The invention relates to a process for the optical testing of a surface of an object, particularly a compact disc, in which the surface is illuminated by at least one light source and the light reflected and/or scattered by the surface is projected onto at least one substantially flat, light-sensitive element of a light-sensitive receiver. The receiver consists of several pixels in the form of a grid in the line direction and the space direction. In a test phase at least one actual image is generated that is compared with at least one desired image which was produced in a read-in phase. To produce an image of the surface with more information the invention provides that during the read-in phase and/or the test phase at least two images of the surface are taken and the image of the surface which is projected on the light-sensitive element is displaced by at least a fraction of the dimension of a pixel in each case in at least one direction with respect to the light-sensitive element. In this way it is possible to detect the ambient field of a pixel so that the printed regions or the like can be classified for an improved evaluation, particularly when producing the desired image.

The invention relates to a process for the optical testing of a surface of an object, in which the surface is illuminated by at least one light source and the light reflected and/or scattered by the surface is projected onto at least one substantially flat, light-sensitive element of a light-sensitive receiver. The receiver consists of several pixels in the form of a grid in the line direction and the space direction. In a test phase at least one actual image is generated that is compared with at least one desired image which was produced in a read-in phase. Nevertheless, the suitability of the invention for other surfaces will be recognised.
CDs have recently become increasingly popular as sound media for home use because of the high potential sound quality, and as pure data media in data processing because of the high potential data density. They are therefore a mass-market product, but have to meet high to very high quality demands, particularly when used as pure data media.
Generally speaking a CD comprises a circular disc, multi-layered in cross-section, with a central tap hole for fitting and centring in a player. From the bottom, i.e. viewed from the read side of the player, upwards the CD consists of a transparent plastic layer which contains all the data in the form of pits, a thin metal layer, generally of aluminium, for metallizing the plastic layer, and a thin lacquer layer which is usually hardened by UV light, for protecting the metal layer. The imprint, the so-called label, to provide information to the consumer, is then applied to the UV lacquer layer by means of known printing processes.
In the radial direction, in a CD several coaxial, circular regions which move outwards from the tap hole can be distinguished. Directly at the tap hole is the region used to fit the CD in the player. Adjoining this is a region in which the so-called ident code, by means of which the CD can be unequivocally identified, is impressed. There then follows the region used for the actual data storage. If the CD is recorded up to its maximum storage capacity the region ends directly on the outer edge region. Otherwise the so-called lead out or a reflective strip is arranged between the edge region of the CD and the data region.
In the manufacturing process a polycarbonate blank is initially produced by the die-casting method, wherein all data are already impressed by the die. One surface of the blank is then provided with the metallic reflective layer by the sputter process and sealed with the lacquer layer. In this process the CD is centrifuged in order to achieve a uniform distribution of the lacquer layer and as thin a layer as possible. The label is then printed on the CD.
In principle the label is of no importance to the function of the CD because a CD is read from the underside. For the consumer, however, a perfect label is often a criterion for perfect playback of the CD so that it is necessary to produce a faultless imprint on the surface of the CD. In contrast the UV lacquer layer on a CD must always be perfect because otherwise there is the risk of the underlying metal layer oxidizing prematurely, which could cause reading errors. Processes with which the surface of the CD, i.e. the label and optionally also the UV lacquer layer, can be tested are therefore required.
Generally speaking the surface of the CD is printed in any manner. Colour surfaces, pictures, inscriptions or the like can be applied with the most varied colour application processes for example. It is of course also possible for the CD to be partially unprinted, so that the metal layer is visible through the UV lacquer from the top. Furthermore a CD is often neither printed nor provided with a metal layer on the inner and outer edge region and is therefore transparent in those regions.
Generally speaking an optical process is used for testing the printed surface of the CD, in which the surface of the CD is photographed by a light-sensitive receiver in the top view from above. In a data processing unit the actual image taken is compared with a previously read-in desired image of a perfect surface with certain test criteria. Any deviation is then detected as a fault and the CD is graded according to the size and nature of the deviation.
With automatic test methods, electronic CCD cameras which convert the light received directly into electrical signals are usually used. The substantially flat light-sensitive element of a CCD camera. is constructed in the form of a grid and has a multiplicity of pixels in line and space direction. At the same time this grid is a measure of the camera's resolution. In conventional CCD cameras the light-sensitive element has approx. 750 pixels in the line direction and approx. 580 in the space direction, for example, and the resolution is approx. 0.22 mm.
It has, however, been shown that this resolution is often inadequate for testing a surface with the desired criteria. In particular, different regions require different criteria, as plane imprints must meet different criteria, for example, from regions with sharp light/dark contrasts, such as are produced by lettering. In the case of plane imprints, for example, with metallic prints there is the problem that the metallic effect is achieved by means of metal particles whose content in the imprint is irregular. With such imprints in particular it is possible for an imprint that is perfect to the human eye to be detected as a fault by the test method. With low-contrast imprints, such as solely background images, there is the risk that the boundary lines will not be detected perfectly so that potential faults cannot be identified.
Particularly where electronic CCD cameras are used there is a further problem in that a pixel actually has only a limited photo-sensitive region which is surrounded by a region that is not photo-sensitive. Tracks are then arranged in this region for example. This means that the surface is not photographed in its entirety and the immediate ambient field of an exposed pixel not detected at all.
In principle it is of course possible to improve the test by increasing the resolution of the camera used. Increasing the resolution is not, however, possible without expense. Furthermore the fact that the light-sensitive element would have substantially more pixels, thereby prolonging the computing time required to test the surface, is a disadvantage. In addition the light-sensitive receiver will then be larger in size and can no longer be readily incorporated in the test device which often needs to have a limited structural volume because it is incorporated into existing production plants.

Process and device for high resolution optical testing of surfaces

by Erwin Fiedler, Christel Fiedler, heirs


A recording tape cartridge has a reel accommodated within a case, an engaging portion provided at a floor portion of a reel hub; a braking member provided so as to be unable to rotate within the case, and approaching and moving away from the floor portion of the reel hub, and able to assume a rotation locked position at which the braking member engages with the engaging portion, and a rotation permitted position at which a state of engagement with the engaging portion is cancelled; and a releasing member disposed at an inner side of a guide wall portion provided at the floor portion of the reel hub, and when the reel is rotated, the releasing member holds the braking member at the rotation permitted position while abutting the braking member. The braking member has a tubular wall portion which overlaps with an outer side of the guide wall portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording tape cartridge accommodating, within a case, a single reel on which is wound a recording tape, such as a magnetic tape or the like, which is used as a recording/playback medium mainly of computers or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, recording tape cartridges (magnetic tape cartridges) have been known in which a magnetic tape, which is used as a data recording/playback medium of a computer or the like, is wound on a single reel, and the reel is accommodated in a case formed of synthetic resin. In such a recording tape cartridge, as shown in FIG. 8, at a reel 160, a reel hub 162 and a lower flange portion 164 are molded integrally of a synthetic resin. The reel hub 162 is cylindrical, and a magnetic tape T is wound therearound. The lower flange portion 164 juts out in the radial direction from the outer periphery of the bottom end of the reel hub 162. Further, an upper flange portion 166, which has the same configuration as the lower flange portion 164, is joined to the top end of the reel hub 162 by ultrasonic welding or the like.
The lower flange portion 164 side of the reel hub 162 is closed by a floor wall 168 in whose center a through hole 168A is formed. A reel gear 170, which is for driving and rotating the reel 160, is carved in an annular form at the outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface of the floor wall 168. A reel plate 172, which is an annular metal plate in which is formed a through hole 172A which is slightly smaller than the through hole 168A, is mounted by insert molding or the like to the inner side of the reel gear 170.
A circular gear opening 156 is formed in the center of the bottom surface of a lower case 154. The reel gear 170, which is provided in an annular form at the bottom surface of the reel 160, the reel plate 172, and the like, are exposed from the gear opening 156. Accordingly, the reel plate 172 of a recording tape cartridge 150 is attracted by a magnet (not illustrated) provided at a rotating shaft 200 of a drive device, and the reel gear 170 meshes with a driving gear 202 provided at the rotating shaft 200, and the reel 160 is driven to rotate.
An engaging gear 176 is carved in an annular form at the outer peripheral portion of the top surface of the floor wall 168 which faces the inner side of the reel hub 162. The engaging gear 176 meshes with a braking gear 186 of a braking member 180 which is inserted in the reel hub 162. The braking member 180 is provided so as to prevent rotation of the reel 160 when the recording tape cartridge 150 is not being used (e.g., is not loaded in a drive device or the like). The braking member 180 is formed in the shape of a disc at which the braking gear 186 is carved in an annular form at the outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface of the braking member 180.
A columnar projecting portion 184 which is substantially U-shaped in plan view (and which will hereinafter be called the U-shaped projecting portion 184) stands erect at the top surface of the braking member 180 so as to oppose the open side. The rotation of the braking member 180 is impeded due to two retention pins 194, which project so as to be lined up next to one another at the center of the inner surface of an upper case 152, being inserted in at the inner surface of the U-shaped projecting portion 184. An annular projection 192 projects at the substantial center of the inner surface of the upper case 152 and at the outer side of the retention pins 194. An annular groove 182 is provided at the top surface of the braking member 180 at the outer side of the U-shaped projecting portion 184. One end of a coil spring 190 is fit-in at the inner side of the annular projection 192, whereas the other end of the coil spring 190 is fit-in in the annular groove 182, such that the coil spring 190 is held between the upper case 152 and the braking member 180.
Accordingly, due to the braking member 180 being urged downward by the coil spring 190 and the braking gear 186 engaging with the engaging gear 176, the reel 160 does not rotate inadvertently when the recording tape cartridge 150 is not being used. Further, a substantially columnar projection 188 is inserted into the through hole 168A so as to have play therewith and to project at the center of the bottom surface of the braking member 180. When the recording tape cartridge 150 is being used, the braking member 180 is pushed upward via the projection 188 against the urging force of the coil spring 190 by an engaging member 204 provided at the center of the rotating shaft 200 of the drive device. The braking gear 186 moves apart from the engaging gear 176, and the meshing of the two is cancelled. In this way, the reel 160 becomes able to rotate. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 63-251983.)
In the recording tape cartridge 150 having a structure such as that described above, the reel gear 170 is exposed from the gear opening 156 which is formed in the bottom surface of the lower case 154. Therefore, when the recording tape cartridge 150 is not being used, it is easy for dust and the like to enter in from the gear opening 156. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, conventionally, dustproofing measures have been taken by providing an annular groove 174 at the outer side of the reel gear 170, and by fitting a rib 158, which stands erect at the peripheral portion of the gear opening 156, into this annular groove 174.
However, even with this structure, the dustproofing measures are not sufficient enough with respect to dust which enters in from the through holes 168A, 172A. Namely, because the projection 188 of the braking member 180 must be inserted into the through hole 168A so as to have play, a gap is formed between the projection 188 and the through hole 168A. There is the concern that dust or the like (shown by the arrow) will penetrate in by passing through between the braking gear 186 and the engaging gear 176, and will adhere to the magnetic tape T. Therefore, conventionally, an improvement in the dustproof quality at this portion has been desired.


