A method and apparatus for determining the stress-slip relationship of specimens in concrete including a pipe with a plurality of longitudinal slots evenly spaced around the circumference of the pipe, a specimen and concrete block located in one end of the pipe, a confining device for applying a constant force to the circumference of the concrete block before, during and after a test, a device for measuring the displacement of the specimen relative to the concrete block, and a device for measuring the radial displacement of the concrete block.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the bond stress-slip characteristics of filaments, wires, rods and the like in composite materials such as concrete.
Critical Navy reinforced concrete structures, such as missile test cells and graying drydocks, are designed to withstand large deformations under severe blast and strong-motion earthquake loads.
In these and many other reinforced concrete structures subjected to large deformations in the nonlinear range, one mode of failure is tensile cracking of the concrete and debonding of the reinforcement. The development of design criteria for these structures requires the evaluation of their response in the nonlinear range where severe deterioration of the steel concrete interface takes place. Accurate modeling of the nonlinear response obviously requires an accurate representation of the interface behavior for large deformations.
Where it is important to predict failure or severe damage, proper representation of the bond between the concrete and the reinforcing bar (rebar) is crucial.
The mechanism of bond includes three main components: chemical adhesion, friction, and mechanical interlock between bar ribs and concrete. Initially, for very small values of bond stress of up to 200 psi, chemical adhesion is the main resisting mechanism. If the bond stress is increased, chemical adhesion is destroyed and replaced by the wedging action of the ribs. This wedging action originates crushing in front of the ribs. Once enough crushing has occurred, a wedge of compacted powder forms in front of the rib, with a low angle of incidence (around 30 to 40 degrees), which then produces wedging, inclined transverse cracks, and longitudinal cracks.
If inadequate confinement is provided in testing, bond failure occurs as soon as the cracks spread through the concrete cover of the bar and the test results do not accurately predict a real life scenario. With proper confinement, the bond stress reaches a maximum before decreasing as the concrete between ribs fails and a frictional type of behavior ensues.
Existing bond stress-slip relationships typically ignore the effects of radial stress and deformation. Accordingly, these relationships are strongly dependent on the particular specimen configuration used and vary widely as shown in FIG. 1.
Recent studies have underlined the importance of providing a proper confining pressure to the test specimens.
For example, Untrauer and Henry pulled #6 and #9 grade 60 bars from 6-inch (152-mm) cube specimens subjected to lateral pressure on two opposite faces of up to 2370 psi (16.3 MPa). Bond strength increased with the square root of the pressure.
Robins and Standish pulled 8- and 12-mm (0.31- and 0.47-in) bars from 100-mm (4-in) cubes laterally loaded on two opposite faces. The pull-out load increased more than 100 percent for lateral pressures of about 10 N/mm.sub.2 (4060 psi) did not increase the failure loads. Robins and Austin used the same setup on lightweight aggregate concrete specimens. Again, increases over 100 percent in pull-out load were observed for lateral pressures from 0 to 24 N/mm.sub.2 (3480 psi), with greater increases taking place at low lateral pressures. Similar observations were reported by Navaratnarajah and Speare.
Eligehausen et. al. tested 125 pull-out specimens consisting of a grade 60 bar with a short length (5d, d=bar diameter) embedded in a 305-mm (12-inch) by 7d by 15d reinforced concrete specimen. An increase in unidirectional confinement from 0 to 13.1 MPa (1900 psi) yielded a 25 percent increase in maximum bond resistance. Confinement provided by the transverse steel across the crack plane was not evaluated.
Gambarova et. al. pulled 18-mm (0.70-in.) bars embedded in a longitudinally cracked concrete specimen. External confinement perpendicular to the cracking plane allowed control of the crack opening, which was kept constant during each test. Bond was observed to increase with increasing confinement, i.e., with decreasing crack opening, by up to 40 percent.
Using a setup similar to Gambarova et. al., Modena et. al. studied the effects of constant confining pressure. A 16-mm diameter bar with lugs at 45 degrees was used. During the tests the slip was increased up to 5 mm (0.2 in.), which is about 1/2 of the lug spacing. They reported an increase in bond strength from about 3 to 8.5 MPa (0.4 to 1.2 ksi) for a confining pressure varying from 1.8 to 8.6 MPa (0.26 to 1.25 ksi). They also reported an increase in the crack opening up to a limit value which decreases with the confining stress.
Braam reports work by Vos and Schmidt-Thro for specimens under both radial and lateral pressure, respectively. However Vos' work was a numerical study only. Finite element calculations by Vos indicated a linear increase of bond stress with axisymmetric radial pressures varying from 2 MPa (290 psi) in tension to 22.5 MPa (3260 psi) in compression. Schmidt-Thro pulled 16-mm (0.63-in.) diameter deformed bars embedded 48 mm (1.9 in. ) in an eccentric concrete specimen with a 25l-mm (1-in.) cover. Tests with constant lateral pressure up to 20 MPa (2900 psi) showed gains in bond strength of up to 150 percent with the most pronounced increases occurring at the lower lateral pressures.
In the preceeding studies, confinement was applied uniaxially and not biaxially as in the present invention. The application of only a uniaxial confining pressure requires a more complex model to evaluate the confining pressures at the concrete-rebar interface. As a result, the evaluated pressures are more difficult to determine accurately and the bond stress-slip relationships derived therefrom are accordingly less reliable and useful.
Dorr subjected 16-mm (0.63-in.) deformed bars embedded in a 150-mm (6-inch) diameter cylindrical concrete specimen to tension (i.e. pulled from both ends). The specimens were subjected to confining pressures of up to 15 MN/mm.sup.2 (2175 psi). The confining pressures were established by placing the concrete specimen in an oil filled confining ring and pressurizing the oil bath to exert force on the specimen. It was found that bond stresses could be incremented up to 50 percent. Dorr attributed the large scatter in extant bond stress results to the variations in test specimens used. Unfortunately, Dorr could not develop any shear at the concrete-oil interface. In addition, the use of an end plate introduces unknown confinements.
Hungspreug conducted an extensive review of confinement effects on bond. He found that increasing cover and transverse reinforcement, both of which would increase the confinement on the bar, are generally accepted as increasing bond strength. He also points to an increase of bond with concrete tensile strength (or with the square root of the compressive strength). Empirical relationships have been derived showing the increase in bond strength with increasing concrete strength, increase bar cover, and increasing stirrup area. Hungspreug carried out pull-out tests on cylindrical specimens with constant radial confining pressure. He found a linear pressure up a confinement of 400 psi (2.8 MPa ) at the bar surface.
Unfortunately, Hungspreug used a rubber hose between the concrete specimen and the confining ring which could not transfer shear stresses when pulled on one end. In addition, an end plate was necessary to retain the specimen when the rebar was pulled which introduced unknown confinement stresses. Finally, for confinements above about 400 psi, increases in maximum bond force appeared to have been inhibited by severe radial cracking.
It can thus be seen that a test method and apparatus is needed for determining the bond stress-slip relationship that accurately represents real life scenarios by accurately including the variable of confining pressure in the testing.

