The present invention describes compositions formed from polyanaline and carbon nanotubes, which exhibit enhanced conductivity and which provide uses in electronic circuit applications.

Conductive polymers have long been known in the art, including polyacetylene, polypyrrole, poly(para-phenylene), and derivatives thereof. While in some cases exhibiting metallic-like conductivity, highly conductive polymers have been limited in their practical applications because they are typically chemically unstable in use, and virtually intractable, being unsuited for either solution or melt processing. All conductive polymers require acid or oxide functionality, usually referred to as doping, to achieve their high conductivities.
Polyaniline (PANI) stands out among conductive polymers in that it is known in the art to be chemically stable and readily soluble in conventional, environmentally friendly solvents, and thus offers the possibility for employing ordinary means known in the art forming coatings, films and sheets, fibers, printed patterns, and so forth.
Conductive PANI is described in great detail in Chiang et al, Synthetic Metals, 13 (1986), pp. 193-205. Chiang et al disclose numerous PANI compositions, identifying the protonic acid doped emeraldine nitrogen base salt, as the most highly conductive form, with a conductivity of 5 S/cm. This conductivity remains well below the 102 S/cm range characteristic of certain other conductive polymers, and which represents practical threshold conductivity for widespread utility in electronics.
Levon et al, Polymer 36, pp 2733ff (1995) and Ahiskog et al, Synthetic Metals, 69, pp 135ff (1995) disclose formation of the PANI nitrogen base salt at elevated temperature by combining with liquid organic acids such as dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA).
There is considerable incentive to find a way to enhance the conductivity of PANI while preserving the desirable chemical stability and processibility thereof. Specifically, a PANI composition exhibiting a conductivity of ca. 102 S/cm may be a highly preferred material for important applications in electronics.
It is known in the art to combine PANI with inorganic fillers, including conductive fillers such as graphite, metal fibers, and superconducting ceramics, see for example Jen et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,820.
Carbon nanotubes are a relatively new form of matter related to C60 the spherical material known popularly as "Buckminster Fullerene" While new, carbon nanotubes have elicited much interest because of their unusual structure and are available commercially. They are described in considerable detail in Carbon Nanotubes and Related Structures, by Peter J. F. Harris, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK (1999).
Composites of conductive polymers and carbon nanotubes in the form of films are disclosed in Coleman et al, Phys. Rev. B 58 (12) R7492ff (1998), Chen et al, Advanced Materials 12 (7) 522 ff (2000), and Yoshino et al, Fullerene Sci. Tech. 7 (4) 695ff (1999).
Coleman et al, op.cit. discloses composites of poly(p-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctoxy-m-phenylenevinylene) (PMPV) with carbon nanotubes produced by an electric arc procedure. Mass fractions of nanotubes plus residual soot ranged from ca. 0.5-35%. Films were spin-coated onto a platinum surface from a toluene solution. Conductivity is shown to exhibit a six order of magnitude increase between ca. 4% and ca 9% nanotubes.
Also disclosed in Coleman et al, op.cit., is a failed attempt to make a similar composite with PMMA. The failure is said to result from molecular conformational causes.
Chen et al, op.cit., disclose composite films of nanotubes and polypyrrole. Both films and coated nanotubes are disclosed. The nanotubes are shown to enhance the conductivity of the polypyrrole. The films are deposited by exposing various substrates to a solution of pyrrole and nanotubes followed by electropolymerization of the pyrrole in situ on the substrate, thus entrapping the nanotubes within the polymer matrix. Chen also employs arc-grown nanotubes.
Yoshino et al, op.cit., disclose composites of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (PAT6) and nanotubes produced by chemical vapor deposition and purified. The nanotubes were dispersed in hexene and mixed with the chloroform solution of the polymer. Films were formed by casting on a quartz plate. A ca. 4 order of magnitude change in conductivity was observed between a volume fraction of ca. 1% to ca. 10%, with the percolation threshold estimated to be at ca. 5.9%.
Laser thermal ablation image transfer technology for color proofing and printing is described in Ellis et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,650 and elsewhere. Similar methods are in current commercial use in the printing and publishing businesses.

High conductivity polyaniline compositions and uses therefor


Methods and compositions for treating and preventing sepsis are provided. The methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist in combination with an antibiotic agent. The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising a combination of an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist and an antibiotic agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention find use in methods for treating and preventing sepsis.

Sepsis is a medical syndrome characterized by an overwhelming systemic response to infection that can rapidly lead to shock, organ failure and death. Sepsis may also lead to the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening condition in which inflammation of the lungs and accumulation of fluid in the air sacs (alveoli) leads to low blood oxygen levels. According to data presented at the 67th annual scientific meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Philadelphia, the incidence of sepsis in the United States increased by 23.3% from 1988 to 1998. In the U.S., sepsis is the 10th leading cause of death overall, accounting for over 750,000 cases and 215,000 deaths each year and $17 billion in annual health care expenditures. Moreover, the incidence of sepsis may be rising due to the increasing age of the population, growing numbers of immunocompromised patients, use of life-sustaining technologies, and increased resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial agents.
Sepsis may be caused by bacterial (either Gram-positive or Gram-negative), fungal, viral, and other infections. Although sepsis can follow any bacterial infection, it is often associated with a Gram-negative bacterial infection. It is generally accepted that approximately 50% of sepsis cases due to bacterial infections are caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Most of the damage associated with Gram-negative sepsis comes not from the invasion of bacteria per se but from the endotoxin present in the cell wall of the bacteria. Endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a toxin released from Gram-negative bacteria. Following its release into the blood stream from a site of infection, such as the lung, abdomen, or urinary tract, endotoxin acts on a number of different cell types, and induces a complex cascade of cellular, mediator and cytokine-related events. This inflammatory cascade results in organ (e.g., lung and kidney) damage, shock and death in patients with Gram-negative septicemia (endotoxemia). Based on the current understanding of how endotoxin induces this complex cascade of events, specific therapies developed in the past or currently in development attempt to target specific events in this cascade.
Endotoxin is released during growth, death and lysis of Gram-negative bacteria. See, for example, Rietschel et al. (1994) FASEB J 8:217-225; Hurley (1995) Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 8:268-292; and Mayeux (1997) J Tox. Environ. Health 51:415-435. Following its release into the circulation, endotoxin activates complement, coagulation, and kinin cascades. Endotoxin binds with an acute phase serum protein, LPS binding protein (LBP), and soluble CD14 (sCD14) to form LPS-LBP and LPS-sCD14 complexes. See Mayeux (1997) J Tox. Environ. Health 51:415-435; Chen et al. (1992) Curr. Topics Microbiol. and Immunol. 181:169-188; and Pugin et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 90:2744-2748. These complexes then bind to specific binding proteins or specific cell membrane receptors on a number of different cell types, including vascular endothelial cells, neutrophils, and macrophages to induce the release of oxygen free radicals, nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid, including thromboxane (TXA2), prostacyclin, and platelet activating factor (PAF), and cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and IL-6. See Mayeux (1997) J Tox. Environ. Health 51:415-435; Chen et al. (1992) Curr. Topics Microbiol. and Immunol. 181:169-188; Pugin et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 90:2744-2748; Akarasereenont et al. (1995) Eur. J Pharmacol. 273: 121-128; Brigham and Meyrick (1986) Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 133:913-927; Morrison (1987) Ann. Rev. Med. 38:417-432; and Schletter et al. (1995) Arch. Microbiol. 164:383-389. These mediators and cytokines exert direct cytotoxic effects, promote neutrophil activation and migration, promote upregulation of adhesion molecules for neutrophils on endothelial cells, prime macrophages to the effects of endotoxin-induced cytokine release, and produce cardiovascular effects, including myocardial depression, vascular relaxation, and pulmonary hypertension that are important in the pathophysiology of endotoxin-induced organ injury and cardiovascular collapse. See generally See Mayeux (1997) J Tox. Environ. Health 51:415-435; Chen et al. (1992) Curr. Topics Microbiol. and Immunol. 181:169-188; Pugin et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 90:2744-2748; Akarasereenont et al. (1995) Eur. J Pharmacol. 273: 121-128; Brigham and Meyrick (1986) Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 133:913-927; Morrison (1987) Ann. Rev. Med. 38:417-432; Schletter et al. (1995) Arch. Microbiol. 164:383-389; Hoshino et al. (1999) J Immunol. 162: 3749-3752; Poltorak et al. (1998) Science 282: 2085-2088; and Martin and Silverman (1992) Clin. Infect. Dis. 14:1213-1228.
Endotoxin levels are increased in patients at risk of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in patients with Gram-negative septicemia and ARDS, and in patients with septic shock and multisystem organ failure. See Parsons et al. (1989) Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 140:294-301; Brandtzaeg et al. (1989) J Infect. Dis. 159:195-204; and Danner et al. (1991) Chest 99:169-175. There is a growing body of scientific information supporting the concept that endotoxin initiates this complex "sepsis cascade" of events that results in organ damage and septic shock by binding to a receptor on endothelial cells to induce the release of cytotoxic substances which produce early endothelial cell damage. In the lung, endotoxin causes structural changes in the microvasculature, resulting in disruption of the blood-air barrier, interstitial and alveolar edema, neutrophil and macrophage cellular infiltration, and hemorrhage. These effects of endotoxin in the lung are dose-dependent. See, for example, Neely et al. (1997) Am J Physiol. Lung 272:L353-L361 and Meyrick et al. (1986) Am. J Pathol. 122:140-151. The direct effect of endotoxin on pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs), include contracture and widening of interendothelial junctions, cytotoxic effects such as "ruffling" of the surface, prominent cytoplasmic extensions, and nuclear crenation. Meyrick, supra. These electron micrographic changes in PAECs occur as early as 30 minutes following exposure to endotoxin and are associated with changes in permeability. Id. This direct cytotoxic effect of endotoxin on PAECs is dependent on the dose of endotoxin and the presence of serum and is independent of the presence of neutrophils and macrophages. See, for example, Meyrick, supra; Brigham et al. (1987) J Appl. Physiol. 63(2):840-850; Maeda et al. (1995) Shock 3:46-50; and Meyrick et al. (1989) J Cellular Physiol. 138:165-174. In addition, endotoxin-induced cytotoxicity of PAECs is associated with the release of oxygen free radicals and by products of lipid peroxidation, e.g. TXA2. See Brigham, supra and Conary et al. ( 1994) J Clin. Invest. 93:1834-1840.
Previously, it was reported that A1 adenosine receptor (AR) antagonists block endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in animals. See Neely et al. (1997) Am J Physiol. Lung 272:L353-L361. In spontaneously breathing, intact-chest cats, in an isolated perfused left lower lobe of the lung, under conditions of controlled blood flow and constant left atrial pressure, endotoxin [15 mg/kg, intralobar arterial (i.a) infusion] produced ALI. Endotoxin (15 mg/kg, i.a.)-induced alveolar injury was blocked in a highly significant manner by A1 adenosine receptor antagonists, 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX) and bamiphylline. Furthermore, it has also been reported that endotoxin binds to and activates A1 adenosine receptors on human PAECs to induce the release of TXA2 and IL-6. Wilson et al. (2002) J Endotoxin Res. 8:263-271. Both TXA2 and IL-6 are cytotoxic to endothelial cells. See Zamora et al. (1993) J Appl Physiol 74:224-229 and Gornikiewicz et al. (2000) FASEB J 14:1093-1100. These data suggest that by activating A1 adenosine receptors on PAECs, endotoxin produces cytotoxicity of PAECs that ultimately leads to disruption of the blood-air barrier, interstitial and alveolar edema, neutrophil and macrophage cellular infiltration, as well as hemorrhage in endotoxin-induced ALI. Thus, A1 adenosine receptor antagonists may be useful in minimizing or preventing endotoxin-induced organ (e.g., lung) damage associated with sepsis.
Today, therapy for sepsis includes antibiotics, surgical drainage of the site of suspected infection, inotropes and vasopressors to support the heart and blood pressure, and supportive care in an intensive care unit, including mechanical ventilation. Despite the availability of newer antimicrobial agents and improved supportive care, the mortality for severe sepsis and septic shock of 30-60% remains high, and the outcome remains poor for patients with septicemia. These discouraging statistics suggest a need for additional therapies (adjuvant therapies) to this conventional approach to sepsis, which interrupt the complex cascade of events leading to shock, multi-system organ dysfunction, and death. Adjuvant anti-sepsis therapies would ideally prevent organ damage, shock, and death and improve outcome without interfering with the normal host innate immune response to bacterial infection.
A number of pharmaceutical companies have tried and failed to develop adjuvant anti-sepsis therapies. These companies have tried to develop drugs with anti-endotoxin, anti-cytokine, and other therapeutic properties for the treatment of sepsis. These attempts have failed to demonstrate a beneficial effect in patient outcome. Therefore, a need exists for more effective methods and compositions for treating sepsis.

Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating sepsis


A light control film includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel first light absorbing regions arranged along a first direction, each first light absorbing region having a width and a height, the plurality of first light absorbing regions including nonoverlapping first and second sub-pluralities of the plurality of first light absorbing regions, the first sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a first viewing angle, the second sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a different second viewing angle.

Light control film (LCF), also known as light collimating film, is an optical film configured to regulate the transmission of light. LCFs include a light transmissive film having a plurality of parallel grooves formed of a light-absorbing material.
LCFs can be placed proximate a display surface, image surface, or other surface to be viewed. At normal incidence, (i.e. 0 degree viewing angle) where a viewer is looking at an image through the LCF in a direction that is perpendicular to the film surface, the image is viewable. As the viewing angle increases, the amount of light transmitted through the LCF decreases until a viewing cutoff angle is reached where substantially all (greater than about 95%) the light is blocked by the light-absorbing material and the image is no longer viewable. The LCF provides privacy to a viewer by blocking observation by others that are outside a typical range of viewing angles.

Light control film with varied viewing angle


A display device includes a substrate, a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, a common electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode and spaced apart from the pixel electrode, where a microcavity is defined between the common electrode and the pixel electrode, and a cutout is defined in the common electrode, an insulating layer disposed on the common electrode, a roof layer disposed on the insulating layer, where a liquid crystal injection hole is defined through the common electrode and the roof layer such that the common electrode and the roof layer expose a portion of the microcavity, a liquid crystal layer disposed in the microcavity, and an encapsulation layer disposed on the roof layer, where the encapsulation layer covers the liquid crystal injection hole, and seals the microcavity.

(a) Field
The invention relates to a display device and a method of manufacturing the display device, and more particularly, to a display device in which a cutout is formed in a common electrode of the display device using one substrate, and a method of manufacturing the display device.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display, which is one of the most widely used types of a flat panel display, typically includes two display panels, on which field generating electrodes such as a pixel electrode and a common electrode are disposed and a liquid crystal layer is interposed therebetween, and displays an image by applying a voltage to a field generating electrode to generate an electric field on the liquid crystal layer, determine alignment of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer therethrough, and control polarization of incident light.
The two display panels of the liquid crystal display may be a thin film transistor array panel and a counter display panel, respectively. In the thin film transistor array panel, a gate line for transferring a gate signal and a data line for transferring a data signal are provided crossing each other, and a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, and the like may be disposed therein. A light blocking member, a color filter, a common electrode, and the like may be disposed in the counter display panel. Alternatively, the light blocking member, the color filter and the common electrode may be disposed in the thin film transistor array panel.
However, in a conventional liquid crystal display, where two substrates are used and constituent elements are provided on the two substrates.

Display device and method of manufacturing the same


Disclosed is a polyimide film, which is colorless and transparent, with superior mechanical properties and high thermal stability.

Generally, a polyimide (PI) film is a film of polyimide resin. Polyimide resin is a highly heat-resistant resin obtained by subjecting aromatic dianhydride and aromatic diamine or aromatic diisocyanate to solution polymerization to prepare a polyamic acid derivative, which is then subjected to ring closure and dehydration at high temperatures to imidize it.
Polyimide resin, which is insoluble, infusible and resistant to very high heat, has superior properties regarding such as thermal oxidation resistance, heat resistance, radiation resistance, low-temperature resistance, and chemical resistance, and is thus used in various fields of application, including advanced heat resistant materials such as automobile materials, aircraft materials, or spacecraft materials, and electronic materials such as insulation coating agents, insulating films, semiconductors, or electrode protective films of TFT-LCDs. Recently, polyimide resin is also used for display materials, such as optical fibers or liquid crystal alignment layers, and transparent electrode films, in which conductive filler is contained in the film or is applied onto the surface of the film.
However, polyimide resin is disadvantageous because it has a high aromatic ring density, and thus is colored brown or yellow, undesirably resulting in low transmittance in the visible light range. Polyimide resin suffers because light transmittance is decreased attributable to the yellow-like color thereof, thus making it difficult to apply the polyimide resin to fields requiring transparency.
In order to solve such problems, attempts to realize methods of purifying monomers and a solvent to high purities in order to achieve polymerization have been made, but the improvement in transmittance was not large.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,480 discloses a method of preparing a polyimide resin using an alicyclic dianhydride component instead of the aromatic dianhydride. According to this method, when the polyimide resin is in a solution phase or a film phase, transparency and color are improved, compared to the results of the purifying methods. However, limitations are imposed on improving transmittance, and thereby high transmittance is not realized, and further, the thermal and mechanical properties are deteriorated.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,595,548, 4,603,061, 4,645,824, 4,895,972, 5,218,083, 5,093,453, 5,218,077, 5,367,046, 5,338,826, 5,986,036, and 6,232,428, and Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-0009437, there have been reports related to the preparation of a novel polyimide, which is improved in terms of transmittance and color transparency within a range inside which thermal properties are not greatly decreased, using aromatic dianhydride and aromatic diamine monomers, having a linker, such as —O—, —SO2—, or CH2—, a bent structure due to connection not at the p-position but at the m-position, or a substituent, such as —CF3. However, the polyimide thus prepared is evaluated to have mechanical properties, yellowing index, and visible light transmittance which are inadequate for use in semiconductor insulating films, TFT-LCD insulating films, electrode protective films, and flexible display substrates.
Moreover, in the case where the polyimide resin is colorless and transparent but has a high coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE), the degree of expansion and contraction of the polyimide film depending on the changes in temperature in the TFT process is increased, undesirably causing damage to an inorganic film used in devices and deteriorating the capability of devices. Therefore, with the goal of using the polyimide resin as substrates for TFTs, substrates for color filters, and alignment layers, the polyimide resin must have a low CTE while being colorless and transparent.