Disclosed is a method for preparing an acid- and amine-functional polymer under conditions of free-radical initiated addition polymerization. The method involves copolymerizing an anhydride monomer with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer to produce an anhydride polymer, followed by addition of base thereto, followed immediately by addition of a diamine, and allowing the components to react. The preferred medium is aqueous. Also disclosed is an acid- and amine-functional polymer formed by the free-radical initiated addition polymerization process described herein.

The present invention relates to novel acid- and amine-functional polymers, and a method for their preparation. This method is useful in aqueous systems, polar solvent systems, nonpolar solvent systems, or any combination thereof. The method of the present invention is especially useful in preparing latex compositions, as it involves incorporating an amine functionality into an anionically stabilized latex.
The phrase "anionically stabilized latex" refers to a latex that derives colloidal stability from the presence of either adsorbed or chemically bound anionic groups at or near the surface of the latex particle. Anionic stabilizers are usually preferred over cationic stabilizers for latex synthesis as they are readily available, are relatively low in cost, and provide a high degree of colloidal stability to the latex at relatively low use levels. Yet, those skilled in the art of emulsion polymerization are aware that imparting cationic properties to a latex can be very beneficial for improving the performance properties of the resultant coatings.
Incorporation of amine functionality into an anionically stabilized latex is very difficult. One known method is the use of amine-containing monomers with acid-containing monomers during polymerization. The main drawback to this is that, with typical single stage anionic polymerizations, introduction of the strongly basic, polar, amine-containing monomers results in the generation of cationic polymeric species, which flocculate and coagulate the anionically stabilized latex particles to such a degree that resulting latexes have little or no commercial value. In addition, there may be severe reactor clean-up problems due to accumulation of excessive amounts of coagulum within the reactor.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,404,114 (Snyder et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,110 (Das) both teach 2-stage methods for preparing acid- and amine-functional latexes without coagulation, wherein an acid functional latex is formed first, then the pH of the emulsion is raised by addition of base, and finally the amine functionality is introduced by addition of an amine-functional monomer. The primary disadvantage to these methods is that they are prepared by the 2-stage polymer process which isolates the acid and amine moieties in separate polymer chains within the latex particle.
Certain types of acid-amine solution polymers are known, wherein amine monomer, e.g., dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate, is polymerized with methacrylic acid or other acrylic esters. The main limitation of these types of acid-amine polymers is that there are relatively few amine-functional monomers available.

Aqueous polish compositions containing acid-amine latexes


Systems and methods for identifying, confirming, mapping, and categorizing sample polymers, such as nucleic acid sequences, are provided. An estimation of the fraction of first and second polymers in a sample of polymers can be calculated by inputting a first hybridization value indicative of hybridization affinity of the sample of polymers to polymers probes that are complementary to the first polymer and inputting a second hybridization value indicative of hybridization affinity of the sample of polymers to polymers probes that are complementary to the second polymer. The estimation of the fraction of the first and second polymers in the sample of polymers can then be calculated by dividing the first hybridization value by a sum of the first and second hybridization values. Estimations of the fractions of alleles in a sample can be clustered to form a fraction pattern usable for identifying, confirming, mapping, and genotyping sample nucleic acids.

The present invention relates to detecting differences in polymers. More specifically, the present invention relates to techniques for identifying, confirming, mapping, and genotyping sample nucleic acid sequences.
Devices and computer systems for forming and using arrays of materials on a chip or substrate are known. For example, PCT applications WO92/10588 and 95/11995, both incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, describe techniques for sequencing or sequence checking nucleic acids and other materials. Arrays for performing these operations may be formed according to the methods of, for example, the pioneering techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,445,934, 5,384,261 and 5,571,639, each incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
According to one aspect of the techniques described therein, an array of nucleic acid probes is fabricated at known locations on a chip. A labeled nucleic acid is then brought into contact with the chip and a scanner generates an image file indicating the locations where the labeled nucleic acids are bound to the chip. Based upon the image file and identities of the probes at specific locations, it becomes possible to extract information such as the nucleotide or monomer sequence of DNA or RNA. Such systems have been used to form, for example, arrays of DNA that may be used to study and detect mutations relevant to genetic diseases, cancers, infectious diseases, HIV, and other genetic characteristics.
The VLSIPS™ technology provides methods of making very large arrays of oligonucleotide probes on very small chips. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,854 and PCT patent publication Nos. WO 90/15070 and 92/10092, each of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes. The oligonucleotide probes on the DNA probe array are used to detect complementary nucleic acid sequences in a sample nucleic acid of interest (the "target" nucleic acid).
For sequence checking applications, the chip may be tiled for a specific target nucleic acid sequence. As an example, the chip may contain probes that are perfectly complementary to the target sequence and probes that differ from the target sequence by a single base mismatch. For de novo sequencing applications, the chip may include all the possible probes of a specific length. The probes are tiled on a chip in rows and columns of cells, where each cell includes multiple copies of a particular probe. Additionally, "blank" cells may be present on the chip which do not include any probes. As the blank cells contain no probes, labeled targets should not bind specifically to the chip in this area. Thus, a blank cell provides a measure of the background intensity.
While the Human Genome Project is attempting to produce the first complete reference sequence of the human chromosomes, attention is already focusing on the sequence variations among individuals. The genetic diversity is of interest because it may explain the basis of heritable variation in disease susceptibility, as well as harboring a record of human genetic migrations.
The most common type of human genetic variation is the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which is a position where two alternative bases occur at appreciable frequency (e.g., greater than 1%) in the human population. There are many uses for SNPs including serving as genetic markers for identifying disease genes by linkage studies in families, linkage disequilibrium in isolated populations, association analysis of patients and controls, and loss-of-heterozygosity studies in tumors to name a few. It is believed that large collections of mapped SNPs would provide a powerful tool for human genetic studies. Although individual SNPs can be less informative than conventional genetic markers, SNPs can be more abundant and have a greater potential for automation.
Accordingly, there is a need for innovative techniques for identifying, confirming, mapping, and categorizing polymers, such as nucleic acids.

Techniques for identifying confirming mapping and categorizing nucleic acids


Stable catalyst carrier impregnating solutions can be prepared using a component of a Group VIB metal, e.g., molybdenum, at high concentration, a component of a Group VIII metal, e.g., nickel, at low concentration, and a phosphorous component, e.g., phosphoric acid, at a low concentration, provided that the Group VIII metal is in a substantially water-insoluble form and a particular sequence of addition of the components is followed, even when a substantially water-insoluble form of the Group VIB component is used. The resulting stabilized impregnating solution can be supplemented with additional Group VIII metal in water-soluble form to achieve increased levels of such metal in the final catalyst. Furthermore, uncalcined catalyst carriers impregnated with the stable solution and subsequently shaped, dried and calcined, have unexpectedly improved performance when used in the hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks. High conversion can be achieved at reduced levels of sediment, especially in comparison to standard commercial catalysts.