Split pipe testing device for the measurement of bond of reinforcement under controlled confinement

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A system for providing operational access to equipment or vehicles is disclosed wherein digital access codes are assigned and transported over-the-air governing a vehicle's or equipment's use. The access codes can be generated in connection with comparison of entered and stored biometric data and/or entered code from a keypad. Various security protocols can be used to ensure the secure dispatch and delivery of code information.

Asset tracking is of paramount importance in a number of industries such as the trucking industry and the equipment leasing and rental industries. Knowing the location of equipment, trucks and shipped goods enables predictive planning of actual events and better management of drivers and assets. For instance, good communication between a vehicle (and/or its operator) and its dispatcher advantageously permits scheduling controls. Good communications systems also address concerns regarding equipment, vehicle and/or freight theft. Wireless communication systems are well known for transmitting information between fixed stations and one or more geographically dispersed mobile receivers carried in trucks or on a piece of equipment. For example, the Global Positioning System (GPS), a system of low earth orbiting satellites, has been used to determine a piece of equipment's or a vehicle's position. Further, satellite communication systems have also been used in the trucking industry for many years to provide messaging information between fleet-owned dispatch centers and their respective tractor-trailer vehicles. Such systems offer significant benefits to fleet owners because they allow almost instantaneous communications and real-time position information. An example of such a satellite communication system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,170 entitled "Alternating Sequential Half Duplex Communication System and Method"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,274 entitled "Multiplexed Address Control in a TDM Communication System"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,926 entitled "Dual Satellite Navigation System"; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,810 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Automatic Event Detection in a Wireless Communication System," all of which have been assigned to the assignee of the present invention and all being incorporated herein by reference thereto.
In the satellite communication system described in the above-mentioned patents, fleet-owned dispatch centers communicate using land-based systems such as telephone or fiber-optic networks with a hub, otherwise known as a network management facility (NMF). The NMF acts as a central communication station through which all communications between vehicles and a dispatch center pass. The NMF includes a number of Network Management Centers (NMCs), each NMC being responsible for providing a communication path for the NMF to geographically dispersed vehicles and/or equipment in the communication system using a geo-stationary satellite. A geostationary satellite includes one or more transponders. Transponders relay up and down link signals, (providing amplification and frequency translation) between geographically-dispersed earth stations which may be fixed or in-motion. Each NMC is assigned with different up and down link frequencies in order to avoid interference involving other Mobile Communication Terminals (MCTs) that are operating on the same satellite but with a different NMC. In the satellite communication system of the above referenced patents, each NMC system is capable of handling the communication needs of approximately 30,000 vehicles. Each MCT in the communication system comprises; a transceiver, modulator/demodulator, a CPU and GPS receiver which allows for text message exchange between the driver and dispatcher and position determination of the vehicle.
Access to and security of machinery, vehicles and freight are of the utmost importance and such concerns have come under greater scrutiny as of late. Of particular concern is the theft of vehicles or equipment or the unauthorized use of vehicles or equipment, especially those vehicles carrying hazardous freight.
There is therefore a need to provide strict vehicle or equipment access control. A need also exists to employ wireless communication systems in a manner which enables access and/or verification or change of access to vehicles or equipment. Until now, no such system has offered such access control with the efficacy of the system to be described herein.
Applicable reference numerals have been carried forward.


A method of assembling an optical fiber connector includes the steps of providing a ferrule with an internal through passage, and using a gas for treating a surface of the internal through passage to enhance a bonding capability of the surface. Adhesive is introduced into at least a portion of the internal through passage and at least one optical fiber is secured to the surface of the internal through passage by the adhesive. Another method includes the steps of providing the ferrule with an internal through passage including a shoulder, a window that extends through a side surface, and a cap having at least a portion inserted into the window. Adhesive is introduced into at least a portion of the internal through passage and is in engagement with the shoulder for providing an axial stop for securing at least one optical fiber with respect to the internal through passage.

In the process of connectorizing optical fibers, a conventional ferrule is typically mounted upon the end portions of one or more optical fibers. Thereafter, the other components of the fiber optic connector assembly, such as the spring, the connector housing, the crimp body, and the crimp band, can be assembled. Although the ferrule is principally disposed within an internal cavity defined by the connector assembly housing, the front portion of the ferrule protrudes beyond the connector assembly housing or is otherwise exposed. Consequently, the end portions of the optical fibers that extend through the optical fiber bores defined by the ferrule and that typically protrude slightly beyond the front surface of the ferrule are also exposed following assembly of the fiber optic connector assembly. By mating a pair of fiber optic connector assemblies such that the front surfaces of the ferrules are either brought into contact or are at least disposed proximate one another, the end portions of the optical fibers upon which the fiber optic connector assemblies are mounted will generally be aligned such that optical signals can pass therebetween with a minimum of attenuation.
Initially, single fiber ferrules were developed for mounting upon individual optical fibers. These single fiber ferrules typically have a cylindrical shape and define a single optical fiber bore extending lengthwise therethrough. In order to mount the single fiber ferrule upon an optical fiber, an adhesive is introduced into the optical fiber bore defined by the single fiber ferrule and the optical fiber subsequently inserted into the optical fiber bore. Once the adhesive has cured, the single fiber ferrule is securely mounted upon the end portion of the optical fiber.
While single fiber ferrules are extremely useful and commonly utilized in a variety of applications, a growing number of applications demand the optical interconnection of a plurality of optical fibers. As such, multifiber connectors have been developed that include multifiber ferrules for mounting upon the end portions of a plurality of optical fibers to facilitate the interconnection of a plurality of optical fibers. Additionally, a number of applications require that the ferrule have a substantially rectangular shape in lateral cross-section. Like a cylindrical ferrule, a generally rectangular multifiber ferrule defines a plurality of optical fiber bores through which the optical fibers extend. Unlike a cylindrical ferrule, however, adhesive may not initially be introduced into the optical fiber bores prior to inserting the optical fibers therethrough. Instead, the generally rectangular multifiber ferrule can define a window through which at least a medial portion of the optical fiber bores is exposed. As such, the end portions of the optical fibers can first be inserted through the optical fiber bores and adhesive can then be introduced through the window defined by the multifiber ferrule so as to secure the end portions of the optical fibers within the multifiber ferrule once the adhesive has cured.
In many instances, as part of a fiber assembling process, it would be desirable to preassemble at least portions of a fiber optic connector assembly. In this regard, the various components of a multifiber connector assembly could be preassembled prior to mounting the fiber optic connector and, in particular, the multifiber ferrule upon the end portions of a plurality of optical fibers. As such, the multifiber connector could be preassembled in a factory setting and then shipped to the field.
While a variety of fiber optic connectors including various ferrules have been developed, the need still exists for improved multifiber connectors and improved methods for assembling a multifiber connector. More specifically, a need exists for improved optical fiber connectors with an enhanced bonding capability to inhibit or prevent the removal of the optical fibers from the connector once assembled together.