An autonomous vehicle can obtain sensor data. Upon determining that the autonomous vehicle is in a lane adjacent a shoulder, and there is an object in the shoulder, the autonomous vehicle can determine if performing a lane change maneuver out of the lane prior to the autonomous vehicle being positioned adjacent to the object is feasible. If it is, the lane change maneuver can be performed. If it is not, a nudge maneuver and/or a deceleration can be performed.

Drivable areas often include shoulders, where vehicles can pull over. Vehicles parked at shoulders, however, can pose dangers. Thus, in some scenarios, it is desirable for vehicles travelling in a lane next to a shoulder with a parked vehicle to initiate additional maneuvers to mitigate such dangers. In fact, regulations already exist that require vehicles to change lanes or proceed with caution when travelling in a lane adjacent to an object pulled over at a shoulder (e.g., Virginia's "Move Over" law). These rules can apply to smaller-sized vehicles, as well as larger-sized vehicles. Larger-sized vehicles in particular face additional challenges. Due to their larger size and weight, larger-sized vehicles often require more time/distance to safety perform appropriate maneuvers.

Methods and apparatus for navigation of an autonomous vehicle based on a location of the autonomous vehicle relative to shouldered objects


A physical vapor deposition apparatus includes a vacuum chamber with side walls, a cathode, a radio frequency power supply, a substrate support, a shield, and an anode. The cathode is inside the vacuum chamber, and the cathode includes a sputtering target. The radio frequency power supply is configured to apply power to the cathode. The substrate support is inside and electrically isolated from the side walls of the vacuum chamber. The shield is inside and electrically connected to the side walls of the vacuum chamber. The anode is inside and electrically connected to the side walls of the vacuum chamber. The anode includes an annular body and an annular flange projecting inwardly from the annular body, and the annular flange is positioned to define a volume below the target for the generation of plasma.

The present disclosure relates generally to radio frequency (RF) sputtering physical vapor deposition (PVD) and more particularly to a shaped anode and strap for an RF sputtering PVD apparatus.
Radio frequency sputtering PVD is a method for depositing a thin film on a substrate. The substrate is placed in a vacuum chamber facing a target that is connected to an RF power supply. When the RF power is initiated, a plasma is formed. Positive gas ions are pulled to the target surface, strike the target, and remove target atoms by momentum transfer. The removed target atoms then deposit on the substrate to form a thin film layer.
During physical vapor deposition, it can be important to control the properties of the deposited thin film. Problems can arise in the stability of the process or the film as a result of plasma spread-out toward the vacuum chamber walls or reversal of deposition.

Shaped anode and anode-shield connection for vacuum physical vapor deposition


A spring-biased mechanism for a trailer coupler to positively connect a trailer to a towing vehicle. The coupler is attached to a tongue of a trailer and adapted to receive a hitch ball of a towing vehicle. A locking assembly mounted within the coupler prevents withdrawal of the hitch ball from the coupler housing to prevent inadvertent separation of the trailer from the towing vehicle. The lock includes a rotatable pin extending transversely through the coupler housing to selectively prevent withdrawal of the hitch ball. The rotatable pin is connected to a spring-biased lever positioned externally of the coupler housing. In addition to pivoting between a locked and an open position to rotate the pin, the lever can be laterally shifted to be held open against the biasing of the spring allowing insertion of the ball. To lock onto the hitch ball, the lever can be pulled outwardly causing the spring to bias the lever to the locked position.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to coupler locks for connecting a trailer coupler to a hitch ball of a towing vehicle and, in particular, to a spring-biased coupler lock for positively engaging the hitch ball to prevent inadvertent separation of the trailer from the towing vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the increased popularity of recreational vehicles, manufacturers continue to improve the ease and reliability of couplers for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle. The most popular coupler assembly includes a hitch ball mounted to a towing vehicle and adapted to be received by a coupler housing. A lock mechanism is employed to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the ball from the coupler housing. However, the lock mechanism should allow simple disconnection and reconnection of the trailer to the towing vehicle. Many locks are cumbersome and require at least one hand to operate the lock during insertion of the hitch ball.
The prior known coupler locks include an element which interferes with the withdrawal of the hitch ball from the coupler housing. In a well known lock, a spoon is longitudinally shiftable beneath the ball to prevent withdrawal. However, in order to ensure locking of the coupler, the user must move the latch mechanism to the locked position. In the event the latch is not engaged, the trailer could decouple from the towing vehicle. Spring-biased couplers are known however, they require the user to hold the mechanism in an unlocked position as the coupler housing is positioned over the hitch ball.


A waterproof lockable door and a pressure adjusted plug thereof are provided. An electronic device is formed with an opening having an annular wall. The waterproof lockable door includes a cover member having at least one through hole and a pressure adjusted plug including a waterproof member and at least one fastening unit. The waterproof member includes at least one fastening hole. The fastening unit is formed with a head portion and a rod portion, and the rod portion is received in the through hole and moves relative to the cover member, thereby driving the outer periphery of the waterproof member to be tightly adjacent to annular wall. Accordingly, the tolerance of the annular wall and the waterproof member and the air pressure inside an opening both force the waterproof member to move.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lockable door structure used in an electronic device, especially to a waterproof lockable door and a pressure adjusted plug thereof.
Description of Related Art
With the development of computer technology and the related hardware, a notebook computer becomes the main stream in the market. For providing a space for the user to upgrade or expand the equipment, certain models allowing the user to expand the hardware have been developed by skilled people in the art. One or a plurality of openings are formed in the above-mentioned models, and a reserved space is formed inside the housing of the models. The reserved space allows the consumer to freely assemble the hardware by himself/herself, thereby providing more convenience for the user to install or detach the hardware.
On the other hand, for preventing dust or water from entering the interior of the housing through the opening, a cover member is installed at the opened area formed on the surface of the housing thereby achieving an effect of shielding or closing the opening. Take the U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,437 for example, a lockable door assembly is disclosed for being used in a notebook computer and fastened on a housing thereof. The backside of the lockable door assembly is installed with a waterproof pad, thereby allowing the waterproof pad to be disposed between the lockable door assembly and the opening, so effects of easy operation, dustproof and waterproof are provided.
However, the lockable door assembly disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,437 has following shortages: firstly, the installation tolerance of the waterproof pad and the opening has to be precise, or poor airtight is caused at the location where the waterproof pad and the opening being engaged and the waterproof capability is lowered; secondly, when the waterproof pad is plugged into the opening, the waterproof pad compresses the air inside the opening, so the user has to apply a greater force to place the waterproof pad to a preset location and the design causes bad user experience.
In view of the above-mentioned shortages, the applicant of the present invention has devoted himself for inventing a novel design to solve the above-mentioned shortages.

Waterproof lockable door and pressure adjusted plug thereof


A flood warning system including a stilling well having three vertically spaced apart float switches therein for detecting the level of flood waters. Upon the water level reaching and closing the lowest float switch, a telephone alarm dialer is actuated to transmit a first low stage flood warning message to a remote location. Upon the water level reaching and closing the second or middle level float switch, the lowest float switch is disabled and the upper float switch is enabled. Upon the water reaching and closing the upper float switch the telephone alarm dialer is actuated to transmit a high stage flood warning message to the remote location. As the water recedes, upon dropping below and opening the middle level float switch the lowest float switch is enabled and the upper float switch is disabled thereby actuating the telephone alarm dialer to transmit a second low stage flood warning message to the remote location. This second low stage flood warning message indicates that the flood has crested.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to flood warning systems and more particularly the such systems providing a low stage flood alarm, a high stage flood alarm and an alarm indicating that the flood has crested.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the past an Alert-type flood warning system was used to provide flood warning to both large and small communities. Such Alert-type flood warning systems included a base station, having a microcomputer using Alert flood forecasting software, linked by radio to remotely located rain and stream stage gages. The remote rain gages recorded the rainfall amount by the tipping bucket method and an alarm was transmitted when a threshold amount or intensity was reached. The stream gages detected a threshold rate of rise or level of water and an alarm was transmitted when that threshold was reached.
In general, such Alert-type flood warning systems have worked adequately for large communities capable of supporting an adequate staff of technically trained personnel to keep the equipment operational. However, for those smaller communities not able to support a staff of technicians and engineers prior art flood warning systems were not practical leaving such communities without a flood warning system.

