies used is wide, or a plurality of frequency bands (VHF band and UHF band) is covered, as in television broadcast, such a miniaturized antenna cannot be used.
Hitherto, there had been no miniaturized antenna unit that was capable of receiving electromagnetic waves whose frequency range used is low and whose frequency band is wide, as in television broadcast.
For this reason, in order to configure a broadcast reception terminal that is capable of receiving television broadcast, the antenna 101 had to protrude from the body of the terminal, thereby compromising portability.

Flat antenna, antenna unit and broadcast reception terminal apparatus