Optical fiber connector with enhanced bonding capability and method of assembling fiber


Novel indole compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for using the compounds to treat human and animal disease, pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds, and kits including the compounds.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) plays a significant role in influencing a large number of central and peripheral processes. 5-HT-selective pharmacotherapies have been developed to treat a wide variety of medical problems including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, migraine, emesis, and appetite control (Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 32, 2002, Academic Press, Fitzgerald, L., Ennis, M. "5-HT2C Receptor Modulators: Progress in Development of New CNS Medicines" pp 21-30). 5-HT exerts its influence through activation of fourteen distinct receptor subtypes in seven separate families. There is particular interest in the three receptor subtypes of the 5-HT2 family, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C. Modulation of the 5-HT2C receptor subtype has been shown to play a role in numerous human diseases including obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), sexual dysfunction, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders (Roth, B., Shapiro, D. "Insights into the Structure and Function of 5-HT2 Family Serotonin Receptors Reveal Novel Strategies for Therapeutic Target Development" Expert Opin. Ther. Targets 2001, 5, 685; Martin, J., Bos, M., Jenck, F., Moreau, J-l., Mutel, V., Sleight, A., Wichmann, J., Andrews, J., Berendsen, H., Broekkamp, C., Ruight, G., Kohler, C., van Delft, A. "5-HT2C Receptor Agonists: Pharmacological Characteristics and Therapeutic Potential" J. Pharm. Experimental Ther. 1998, 286, 913). However, the transmembrane sequence homology between the 5-HT2C receptor and the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors is high (Bickerdike, M., Vickers, S., Dourish, C. "5-HT2C Receptor Modulation and the Treatment of Obesity" Diabetes Obes. Metab. 1999, 1, 207; Glennon, R., Dukat, M., El-Bermawy, M., Law, H., De Los Angeles, J., Teitler, M., King, A., Herrick-Davis, K. "Influence of Amine Substituents on 5-HT2A versus 5-HT2C Binding of Phenylalkyl- and Indolylalkylamines" J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 1929). Thus selectivity for the 5-HT2C receptor can be difficult to obtain, however such selectivity is important from a drug development standpoint. 5-HT2B receptor agonists are associated with heart valve toxicity (Rothman, R., Baumann, M., Savage, J., Rauser, L., McBride, A., Hufeisen, S., Roth, B. L. "Evidence for Possible Involvement of 5-HT2B Receptors in the Cardiac Valvulopathy Associated with Fenfluramine and other Serotonergic Medications" Circulation 2000, 102, 2836; Fitzgerald, L., Burn, T., Brown, B., Patterson, J., Corjay, M., Valentine, P., Sun, J-H., Link, J., Abbaszade, I., Hollis, J., Largent, B., Hartig, P., Hollis, G., Meunier, P., Robichaud, A., Robertson, D. "Possible Role of Valvular Serotonin 5-HT2B Receptors in the Cardiopathy Associated with Fenfluramine" Molecular Pharmacology 2000, 57, 75) and pulmonary hypertension (Launay, J., Herve, P., Peoc'h, K., Tournois, C., Callebert, J., Nebigil, C., Etienne, N., Drouet, L., Humbert, M., Simonneau, G., Maroteaux, L. "Function of the Serotonin 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2B Receptor in Pulmonary Hypertension" Nat. Med. 2002, 8, 1129). However, the 5-HT2C receptor is found only in the CNS (Bickerdike, M., Vickers, S., Dourish, C. "5-HT2C Receptor Modulation and the Treatment of Obesity" Diabetes Obes. Metab. 1999, 1, 207; Martin, J., Bos, M., Jenck, F., Moreau, J-l., Mutel, V., Sleight, A., Wichmann, J., Andrews, J., Berendsen, H., Broekkamp, C., Ruight, G., Kohler, C., van Delft, A. "5-HT2C Receptor Agonists: Pharmacological Characteristics and Therapeutic Potential" J. Pharm. Experimental Ther. 1998, 286, 913), and agonists that discriminate for 5-HT2C over 5-HT2B should not display cardio- or pulmonary toxicity. Selectivitiy for 5-HT2C over 5-HT2A receptors is also important since agonists at 5-HT2A generally display undesirable hallucinogenic activity (e.g. LSD, psilocybin).
Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is an agonist at the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors. Its binding potency at 5-HT2A correlates with its activity as a hallucinogen in humans (Delgado, P. L., Moreno, F. A. "Hallucinogens, Serotonin, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" J. Psychoactive Drugs 1998, 30, 359; Perrine, D. M. "Hallucinogens and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" Am. J. Psychiatry 1999, 156, 1123; Moreno, F. A., Delgado, P. L. "Hallucinogen-Induced Relief of Obsessions and Compulsions" Am. J. Psychiatry 1997, 154, 1037). More than 40 years ago, some derivatives of psilocybin were reported by workers at Sandoz (Hofmann, A., Troxler, F. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,075,992; 3,078,214). This work was carried out prior to the ability to test for activity at specific serotonin receptor subtypes. More recently, considerable effort has been made in seeking selective 5-HT2C receptor ligands. The indole Ro 60-0175 (Martin, J., Bos, M., Jenck, F., Moreau, J-l., Mutel, V., Sleight, A., Wichmann, J., Andrews, J., Berendsen, H., Broekkamp, C., Ruight, G., Kohler, C., van Delft, A. "5-HT2C Receptor Agonists: Pharmacological Characteristics and Therapeutic Potential" J. Pharm. Experimental Ther. 1998, 286, 913; Bos, M., Jenck, F., Martin, J., Moreau, J-l., Sleight, A., Wichmann, J., Widmer, U. "Novel Agonists of 5-HT2C Receptors. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Substituted 2-(Indol-1-yl)-1-methylethylamines and 2-(Indeno[1,2-b]pyrrol-1-methylethylamines. Improved Therapeutics for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" J. Med. Chem. 1997, 45, 2762) is 25 times more active at 5-HT2C as compared to 5-HT2A, however it is not selective over 5-HT2B receptors (Bickerdike, M., Vickers, S., Dourish, C. "5-HT2C Receptor Modulation and the Treatment of Obesity" Diabetes Obes. Metab. 1999, 1, 207). Certain 1-methyl-5-substituted indoles reported by Lilly are selective 5-HT2B antagonists (Audia, J., Evrard, D., Murdoch, G., Droste, J., Nissen, J., Schenck, K., Fludzinski, Z., Lucaites, V., Nelson, D., Cohen, M. "Potent, Selective Tetrahydro-β-carboline Antagonists of the Serotonin 2B (5HT2B) Contractile Receptor in the Rat Stomach Fundus" J. Med. Chem. 1996, 39, 2773). Substituted indoles were reported by Vernalis to be highly selective agonists at 5-HT2C as compared to 5-HT2A (American Chemical Society National Meeting, Boston, Mass., Aug. 18-22, 2002, Poster Session, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Wednesday morning, August 21, #344-349). Wyeth has reported 5-HT2C agonists including WAY161503 that are active in an animal model of obesity (Welmaker, G., Nelson, A., Sabalski, J., Sabb, A., Potoski, J., Graziano, D., Kagan, M., Coupet, J., Dunlop, J., Mazandarani, H., Rosenzwieg-Lipson, S., Sukoff, S., Zhang, Y. "Synthesis and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) activity of 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazino[1,2-a]quinoxalin-5-(6H)ones and 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1H-pyrazino[1,2-a]quinoxalines" Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2000, 10, 1991). Yamanouchi has described indazole compounds including YM348 which are 5-HT2C agonists showing activity in an animal model of obesity (Kimura, Y., Hatanaka, K., Naitou, Y., Maeno, K., Shimada, I., Koakutsu, A., Wanibuchi, F., Yamaguchi, T., "Pharmacological profile of YM348, a novel, potent and orally active 5-HT2C receptor agonist" Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2004, 483, 37). Arena reports mCPP analogs active in vivo as potential obesity treatments (Smith, B., Smith, J., Tsai, J., Schultz, J., Gilson, C., Estrada, S., Chen, R., Park, D., Prieto, E., Gallardo, C., Sengupta, D., Thomsen, W., Saldana, H., Whelan, K., Menzaghi, F., Webb. R., Beeley, N. "Discovery and SAR of new benzazepines as potent and selective 5-HT(2C) receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity" Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2005, 15, 1467).
Obesity is one of the most important health problems currently affecting the U.S. population. The overweight suffer a significantly higher death rate, as well as a much greater risk of developing many diseases including type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and some forms of cancer. Exercise and diet modification allow some obese people to lose weight. However, many others are unable to achieve lasting weight loss by such methods, and pharmaceutical agents that promote satiety can be effective and appropriate treatments.
Considerable evidence has accumulated implicating 5-HT2C receptor activation with appetite suppression. In 1995, transgenic mice lacking the 5-HT2C receptor were shown to become obese (Tecott, L., Sun, L., Akana, S., Strack, A., Lowenstein, D., Dallman, M., Julius, D. "Eating Disorder and Epilepsy in Mice Lacking 5-HT2C Serotonin Receptors" Nature 1995, 374, 542). A clinical study in 1997 (Sargent, P., Sharpley, A., Williams, C., Cowen, P. "5-HT2C-Receptor Activation Decreases Appetite and Body Weight in Obese Subjects" Psychopharmacology 1997, 133, 309) using meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), a 5-HT2C agonist, has shown appetite reduction and weight loss in obese subjects. Furthermore, selective 5-HT2C antagonists reduce or eliminate the anorexic effects of 5-HT2C agonists (Kennett, G., Wood, M., Bright, F., Trail, B., Riley, G., Holland, K., Avenell, K., Stean, T., Upton, N., Bromidge, S., Forbes, I., Middlemiss, D., Blackburn, T. "SB242082, a Selective and Brain Penetrant 5-HT2C Receptor Antagonist" Neuropharmacology, 1997, 36, 609). Fenfluramine is a non-selective 5-HT2C receptor agonist which together with phenteramine ("phen-fen") was marketed until recently as a highly effective appetite suppressant. The clinical effectiveness of fenfluramine as an appetite suppressant has been shown to be largely due to its activity as a 5-HT2C receptor agonist (Bickerdike, M., Vickers, S., Dourish, C. "5-HT2C Receptor Modulation and the Treatment of Obesity" Diabetes Obes. Metab. 1999, 1, 207; Vickers, S., Dourish, C., Kennett, G. "Evidence that Hypophagia Induced by d-Fenfluramine and d-Norfenfluramine in the Rat is Mediated by 5-HT2C Receptors" Neuropharmacology 2001, 41, 200).
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness involving persistent and distressing thoughts and actions that significantly interfere with normal life. OCD afflicts at least 1-2% of the population in the US and worldwide, and is the fourth most common psychiatric diagnosis in the United States (Delgado, P. L., Moreno, F. A. "Hallucinogens, Serotonin, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" J. Psychoactive Drugs 1998, 30, 359; Goodman, W. K. "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment" J. Clin. Psychiatry 1999, 60 (Suppl 18), 27). OCD is currently treated pharmacologically and/or with psychotherapy. Current pharmacotherapy for OCD has significant limitations and the discovery of an improved medication for OCD would have considerable commercial potential.
Psilocybin, a 5-HT2C receptor agonist, is currently in a Phase I clinical trial with OCD patients (The New York Times, Page D1, Mar. 13, 2001). Other 5-HT2C receptor agonists are recognized as potential treatments for OCD (Martin, J., Bos, M., Jenck, F., Moreau, J-l., Mutel, V., Sleight, A., Wichmann, J., Andrews, J., Berendsen, H., Broekkamp, C., Ruight, G., Kohler, C., van Delft, A. "5-HT2C Receptor Agonists: Pharmacological Characteristics and Therapeutic Potential" J. Pharm. Experimental Ther. 1998, 286, 913).
Other possible uses for 5-HT2C selective compounds include treatments for epilepsy (Isaac, M. "Serotonergic 5-HT2C Receptors as a Potential Therapeutic Target for the Design Antiepileptic Drugs" Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, 5, 59), Alzheimer's disease (Arjona, A., Pooler, A., Lee, R., Wurtman, R. "Effect of a 5-HT(2C) Serotonin Agonist, Dexnorfenfluramine, on Amyloid Precursor Protein Metabolism in Guinea Pigs" Brain Res. 2002, 951, 135), sexual dysfunction (Uckert, S., Stief, C., Jonas, U. "Current and Future Trends in the Oral Pharmacotherapy of Male Erectile Dysfunction" Expert Opin. Investig. Drugs 2003, 12, 1521; Millan, M., Peglion, J., Lavielle, G., Perrin-Monneyron, S. "5-HT2C Receptors Mediate Penile Erections in Rats: Actions of Novel and Selective Agonists and Antagonists" Eur. J. Pharmacol. 1997, 325, 9), and substance abuse and addiction disorders (Kampman, K., Pettinata, H., Lynch, K., Sparkman, T., O'Brien, C "A Pilot Trial of Olanzapine for Cocaine Dependence" Drug Alcohol Depend. 2003, 70, 265).
Compounds that are selective for the 5-HT2C receptor may therefore have therapeutic potential in treating, for example, the above disorders. Such selectivity can also reduce possible side effects due to activity at other serotonin receptors.
Certain N-unsubstituted psilocin derivatives containing fluorine substitution at the 5-, 6-, or 7-position have been reported (Blair, J., Kurrasch-Orbaugh, D., Marona-Lewicka, D., Cumbay, M., Watts, V., Barker, E., Nichols, D. "Effect of Fluorine Substitution on the Pharmacology of Hallucinogenic Tryptamines" J. Med. Chem. 2000, 43, 4701), and some of these compounds were shown to have reduced activity at the 5-HT2A receptor as compared to psilocin itself.