Float actuated flood warning system with remote telephone reporting


A fully exchangeable low-profile dual-lumen perfusion balloon catheter for dilatation angioplasty procedures includes a flexible small diameter guide wire in a perfusion lumen of the catheter and is provided with an internal guide wire sheath member traversing the dilatation balloon and allowing full perfusion blood flow via this lumen when the guide wire and sheath member are retracted. When the guide wire and sheath together are advanced from their retracted positions, the sheath member positively prevents escape of the guide wire distal end from the catheter lumen via the perfusion ports thereof. Another embodiment of the invention includes a guide wire sheath member with a smaller size pilot dilatation balloon and a valving structure responsive to axial relative movement of the guide wire to allow inflation of this pilot balloon in response to communication of pressurized fluid to the guide wire sheath member at a proximal end thereof. Still another alternative embodiment of the inventive catheter includes a guide wire and guide wire sheath member which are in one operative relationship axially relatively movable and telescopically received one within the other. In another operative relationship of the guide wire and guide wire sheath member, the two are axially aligned and coupled at adjacent ends to provide an extended guide structure allowing removal of the balloon catheter and retracing of the vascular path to the area of treatment. Another alternative embodiment of the inventive catheter is configured with a mono-rail distal guide portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of dilatation or balloon catheters employed in the treatment of vascular diseases. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dual-lumen low-profile balloon catheter assembly with perfusion ports communicating proximally and distally of the dilatation balloon via a lumen of the catheter. An axially movable inner guide sheath receives a guide wire assembly for the catheter. Distal ends of the guide sheath and guide wire are movable across the perfusion ports in the proximal direction to allow blood perfusion flow through the full cross sectional area of the catheter lumen. When the guide sheath is moved across the perfusion ports in the distal direction it allows the distal end of the guide wire to traverse these ports with no possibility that the wire end will escape through these ports, improving patient safety.
2. Related Technology
Over the past decade the medical procedure known as angioplasty has become widely accepted as a safe and effective method for treating various types of vascular diseases. For example, angioplasty is widely used for opening stenoses throughout the vascular system and particularly for opening stenoses in coronary arteries.
At present, the most common form of angioplasty is called percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). This procedure utilizes a dilatation catheter having an inflatable balloon at its distal end. By using a fluoroscope and radiopaque dyes and markers on the catheter for visualization the distal end of the dilatation catheter is guided into position through a guide catheter and across the stenosis. With the dilatation balloon is in this position of alignment with the stenosis the balloon is inflated for a brief duration to open the artery and establish adequate blood flow.
Typically, inflation of the balloon is accomplished by supplying pressurized fluid from an inflation apparatus located outside the patient's body through an inflation lumen in the catheter which communicates with the balloon. Conversely, applying a negative pressure to the inflation lumen collapses the balloon to its minimum dimension for initial placement or for removal of the balloon catheter from within the blood vessel receiving treatment.
In the past years a number of balloon catheter designs have been developed which have contributed to the safety and acceptability of PTCA and similar medical procedures. The most common design is known as an "over-the-wire" balloon catheter. This conventional device typically utilizes a relatively large lumen for passage of a guide wire and injection of contrast fluid (or angiographic visualization dye) to assist in the placement of the device. A second parallel lumen is provided for inflation and deflation of the balloon.
Typically, a steerable guide wire is positioned within the larger lumen and the entire assembly is maneuvered into an initial position within the target artery through a guide catheter which has been positioned previously, and which is of sufficient diameter to pass the angioplasty catheter. Once near the site of the stenoses the guide wire can be rotated and axially extended or retracted into position across the lesion. The therapeutic angioplasty catheter is subsequently advanced along the guide wire to position its balloon end portion across the lesion prior to inflation of the balloon and dilatation of the stenosis.
An alternative conventional over-the-wire catheter assembly utilizes a non-removable guide wire that allows for longitudinal or axial movement. However, this design has a significant drawback because the entire catheter assembly with its non-removable guide wire must be removed to accomplish replacement or exchange of the balloon. In some cases of PTCA it is necessary to replace the balloon with one of different diameter or configuration following the initial dilatation.
However, cases of acute reclosure have been noted where the lesion closes again following dilatation and removal of the balloon catheter. One response to this reclosure problem has been the placement of an expandable stent into the artery at the lesion with another replacement balloon catheter. This alternative system increases the difficulties of these subsequent procedures by requiring that the replacement catheter renegotiate the entire placement path without the advantage of a guide wire.
A "monorail" variant of the standard balloon-over-a-wire system also has been developed in which only the distal portion of the balloon catheter tracks over the guide wire. This system utilizes a conventional inflation lumen and a relatively short guiding or through lumen adjacent to the distal end of the catheter. Principal benefits of the monorail construction of therapeutic catheter are the reduction of frictional drag over the length of the externally located guide wire and the ease of balloon exchange. This construction provides the ability to recross an acutely closed vessel or to exchange balloons without removing the guide wire.
However, a disadvantage of this "mono-rail" design is the increased difficulty in steering the guide wire because the guide wire is not supported by the balloon catheter. Also, the balloon catheter itself may not be pushable to move along the guide wire. Some versions of the monorail use an external flexible pusher member which also tracks the guide wire and is used to move the therapeutic catheter to the desired location near the distal end of the guide wire. Additionally, the dual lumen distal design of the monorail catheters produces a larger profile and catheter shaft size.
Another innovation in dilatation catheter design which is now conventional is the "fixed-wire" or integrated "balloon-on-a-wire" dilatation catheter. These single lumen designs utilize a relatively narrow wire positioned within the inflation lumen and permanently fixed to the distal end of the balloon. This construction produces a low-profile catheter assembly which is able to cross severely narrowed lesions and to navigate tortuous vascular pathways. Additionally, the fixed guide wire bonded at the distal end of the balloon improves the steerability and pushability of these designs which enhances their maneuverability. The thin shaft design also improves coronary visualization and enables all but the tightest critical lesions to be crossed.
However, though able to provide relatively quick and simple balloon placement as well as providing access to lesions otherwise unsuitable for PTCA, fixed-wire balloon-on-a-wire systems sacrifice the ability to maintain guide wire position across the lesion when exchanging balloons or the safety advantage of being able to recross an acutely closed vessel without repositioning the entire assembly.
Yet another difficulty arises when the dilatation balloon is inflated to dilate the vessel under treatment. While this balloon is inflated blood cannot circulate in the vessel. This lack of blood circulation can lead to necrosis of tissues already stressed by the previously reduced level of blood flow. As a solution to this problem, catheters have been provided with perfusion ports proximal and distal to the balloon and communicating with one another via a lumen of the catheter which extends through the balloon.
A conventional catheter of this type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,017, issued 8 Apr. 1986 to H. Sahota. This catheter includes a dual or multi lumen flexible shaft with a dilatation balloon carried on the shaft. Perfusion ports proximally and distally of the dilatation balloon allow perfusion blood flow.
A conventional catheter of this latter type is also depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,321, issued 3 Nov. 1992, to H. Sahota. The catheter depicted in the Sahota patent employs a separate inner lumen to outwardly bound an annular axially extending passage through which blood may flow past the inflated balloon via perfusion ports. Also, this separate inner lumen inwardly defines a passage through which the guide wire assembly for the catheter extends.
However, with catheters of the type illustrated by the Sahota patent, and others of this type, the distal portion of the catheter is obstructed by the guide wire, or by the guide wire and its lumen. Consequently, the cross sectional area of the catheter lumen which is available for blood perfusion past the inflated balloon is very limited. While the distal end portion of the catheter may be made of a size sufficient to pass an adequate volume of blood, this size increase is contrary to the recognized advantages of having a low-profile catheter.
Alternatively, it has been proposed to withdraw the guide wire proximally of the perfusion ports prior to inflation of the dilatation balloon in order to make a larger part of the perfusion lumen available for blood flow. However, a serious disadvantage arises when the guide wire is again advanced in that the distal tip of the guide wire may inadvertently pass outwardly of the catheter through one of the perfusion ports. The Sahota patent recognizes the risk of this possibility, and provides the inner guide wire lumen as a partial and not completely satisfactory solution to this problem.

Low-profile dual-lumen perfusion balloon catheter with axially movable inner guide sheath


A process for preparing an irreversibly dried coal. In the first step of the process, a first fluidized bed reactor with a bed whose density is from about 30 to about 50 pounds per cubic foot and whose temperature is from about 480 to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit is contacted with a coal with a moisture content of from about 15 to about 30 percent, liquid phase water, inert gas, and air. The comminuted and dewatered coal produced in the first fluidized bed reactor is then passed to a second fluidized bed with a density of from about 30 to about 50 pounds per cubic foot and a temperature of from about 215 to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit, to which water, inert gas, and from about 0.5 to about 3.0 weight percent of mineral oil with an initial boiling point of at least about 900 degrees Fahrenheit is also fed; the temperature of the comminuted and dewatered coal is reduced to the temperature of from about 215 to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit in less than about 120 seconds.