This patent relates to catalysts supported on a foraminous carrier and methods for preparing such catalysts using stabilized aqueous compositions. In particular, this patent relates to aqueous compositions containing catalytically-active metal components and substantially water soluble acidic components and to the catalysts prepared using such aqueous compositions for impregnating foraminous carriers. It is desirable to convert heavy hydrocarbons, such as those having a boiling point above about 1000° F., into lighter, and more valuable, hydrocarbons. It is also desirable to treat hydrocarbon feedstocks, particularly petroleum residues, also known as resid feedstocks, in order to carry out, for example, hydrodesulfurization (HDS), hydrodenitrogenation (HDN), carbon residue reduction (CRR), hydrodemetallation (HDM), including the removal of nickel compounds (HDNi) and vanadium compounds (HDV). The catalysts of the present invention are particularly useful and effective in the hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, hydrodemetallation, etc. of petroleum compositions, especially high-boiling petroleum compositions.
Catalysts comprising at least one Group VIII metal component, at least one Group VIB metal component and a phosphorous component, such components being carried on a foraminous carrier, are known in the art.
It is known that the metals of Group VIB of the periodic table, for example tungsten and molybdenum, and components comprising such metals, for example compounds such as the oxides and sulfides, are active in catalyzing a wide variety of reactions including among others, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, oxidation, desulfurization, isomerization and cracking. However, catalytic metals and components containing them are, relatively costly and have a relatively small surface area per unit weight, so that they are typically not used without resort to carrier materials. Consequently, these catalytically active metals or components are usually applied in a diluted form to the surface of a foraminous support material. The foraminous support material is usually of a low order of activity when compared to the catalytically-active components, or such carriers may even be catalytically completely inactive.
Furthermore, it is known that certain metal-containing components of Group VIII of the periodic table of the elements, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel, when used in combination with the Group VIB metal-containing components, result in enhanced catalytic activity. These Group VIII components are sometimes referred to as catalyst "promoters." However, problems can result when these promoters are attempted to be impregnated into a carrier along with the catalytically active components of Group VIB. Simple and direct impregnation techniques using a mixture of both components typically cannot be employed. For example, a combination of components based on cobalt or nickel salts with molybdenum or tungsten components typically results in unstable solutions, e.g., solutions subject to the formation of precipitates. Impregnation of a carrier using separate solutions comprising components of Group VIB and Group VIII is not an acceptable alternative since that can result in costly, multi-step processes and ineffective or non-uniform metals distribution.
Rather costly and involved processes have been devised in order to obtain a uniform distribution throughout the available surface area of the foraminous catalyst carrier material when using components containing both of the catalytically active metals of Group VIB and Group VIII. It has been the objective of these methods to prepare solutions containing metals of both Group VIB and Group VIII that are sufficiently concentrated and of the requisite stability to allow subsequent uniform impregnation and distribution of the metals throughout and upon the surface area of the carrier. These methods typically include the use of high concentrations of phosphoric acid. Typically, the carrier is impregnated with a dilute solution comprising a phosphorous component, although some applications do not use a phosphorous component, and components of metals of both Group VIB and Group VIII, by applying the solution to a calcined foraminous carrier material, and then drying and calcining the composite to convert the catalytically active material to other forms, particularly to the oxide. However, the use of phosphoric acid, particularly at high concentrations that are required to readily solubilize both of the metal containing components and maintain them in a stable solution, can introduce performance related problems during the use of such catalysts in hydroconversion processes.
Therefore, it would be an advantage to the art to prepare a stable aqueous composition containing metals from both Group VIB and Group VIII suitable for use in producing a finished catalyst having desirable performance characteristics.
Furthermore, as noted, there is increased interest in producing and upgrading lower quality hydrocarbon feeds, such as synthetic crudes and heavy petroleum crude oil fractions. Unfortunately, high concentrations of nitrogen, sulfur, metals and/or high boiling components, for example, asphaltenes and resins, in such lower quality feeds render the same poorly suited for conversion to useful products in conventional petroleum refining operations. In view of such difficulties, lower quality hydrocarbon feeds often are catalytically hydrotreated to obtain materials having greater utility in conventional downstream refining operations. Catalytic hydrotreating or hydroconversion involves contacting such a feed with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of suitable catalysts. As a result of such processing, sulfur and nitrogen in the feed are converted largely to hydrogen sulfide and ammonia which are easily removed. Aromatics saturation and cracking of larger molecules often take place to convert high boiling feed components to lower boiling components. Metals content of the feed decreases as a result of deposition of metals on the hydrotreating catalyst.
As can be appreciated, satisfactory operation in processing feeds containing high levels of impurities under severe process conditions places increased demands on the catalyst to be employed as the same must exhibit not only high activity in the presence of impurities and under severe conditions, but also stability and high activity maintenance during the time that it is in use. Catalysts containing a Group VIB metal component, such as a molybdenum and/or tungsten component, promoted by a nickel and/or cobalt component and supported on a porous refractory inorganic oxide are well known and widely used in conventional hydrotreating processes; however, the same often are somewhat lacking in stability and activity maintenance under severe conditions.
It is known that preparation of hydrotreating catalysts containing Group VIB and Group VIII metal components supported on a porous refractory inorganic oxide can be improved through the use of phosphoric acid impregnating solutions of precursors to the Group VIB and Group VIII metal components or the use of phosphoric acid as an impregnation aid for the metal precursors. Thus, Pessimisis, U.S. Pat. No. 3,232,887 discloses stabilization of Group VIB and Group VIII metal-containing solutions through the use of water-soluble acids. According to the patentee, in column 3, lines 6-11, "in its broadest aspect the invention comprises the preparation of stabilized aqueous solutions which comprise an aqueous solvent having dissolved therein catalytically active compounds containing at least one element from Group VIB of the periodic table and one element from Group VIII." Inorganic oxyacids of phosphorus are included among the disclosed stabilizers, and the examples of Pessimisis illustrate preparation of various cobalt-molybdenum, nickel-molybdenum, and nickel-tungsten catalysts using phosphorus and other acids as stabilizers. Hydrodesulfurization results with certain of the cobalt-molybdenum catalysts are presented, and the patentee suggests that the use of the stabilized solutions may lead to improved hydrodesulfurization activity in some instances.
Similarly, Colgan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,287,280 discloses the use of phosphoric acid as an impregnation aid in preparation of nickel-molybdenum catalysts and that such use can result in catalysts having improved hydrodesulfurization activity.
Colgan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,472 disclose catalysts prepared by impregnation of an alumina support with stabilized solutions of molybdic oxide and certain cobalt or nickel salts dissolved in aqueous phosphoric acid although the patentees suggest that the presence of certain amounts of a phosphorus component in the ultimate catalyst may harm performance; see column 2, lines 23-28.
Simpson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,255,282 discloses hydrotreating catalysts comprising molybdenum, nickel, and phosphorus components and a gamma-alumina support, such catalysts being prepared by a method that involves a precalcination of the gamma-alumina at a temperature greater than 746° C. With respect to the phosphorus component, Simpson teaches that the same often has been included in hydrotreating catalysts to increase catalyst acidity and thereby improve activity.
While the patents and publication discussed above disclose that the use of phosphoric acid in the preparation of hydrotreating catalysts containing Group VIB and Group VIII metal components is beneficial to the preparations, reported effects on catalytic activity and performance vary significantly. For example, the general statement in Simpson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,255,282 regarding use of a phosphorus component to increase acidity and thereby improve activity, is contrary to the teaching of Colgan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,472 that use of phosphoric acid in improper amounts can adversely affect catalyst activity and strength.
Other patents relating to hydroconversion or hydrotreating processes disclose various catalysts, their method of preparation as well as their use in such processes. For example, Simpson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,424 and its divisional patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,743 are directed to hydrocarbon conversion catalysts containing at least one Group VIB metal component, at least one Group VIII metal component, and a phosphorus component on a porous refractory oxide having a defined and narrow pore size distribution. The catalyst is said to be useful for promoting various hydrocarbon conversion reactions, particularly hydrodesulfurization. Similarly, Nelson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,602 is directed to hydrotreatment of heavy hydrocarbons to increase content of components boiling below 1000° F. by contact with Group VIII non-noble metal oxide and Group VIB metal oxide on alumina having specific and defined surface area and pore size distribution. This patent also teaches, at column 9, lines 36-37, to avoid adding phosphorous containing components during catalyst preparation because "Presence of phosphorous undesirably contributes to sediment formation." In furtherance of this teaching it is suggested, at lines 54-57, that impregnating solutions may be stabilized with H2O2 so that solutions stabilized with H3PO4 not be used. See also Dai et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,397,956 and 5,498,586 similarly directed to defined carrier properties for improved hydroconversion catalysts.
Plantenga, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,296 relates to a process for preparing a catalyst composition wherein at least one Group VIII non-noble metal component and at least two Group VIB metal components are combined and reacted in the presence of a protic liquid, e.g., water, and an organic oxygen-containing additive, e.g., diethyleneglycol, is added. The resulting composition is isolated and dried, and, while calcining is an option that results in removal of the oxygen-containing additive, the examples are directed to dried and crushed catalyst particles.
Notwithstanding the diverse teachings of the above patents and publication in respect of the preparation of hydrotreating catalysts, there is a continuing need for development of improved catalysts.

Hydroconversion catalysts and methods of making and using same


The present invention provides devices to access the suprachoroidal space or sub-retinal space in an eye via a minimally invasive transconjunctival approach. The devices may also be used after a partial dissection, for example after dissection of the outer scleral layer of the eye, and using the device within the dissection to access the suprachoroidal space or the sub-retinal space.