Indole compounds useful as serotonin selective agents


A vacuum cleaner includes a brush assembly that travels along a cleaning surface and draws in dirt-entrained air therethrough, a cleaner body that is connected to the brush assembly and has a dust collector, a fixing unit that detachably mounts the cleaner body onto the brush assembly such that the vacuum cleaner is used as an upright type vacuum cleaner and dismounts the cleaner body from the brush assembly such that the vacuum cleaner is used as a canister type vacuum cleaner, and a regulation unit that restricts a horizontal rotation of the brush assembly if the cleaner body is mounted onto the brush assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present disclosure relate to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to an upright type vacuum cleaner which can be operated as a canister type vacuum cleaner by detaching a cleaner body from an extension pipe assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Vacuum cleaners are generally classified as being either of a canister type, or an upright type.
The canister type vacuum cleaner includes a suction brush, an extension pipe, a flexible hose, and a cleaner body. The suction brush is mounted to the extension pipe which is connected to the cleaner body via the flexible hose. The canister type vacuum cleaner is suitable for the areas with doorsills and hard surfaces such as a wooden floor. The canister type vacuum cleaner is advantageous to clean a small area. However, the canister type vacuum cleaner causes a user an inconvenience when it is used to clean a large area because the user should drag it.
The upright type vacuum cleaner is used in the upright position and has a cleaner body disposed on an upper portion of a suction brush so that the suction brush and the cleaner body travel along with each other. Therefore, the suction brush has the dimensions sufficient to support the cleaner body. As the upright type vacuum cleaner has a bulky suction brush, a dust-scattering member such as an agitator could be easily embodied, and it can give a user a convenience when it is used to clean a large area or a carpeted surface. However, the upright type vacuum cleaner is not suitable for the area having doorsills and small areas.
As described above, the canister type vacuum cleaner and the upright type vacuum cleaner have conflicting disadvantages according to a condition of a cleaning surface. Recently, with the diverse needs of users, there has been a demand for a vacuum cleaner that is capable of complementing the disadvantages of the canister type vacuum cleaner and the upright type vacuum cleaner.