Many coals contain up to about 30 weight percent of moisture. This moisture not only does not add to the fuel value of the coal, but also is relatively expensive to transport.
Consequently, many processes have been developed to dry coal. Illustrative of these processes is the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,544 of Blake, in which coal is dried in a fluidized bed in which the heat necessary for drying is provided by partial combustion of the coal in the bed. In the process of this Blake patent, after dried coal is withdrawn from a fluidized bed, it is maintained in a substantially inert off-gas atmosphere and thereafter cooled to a temperature below 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This inert atmosphere must be used because of pyrophoric nature of the coal makes it susceptible to spontaneous combustion.
Furthermore, the Blake patent teaches that its process should only be used with relatively fine coal, i.e., coal less than 8 mesh. At lines 30-35 of Column 4 of the Blake patent, it is disclosed that ". . . the above reaction rate constants were calculated from coal ground to below 8 mesh. The combustion rate appears to be limited by the amount of coal surface exposed to the fluidizing gas and, therefore, larger coal particles will probably oxidize less rapidly."
The coal produced by the processes of the prior art tends to suffer from several disadvantages. In the first place, the drying processes used to produce them often are reversible, and when the coal is allowed to stand in the presence of a moisture-laden atmosphere, it regains some or all of its initial water content. In the second place, the coal is often likely to undergo spontaneous combustion upon standing in air.
It is an object of this invention to provide a process for irreversibly removing moisture from coal which does not require substantial amounts of externally provided energy to drive it.
It is an object of this invention to provide a process for irreversibly removing moisture from coal which does not require one to reduce the particle size of the coal to 8 mesh prior to drying it.
It is another object of this invention to provide a process for producing coal which is not likely to undergo spontaneous combustion.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a process for comminuting coal without using mechanical grinding means.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a coal which, even after it is stored under ambient conditions for prolonged periods of time, has a relatively high heating value.
It is another object of this invention to provide an economical, relatively simple process for producing marketable coal from low rank coal.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a process for producing marketable coal-liquid slurry from low rank coal.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel coal-water slurry.


A thrust reverser cascade can include a peripheral frame having at least one side. At least one plate can be mounted to the at least one side and have a plurality of spaced grooves. In addition, a plurality of vanes can include corresponding terminal ends positioned in the plurality of spaced grooves.

Turbine engines, and particularly gas or combustion turbine engines, are rotary engines that extract energy from a flow of combusted gases passing through the engine onto a multitude of turbine blades. Turbine engines have been used for land and nautical locomotion and power generation, but are most commonly used for aeronautical applications such as aircraft.
Thrust reverser cascades can be used within turbine engines, including turbofan engines, to provide a reverse thrust, e.g. for reducing speed of an aircraft such as during landing. Reverse thrust can be achieved by deploying a door assembly into a bypass duct, and air can be diverted from an aft direction to a forward direction by way of the cascade.


A negative acting photoimageable composition comprises. A) between about 30 and about 70 wt %, based on total weight of A) plus B), of a organic binder polymers having sufficient acid functionality to render said photoimageable composition developable in alkaline aqueous solution, PA1 B) between about 30 and about 60 wt %, based on total weight of A) plus B), of .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated compounds, said component B) comprising PA1 C) between about 0.5 and about 15 wt %, based on total weight of A) plus B) of an organic, radiation-sensitive free-radical generating system, said photoinitiator chemical system C) comprising between about 0.005 and about 3 wt % relative to total weight of A) plus B) of triphenyphosphine and between about 0.005 and about 2 wt % relative to total weight of A) plus B) of n-phenylglycine.. A) comprising between about 3 and about 65 wt % relative to total of A) plus B) a binder polymer A') having a weight average molecular weight between about 5000 and about 40,000 and a T.sub.g of between about 40 and about 100, and 5 to 67 wt % relative to total of A) plus B) a binder polymer A") having a weight average molecular weight between about 41,000 and about 200,000 and a T.sub.g of between about 40 and about 100, PA2 B') an isocyanate trimer having tri-.alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated functionality, said trimer B') being present at between about 2 to about 30 wt % based on total weight of A) plus B), and PA2 B") 0 to about 5 wt % based on total weight of A) plus B) of other .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated compounds, at least about 50 mole percent of the .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated functionality of B' and B" being methacrylate functionality and

This invention is directed to a negative-acting photoimageable composition which is developable in alkaline aqueous solutions. A variety of such photoimageable compositions are described. Essential components of compositions of the type to which the present invention is directed are A) a binder polymer; B) photopolymerizable .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated compound(s), and C) a photoinitiator chemical system. The binder polymer A) has sufficient acid functionality, generally carboxylic acid functionality, that it is soluble in alkaline aqueous solution and thereby renders the photoimageable composition developable in alkaline aqueous solutions.
The present invention is directed to a photoimageable composition having improved adhesion and resolution, broad processing latitude, e.g., processed over a broad exposure range, a broad developing range, and good yield.


Impact-resistant materials and pads are disclosed. An impact-resistant material includes a first elastomer layer having a first density, a second elastomer layer having a second density higher than the first density, a layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material, and a polymer layer. These layers are preferably be arranged in the order in which they are recited. These layers may also be included in an impact-resistant pad configured to be worn by a user. The first elastomer layer is positioned directly adjacent the user when the pad is worn by the user.

Conventionally, participants in sports (e.g. football, rugby, baseball, lacrosse, field hockey, etc.) wear protective gear to cushion the force of impacts that are regularly received during those events. In recent years, the dangers of high-force impacts during such contact sports have been a matter of focus. The dangers of these impacts can be diminished or minimized by effectively cushioning participants from the forces of impacts.
For one example, sudden cardiac death by chest impact in sports, known as commotio cordis, is a fear in sports with projectiles. Baseball, lacrosse, and hockey are three common sports in which commotio cordis occurs. More concerningly, commotio cordis has occurred due to chest wall impacts despite the athletic participant wearing of a chest protector. In fact, potentially one third of commotio cordis events in the above competitive sports occur in individuals wearing a chest protector. Accordingly, improved impact-resistant materials and pads are required that adequately protect athletes from the risk of commotio cordis.


The present invention relates to a combination of active ingredients for use in the treatment of diseases.

According to the Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics (31st ed.; 2004; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins), liver disorders can be categorized in different groups of diseases, in particular viral diseases, drug- and alcohol-related liver diseases, immune-mediated liver diseases, metabolic liver diseases, miscellaneous diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and complications of hepatic insufficiency (such as fulminant hepatic failure or hepatocellular carcinoma).
In particular, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common hepatic disorder with histological features of alcohol-induced fatty liver disease in individuals who consume little or no alcohol (Yeh M et al., 2007; Marchesini G et al., 2003). NAFLD is due to the abnormal retention of lipids within cells (commonly defined as steatosis), an event more frequent in liver since this organ is primarily responsible of lipid metabolism. NAFLD has a spectrum of histological forms including hepatic steatosis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterized by liver inflammation, steatosis, necrosis and fibrosis due to the disruption of liver cells. Conditions associated with NAFLD are varied, and include type 2 diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, treatment with hepatotoxic drugs, toxins, infectious agents, or other exogenous causes.
Although NAFLD typically follows a benign, non-progressive clinical course, NASH is a potentially serious condition; as many as 25% of patients may progress to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis and experience complications of portal hypertension, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma, which makes an early and correct assessment mandatory (Yeh M et al, 2007).
Means for an effective treatment for liver fibrotic diseases, and NAFLD and NASH in particular, are still insufficient. No treatment is established for patient with NASH, and several therapeutic options are tested in clinical trial (Vuppalanchi R and Chalasani N, 2009, Dowman J. K et al., 2009). These studies involve the use of many different families of chemical compounds (fibrates, thiazolidinediones, biguanides, statins, cannabinoids) and therapeutic targets (nuclear receptors, angiotensin receptors, cannabinoid receptors, HMG-CoA reductase). Recently, studies involving thiazolidinediones (Rosiglitazone and Pioglitazone) have shown that these drugs may improve liver condition but treatment with these drugs is not without undesired effects such as higher risks of congestive cardiac failure and osteoporosis, as well as weight gain with psychological effects on the patient (Dowman J. K et al., 2010; Shiri-Sverdlov R et al., 2006; Neuschwander-Tetri et al., 2003). Clinical trials involving the administration of cannabinoids have raised the concern of neuropsychiatric disruption (Vuppanchi R and Chalasani N, 2009). Other therapies currently ongoing are seeking to assess in NASH drugs as antioxidants but none of these treatments has yet showed convincing results (Nelson A et al., 2009).
Several compounds with different mechanisms of action are currently in Phase 2 or 3 clinical trials.
1-[4-methylthiophenyl]-3-[3,5-dimethyl-4-carboxydimethylmethyloxyphenyl]prop-2-en-1-one (Elafibranor, or ELA formerly named GFT505), a PPAR-alpha/delta dual agonist disclosed in WO2004005233, possesses properties which can be advantageous for the treatment of a number of diseases, including fibrotic disorders, gastroenterology diseases and liver diseases, in particular cholestatic diseases such as primary biliary cholangitic (PBC) and PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis), or liver diseases, in particular non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Elafibranor was evaluated for clinical efficacy in NASH in a one-year liver biopsy-based Phase 2b trial (GFT505-2127), one of the largest interventional studies ever conducted in NASH. Administered to over 800 patients and healthy volunteers to date, elafibranor has demonstrated beneficial properties for NASH, including in particular: improvement of markers of liver dysfunction, including ALAT, ASAT, γGT, ALP; improvement of insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis; favorable effects on plasma lipids, including decrease of plasma triglycerides and LDL-C, and increase of HDL-C levels; anti-inflammatory properties; efficacy on histological NASH parameters (steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis) in animal disease models—anti-fibrotic activities; and the absence of safety concern has been confirmed in a full toxicological package up to 2-year carcinogenicity studies. Elafibranor is currently being evaluated in a clinical phase 3 study for the treatment of NASH. Evaluation of this molecule for the treatment of PBC in a clinical phase 2 study has also started.
CVC, a dual CCR2/5 antagonist, is another compound which was proposed for the treatment of NASH or liver fibrosis. CVC was previously evaluated in the CENTAUR phase 2b study for the treatment of NASH in adult subjects with liver fibrosis, the primary outcome being defined by a minimum 2-point improvement in NAS with at least a 1-point reduction in either lobular inflammation or hepatocellular ballooning after one year of treatment with CVC 150 mg, administered orally once daily and taken every morning with food. However, the primary outcome was not met. During the study, data were generated showing a decrease of fibrosis in certain proportion of patients treated with CVC as compared to placebo. As a consequence, CVC is currently evaluated for the treatment of liver fibrosis in NASH patients in the AURORA phase 3 study, the primary endpoint at month 12 being the improvement in fibrosis by at least 1 stage (according to the NASH CRN system) and no worsening of steatohepatitis, and a superiority as compared to placebo on the composite endpoint of histopathologic progression to cirrhosis, liver-related clinical outcomes, and all-cause mortality.
Several mechanisms are responsible for the development of NASH, but no information is available providing an insight on what combinations of products would be effective in improving NASH therapy. The present invention relates to such an unexpected improvement.