The suprachoroidal space is a potential space in the eye that is located between the choroid, which is the middle layer or vascular tunic of the eye, and the sclera, the outer (white) layer of the eye. The suprachoroidal space extends from the anterior portion of the eye near the ciliary body to the posterior end of the eye adjacent to the optic nerve. Normally the suprachoroidal space is not evident due to the close apposition of the choroid to the sclera from the intraocular pressure of the eye. Since there is no substantial attachment of the choroid to the sclera, the tissues can separate to form the suprachoroidal space when fluid accumulation or other conditions occur. The suprachoroidal space provides a potential route of access from the anterior region of the eye to the posterior region for the delivery of treatments for diseases of the eye. Standard surgical access to the suprachoroidal space is achieved through incisions in the conjunctiva and the sclera, and is primarily performed in an operating room. Surgical access is useful in draining choroidal effusions or hemorrhage, and in placing microcatheters and cannulas into the suprachoroidal space for delivery of agents to the back of the eye. Treatments for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, macular edema, diabetic retinopathy and uveitis may be treated by the appropriate active agent administered in the suprachoroidal space.
The sub-retinal space is a potential space in the eye that is located between the sensory retina and the choroid. The sub-retinal space lies under all portions of the retina, from the macular region near the posterior pole to the ora serrata, the anterior border of the retina. Normally the sub-retinal space is not evident as the retina needs to be apposed to the underlying choroid for normal health and function. In some disease states or as a result of trauma, a retinal detachment may occur, forming a fluid filled region in the sub-retinal space. Such spaces normally require treatment to reattach the retina before retinal function is irreversibly lost. However, it has been found that some treatments such as gene therapy or cell therapeutics may be applied to the sub-retinal space to provide maximum exposure to the retina. In a normally functioning retina, small injections in the sub-retinal space create a small area of retinal detachment which resolves in a short period of time, allowing direct treatment of the retina.
The sub-retinal space may be accessed ab-interno by piercing a small gauge needle through the retina. This procedure involves penetration of the intraocular space of the eye and forming a small retinotomy by the needle. A therapeutic agent injected into the sub-retinal space may flow out through the retinotomy into the vitreous cavity causing exposure of the therapeutic to the lens, ciliary body and cornea as it exits through the anterior aqueous outflow pathway.
It is desired to have a method whereby the suprachoroidal space or the sub-retinal space may be accessed in a minimally invasive method via an ab-externo transconjunctival approach. Such a method would provide a method to limit, guide or guard the penetration of a needle device into the suprachoroidal space or sub-retinal space to prevent further penetration. The present invention provides an apparatus to allow minimally invasive, transconjunctival access to the suprachoroidal space or sub-retinal space in the eye for the delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic materials.


Systems, methods, and computer program products implementing hybrid file structures for data storage are provided. One embodiment of a method performed in a computer-based storage system includes writing a file as data blocks in an array of storage devices. The method includes associating the data blocks with metadata related to at least one location in the array of storage devices for later access to the data blocks. The file is represented as a hierarchical data structure having a plurality of nodes. A first portion of nodes has a first span type, and a second portion of nodes has a second span type. The data structure includes a buftree. The first span type includes a fixed-span type. The second span type includes a variable-span type.

In a computer data storage system which provides data storage and retrieval services, an example of a copy-on-write file system is a Write Anywhere File Layout (WAFL™) file system available from NetApp, Inc. The data storage system may implement a storage operating system to functionally organize network and data access services of the system, and implement the file system to organize data being stored and retrieved. Contrasted with a write-in-place file system, a copy-on-write file system writes new data to a new block in a new location, leaving the older version of the data in place (at least for a time). In this manner, a copy-on-write file system has the concept of data versions built in, and old versions of data can be saved quite conveniently.
Some data structures used to represent files in a file system may not allow for optimal efficiency in conducting parallel operations on a file (e.g., read, write, insert, delete, etc.). For example, performing one operation on one part of the file may prevent other operations from being performed on a different part of the file. Some data structures used to represent files may include an excess of metadata associated with a file (e.g., a high metadata to data ratio). Real world data storage systems are limited by available space. Thus, it may be better to represent files in a file system using data structures that allow for more optimal efficiency in conducting parallel operations and for a more optimal metadata to data ratio.


The invention relates to resettable chip-type over-current protection devices and methods of making the same, characterized by directly forming upper and lower electrode conductor and connection electrode conductor on a PPTC substrate so as to constitute a simplified three-layer structure of “electrode conductor-PPTC substrate-electrode conductor.”

(A) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure and manufacturing method of an over-current protection device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a resettable chip-like over-current protection device utilizing a polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) material as a substrate thereof.
(B) Description of Related Art
PPTC devices have been widely used in circuits of electronic devices today. The conductive composite material used in the PPTC devices is mostly composed of polyethylene and electrically conductive particles (mostly carbon black). Under normal operating temperatures, polyethylene confines the conductive particles tightly in a crystalline structure thereby to form a low resistance conductive network. When an abnormally high current is present, the heat generated on the device will reform the polyethylene from crystalline to amorphous. In such a situation, confined conductive particles will be separated due to quick expansion of the polyethylene, which breaks original conductive network. As a result, the resistance rises quickly so that the abnormal current passing through the device will be limited. After termination of the abnormal current, the temperature of the device will drop to room temperature and the conductive composite material will return to the original structure, which means that the polyethylene again confines the conductive particles in the crystalline structure, forming a low resistance conductive network, whereby the purpose of automatic resetting is obtained.
Currently, PPTC devices are mostly used for the purpose of over-current protection. In additional to radial-leaded type devices similar to conventional fuses, the PPTC devices are applied to surface-mount type devices used in a printed circuit board (PCB), which is composed of an at least 5-layer structure of a PPTC substrate, two main electrode conductive metal foil on top and bottom surfaces of the substrate, and two surface connecting electrode layers. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,088 (entitled "PTC Electrical Devices for Installation on Printed Circuit Boards") shown in FIG. 1A˜FIG. 1F discloses that on a PPTC substrate 10, two main electrode conductive metal foils 11a and 11b are applied on two surfaces of the PPTC substrate firstly, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B so as to form a sandwich structure as shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, then a via 12 necessary for connecting top and bottom electrode conductive layers is formed, as shown in FIG. 1E and FIG. 1F. Subsequently, a connecting electrode layer 13 is formed on the via 12, as shown in FIG. 1G and FIG. 1H. Then electrode isolation areas 14 required in installation of terminal electrodes of the chip-like resettable over-current protection device are formed, as shown in FIG. 1I and FIG. 1J. Finally, a finished substrate is separated into individual devices according to predetermined cutting lines 15 as shown in FIG. 1K and FIG. 1L, and then the chip-like resettable over-current protection device with two terminal electrodes 16 and 17 is finished. The said terminal electrodes 16 and 17 are isolated from each other but connected to themselves located on top and bottom surfaces.
After analyzing this prior art, it is understood that the prior art has the following drawbacks:                1. The structure of 5-layer "surface connecting electrode conductive layer-main electrode conductive metal foil-PPTC substrate-main electrode conductive metal foil-surface connecting electrode conductive layer" and the manufacturing method thereof are too complex.        2. In preparing the electrode isolation areas, parts of electrode conductive metal foils 11a and 11b on device need to be removed and this process consumes much power and produces pollution.

Resettable chip-like over-current protection devices


The invention disclosed is an administration system and method for administering user access to an Enterprise system that supports redirection of data from a user's desktop computer in a Local Area Network to a user's wireless device. The Enterprise system having a plurality of message servers and one or more Enterprise servers, the Enterprise servers serving to direct data stored on the message servers between the user's desktop computer and the user's wireless device. The administration system having two components, a user interface (or client) and a administration service. The client having restricted access to what changes can be made to the data on the Enterprise server, yet sufficient permissions to require a single point of access to maintain user access to both the message server and the Enterprise servers.

In a typical wireless computer communication system, the source of the information to be transmitted or received requires a user to have a recognized userid on a messaging server. Messaging servers typically deal with the transmission and reception of data within an Enterprise. Enterprise servers as described herein are distinct from the messaging servers and control the transmission and reception of data to and from wireless mobile communications devices via wireless communication networks outside of the Enterprise.
The messaging servers and their permissions for access are distinct from the Enterprise servers and their permission of access. Thus, when adding a new user to a messaging server, if the user is to be enabled for mobile messaging functions, the user must also be recognized by an Enterprise server. Traditionally, this would require that the administrator be familiar with the procedures of both the messaging servers and the Enterprise servers, which may be quite disparate systems. For example, a messaging server may be a Microsoft Exchange Server and the Enterprise server a BlackBerry™ Enterprise Server, each of which has a different administration interface. An example of such an Enterprise server is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,694, which was issued to the assignee of the present application on Apr. 17, 2001 and is hereby incorporated by reference. Further, for security reasons it may not be advisable to provide administrators the passwords required to modify user access on both Exchange and Enterprise servers.
Thus, there is a need for an interface that will permit an administrator to administer user accounts on messaging and Enterprise servers without requiring familiarity of the administration interfaces of either. Further, there is a need for an interface that provides restricted access to a limited set of administration functions to protect the security of both Exchange servers and Enterprise servers. The present invention addresses this need.