A hob comprising a plurality of radiant heating devices, each of which is further comprised of a support and a heat conductor mounted thereon. An elongate and tubular temperature sensor having a temperature sensitive element in a glass envelope extends along the support and is embedded therein to such a degree so as to project only slightly upwards. Ends of the temperature sensor with connections extend to the edge of the support or even project beyond.

It is for example known from DE 199 42 967 to place an excess temperature protection device in the form of a rod controller with an elongated, rod-like expansion element on a heating device in the form of radiant heaters. This excess temperature protection device more particularly serves to ensure that a maximum permitted temperature on a glass ceramic plate of a hob running over the heating device is not exceeded. The casing thereof outside the radiant heater is fixed to a receiving dish or tray. The rod-like expansion element projects into the interior of the radiant heater and can be fixed, for example by clips or upright, hook-like holders. However, the fixing of the casing to the outside of the receiving tray incurs costs, particularly assembly costs.
The problem addressed by one embodiment of the invention is to provide an aforementioned heating device and a hob making it possible to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and where in particular the arrangement of a temperature sensor on a heating device can be simplified.

Heating device with temperature sensor and hob with heating devices


A guidewire lumen for a catheter includes a tubular member. At least a portion of the tubular member is formed of a compound comprising a polymer and particles or fibers. The particles or fibers can reduce a friction coefficient of the portion of the tubular member while having minimal to no adverse effects with respect to bondability, flexibility, and processability.

The present invention relates to catheter components and, more particularly, to such components formed of a compound of polymer with particles or fibers.
Cathethers used to treat, e.g., blocked arteries in coronary, peripheral, and neurovascular fields are typically guided to a treatment site by riding over a guidewire. Although the guidewire is sometimes coated with a friction-reducing material such as TEFLON, there is generally some friction when a plastic catheter is pushed over the wire.
In the past, in balloon catheters, polyethylene was used as the balloon material in the catheter. This allowed the use of low friction, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) as the lumen for the guidewire. A low profile heat bond could be performed at the distal tip of the balloon and the guidewire lumen to allow for a smooth transition and a soft tip.
As more advanced and stronger materials have been developed for the balloon, such as Polyester (PET), Nylon, and Acrylon (Acrylonitrile), a need for an alternative to HDPE has arisen. HDPE as a single material cannot be heat bonded to materials such as Polyester, Nylon, and Acrylon. Some of the materials that can be bonded to Nylon balloons include Polyether Block Amide (PEBAX) and Nylon, however, these materials tend to have higher surface friction than HDPE. One solution has been to coextrude an inner layer of HDPE or TEFLON and an outer layer of some other material, such as PEBAX. This is more costly than an HDPE extrusion, and the coextrusion can result in delamination. Alternatively, an adhesive bond has been used. However, adhesive bonds tend to be undesirably stiff and have a relatively high profile.
Materials with low surface friction such as HDPE, and various fluoropolymers such as PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE) (also known as TEFLON as manufactured by DuPont), TetraFluorEthylene-Perfluorpropylene (FEP), and PerFluoroAlkoxy (PFA), cannot be heat bonded to many modern balloon materials and are difficult to process. Materials presently used as the guidewire lumen for Nylon balloons are commonly Polyether Block Amide (PEBAX), Nylon 11, Nylon 12, or blends of these materials. Materials used for PET and Acrylon balloons are Hytrel and PET/Polyurethane blends. Polyurethane balloons used for neuro applications also commonly use polyurethane or PEBAX inner wire lumens. All of these materials have high surface frictions at body temperature and have the potential to interfere with guidewire movement.
It is desirable to provide a material suitable for use in a catheter having a low surface friction and that is flexible and easy to process. It is particularly desirable to provide such a material for use in connection with a guidewire lumen.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a guidewire lumen for a catheter comprises a tubular member. At least a portion of the tubular member is formed of a compound comprising a polymer and between about 2-15% particles or fibers by weight.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a catheter comprises a guidewire lumen comprising a tubular member, at least a portion of which tubular member formed of a compound comprising a polymer and particles or fibers. The catheter further comprises a catheter component bonded to the portion of the guidewire lumen without adhesive. A bond strength of a bond between the catheter component and the portion of the guidewire lumen is no more than 10% less than a bond strength of a bond between a second catheter component substantially identical to the catheter component and a portion of a second guidewire lumen substantially identical to the guidewire lumen and formed of the polymer without particles or fibers.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of making a catheter comprises forming a compound comprising a polymer and between about 2-15% particles or fibers by weight, forming a tubular extrusion of the compound, and bonding the tubular extrusion to a catheter component.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a guidewire lumen for a catheter comprises a tubular member. At least a portion of the tubular member is formed of a compound comprising a polymer and particles or fibers. The portion of the tubular member has a coefficient of friction at least 10% lower than a substantially identical tubular member formed of the polymer without the particles or fibers.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a tubular catheter component comprises PEBAX compounded with about 2-15% graphite particles, wherein the graphite particles have sizes of about 1-15 μm.

Catheter components formed of polymer with particles or fibers


The invention provides ffh polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding ffh polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing ffh polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

The Streptococci make up a medically important genera of microbes known to cause several types of disease in humans, including, for example, otitis media, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, sinusitis, pleural empyema and endocarditis, and most particularly meningitis, such as for example infection of cerebrospinal fluid. Since its isolation more than 100 years ago, Streptococcus pneumoniae has been one of the more intensively studied microbes. For example, much of our early understanding that DNA is, in fact, the genetic material was predicated on the work of Griffith and of Avery, Macleod and McCarty using this microbe. Despite the vast amount of research with S. pneumoniae, many questions concerning the virulence of this microbe remain. It is particularly preferred to employ Streptococcal genes and gene products as targets for the development of antibiotics.
The frequency of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections has risen dramatically in the past 20 years. This has been attributed to the emergence of multiply antibiotic resistant strains and an increasing population of people with weakened immune systems. It is no longer uncommon to isolate Streptococcus pneumoniae strains which are resistant to some or all of the standard antibiotics. This has created a demand for both new anti-microbial agents and diagnostic tests for this organism.
Ffh, and homologues, are components of the protein secretory apparatus of bacteria and play an essential role in targetting of proteins to the cytoplasmic membrane (and possibly beyond). Ffh is the bacterial homologue of the 54 kDa sub-unit of the eukaryotic Signal Recognition Particle. Inhibition of function of the protein is injurious to bacterial cells.
Clearly, there is a need for factors, such as the compounds of the invention, that have a present benefit of being useful to screen compounds for antibiotic activity. Such factors are also useful to determine their role in pathogenesis of infection, dysfunction and disease. There is also a need for identification and characterization of such factors and their antagonists and agonists which can play a role in preventing, ameliorating or correcting infections, dysfunctions or diseases.
The polypeptides of the invention have amino acid sequence homology to a known ffh protein, encoded by Streptococcus mutans (nucleotides 969 to 2519 of Genbank Entry Accession number U88582).