Pharmaceutical compositions for combination therapy


Synthetic routes for forming alkali metal substituted borohydride compounds include the step of reacting an alkali metal reagent, a hydrogen donor, and a substituted borane. The reactions proceed without the requirement of specialized handling of alkali metal hydrides associated with prior synthetic processes for the production of alkali metal trisubstituted borohydride compounds. A chemical composition comprises solid potassium tri-sec-butyl borohydride.

Since the early 1970's there has been a strong interest in synthesizing alkali metal trisubstituted borohydride reagents because of their unique reactivity and synthetic utility in organic chemistry. Alkali metal trisubstituted borohydrides reagents are used in organic synthesis primarily as regioselective and stereoselective borohydride reducing agents. To date, all preparations of alkali metal trisubstituted borohydrides have focused on the reaction of alkali metal hydrides or lithium aluminum reagents and trisubstituted boranes to produce the above mentioned compounds. The most common method of producing trisubstituted borohydrides is via the reaction of alkali metal hydrides with trisubstituted boranes as represented by the following equation wherein M represents an alkali metal: ##STR1##
Unfortunately, current processes for the production of trisubstituted borohydride reagents are very limited in scope and have substantial drawbacks associated therewith. For example, commercially available alkali metal hydrides (particularly, lithium and sodium hydrides) are not highly reactive in such reactions, typically requiring special washing and activating steps. Moreover, excesses of the alkali metal hydride are required is such reactions. Even with washing and activating procedures, however, certain trisubstituted borohydrides (for example, lithium tri-sec-butylborohydride) cannot be produced from commercially available alkali metal hydrides. Moreover, other special handling techniques, including hazardous material precautions, are required for alkali metal hydrides (particularly, potassium hydride). Indeed, because potassium hydride reagents are extremely difficult/hazardous to handle, there are no industrial organic processes incorporating such reagents into their synthetic schemes. Furthermore, current procedures for commercial synthesis of alkali metal hydride reagents require relatively high pressures and high temperatures.
It is desirable to develop methods of producing alkali metal substituted borohydride reagents that lessen or eliminate the above drawbacks.

Method of synthesis of alkali metal trisubstituted borohydride reagents


A selection menu screen for specifying if a popup function should be enabled or disabled is displayed in a setup process. The selected information in the setup process is stored in an RTC memory backed up by a battery. A CPU initiates a timer interrupt process in response to an interrupt signal from a programmable interrupt timer. At this time, the CPU refers to the RTC memory, and skips a routine for a popup process when the popup function is disabled and executes a routine for another timer interrupt process. The CPU performs the popup process only when the popup function is enabled.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a popup control system for a portable computer having a setup function and a popup function.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some portable computers have a setup function to alter the system configuration of the individual computer, and a popup function; the former function is generally initiated by a disk operating system. The popup function is to cut a part of the display screen to form a window on the disk operating system or during execution of an application program in response to a specific key input, and display the remaining power of a drive battery or an ON/OFF message for a resume function (which ensures the status of the system when powered off to be resumed when the system is activated again) on the window screen to permit the resume function to be enabled or disabled as needed. This popup function is generally initiated upon depression of a specific key (for example, a function key or an Escape key). Such a portable computer has a programmable interval timer which generates an internal interrupt (software interrupt) for every given time. In response to this internal interrupt, a CPU polls a keyboard controller to determine if any key is depressed. When a specific key instructing the activation of the popup function is depressed, the CPU initiates the routine for a popup process.
Portable computers having such a popup function therefore require longer time for the CPU to attend to the timer interrupt process as compared with computer having no popup functions. If the CPU is executing an application program such as a communication processing, with a high communication rate, the CPU may still be executing the timer interrupt process when it is the time to transmit the next bit. This is likely to cause a bit drop in communication data. This is because the timer interrupt process is performed irrespective of whether the popup function is necessary or not. When the popup function is not used, therefore, wasteful processing intervenes processing in the portable computer, thus lowering the processing speed of the system.

Popup control system for portable computer having setup function and popup function


A ferrule for supporting a wiring harness or a piping part on a host structure includes a base member mounted to the host structure, and a support member engaging the base member. The support member includes an aperture for receiving the wiring harness or piping part. The support member may include a dovetail- or T-shaped protuberance, and the base member may include a corresponding dovetailor T-shaped slot for receiving the protuberance for detachably mounting the support member to the base member.

When wiring harnesses or flexible piping parts are installed in aircraft, such parts are usually provided with some type of structural support. Heretofore, cushion clamps have been the conventional method of providing structural support for wiring harnesses and flexible piping parts used in aircraft fuel tanks, etc. exposed to chemicals or extreme cold.
Using the cushion clamp of prior art techniques, a wiring harness or piping part is snugly clamped to the fuel tank or other host structure. Considerable time and effort is involved in the installation and removal of the part. Moreover, after the part is installed, considerable time and effort is required for routine maintenance or alteration because the cushion clamps must be removed via small access holes to reach the part needing maintenance or modification. The additional time and effort required to install, maintain, or remove the part adds significant costs to the project.


A gel polymer coating separator with a multi-core-single-shell structure and a preparation method thereof for making lithium-ion batteries.

Since the lithium-ion battery has been commercialized and gradually expanded its application scope because of advantage aspects of a high energy density, high working-voltage, long circle-life and low self-discharge rate. The separator is one of the three essential materials of manufacturing lithium-ion battery, which is used to physically isolate the positive electrode so as to prevent an interior short circuit, ensure that the lithium ions are capable of passing the electrolyte, and move back and forth uniformly and freely between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate.
Recently, the electric vehicles use of the lithium-ion battery has been rapidly developing. The energy density becomes one of the biggest challenges for the lithium-ion battery. People expect the energy density of the battery to reach a new level. Having a longer product life or a greater mileage usage is no longer a major consideration. The high-energy density of lithium-ion battery makes the safety, hardness, life cycle and other issues become significant. The typical solution is to coat the surface of the polyolefin separator with a functional coating, such as ceramic coating and polymer coating.
The heat shrinkage and wettability of the ceramic coating separator is improved to some extent, but the electrolyte in the battery is liquid and the leakage is unavoidable, while the hardness of the battery is not improved. Although, the polymer coating separator can improve the hardness of the battery, the battery resistance, performance and life cycle are affected. Although there is a composite coating mixing the polymer and the ceramic, the poor interface limits the range of applications.

Multi-core-single-shell structure of a gel polymer coated separator and lithium-ion battery

Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co., Ltd.


Implementations relate to systems and methods for configuring a probe server network using a reliability model. A company, customer, or organization may wish to outsource the management of a set of name servers used to operate a domain name, such as a domain name associated with a Web site. In aspects, that deployment of name servers can be monitored by a separate set of failover or probe servers which are configured to track the uptime, operability, and performance of the underlying name servers, which can number in the thousands. An administrator or other user may wish to determine a minimum number of probe servers to apply to the name server topology, to achieve desired service levels. According to aspects, automated tools and logic are provided which model and simulate the overall network including the number and arrangement of necessary probe servers to ensure performance, failover reliability, and other factors.