System and method for administrating a wireless communication network


An electronic musical instrument has a means used by a player to set a key name to which transposition is to be made and a part number to designate a transposition excluding part. Tone data in parts other than the transposition excluding part are exclusively subjected to transposition processing, and transposed tones are produced. For example, play data of a keyboard are set as a transposition excluding part, and their tones are produced in C major key as the key played. On the other hand, the keys of accompanying tones such as chord tones, rhythm tones, and the like programmed in keys other than C major key in a storage medium are transposed to C major key to produce transposed tones, allowing an ensemble play in common key.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transposition controller for an electronic musical instrument and, for example, a transposition controller suitably used in an electronic musical instrument which comprises an auto-play unit and can execute an ensemble play.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, an auto-play unit which records data played by the player in a recording medium and automatically reads out and plays back the recorded play data in accordance with the player's instructions is known. In an electronic musical instrument comprising an auto-play unit of this type, a plurality of concurrent tone generation channels are assigned to a plurality of play parts, and when the player plays a given part with a keyboard while playing back auto-play data, an ensemble play can be realized.
Upon executing such an ensemble play, when the auto-play data is played back to have a chord other than a C chord as a tonic chord, i.e. when the auto-play data was recorded in a key other than the C major key, the player must play the keyboard in the key matched to that of the auto-play data. However, it is generally difficult, especially for a beginner, to play in a key other than the C major key.
Some electronic musical instruments can automatically transpose and generate tones by setting desired transposition information. Therefore, by utilizing this transposition function, even when auto-play data was recorded in a key other than the C major key, the auto-play data can be transposed and played back in the C major key, so that the player can play the keyboard in easy C major key matched to the transposed auto-play data.
However, since the conventional electronic musical instrument transposes the entire parts if the transposition information is set, the keyboard part is undesirably transposed, too. For this reason, even when the player plays the keyboard part in the C major key in correspondence with the key of the transposed auto-play data, since note data (play data) from the keyboard itself is transposed, the key of auto-play part and the key of the keyboard part become different from each other.

Transposition controller for an electronic musical instrument


A particle sensor array which in a preferred embodiment comprises a static random access memory having a plurality of ion-sensitive memory cells, each such cell comprising at least one pull-down field effect transistor having a sensitive drain surface area (such as by bloating) and at least one pull-up field effect transistor having a source connected to an offset voltage. The sensitive drain surface area and the offset voltage are selected for memory cell upset by incident ions such as alpha-particles. The static random access memory of the present invention provides a means for selectively biasing the memory cells into the same state in which each of the sensitive drain surface areas is reverse biased and then selectively reducing the reversed bias on these sensitive drain surface areas for increasing the upset sensitivity of the cells to ions. The resulting selectively sensitive memory cells can be used in a number of applications. By way of example, the present invention can be used for measuring the linear energy transfer of ion particles, as well as a device for assessing the resistance of CMOS latches to Cosmic Ray induced single event upsets. The sensor of the present invention can also be used to determine the uniformity of an ion beam.

The trend in electronic components has lead to the development of integrated circuits (ICs) that have higher operating frequencies and require less power per gate. This has been achieved in part by a reduction in the feature sizes that make up the transistors and wires that comprise the ICs. As a consequence, the amount of charge that is required to store a bit of information is about one-tenth of a pico-coulomb (pC), or about 600,000 electrons. Because the amount of charge is so small, cosmic rays can deposit enough charge in an IC to cause a single-event upset (SEU) and alter the state of the memory bit.
The importance of cosmic rays on the performance of integrated circuits in a space environment is evident in the upset rates of various satellites and spacecraft. For example, the Tracking and Data Relay satellite experiences a single event upset per day, which must be corrected from the ground. Such adverse experiences have caused a re-design of spacecraft, such as the Galileo spacecraft. The characterization of static random access memories or SRAMs, due to ion induced upsets is essential to evaluating the susceptibility of SRAMs and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) registers to cosmic ray upsets. This characterization usually requires evaluations at an ion source, such as a cyclotron. Such evaluations are time consuming, expensive and error prone. In recent years, laser pulses have been proposed as substitutes for the heavy ion sources. However, the laser simulations are limited by metal layers that frequently block the laser pulses from SEU-sensitive nodes and by the complexity of the ion-photon calibrations. The solution to the single event upset problem continues to be important, as the complexity of spacecraft grows, the size of integrated circuits decrease and as space systems are designed with circuits fabricated at non-radiation hardened foundries.
For present day ICs in a 10% worse case cosmic ray environment, the upset rate is in the 10.sup.-8 to 10.sup.-4 SEUs per bit-day range. This means that a spacecraft with 10.sup.8 bits of memory would experience between 1 and 10,000 upsets per day 90% of the time. But 10% of the time, the upset rate would be higher.
The upset of a semiconductor memory cell by an ion, caused by cosmic rays or other sources, depends on the charge deposited in the sensitive regions of the memory cell. The sensitive regions are found at reverse biased junctions whose charge can be dissipated by an ion strike. The sensitivity of the cell to upset can be influenced through cell layout, fabrication, and operating characteristics. Each of these factors influences the critical charge (minimum required charge to cause cell upset) through the cell nodal capacitance, the p-n junction parameters, and/or the transistor parameters. The passage of an ion through the cell creates hole-electron pairs which can deposit enough charge to short out sensitive junctions and cause the cell to change state. The amount of charge deposited depends on a number of factors, including the ion type, energy, incident angle, and capture cross-section of the cell.
Much progress has been made in the hardening of static random access memory cells against cosmic ray induced SEUs. In recent years, cross-coupled resistors have been introduced into the six-transistor SRAM cell to reduce the SEUs. Most recently, an engineering design equation, termed the Petersen Equation, has been developed that relates the transistor critical charge and junction area and the 10% worst case cosmic ray spectrum to the expected upset rate of SRAMs in an earth orbit.
The upset rate R (in upsets/bit-day) as given by the Petersen Equation is EQU R=5.times.10.sup.-10 A(.mu.m.sup.2)[D.sub.c (.mu.m)/Q.sub.c (.sub.p C)].sup.2,
where for a 10% worst case cosmic ray (an ion) spectrum A is the cell cross-section, DC is the collection depth and Q.sub.c is the critical charge. An improved device is required to characterize the coefficients found in the Petersen Equation so that spaceborne ASICs, fabricated along with the test device, will be designed to have maximum protection against SEUs.


The invention concerns a water soluble vinyl membrane-polymer protein amphiphilic complex, characterised in that said vinyl polymer corresponds to formula (I) in which: R1 is a group: COOxe2x8ax96 M+ M+ being an alkaline cation, COOR7, R7 being a sugar radical; polyoxyalkylene, polyoxyethylene; N-pyrrolidonyl; phenyl sulphonate; CONR8R9, R8 and R9 identical or different being hydrogen atom, a sugar radical, polyoxyalkylene, in particular polyoxyethylene, a zwitterion radical; R4, R5, R6 identical or different are hydrogen atom, or methyl radical; R2 is a COOR12 or CONR13R14 radical, R12 being a linear or branched alkyl or alkylene radical; R13, R14 identical or different have one of the meanings of R12, and moreover one of the two can correspond to hydrogen atom; R3 is a COOR15 or CONR16R17 radical; R15 being a (C1-C5) alkyl radical; R16, R17 having one if the meanings of R15 and moreover one of the two can correspond to hydrogen atom; x, y, z correspond to the respective percentages of units. The complex is applicable for producing reagent and diagnosis kits.