A trace element solution comprises at least the following metals zinc directly and/or indirectly from Zn-EDTA and/or Zn oxide; manganese directly and/or indirectly from Mn-EDTA and/or manganese carbonate; copper directly and/or indirectly from Cu-EDTA and/or copper oxide and/or copper sulphate, and/or copper carbonate; selenium derived directly and/or indirectly from Na2SeO4 and/or Na2SeO3. The metals are present in a solution of water, chlorocresol and/or benzyl alcohol, at a concentration of metals of at least 95 mg/ml. The pH of the trace element solution adjusted by means of 30% NaOH in an injectable trace element solution that is visually stable.

It has been found that there is a deficiency of certain trace elements in pastures for livestock in particular areas around the world. Various suggestions have been made to provide the required trace elements to such animals. Different chemical compounds and complexes have been investigated for applying the trace elements by way of licks, drenches or injections.
In general the problem with injectable solutions is that the concentrations of the minerals in the solutions is too low. This means that relatively large quantities have to be injected, which in turn causes tissue damage and also abscesses at the site of injection. Furthermore, it is generally the case that different trace elements are seldomly individually sufficient. This means that two or more trace element solutions have to be provided by way of separate injections.
ZA 1982/6778 (Laurie) discloses a trace element solution and a method of providing the trace elements to livestock. These trace element solutions include ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid complex of the required mineral in suitable quantities. However, the trace element solution includes no selenium or selenite compound.
In the specification and claims the expression EDTA refers to ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (C10H16O8N2 or (HO2CH2C)2NCH2CH2N—(CH2CO2H)2).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,116 (Howard) discloses mineral-containing therapeutic compositions containing EDTA complexes of trace elements. Notably, U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,116 utilises tetra-sodium EDTA, a selenium glycine complex, and metal chlorides for the preparation of the EDTA complexes. Unfortunately, the chloride ions cause contamination and each complex solution has to be made individually. Furthermore, overnight time is required for complexing and heating up afterward to speed up the process, requiring extra apparatus. If mixtures are required, the individual solutions are to be blended. If various concentrations as well as compositions are to be made, it can only be done in a cumbersome way, requiring extra apparatus. A further problem arises when mixtures of high concentration are needed. In certain cases it would be impossible to deliver them, because mixing is always accompanied by dilution. The maximum concentration achieved with this method was 13,5 mg/ml.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,539 (Laurie et al) discloses a method of preparing a trace element solution, which includes the steps of providing at least one EDTA-complex, of providing a sodium selenite solution, and of combining the EDTA-complexes and the sodium selenite solution. However, the method enables production of a trace element solution of only about 55 mg/ml.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,285,292 (Laurie et al) discloses a trace element solution, which comprises at least one metal selected from the group comprising selenium, copper, zinc, manganese and chromium and which comprises a concentration of the metal(s) of at least 60 mg/ml. The solution further comprises at least one compound selected from the group comprising iodine, potassium iodide, sodium iodide, iron, iron chloride, zinc oxide, manganese sulphate, sodium selenite, copper carbonate, sodium carbonate, anhydrous disodium EDTA and sodium hydroxide. The trace element solution is prepared by a method consisting essentially of the steps of preparing a MnCO3 mixture in a container; adding an EDTA/NaOH mixture to the container and subsequently adding at least one metal compound; and adding Na2SeO3 to the container to obtain the trace element solution. The method also comprises the step of adding CrCl3.6H2O to the trace element solution.
Unfortunately the known methods do not always provide the ideal concentration requirements and ideal and required ratios and do not result in stable concentrations and trace element solutions. Also the known methods are difficult to process.
It is an object of the invention to suggest a trace element solution for overcoming these problems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A multilayer nano-cell includes an innermost water phase core including biomolecules in an aqueous solution; a first layer, including an oil phase layer encapsulating the innermost water phase core, thereby forming a water-in-oil structure, the oil phase layer including caprylic/capric triglyceride and macrogol-35-glycerol-rizinoleat; a second layer, including a water phase layer encapsulating the first layer, the water phase layer including hyaluronic acid, Cu-GHK tripeptide, palmitoyl-KTTKS pentapeptide, and hexapeptide argireline; a third layer, including another oil phase layer encapsulating the second layer; a fourth layer, including another water phase layer encapsulating the third layer; a fifth layer, including another oil phase layer encapsulating the fourth layer; and a sixth layer, including an outmost cream layer encapsulating the fifth layer.

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by bacterium Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming rod commonly found in plants, soil, water and intestinal tracts of animals. Clostridium botulinum elaborates seven antigenically distinguishable exotoxins (A, B, C, D, E, F and G). All serotypes interfere with neural transmission by blocking the release of acetylcholine which is the principal neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction, causing muscle paralysis. Botulinum neurotoxin now plays a significant role in variety of therapeutic applications, including strabismus, focal dystonia, hemifacial spasm, various spastic movement disorders, headaches, hypersalivation and hyperhidrosis, where the application list is still rapidly expanding. Botulinum neurotoxin is also commonly used in cosmetological applications, including correction of lines, creases and wrinkling all over face, chin, neck, and chest and other dermatological applications such as hyperhidrosis. In 2002, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Botox® (botulinum neurotoxin A) for cosmetic purposes of temporarily reducing glabella forehead frown lines.
Botulinum neurotoxin (also called as botulinum holotoxin, or holo BoNT-A) is produced as relatively less active, the light chain and heavy chain are linked by the disulfide bridge to form the core small molecule toxin (SM Toxin or holotoxin) with molecular weight of about 150 kDa and being more active. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic structure of botulinum neurotoxin. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the botulinum neurotoxin polypeptide chain includes a heavy (H) chain and a light (L) chain of roughly 100 kDa and 50 kDa, respectively, linked by a disulfide bridge. Botulinum neurotoxin A has a specific enzymatic activity for intraneuronal proteolytic attacking of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), where the enzymatic activity is conferred through the L-chain. The H-chain is required for receptor binding and translocation into the cytosol. Holo BoNT-A associates with other proteins, including non-hemagglutinating proteins and hemagglutinins, to form botulinum toxin complex (also called as BoNT-A) which has greater molecular weight (e.g., 960 kDa). Unlike the 150 kDa holo BoNT-A (having toxicity as well as therapeutic effects), the associated proteins present in the botulinum toxin complex are non-toxic and therefore, not required for pharmacologic effects.
Botulinum neurotoxin has been used for a human treatment using fermentation medium containing animal-derived ingredients. However, the use of animal-derived products may cause potential contamination (e.g., virus from animal-derived products) into the prepared botulinum toxin for clinical use, which may increase the risk during therapeutic applications.
Furthermore, due to the relatively large molecular weights of both BoNT-A (960 KDa) and holo BoNT-A (150 KDa), the most common way of administration is needle injection in clinical settings. However, needle injection is inconvenient, painful and unsafe to use, with relatively low patient compliance. Hence, it is needed to develop alternative methods to realize a convenient, safe and painless delivery of botulinum neurotoxin, particularly in therapeutic, dermatological and cosmeceutical fields. For example, it is desired to develop a non-invasive delivery method for large molecular weight proteins including botulinum neurotoxin in topical applications, e.g., transdermal delivery applied by hands, rather than needle injection or other invasive delivery processes with use of an equipment.
Human skin includes a variety of layers of tissues and cells in 3-dimensional settings, such as at least stratum corneum (SC), epidermis (ED) and dermis with from 20 μm to a few hundred μm (e.g., approximately 250 μm in some facial areas) of thickness. Human skin can be generally viewed as 3-dimensional delicate multi-layered (oil-water)n system with defined network structures from outer skin cells to inner skin cells. Therefore, it is a challenge to deliver a biomolecule especially with large molecular weight, to cross a delicate and thick barrier from outer skin cells to inner skin cells.
The disclosed method for preparing botulinum neurotoxin A and its transdermal delivery in nano-encapsulations are directed to solve one or more problems set forth above and other problems in the art.