In the field of network services, arrangements are known in which a company or other organization outsources the operation or maintenance of a domain name resolution platform. In those types of networks, the operator may engage a third-party provider which maintains or employs a set of domain name resolution servers (or name servers, for short) which operate to resolve requests to navigate to a domain name space. The name servers may be dedicated to supporting the domain name operations of that specific company or other organization, rather than a variety of domains at large. This arrangement can be referred to as managed domain name systems or services, or mDNS. The domain name service can in general receive a subject domain name, such as a domain name of the form "companyname.com," and translate or resolve that name into a numerical Internet Protocol (IP) address or other value.
In known mDNS architectures, the third-party provider of the mDNS service may wish to monitor the performance and reliability of the overall network that includes the set of domain name servers in order to gauge the delivery of mDNS services, schedule maintenance of hardware or software, meter or bill those services, or perform other tasks. To perform those kinds of monitoring operations, the mDNS provider or other entity may deploy a set of "probe" servers which monitor the availability and performance of the name servers and their underlying resolution services. The set of probe servers can be operated from an external vantage point to the name servers, and can capture and record system uptime, downtime, response times, and a variety of other network operations and performance data.
However, no tools are available to assist an administrator or other user in assessing, setting up, and operating the necessary probe servers for these types of monitoring network. To deploy a monitoring network, the administrator or other user may, for instance, have to manually estimate the number of probe servers needed to effectively monitor a given mDNS network, allow for the expected or predicted frequency of network failures and associated downtime (including those of the probe servers themselves), and provide for the ability of the overall mDNS network to scale or reduce as the demands of the underlying customer domain infrastructure change.
In trying to carry out those estimates and implementations, if an administrator or other user creates a smaller than needed estimate of the total number of probe servers, that scenario can create result in name service failures and/or failures in the monitoring operations, themselves. Conversely, when an administrator or other user creates a larger than necessary number of probe servers, that outcome can unnecessarily increase the overall costs of the network, create an excessive flow of messages between the probe servers and name servers, and place excessive burdens on service logging and disk space.
It may be desirable to provide methods and systems for configuring a probe server network using a reliability model, in which a set of analytic tools and automated resources can allow an administrator or other user to configure mDNS networks, including the complement of probe servers, on a managed or rationalized basis.

Systems and methods for configuring a probe server network using a reliability model


A method of dicing a wafer may include forming a plurality of active regions in a wafer, each active region including at least one electronic component, the active regions extending from a first surface of the wafer into the wafer by a height and being separated by separation regions, the separation regions being free from metal, forming at least one trench in the wafer by plasma etching in at least one separation region from the first surface of the wafer. The at least one trench is extending into the wafer farther than the plurality of active regions. The method may further include processing a remaining portion of the wafer in the separation region to separate the wafer into individual chips.

Particularly wafers including small chips, for example chips formed using a 65 nm technology (or even smaller), may include layers with a small dielectric constant, so-called low-k-layers. The low-k-layers may be rather brittle, for example more brittle than silicon dioxide or other typically used dielectrics. This may cause problems when the wafer is sawed for dicing it into individual chips. The individual chips may suffer from so-called chipping (small chips of material broken off at newly formed edges of the chips). The chipping may be so severe that the chips have to be discarded.
In order to avoid a functionality of the chips to suffer from the chipping, a separation between functional areas of the chips, in which the dicing may be performed, may be enlarged. However, this may decrease a number of chips per wafer and thereby increase manufacturing costs.
Alternatively, the brittle layers may be separated using a laser, e.g. by laser ablation (also referred to as laser grooving). However, both the ablated material (which may settle on the chips) and/or heat introduced by the laser into the wafer, e.g. into active regions of the chips, may cause damage to the chips, which may have to be discarded. This means that a yield of the production process may be reduced, thereby increasing manufacturing costs.

Method of dicing a wafer and semiconductor chip


An illuminated, translucent flying disc includes electronic lighting and a lighting control. A plurality of high intensity light sources are centrally located below the disc in a protective center hub enclosure. The light sources distribute their alternating high intensity light rays radially outward along the top and bottom of the disc to the rim, flooding an angular area and rim of the disc with their alternating colored light rays, thus producing a high glowing effect through the opaque or translucent disc body. The controller for alternating the illumination of the light sources uses square wave timing circuitry.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to illuminated flying discs of the recreational type, which are tossed through the air from one player to another.
2. Description of Prior Art
There are various methods known in the art of illuminating flying discs for the addition of special effects. These include use of phosphorescent material or use of materials contained on special pods on the disc. This invention is directed to overcome the technical, visual and economic problems associated with this type of illuminated flying disc, using discrete light sources, such as small light bulbs or light-emitting diodes (LED's).
A typical flying disc has an upper deck that includes a flat central portion which extends radially outward to a downwardly turned leading edge. This leading edge gives the disc the profile of a wing. It also forms a transition surface between the flat portion of the upper deck and a depending rim that is provided for flight characteristics, in addition to a gripping surface during use.
Many different approaches have been taken to locating discrete light sources on such discs. These often have been located in housings or pods attached to the topside or underside of the disc and usually located centrally to maintain the balance of the disc during flight. When LED's are used, these are typically mounted in the depending rim for visibility at points radially outward of the disc. In other discs, the LED's are easily visible from the top or bottom, but special connections or other means must be provided to transmit light in the radial direction, with the LED's usually being of a low illumination value. The prior art does not provide a construction in which the discrete light sources are located so as to be seen from all vantage points, i.e. from above, below or radially outward of the disc. Since the disc can fly through the air at various elevations relative to the players, it would also be advantageous to provide a disc with light sources that are visible from as many directions as possible, in addition to illuminating the disc itself. It would also be advantageous to eliminate extra pods or housings for the light sources on or near the rim of the disc.
With a prior construction in which the light sources are located on or near the rim, there is a further problem that any exposure or projection of the light sources or special structures, no matter how small, may interfere with the tossing or catching of the disc. Another problem in this prior construction is the employment of wires or special circuits which are encased in melted plastic material, or mounted in grooves leading up to the discrete light sources. Although the circuitry is not exposed, it may become brittle and subject to damage or breakage.
There is thus a need for a less expensive, alternative and superior construction. Although a glowing effect is suggested in the art by discrete light sources, none are known which overcome the disadvantages of the prior art of lighted discs that are discussed above.

Illuminated flying disc with special effects lighting


An elongated bail handle for an electronic instrument housing with opposed ends providing handle mounts. The handle has an elongated intermediate portion extending the width of the instrument, and a pair terminal arm portions each connected to the intermediate portion and having a free end for connection to a respective end surface of the housing. The intermediate portion defines an elongated bore, and a reinforcing bar laterally spans the bore to connect opposed walls of the intermediate portion. The arm and bore may have an oblong cross section, with the bar spanning the short span. The bar may define a passage, and an overmolded handle grip encompassing the reinforcing bar may have material filling the passage to secure it to the handle.

Portable electronic instruments such as oscilloscopes are often required to be portable for testing devices at various locations. Accordingly, they are typically provided with carrying handles. The handle is typically a bail handle pivotally mounted to opposite side panels at positions near the front panel. The handle has arms that extend parallel to the side panels, with a cross member connecting the handle ends.
A lightweight handle provides improved portability, and a slim handle provides a compact profile and an aesthetic appearance. Having a broad cross section provides a large surface for comfortable carrying. However, these desired qualities are typically contrary to the desire that the handle be stiff. Stiffness provides a quality feel by preventing sagging under load, and allows the handle to be used as a support leg. Moreover, a stiff handle resists unwanted torsional flexing in which the arms are pivoted to different angles twists, which can potentially lead to the arms locking in a different angular positions. Essentially, a closed or tubular cross section provides good stiffness, although it is not readily moldable by conventional techniques.
Tubular members with circular cross sections have been effective to provide relatively lightweight and stiff handles and to resist collapse under limited lateral compressive loads, such as occur during secondary molding operations when a conformal elastomeric grip is molded about a rigid plastic handle. Handles with non-circular cross sections are susceptible to collapse under these substantial loads. While a thin wall design may be acceptable for the limited forces faced during normal use, it may fail during secondary molding. Thus, even designers using advanced plastic molding techniques to create hollow handles of wide diverse shapes are limited in the cross sectional aspect ratio they may employ. There remains a need for a readily moldable instrument handle with good torsional strength, and particularly for a handle with a non-circular cross section.
The embodiments disclosed herein overcome these limitations by providing an elongated bail handle for an electronic instrument housing with opposed ends providing handle mounts. The handle has an elongated intermediate portion extending the width of the instrument, and a pair terminal arm portions each connected to the intermediate portion and having a free end for connection to a respective end surface of the housing. The intermediate portion defines an elongated bore, and a reinforcing bar laterally spans the bore to connect opposed walls of the intermediate portion. The arm and bore may have an oblong cross section, with the bar spanning the short span. The bar may define a passage, and an overmolded handle grip encompassing the reinforcing bar may have material filling the passage to secure it to the handle.

Instrument with strengthened hollow handle


This application relates to a mobile device mount and method of using the mount. In some embodiments, a mobile electronic device mount includes: a base configured to secure a first mobile electronic device to a second item; a body configured to receive and retain the first mobile electronic device; and a connector configured to connect the base to the body, wherein the connector includes a rotational component that allows the base and body to move from up to 360 degrees relative to each other in a first plane and move at least 170 degrees relative to each other in a second plane.