This is the US National Stagk Application of PCT/FR96/02009 filed Dec. 16, 1996.
The invention relates to novel membrane protein-vinyl polymer of amphiphilic nature water-soluble complexes, to a process for preparing these complexes and to the application of these complexes to diagnostic or analytical methods.
Integral membrane proteins, which are a specific class of proteins, are inserted in vivo into biological membranes and cross the lipid bilayer thereof. The surface of these proteins which naturally comes into contact with the membranes (transmembrane region) is particularly hydrophobic.
Membrane proteins ensure essential biological functions, in particular as regards the exchange of information or of molecules between the various cell compartments and between the cell and its environment. In this respect, they are of major value in the medical field. They represent, for example, preferred targets for medicinal molecules. They are also involved in many human diseases, some of which (for example multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis) have an autoimmune component manifested by the presence in the serum of autoantibodies directed against membrane proteins. Manipulation of membrane proteins in aqueous solution is usually a prerequisite which is essential to their purification and to their structural and functional study. It requires avoidance of the spontaneous aggregation of the hydrophobic domains and maintenance of a relatively non-polar environment around the transmembrane regions.
The standard preparations of such proteins in the water-soluble state contain micellar concentrations of surfactants. The success of the process is based on the high affinity of the transmembrane protein regions for these amphiphilic and dispersing compounds. Nevertheless, this is a manipulation which is more intricate than that in the case of soluble proteins, specifically on account of the presence of surfactants.
These surfactants must be added at a concentration above their critical micelle concentration (cmc) to all the solutions containing the test protein. In addition to any problems of cost posed by the consumption of surfactants, the experiments are often made difficult due to the fact that the membrane proteins are usually fragile and sensitive to their environment. For example, in the presence of an excess of micelles, they can become denatured, while a surfactant defect generally leads to their precipitation.
Several patents, among which mention may be made of WO-A-9,400,557; WO-A-9,115,505; EP-A-363 106; DE-A-3 527 139; JP-A-6,107,6500; U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,411; JP-A-0,227,0856 and JP-A-0,116,8653 describe the extraction, purification and manipulation of membrane proteins in aqueous medium. These proteins are either dispersed in micellar systems or are inserted into lipid bilayers.
Schafmeister et al. Science, 262, pp. 734-738, 1993 have also described the formation of complexes between membrane proteins and amphiphilic peptide polymers. The amphiphilic polymers concerned are small polypeptides known as peptitergents, which have rigid structures (xcex1-helices), one face of which is hydrophobic and the other face hydrophilic. Peptitergents maintain the solubility of bacteriorhodopsin. However, they are unsuccessful in the case of a porin, no doubt because their rigidity limits their possibilities of adaptation when faced with various hydrophobic surfaces. The authors envisage the use of peptitergents to facilitate the crystallization of membrane proteins.
Mention will also be made, in the field of combinations between amphiphilic synthetic polymers and globular (water-soluble) proteins, of the studies by F. Petit et al. Sci., 273, pp. 777-781, 1995 on modified amphiphilic polyacrylates with a molecular weight of between 150,000 and 200,000. The aim of these investigations relates to the study of protein/polymer combinations (formation of gels, kinetics and energetics of the complexation, in particular) rather than to the maintenance of membrane proteins as disperse solutions.
There is thus a problem to be solved as regards the manipulation of membrane proteins in detergent-free aqueous solutions in the form of dissolved membrane proteins.
The object of the present invention is to solve this problem in general, and the invention in particular proposes novel membrane protein-vinyl polymer of amphiphilic nature complexes which have the following advantages:
production of concentrated solutions of membrane proteins in native form,
production of freeze-dried preparations of membrane proteins in native form,
low production cost.
The complexes are manipulated in the absence of amphiphilic additives in the medium, which results in a reduction in the purification costs (large volumes of solutions for chromatography, dialyses, etc.).
The term xe2x80x9cvinylxe2x80x9d includes acrylic polymers in its general meaning.
The invention thus relates to a membrane protein-vinyl polymer of amphiphilic nature water-soluble complex, characterized in that said vinyl polymer corresponds to the formula:
in which:
R1 is a group:
COOxe2x88x92 M+, M+ being an alkali metal cation,
COOR7, R7 being a sugar residue; polyoxyalkylene, in particular polyoxyethylene containing 4 to 10 alkylene oxide units, a radical (CH2)txe2x80x94NR10R11, t being an integer from 1 to 5, R10 and R11, which may be identical or different, being a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C4) alkyl radical,
N-pyrrolidonyl,
phenyl sulfonate,
CONR8R9, R8 and R9, which may be identical or different, being a hydrogen atom, a sugar residue, polyoxyalkylene, in particular polyoxyethylene containing from 4 to 10 alkylene oxide units, or a zwitterionic radical,
R4, R5 and R6, which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical,
R2 is a radical COOR12 or CONR13R14
R12 being a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical of 6 to 12 carbon atoms,
R13 and R14, which may be identical or different, have one of the meanings of R12, and in addition one of the two can correspond to a hydrogen atom,
R3 is a radical COOR15 or CONR16R17
R15 being a (C1-C5)alkyl radical,
R16 and R17 having one of the meanings of R15 and in addition it being possible for one of the two to correspond to a hydrogen atom,
x, y and z correspond to the respective percentages of the units,
x being between 20 and 90%
y being between 10 and 80%
z being between 0 and 60%,
the average molar mass being between 500 and 100,000, advantageously less than or equal to 50,000, preferably between 1000 and 50,000.
The average molar mass is given by weight.
The polymers which can be used in the context of the present invention are thus amphiphilic polymers which comprise at least one fatty chain, i.e. a hydrophobic portion and hydrophilic units, i.e. a hydrophilic portion.
The meaning of the various substituents indicated in formula I is given in detail below, as a non-limiting guide:
M+ is a lithium, sodium or potassium alkali metal cation,
R7 is chosen in particular from:
glucose, fructose, maltose and sucrose residues and in general mono- or disaccharide residues; Hxe2x80x94(OCH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94)4.8; xe2x80x94(CH2)xe2x80x94Nxe2x80x94(CH2xe2x80x94CH3)2
R8 and R9 are chosen in particular from glucosamine, fructosamine, maltosamine and saccharosamine residues and in general amino mono- or disaccharide residues;
H"Parenopenst"OCH2xe2x80x94CH2"Parenclosest"4.8;
Among the R12 to R14 alkyl radicals, mention is made in particular of n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl and n-dodecyl radicals, and C6-C12 radicals containing a secondary carbon or a tertiary carbon.
Among the R12 to R14 alkenyl radicals, mention is made in particular of the linear C6-C12 radicals mentioned above containing one or two double bonds or the same radicals containing a secondary carbon or a tertiary carbon.
Among the R15 to R17 alkyl radicals, mention is made in particular of ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, sec-pentyl, t-pentyl and isopentyl.
Preferably, the invention relates to membrane protein-acrylic polymer of amphiphilic nature water-soluble complexes, characterized in that said acrylic polymers correspond to the formula:
M+, R4, R5, R6, R13, R14, R16, R17, x, y and z having the same meaning as in formula I.
The acrylic or vinyl polymers of amphiphilic nature of formula I or II are obtained, in a known manner, from precursor acrylic or vinyl polymers, which may be commercially available or may be synthesized by polymerization of vinyl, acrylic or methacrylic monomers or a mixture of these monomers. In the latter case, copolymers are obtained which, by extension, are included in the general term xe2x80x9cpolymerxe2x80x9d. The acrylic polymers of amphiphilic nature of formula II result from the reaction of compounds R13R14NH and optionally R16R17NH with an acrylic polymer, which leads to a random distribution of the amides throughout the chain. The polymer is placed in salified form beforehand or in a subsequent step. Such a mode of synthesis is described, for example, in March, J. (1985) Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure, pp. 372-374 (Wiley, New York); Wang, T. K., Iliopoulos, I. and Audebert, R. (1988) Polym. Bull 20, 577-582.

Water soluble acrylic membrane-polymer protein amphiphilic complex and application to diagnosis methods

Rxc3xa9sidence du Parc, Bxc3xa2timent les Hxc3xaatres

deceasedby Franxc3xa7oise Audebert, Vincent Audebert, Agnxc3xa8s Audebert,


A free vehicle suitable to serve as a platform to carry a variety of equipment to the ocean floor, actuate devices at the floor and at intermediate points on the way to and returning from the ocean floor is described. The free vehicle includes standardized power, control electronics, navigation equipment and mechanical release mechanisms that can be used in conjunction with custom experiments. Exemplary experiments include sensors and sampling equipment used for deep-sea exploration. The free vehicle platform provides for scalable designs to meet scientific needs and surface vessel constraints.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an undersea vehicle for research applications and components thereof
2. Related Background Art
Access to the seabed has been by possible for centuries using ropes of various compositions, chains, and as of the middle of the 20th Century, by free vehicles. Free vehicles are chambers that can contain observational or sampling equipment that operate autonomously within the ocean depths. Free vehicles operate independently of the surface or ships by the sequential control of buoyancy. In the simplest configuration, a positive buoyancy module, also called "flotation," is overcome by a larger negative weight, also called an "anchor," making the vehicle's net density greater than seawater, and therefore able to sink to the sea floor. After a period of time, which can vary from a few seconds to multiple years, the anchor is released from the flotation, making the upper package less dense than seawater. It now floats to the surface, generally carrying with it physical samples, recorded data, or both.
Heretofore the free vehicles have been custom made for a specific mission or task. Some vehicles are made for a particular observation and others are constructed for particular sampling tasks, including collecting water at varying depths or biological and geological samples from the ocean floor. There are no general-purpose free vehicle platforms that can be adapted to a variety of purposes.
Prior art free vehicle platforms are attached to an anchor that drags them to the ocean floor. Once below the surface communication with the free vehicle becomes a challenge. The water is opaque to radio waves so communication must be through wires or acoustically. The extreme ocean depths frequently explored make sending commands to the free vehicle impossible. The free vehicle must be able to operate autonomously. The autonomous operation must include determining when the vehicle will release from the anchor and return to the ocean surface for recovery. Prior art release has included anchor connections that corrode at a known rate such that the free vehicle will literally break free from the anchor after a pre-selected time. The rate of corrosion however is rarely consistent. Local water chemistry, temperature and currents affect the corrosion rate such that the time of release of the free vehicle can vary significantly. Electronic timers can be used to trigger release events however release mechanisms that operate consistently at extreme ocean depths are heretofore not available. Autonomous operation must further include reliable mechanisms to shutdown electronic devices once the vehicle is submerged and to restart the devices once it resurfaces. Electronic devices must be shut down to conserve battery life for what can be submerged missions that last for days.
Locating a free vehicle once the measurements or sampling is completed is also difficult. With currents potentially moving the free vehicle some distance from the drop point, or a dark night, overcast or storms, it may be difficult to locate the small but expensive floating device as it sits low in the water. Further, biological samples carried from the depths may be sterilized by the warm surface waters in a matter of 30 minutes or less. Ship costs can run over $40,000/day, and any delay can be expensive. Thus, it is crucial to locate and recover the device in the shortest period of time. Finding the device is critical to a mission's success. Use of a radio direction finder homing beacon allows skilled operators using null meters to determine the approximate direction, but not range. Skill is required as the indicated direction may be out by 180-degrees, and the ship could head directly away from the free vehicle. There are two prior art beacons that utilize global positioning satellites and satellite communication to transmit a floating beacons location. Buoys and free vehicles using the Argos® systems (Argos is a registered trademark of Collecte Localisation Satellites C.L.S. société anonyme (sa) of France) sends the received position to a computer email address, therefore requiring a satellite link to the Internet to access the required information. Such links are often not accessible at sea. MetOcean Data Systems of Canada forwards the positional information from a drifting surface buoy via a satellite telephone to a land-based service that then relays the coordinates back to the ship through a satellite telephone, a loop process that can have significant delay and result in difficulty in locating a free vehicle drifting in ocean currents. The current methods are slow, costly, and less capable as they only provide the location of the floating device, but not a bearing and range relative to the ship. Additionally, navigational charts must be employed to find the broadcasting devices location relative to the recovery ship.
There is a need for a vehicle platform that can be adapted to a variety of uses. There is a need for a free vehicle that uses a standard set of parts and procedures for traversing ocean depths and returning and still provides a cargo bay for custom experiments. There is a need for a free vehicle system that is expandable to handle a variety of experiments and allows for communication amongst all experiments simultaneously immersed. There is a need for a free vehicle platform that can operate autonomously at ocean depths. There is a need for a free vehicle platform that can be precisely released from an anchor so that it may be quickly and efficiently recovered. There is a need for a platform that can be located at sea by broadcasting its location and heading to a recovery vessel over long distances. The free vehicle requires a combination of capabilities to perform. There must be mechanisms in place for autonomous operation including shutdown and startup procedures for portions of the onboard electronics as the vehicle is submersed, there must be reliable attachment and release mechanisms for the anchor, and there must be robust position and communication systems to retrieve the free vehicle when it resurfaces. Additionally for cost and reliable operation there is a need for a free vehicle that isolates the navigation features of the vehicle from the cargo experiment features of the vehicle, such that navigation can be done repeatedly and reliably while the onboard experiments may be customized for each trip to the ocean floor.