In a semiconductor device including a substrate of Si or polycrystalline silicon and an interlayer insulation film region, a region for interconnection with the substrate is composed of a refractory metal silicide layer, a refractory metal nitride layer, an Al or Al alloy layer, and possibly a further refractory metal nitride layer, while a region for interconnection on the interlayer insulation film on the substrate is composed of a refractory metal, or refractory metal oxide layer, a refractory metal nitride layer, an Al or Al alloy layer, and possibly a further refractory metal nitride layer, providing interconnections for integrated circuits. In the manufacture of this interconnection structure, rapid thermal annealing is performed at 600.degree.-1000.degree. C. on the refractory metal nitride layer of the region for interconnection with the substrate, followed by the formation of Al or Al alloy layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a semiconductor device and method of manufacture and, particularly, it relates to an interconnection structure and fabrication method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For interconnection structures in integrated circuits (IC), a dual layer structure comprising a barrier metal and an Al alloy has been used and, as a method of manufacturing such a structure, an Al alloy layer is formed to be contiguous with a barrier metal layer such as TiW or W, in which a region for connection with an Si substrate or polycrystalline silicon, silicide region (contact hole region) and a region on an insulation film are of identical structure.
In this case, the interconnection structure has to satisfy the requirements of preventing reaction between the Al alloy and Si, thereby avoiding spiking into the Si substrate and, further, improving the close bondability with the insulation film (SiO.sub.2) as the underlying layer. However, since both improvement of the close bondability with SiO.sub.2 and generation of spiking into the Si substrate are caused if the barrier metal is readily reactive with Si, improvement in the close bondability and the prevention of spiking cannot be achieved simultaneously and a compromise between those two objectives must be made. Further, the prior art structure has the disadvantage that it often occurs that the step-coverage of the interconnection deteriorates to interrupt the interconnection if the size of the contact hole is less than 1 .mu.m.

Method of manufacturing interconnect metallization comprising metal nitride and silicide


Examples provide an electrical safety plug including a nonconductive plug body. A set of pins conform to a set of pin connector slots in an electrical outlet. A tether is threaded through a tether connection aperture in an anchor couple. A first inter-locking device on the anchor couple removably attaches to a second inter-locking device on a return couple having an attachment member. The first interlocking device disengages from the second interlocking device to separate the anchor couple from the return couple during use. The anchor couple attaches to a part of a case during use create tension in the tether. The tension pulls an electrical harness in a direction of an attachment point of the tether. The nonconductive plug body covers the set of pin connection slots and the tether pulls the electrical harness away from a base member.

Refrigerated display cases and freezer cases used for storing perishable items typically include a removable bottom member, below which is located a fan plugged into an electrical outlet attached to an electrical harness. During cleaning and/or servicing of the display case and fan, the fan or other electrical devices inside the case are unplugged from the electrical outlet. During this time, the end of the outlet is exposed inside the case during the cleaning process, which could cause an electrical hazard to those near it. In addition, the exposed electrical outlet connection slots can become filled with water during the cleaning process and pose a shock safety risk.
While performing cleaning or maintenance, the user unplugs the electrical devices inside the case and attempts to work around or otherwise avoid contacting the outlet, which is typically resting on the bottom interior portion of the case (base) with water, cleaning equipment or the user's hands during cleaning. However, it can frequently be difficult and/or cumbersome for a user to clean around the electrical outlet while also avoiding contact with the electrical harness.


A method for manufacturing a chip card comprising a multi-layer plastic card body; an integrated circuit arranged within a chip module; at least one coil which serves for the energy supply and/or the data exchange between the integrated circuit with external devices, with the chip module having at least two metallic contacts for an electrically conducting connection of the integrated circuit with the terminals of the coil arranged on a coil carrier layer, comprising the steps of: providing the coil carrier layer with the coil and the coil terminals being arranged on same; providing a cover layer to be applied onto the coil carrier layer on the side of the coil terminals, with the cover layer comprising recesses which correspond to the coil terminals; providing at least one thickness compensation layer to be applied onto the cover layer; stacking of the card layers in registered relationship, with the cover layer being positioned in such a manner that each of the recesses in the cover layer comes to lie in the area of the coil terminals; placing the stacked card layers into a lamination press where the card layers are combined with each other under pressure and heat whereby during lamination synthetic material compound of the coil carrier layer is pressed into the recesses of the cover layer raising the coil terminals; removal of the laminated cards from the lamination press; recess milling of a recess for accommodating the chip module in the laminated card body, whereby the raised coil terminals are exposed; and fitting the chip module into the recess of the card body and making an electrically conducting connection between the contacts of the chip module and the coil terminals.