In recent years, hand-held portable electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, global positioning system (GPS) units, portable game consoles, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, external hard drives, etc.) have become increasingly popular. For example, twenty years ago cell phones were used by business executives to track meetings and stock market performance. Now it is common for every member of a family to have their own cell phone with children as young as 8 or 9 carrying them to school. Moreover, the technology of the portable electronic device has blended. No longer is a cell phone just a cell phone, a PDA just a PDA or a portable hand held game console just for playing personal video games. The technologies are intertwined and a user can now use his "cell phone" to make a phone call, upload pictures, play a video game, track his location using built in GPS technology, surf the internet, and much more. The use of the mobile electronic device has become such a part of personal daily use that it is common for an individual to suffer anxiety if he realizes too late that he has left home and forgotten his cell phone.
An advantage of hand-held mobile electronic devices is their size and portability. This, however, can also make them difficult to find if the user has set them down. Much like forgetting where the car keys are, the remote control to the television or forgetting where the wallet and check book are, it can be a challenge to always remember the location of the hand-held personal electronic device.
Users of mobile electronic devices are discovering that mounting devices are very beneficial because they make it easier and more convenient to view the mobile electronic device. For example, there have been a variety of mobile electronic mount devices that allow one to mount a mobile electronic device such as a cellular phone to the windshield or dashboard of a vehicle. Many such mounting devices include a base with a suction device that firmly mounts the mobile electronic device to the windshield or dashboard of the vehicle, a cradle for holding or securing the mobile electronic device, and an arm that extends from the base to the cradle. The mounting devices generally allow for adjusting of the base in orientation to the cradle, however, this orientation has been historically limited to about 50 to 100 degrees extension or less.
With the blending of technology and the increased reliance on mobile electronic devices, it would be desirable to have a mobile device mount that could be used to mount mobile electronic devices in a variety of locations, not just in vehicles. For example, a mounting device that could operate interchangeably to mount a mobile electronic device to a laptop or other portable electronic device in addition to a vehicle would be quite useful. Such a mount would also make it easier for a user to locate the mobile electronic device if the user gets used to keeping his device in the mount. Other benefits may include not having to remove the device from the mount every time a user leaves his car; instead he can detach the mount from the car, bring it with him and stand it up next to his computer, on his night stand, etc.


In a resonator type surface acoustic wave filter, a fundamental mode of a mode to distribute in a direction perpendicular to propagating direction of a surface acoustic wave (hereinafter referred to as transverse mode) becomes a primary response, whereas a transverse secondary mode becomes spurious. In case of the surface acoustic wave device formed on a piezoelectric substrate having smaller electromechanical coupling factor of a quartz substrate or so forth, it is impossible to obtain sufficient restriction of the second mode spurious. This problem is solved by canceling electrical potential of transverse secondary mode and whereby restricting excitation with a resonator type surface acoustic device formed on a quartz substrate, in which a configuration of an interdigital electrode is selected to establish a ratio of an overlap width of an electrode finger versus an aperture width in a range greater than or equal to 0.75 to smaller than or equal to 0.85.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a surface acoustic wave device. More specifically, the invention relates to a resonator type surface acoustic wave device utilizing a longitudinal mode and operative in a frequency range of a VHF band and a UHF band.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a resonator type surface acoustic wave device, fundamental mode of a mode where energy is distributed perpendicularly to propagating direction of a surface acoustic wave (hereinafter referred to as transverse mode), is a primary propagation mode. In certain case, a transverse secondary mode becomes spurious.
For restricting the transverse secondary mode to be spurious, there is a technology to narrow an aperture with W0 of an interdigital electrodes 91 and 92 and grating reflectors 4 and 5 for cutting off the transverse higher mode spurious, as shown in FIG. 8. It should be noted that the reference numeral 10 denotes a piezoelectric substrate.
Another technology is to provide weighting of COS.sup.-1 function for electrode length of the interdigital electrode 81, as shown in FIG. 9.
A further technology has been disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. Showa 62-219709, in which is proposed a method to set a ratio W/W0 of a overlap width W versus the aperture width W0 of the interdigital electrode in a range of 0.65 to 0.75.
In the technologies simply minimizing the aperture width W0 as shown in FIG. 8 and providing COS.sup.-1 function weighting as shown in FIG. 9, a configuration of the interdigital electrode is restricted to make it difficult to obtain desired characteristics of the surface acoustic wave device and thus to restrict design thereof.
Even when the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Showa 62-219709 is employed, little restriction effect for the transverse secondary spurious mode can be obtained in the surface acoustic wave device on a piezoelectric substrate having small electromechanical coupling factor, such as a quartz substrate or so forth.
The reason is as follows. In the substrate having small electromechanical coupling coefficient, a difference between a velocity of the surface acoustic wave propagating in the interdigital electrode and a velocity of the surface acoustic wave propagating a portion other than inside of the interdigital electrode becomes small to weaken cooping of transverse mode energy within the interdigital electrode.
At this time, distribution of the transverse mode spreads transversely perpendicular to the propagating direction of the surface acoustic wave. Then, simultaneously with shifting of a peak position of distribution of the transverse secondary mode (see 22 of FIG. 2) out of the interdigital electrode, the aperture width for canceling transverse secondary mode excitation becomes large.


An oscilloscope current probe system includes a probe amplifier unit, a probe head identifier, and first and second probe heads interchangeably connectable to the probe amplifier unit. Each probe head has a respective electrically-readable type identifier, a respective current input to receive a current to be measured, a respective internal sensing resistor in connected series with the current input, and a respective output at which a measurement voltage across the sensing resistor is output. The first and second probe heads differ in the resistance of their sensing resistors and the way their type identifiers read. The probe amplifier unit includes a differential amplifier to amplify the measurement voltage output by the probe head connected thereto. The probe head identifier is to read the type identifier of the probe head connected to the probe amplifier unit.

Substantially all oscilloscope current probes use Hall Effect sensors, transformers or a combination of the two to sense the magnetic field surrounding a conductor as current flows through the conductor. Such current probes output a voltage that is proportional to the sensed magnetic field while the magnetic field is proportional to the current passing through the conductor. Thus these transducers output a defined voltage per amp of current sensed.
Hall Effect sensors are used to sense DC and very tow frequency AC (<=100 kHz). Transformer-based sensors are used to sense AC only at frequencies as high as 2 GHz. Both types of probe include a ferrite core that encircles the conductor and through which the magnetic flux surrounding the conduct of passes. Since the conductor must pass through the ferrite core, there must be a loop of wire available that can be fed through the core. This style of probe has been in use for decades and has functioned well.
The explosive growth of handheld, battery powered electronic devices has generated a need for low-level current measurements so as to be able to adjust or optimize product design to improve battery life. The existing Hall Effect-or transformer-based oscilloscope probe technology is not well suited for the task of measuring milliamp and sub-milliamp current in battery powered devices.
Hall Effect elements are self-heating while measuring which results in unfavorable zero offset voltage shift as they warm up. This offset voltage shift directly effects measurement accuracy and repeatability, both of which are important when measuring small current. Transformer-only current probes cannot measure DC which is important in battery drain analysis.
The loop of wire that is necessary for the use of conventional current probes is an additional source of error. The user of these probes must install the loop of wire by breaking the circuit (such as by cutting a trace) and inserting a length of wire. Variations in the shape of the loop of wire after installation can result in measurement variations that are small but are nevertheless significant when the current being measured is small. Moreover, the loop of wire and the ferrite core it passes through create an inductor that presents a frequency-dependent impedance in series in the circuit under test that is another source of measurement error.
Finally, conventional current probes have been optimized for measuring currents of the order of 10s to 100s of amps and as such the voltage output from these probes is very small when measuring milliamps. In some cases, the voltage output is so small that it can be lost in the noise of the probe circuit of oscilloscope.
Accordingly, what is needed is a convenient ability to measure and to monitor the waveforms of currents typical of handheld portable devices over a frequency range ranging from DC to several gigahertz.

Oscilloscope current probe with interchangeable range and sensitivity setting modules


Antioxidant-containing expandable resin particles including composite resin particles containing 100 to 400 parts by mass of polystyrene-based resin relative to 100 parts by mass of polypropylene-based resin, and a blowing agent and an antioxidant contained in the composite resin particles, wherein the polypropylene-based resin is abundantly present on the surface of the composite resin particles and poorly present at the center of the particles, and the composite resin particles contain 150 to 1500 ppm of antioxidant.

Expanded molded articles made of polystyrene-based resins have excellent shock absorbing property and heat insulating property and are easily molded, and thus are often used for packaging materials and heat insulating materials. However, due to insufficient impact resistance and flexibility, cracking and chipping are likely to occur, and thus the expanded molded articles are not suitable for packaging, for example, precision instrument products.
Meanwhile, expanded molded articles made of polyolefin-based resins have excellent chemical resistance, impact resistance and flexibility. However, polyolefin-based resins have less ability to retain blowing gas, and thus precise control of expansion and molding conditions is required, which causes an issue of increased production cost. In addition, there is another issue in that rigidity is inferior to polystyrene-based resin expanded molded articles.
Thus, various styrene-modified polyolefin-based resin particles (also referred to as "composite resin particles" or "modified resin particles") having combined characteristics of two different resins and expanded molded articles obtained therefrom have been proposed (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-075076 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-239794 (Patent Document 2)).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-222546 (Patent Document 3) and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-202108 (Patent Document 4) respectively disclose that composite resin particles may contain antioxidants.
Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-133449 (Patent Document 5) discloses conducting melt extrusion of a polyolefin-based resin in the presence of 0.005 to 0.5 parts by mass of radical scavenger (phenol-based antioxidant). It is calculated that the composite resin particles disclosed therein contain about 7 to 2100 ppm radical scavenger. However, because of consumption (decomposition) of antioxidants due to heating during the production process, the residual amount may be lower.

Antioxidant-containing foamable resin particles, method for producing same, foamable particles, and foam-molded article