A series of ligands with site specific electron donating substituents that form a catalyst complex with a transition metal and are suitable for catalysis of atom transfer radical reactions, including ATRP are described. Faster catalysis rates were observed allowing for low catalyst concentrations and linear increases in molecular weight with monomer conversion, and narrow molecular weight distributions. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that increasing the strength and number of conjugated electron donating groups resulted in more stable complexes and larger ATRP equilibrium constants.

As disclosed herein the rational design of ligands provides a powerful tool to manipulate and improve transition metal catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). ATRP is considered to be one of the most successful controlled radical polymerization processes with significant commercial potential for production of many specialty materials including coatings, sealants, adhesives, dispersants, materials for health and beauty products, electronics and biomedical applications. The process, including suitable transition metals and state of the art ligands, range of polymerizable monomers and materials prepared by the process, has been thoroughly described in a series of co-assigned U.S. Patents and Applications including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,763,548; 5,807,937; 5,789,487; 5,945,491; 6,111,022; 6,121,371; 6,124,411; 6,162,882; 6,407,187; 6,512,060; 6,538,091; 6,541,580; 6,624,262; 6,624,263; 6,627,314; 6,759,491; 6,790,919; 6,887,962; 7,019,082; 7,049,373; 7,064,166; 7,125,938; 7,157,530; 7,332,550; 7,572,874; 7,678,869; 7,795,355; 7,825,199; 7,893,173; 7,893,174, 8,252,880, 8,273,823; and 8,349,410 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/548,354; 12/311,673; 12/921,296; 12/877,589; 12/949,466; 13/026,919; 13/260504 and 13/390,470 all of which are herein incorporated by reference. These prior art patents describe the range of (co)polymerizable monomers and procedure to control the topology, architecture and ability to incorporate site specific functionality into copolymers prepared by ATRP in addition to detailing a range of composite structures that can be prepared by "grafting from" or "grafting to" a broad range of organic or inorganic materials.
ATRP has also been discussed in numerous publications with Matyjaszewski as co-author and reviewed in several book chapters: Matyjaszewski, K. et al. ACS Symp. Ser. 1998, 685, 258-283; ACS Symp. Ser. 1998, 713, 96-112; ACS Symp. Ser. 2000, 729, 270-283; ACS Symp. Ser. 2000, 765, 52-71; ACS Symp. Ser. 2000, 768, 2-26; ACS Symposium Series 2003, 854, 2-9; ACS Symp. Ser. 2009, 1023, 3-13; ACS Symp. Ser. 2012, 1100, 145-170; Chem. Rev. 2001, 101, 2921-2990; Chem Rev 2007, 107, 2270-2299 and Prog. Polym. Sci., 2007, 32, 93-146. These publications are incorporated by reference to provide additional information on the range of suitable transition metals that can participate in the redox reaction, whose generally accepted mechanism is shown in Scheme 1, and provide a prior art list of suitable ligands for the different transition metals to form transition metal complexes suitable for polymerizing a broad range of radically polymerizable (co)monomers.

Any transition metal complex (Mtn/L) capable of maintaining the dynamic equilibrium through participation in a redox reaction comprising the transferable atom or group present on each initiator or dormant polymer chain (Pn-X) to form an active radical (Pn*) and higher oxidation state transition metal complex (X-Mtn+1/L) that acts as the deactivator, may be used as the catalyst in ATRP. The creation and maintenance of a low concentration of active species, (Pn●), reduces the probability of bimolecular termination reactions, (kt), which leads to a radical polymerization process that behaves as a "living" system through retention of the stable transferable atom or group (—X) on the vast majority of growing dormant chain ends. The most frequently used ATRP procedure is based on a simple reversible halogen atom transfer catalyzed by redox active transition metal compounds, most frequently copper or iron, that form a catalyst complex with a ligand, most frequently nitrogen based ligands that modify the solubility and activity of the catalyst. The rate of the polymerization, KATRP, is defined by the ratio of activation (ka) and deactivation (kd) rate constants and the catalyst complex should be selected to favor the dormant state ensuring concurrent growth of each polymer chain and minimizing the [Pn●], Scheme 1. In this equilibrium, Pn● can deactivate by reaction with X—CuII/L, propagate with monomer (kp), or terminate (kt) with other radicals proportional to their corresponding rate constants. The ATRP equilibrium is also heavily dependent on four main reaction process variables: temperature, [Macromolecules 2009, 42, 6050-6055] pressure, [Macromol. Chem. Phys. 2011, 212, 2423-2428.] solvent, [Macromolecules 2009, 42, 6348-6360.] and selected alkyl halide/catalyst. [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 10702-10713]. Of these four variables, the strongest influences reside with the polymerization solvent and catalyst, each spanning values over a range of 1×108. The procedure is a simple procedure which may be carried out in bulk, in the presence of organic solvents or in water, under homogeneous or heterogeneous conditions, in ionic liquids, and in supercritical CO2.
Early ATRP procedures employed catalyst complexes that are now recognized to be low activity [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 10702-10713], and required addition of a sufficiently high concentration of the transition metal complex to overcome the effect of unavoidable increased concentration of the deactivator in the reaction medium due to radical-radical termination reactions while still driving the reaction to the desired degree of polymerization in a reasonable time frame while retaining chain end functionality. Recently novel approaches were developed that allowed regeneration of the lower oxidation state transition metal complex resulting in a significant reduction in the concentration of added catalyst. [PCT Int. Appl. WO 2005/087819] The driving force for this advance was the economic penalty associated with purification procedures, resulting from early procedures with less active catalyst complexes resulting in high concentrations of catalyst in the final product, coupled with a deeper understanding of the ATRP rate law, equation (1), which shows that Rp, the polymerization rate, depends only on the ratio of the concentration of [CuI] to [X—CuII], and does NOT depend on the absolute concentration of the copper complexes, therefore in principle, one could reduce the absolute amount of copper complex to ppm levels without affecting the polymerization rate.
                              R          p                =                                                            k                p                                                          [                M                ]                                                                [                              P                •                            ]                                =                                                    k                p                                                          [                M                ]                                                                                K                  eq                                                                  [                  I                  ]                                            o                                                                  [                                  Cu                  I                                ]                                            [                                  X                  -                                      Cu                    II                                                  ]                                                                        (        1        )
As discussed in the above incorporated references, ATRP is one of the most powerful controlled/living radical polymerization (CLRP) techniques available for the synthesis of well-defined macromolecules under versatile, industrially scalable, experimental conditions. With such a technique the synthetic polymer chemist may precisely design macromolecular architectures with predetermined molecular weights (Mn) and narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn). ATRP's utility encompasses a vast library of functional monomers, from radically copolymerizable (methyl)acrylates to styrenics and acrylamides, that can be conducted in a range of solvents (i.e. aqueous to organic), generating products with multiple potential macromolecular architectures (e.g. stars and brushes), in a range of reaction media (e.g. dispersions, emulsions, and homogenous systems).
Despite these successes, a need exists to further improve the efficiency and versatility of ATRP through optimization and development of novel catalysts [Prog. Polym. Sci. 2010, 35, 959-1021]. As described herein, the development of more active catalyst complexes may also provide an opportunity to reduce the concentration of catalyst required to drive the reaction to completion, allow one to run the reaction under milder conditions in aqueous solutions [Macromolecules 2012, 45, 6371-6379], and expand the scope of radically copolymerizable monomers to include less active monomers such as N-vinylpyrolidone, vinyl acetate and acid containing monomers such as (meth)acrylic acid. Likewise it may also expand the rage of molecules that can participate in atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) reactions and atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC) reactions [Encycl. Radicals Chem., Biol. Mater. 2012, 4, 1851-1894 sections 1.2 and 8.2].
The preparation of transition metal catalyst complexes provides a certain degree of synthetic freedom in ligand design that can manipulate and tune catalytic properties. However, as disclosed herein, the scope of designed catalyst complexes had not yet been truly exploited in ATRP. Prior to the present disclosure some of the most commonly employed and effective ligands in ATRP were tris(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine (Me6TREN) [Macromolecules 1998, 31, 5958-5959] and tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA) [Macromolecules 1999, 32, 2434-2437], each of which are a thousand times more active than the originally used copper based catalyst complex utilizing 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) ligands [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 5614-15 and Macromolecules 1995, 28, 7901-10.].
A variety of strategies exist to manipulate catalytic activity and properties through ligand design. Indeed ligand modifications are prevalent with bpy type ligands, the class of ligands first successfully employed in copper-mediated ATRP, to provide unique properties for complexes used in asymmetric catalysis such as use of chiral 2,2′-bipyridyl ligands coordinated to Mo, Cu and Pd for allylic oxidation, [Organometallics 2001, 20, 673-690] luminescence and pH sensitivity, [Inorg. Chem. 2000, 39, 76-84] and enhanced photocatalytic activity for Ru based catalysts. [Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 51-62]. However, despite the vast array of modifications available to these bpy ligands, limited examples [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 10702-10713] of structure-reactivity relationships exist with regard to substituents present in ligands for copper or iron based catalyst complexes suitable for an ATRP.