Chip cards are already employed on a large scale in the form of telephone cards, access authorization cards for cellular telephones, bank cards, etc. The energy supply and the data exchange between the card and external devices are effected with these cards via touch contact (galvanically) between metallic contact areas arranged on the card and corresponding contacts in the respective devices.
In addition to these contact-operated cards, so-called contactless cards are also increasingly employed where the energy supply and the data exchange of the integrated circuit of the card is effected inductively via a coil which is embedded in the card.
In the manufacture of contactless chip cards the coil must be embedded into the card body. To this end the coil, which is arranged on a coil carrier layer with its coil terminals, is laminated between the coil carrier layer and one or several card layers which are arranged above it.
The coil (conductor paths and coil terminals/large area coil ends) is preferably etched from an electrically conducting (preferably copper) coated plastic foil. Here, the plastic foil constitutes the coil carrier layer, or the plastic foil with the etched coil may be combined with another plastic layer to form the coil carrier layer. In alternative configurations, a wire wound coil is glued onto the coil carrier layer or partially pressed into same ultrasonically in order to locate it in its position. In a further embodiment the coil is applied to the coil carrier layer as an electrically conducting layer in accordance with the silk-screen printing method. It is also possible to apply the coil in the form of an electrically conducting layer in accordance with the hot embossing method.
Regardless of the embodiment of the coil and the way of applying it onto the coil carrier layer, a recess for accommodating a chip module which contains the integrated circuit (semiconductor element/chip) and which comprises metallic contacts for connecting the chip with the coil terminals is machined into the finish laminated card. This exposes the coil terminals so that the electrically conducting connection with the corresponding contacts of the chip module can be made by means of a conducting adhesive or a soldering material.
Thereby, however, serious drawbacks are encountered. When milling the recess, not only are the coil terminals exposed but also the coil windings/conductor paths extending between the coil terminals, i.e., if the coil comprises N number of windings, N-1 number of windings extend between the coil terminals. This leads to the following problems:
a) The conductor paths of the coil, which extend in the height of the coil terminals and which have a width of approximately 80 .mu.m only, tend to be damaged very easily or severed completely during milling so that the coil quality deteriorates or the coil is even destroyed totally. This is not so critical with the large area coil terminals (>1 mm.sup.2) because in this case, a "scratch" has no consequences.
b) In the manufacture of an electrically conducting connection between the contacts of the chip module and the coil terminals an electric short circuit is easily caused between the conductor paths of the coil or between the conductor paths and the coil terminals, respectively, by the conductive adhesive or the soldering material due to the fact that the distance between the conductor paths and the distance between the conductor path(s) and the coil terminals is very small, thus rendering the coil useless. In most cases it is not possible to change the arrangement of the coil (conductor paths and coil terminals) on the coil carrier layer so as to increase the distances between the conductor path(s) which extend between the coil terminals in the area of the recess and the coil terminals, in order to prevent a short circuit because the coil carrier layer, is machined in a centre area between the coil terminals for the accommodation of parts of the chip module so that conductor paths in that area would be destroyed. In order to avoid short circuits to and between the conductor paths a solder blocking varnish would have to be applied in a labor and cost intensive manner, or an insulating layer would have to be applied to the conductor paths in a similarly labor and cost intensive manner. In this case, too, there is the problem that the coatings and the conductor paths themselves would be destroyed by milling.

Method for manufacturing a chip card and chip card manufactured in accordance with said method


A sole construction for use in the manufacture of a shoe has an outer sole made of a soft and pliable natural or synthetic elastomeric material having a substantially uniform thickness over its entire area. The outer sole has a substantially planar external surface (when relaxed) for contacting the ground, with cuts formed therein to enhance grip. A puncture-resistant inner sheet of woven synthetic fibers is bonded to the internal surface of the outer sole and an inner lining is bonded to the puncture-resistant inner sheet. A removable soft insole may be provided on the inner lining. The sole construction is lightweight and highly flexible such that a foot of a wearer may flex in the same manner as if the wearer was barefoot with the puncture-resistant inner sheet protecting the wearer's foot from accidental injury from sharp objects on which the wearer may tread.

a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a sole construction for a shoe and also to a shoe incorporating the sole construction of this invention.
b) Description of the Prior Art
A useful function of conventional shoes is to protect the foot of a wearer from sharp objects such as sharp stones, broken glass, drawing pins, nails, thorns and so on. The puncture resistance of the sole of a shoe is achieved by providing a sufficiently thick sole made from a material of adequate strength and hardness. For example, leather or natural or synthetic rubbers may be used, the material being selected to have the required strength, thickness and wear resistance. However, a conventional shoe has an adverse and potentially serious effect on the human locomotive system and can contribute to poor posture. Also, several harmful effects are associated with the use of a relatively hard and inflexible shoe sole.
In the case of a hard and relatively inflexible shoe sole, the following effects may be noted, which are even worse with a truly rigid sole:
a) The sole limits tactile perception through the foot, which can lead to overloading of the locomotive system since high foot impacts may not be detected.
b) The sole reduces the capacity of the foot for tactile sensation, leading to a reduction in foot comfort as the sense of touch becomes deadened.
c) A relatively inflexible sole restricts articulation of the joints in a foot. For example, when walking a foot should flex through about 550 at the point of step push-off, but with a typical shoe the foot flexes through only about 250. As a consequence, the foot has to work harder creating undue strain and fatigue.
d) A relatively inflexible or rigid sole usually is generally planar in the transverse direction, with a sharp corner at the outer edge of the sole. This can give a false sense of stability to a wearer of the shoe, as it can give resistance to lateral ankle rolling up to a particular point but once this limit is exceeded, then support is instantaneously lost. The common result is a sprained or is twisted ankle.
e) A relatively stiff and inflexible sole prevents the foot rolling over the ground with a smooth shock-absorbing action. Instead, the profile of the sole tends to cause a wearer to assume a 'slapping' jarring gait which can lead to various overloading-related injuries.
In the case of a relatively thick sole, the following effects may be noted:
f) With wear, a relatively thick sole can distort to take up a bow-shape (i.e. concave in the lengthwise direction, when viewed internally of the shoe), which will cause the metatarsal heads to lose their natural flat plane. In turn, this can contribute to the possibility of a fallen metatarsal arch.
g) A relatively thick sole can localise the weight distribution on the foot. With a barefoot print, the weight is shown to be distributed over the whole area of the foot—a broad heel, a lateral border, the ball region of the foot and toe imprints. By contrast, tread area of a thick sole on the ground may be only 65% to 85% of the weight bearing area of a bare foot, and with a thick and inflexible sole, this increases the local loading on the foot.
h) A thick sole tends to increase ankle instability because it increases the lever arm of the heel and causes unnaturally high stresses on the ankle. The thicker the sole, the greater the chance of a wearer suffering a twisted ankle.
g) A relatively thick sole will, in general, weigh significantly more than a thinner sole. Most shoes are too heavy for proper foot comfort and a thick sole will make a shoe even heavier. It has been shown that every added 100 g on the weight of a shoe may add another tonne to the daily foot lift-load. This foot lift-load imposes an energy drain not only on the foot but on the whole body. This is a common but little recognised source of foot and body fatigue.


A gas turbine engine rotor assembly, comprising: a shaft about an axis having an outer surface radially outward and a groove radially into the outer surface; a disc surrounding the shaft rotatable with the shaft about the axis, the disc having an inner surface extending axially defining an inner diameter, having a disc profile around the groove and axially away from and radially inwardly of the inner diameter, the shaft and the disc defining a gap circumscribed outwardly by the inner diameter and inwardly by the outer surface; and a seal including a split ring fitted into the groove and rotatable with the shaft about the axis, the ring having a ring profile complementary to the disc profile, the ring resiliently expandable radially in the gap to the inner diameter, the disc profile cooperable with the ring profile to axially load the shaft via the ring expanded across the gap.

In gas turbine engines, stationary and rotary engine components are arranged to define flow paths in which working fluids, for example hot, expanding combustion gases and generally cooler, compressed air, are processed for the engine to operate. Due to the high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in play, flow path-defining engine components are commonly affected by dimensional variations, which may result in modifications in flow path geometry having an impact on engine performance. The effects of such dimensional variations may be exacerbated as they occur to rotary components, which may vibrate in presence of non axisymmetric deformation. Ad hoc structural means for managing flows of working fluid that are routed in and around rotary components of the engines may be opportune.

Split ring seal for gas turbine engine rotor