Ligands designed to provide highly active catalyst complexes


Preeclampsia and preterm labor in a pregnant female mammal are treated by administering thereto a combination of a progestin and a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor or both, optionally in further combination with one or more of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, a PGI.sub.2 -mimetic, a thromboxane (TXA.sub.2) inhibitor, a compound possessing TXA.sub.2 -agonistic and TXA.sub.2 -inhibiting properties, a compound possessing TXA.sub.2 -antagonistic and PGI.sub.2 -memetic activities, and a TXA.sub.2 antagonist.

This invention relates to a method for the treatment of preeclampsia and of preterm labor with the combination of a progestational agent and a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor or both, alone or in further combination with one or more of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, a PGI.sub.2 -mimetic, a thromboxane (TXA.sub.2) inhibitor, A compound possessing TXA.sub.2 -agonistic and TXA.sub.2 -inhibiting properties, a compound possessing TXA.sub.2 antagonistic and PGI.sub.2 -memetic activities, and a TXA.sub.2 antagonist, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such a combination.
Preeclampsia, toxemia or eclampsia of pregnancy can be a significant health problem during pregnancy and they are the leading causes of fetal growth retardation, fetal mortality and morbidity, premature birth and maternal mortality. The etiology of the disease is largely unknown and effective therapy is not available. Preeclampsia of pregnancy is characterized by a triad of hypertension, pathological edema and proteinuria. This disease affects 6 to 10% of all pregnancies.
Recently, nitric oxide has been shown to be endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from the endothelium of blood vessels. Nitric oxide is considered to be a major mediator in the control of vascular reactivity. Nitric oxide is synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase located in endothelial cells. Nitric Oxide can also be generated by application of various nitric oxide donors such as sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, glyceryl trinitrite, SIN-1, isosorbid mononitrite, isosorbid dinitrite, etc.
Treatment of pregnant rats with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, which are analogues of L-arginine (such as L-NAME, N.sup.G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) results in elevated blood pressure, fetal retarded growth and proteinuria. Thus, inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis produces conditions and symptoms identical to preeclampsia of pregnancy and establishes that preeclampsia is the direct result of the decrease in nitric oxide synthesis and/or a change in the regulation of vascular tone. These conditions give rise to increased blood pressure, decreased blood flow to the fetus, retarded fetal development and proteinuria. Agents which raise nitric oxide levels therefore are useful in the treatment of preeclampsia of pregnancy. Since nitric oxide donors also reduce contractility of the uterus during pregnancy, nitric oxide donors are also useful for use in preterm labor.
The nitric oxide effects on smooth muscle depend upon the activation of guanylate cyclase and generation of cGMP to produce relaxation and this step is progesterone dependent. Thus, combinations of nitric oxide donors with progesterone are particularly efficacious for the treatment of preeclampsia and of preterm labor.
EP 0 441 119 A2 discloses the use of L-arginine in the treatment of hypertension and other vascular disorders. It suggests that the mechanism by which L-arginine is effective for this purpose is because it may be the physiological precursor of "the most powerful endothelial-derived releasing factor, nitric oxide." The use of L-arginine in combination with other pharmaceutically active agents is not discussed in this publication.

Treatment of preeclampsia and preterm labor with combination of progestational agent and a nitric oxide synthase substrate and/or donor


A cable-driven window lift for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, and comprises a drive unit for the cable core (29) of the cable assembly (15), said cable core (29) being guided by deflecting means (16) over at least one substantially vertical path within which it is connected to an lifter (14) holding the window pane (9) preferably at its lower edge zone, the window pane (9) being guided by its side edges (10, 11) in guide rails (12, 13) respectively on the side of the vehicle and of the door. To achieve simple and accurate guidance of the pane at simplified design, the invention provides that the minimum of one lifter (14) shall move up-and-down with the cable core (29) in the absence of separate guides and that the deflection means (16) for the cable core (29) be mounted on the guide rails (12, 13) of the window pane (9).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a window lift a cable-driven window lift for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, comprising a drive unit for the cable core of the cable assembly and guided by deflection means over at least one substantially vertical path wherein it is connected to an actuator holding the window pane preferably at its lower edge zone, said window pane being guided by its side edges in guide rails mounted respectively on the vehicle and door sides.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A cable-driven window lift for motor vehicles is known from the German patent document 37 27 152 A1 which comprises a drive unit with two outputs for the cable which runs in endless manner as two mutually crossing loops. The cable is guided over four deflection rollers or rounded means mounted to the corner zones of two mutually-apart guide rails. Lifter plates for the window pane are guided in geometrically locking and sliding manner at the guide rails and are driven themselves by the cable system displacing the window pane. The pane itself is guided by its end edges in further guides present in the door, for instance in the manner disclosed in the German patent document 39 21 289 C1. The known window lifts suffer from the drawbacks of complex design and foremost of excessively rigorous specifications for the pane guidance because the guides for the window lift or for the lifters and the pane guides must be exactly matched to each other.


A comprehensive utilization system for high-temperature gasification and low-nitrogen combustion of biomass comprises a gasifier, a boiler and a burner installed on the boiler. The outlet of the gasifier is connected to a fuel inlet of the burner. The boiler is provided with flue-gas exhaust ports connected to a chimney. Regenerative heat exchangers are provided between the flue-gas exhaust ports and the chimney, preheating air pipes are connected to the regenerative heat exchangers and then to an auxiliary mixing chamber. The auxiliary mixing chamber is provided with a first outlet connected to the inlet of the mixer, and a second outlet connected to the high-temperature air inlet of the gasifier and the second combustion-air inlet of the burner. An outlet of the mixer is connected with the first combustion-air inlet of the burner. The chimney is connected with the flue gas inlet of the gasifier through pipes and fans.

The increasing shortage of fossil fuels has led to increasingly serious environmental problems. Bioenergy, as one of the alternative energy sources, has been paid increasing attention. Biomass energy has unique advantages, since it is renewable, low-pollution, extensive-distribution and abundant storage. The development and utilization of environmentally friendly, renewable and abundant clean energy resources such as biomass energy are the main strategic measures to solve the shortage of oil and coal, which can ensure the national energy security, protect the ecological environment, and improve the sustainable development capacity.
Bioenergy has high oxygen content, low sulfur content and low ash content, and it has low concentration of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides (NOx) after combustion. Although the nitrogen in biomass is less than that in coal, in terms of energy, the nitrogen in biomass is on the same magnitude as that in coal due to the low calorific value of biomass, and the NOx emissions from the biomass combustion products shouldn't be underestimated.
At present, there are two combustion methods of biomass fuel in heating systems, one is direct combustion with a biomass boiler, the other is post-gasification combustion. Due to the limitation of the body structure of the boiler, dust and NOx emissions in direct combustion will largely exceed standards and fail to meet environmental protection emission requirements. On the other hand, in the post-gasification combustion, the gasification rate is also low (generally below 60%) and the NOx emissions may seriously exceed standards, which need to be improved urgently. At present, in most popular combustion method, gasification is performed first and then transportation is followed, however problems still exist, the process is complicated, the investment is large, the gasification rate is low, and the NOx emissions seriously exceed standards.

Comprehensive utilization system for high-temperature gasification and low-nitrogen combustion of biomass


A protective cover for a load bearing member of an elevator system includes a sleeve wrapped around a perimeter of the load bearing member, the sleeve configured to protect the load bearing member from debris damage during installation or maintenance operation of the elevator system, and configured to slide along a length direction of the load bearing member. A tether is configured to connect the sleeve to a working platform.

Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of elevator systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to installation and maintenance of elevator systems.
Elevator systems are useful for carrying passengers, cargo, or both, between various levels in a building. Some elevators are traction based and utilize load bearing members such as belts for supporting the elevator car and achieving the desired movement and positioning of the elevator car.
In installation of some elevator systems, a scaffold is used to install components in the hoistway, such as rails, controllers and the like. Then, the elevator car and load bearing members are installed thus completing installation of the elevator system. With high rise systems, in particular, installation and use of scaffolding for elevator system component installation in the hoistway can be cumbersome and inefficient.
In other configurations, the drive system of the elevator system, such as the machine and the load bearing members are installed in the hoistway and connected to the elevator car. The elevator car, or a dedicated installation car, are utilized as an installation platform to install the remaining components in the hoistway. Starting at the bottom, or alternatively the top, of the hoistway, components such as rail sections are installed from the installation platform at a first location. The installation platform is then moved along the hoistway via the machine and load bearing members to this first location and the elevator system components are installed at a second location from the installation platform. This movement and installation continues along the hoistway.
The installation mechanics conduct operations such as welding and grinding at the installation platform to install rails and other components. With such operations taking place in close proximity to the load bearing members, the load bearing members are exposed to, for example, weld slag, concrete debris, and other construction materials that can damage the load bearing members.