The invention discloses an improved process for producing an intermediate to produce large quantity of 2-(Phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid. The process comprises reacting 2-chloro-3-cyanopyridine with benzyl mercaptan in presence of a base and an aprotic solvent. The resulting intermediate 2-(phenyl methyl thio)-3-cyanopyridine is hydrolyzed in presence of a base in an autoclave and isolated under acidic condition to get the desired product.

2-(Phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid is a derivative of pyridine carboxylic acid having a wide range of commercial uses. Pyridine derivatives have, for many years, been investigated for use in the biological sciences like used as an intermediate for the preparation of various agrochemical preparations and in particular, as herbicides, which may be selective to corn.
Processes for producing 2-(Phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid are known. The processes for producing 2-(phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid disclosed in the prior art differ from each other with respect to the different chemical processes employed, use of the different basic raw materials, solvents and further differ in terms of the experimental parameters.
European Patent Numbered EP 0,547,035 to Hanagan Mary ann, discloses a process for preparing 2-(phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid. The disclosed process comprises of making solution of 2-mercapto nicotinic acid, water sodium hydroxide and benzyl chloride, refluxing the solution, diluting with water, acidifying it by adding 36% HCl to get title compound.
Another U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,766 to Baker, et al., discloses the process for the preparation of 2-(phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid comprising making solution of 2-mercapto nicotinic acid, methanol, sodium methoxide and benzyl bromide, stirring the solution, diluting with water, and acidifying the solution till pH 7 with glacial acetic acid to get desired product.
Although the yield of the product by the process mentioned in the prior art are satisfactory, the process is not economically viable because the major raw material 2-mercapto nicotinic acid itself is a high value intermediate.
2-(Phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid is also prepared by reacting 2-chloro nicotinic acid with benzyl mercaptan in presence of a base and an aprotic solvent. Here again, the yield of the desired product is unsatisfactory and hence the process is not economically viable.
The known process suffers from a variety of disadvantages including the fact that during the course of the synthesis of 2-(Phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid, certain impurities like benzyl alcohol is present when benzyl halide is used which is very difficult to isolate from the final product which add to more unwanted step for purification of intermediates and make the process more costly and time consuming. This is extremely disadvantageous in large scale productions of the title compound
Therefore, there is a need for an improved process for producing 2-(Phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid especially suitable for large scale manufacture. Large scale manufacturing requires the production of the compound in a cost effective manner.
The invention disclosed herein demonstrates economically viable selective synthesis of intermediate 2-(Phenyl methyl thio)-3-cyano pyridine to manufacture the 2-(Phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid using selective raw materials and appropriate experimental parameters, allowing the process to become industrial friendly for commercial scale and also better yield with high purity.

Process for producing 2-(phenyl methyl thio)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid


The method for producing an optical member of the present invention includes: Process (1) of applying a first resin to a substrate; Process (2) of applying a second resin to at least one of the first resin and a die; Process (3) of pushing the substrate to the die with the first resin and the second resin in between to form a resin layer including on a surface thereof an uneven structure; and Process (4) of curing the resin layer to provide a polymer layer. The die includes a surface after release treatment with a fluorine release agent. The first resin contains a resin component, and the resin component contains predetermined amounts of a (meth)acrylamide compound and a urethane prepolymer containing six or more functional groups. The second resin contains predetermined amounts of a reactive group-containing monomer, a fluorosurfactant, and a fluorine-containing monomer.

Various optical members exhibiting antireflective performance have been studied (for example, see Patent Literatures 1 and 2). In particular, optical members having an uneven structure of nanometer scale (nanostructure) are known for their excellent antireflective performance. This uneven structure has a continuously varying refractive index from the air layer to the substrate, thereby capable of reducing reflected light significantly.

Method for producing optical member, and optical member


An electrical wiring device includes a metal switch cover as a user contact point. The metal switch cover has antimicrobial properties that reduces microorganisms that are present on the wiring device, and helps reduce the spread of infections or disease from user to user. The metal switch cover is disposed on a switch in the wiring device, such that users touch the metal switch cover when operating the switch. In some exemplary embodiments, the metal switch cover is coupled to a paddle-style switch and takes on the profile of a paddle. In some exemplary embodiments, the metal switch cover is coupled to a toggle-style switch and take on the profile of a toggle.

Wiring devices are commonly present in industrial, commercial, and residential areas. As used herein, the term "wiring device" refers to faceplates, wallplates, coverplates, telephone plates, touch pads, dimmer slides, switches, circuit units, plugs, connectors, receptacles, and other similar devices, and may be current-carrying or noncurrent-carrying.
Wiring devices, such as switches, are generally touched by a number of people during normal daily traffic. As a result, the wiring devices are exposed to a number of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that may be carried by each person. In addition, some microorganisms can be airbourne and deposited onto the wiring devices. These microorganisms can be transferred from one user to another and result in the contraction of an infection or a disease. For instance, a nurse tending to a patient in a hospital room contacts a light switch in the room prior to washing his/her hands, thus exposing the light switch to one or more microorganisms. When the next person enters the room and he/she contacts the light switch, he/she will be exposed to the microorganisms present on the switch. As a result of the exposure, the person's contact could result in an infection or a disease.
Currently, wiring devices can be coated with a spray, such as a household cleaner, containing antimicrobial properties. The drawback to using sprays having antimicrobial properties is that they wear off over time and thus lose efficacy.


The present invention provides an aerobic coryneform bacterium transformant in which a lactate dehydrogenase gene is disrupted, and a pyruvate carboxylase gene is recombined so as to be highly expressed by a genetic engineering method. The aerobic coryneform bacterium transformant of the present invention can produce dicarboxylic acids from saccharides at a high production rate.

Previously, in order to produce an objective substance at a high production rate by a bio procedure, many attempts have been tried to enhance expression of a catalyst enzyme gene involved in any one of metabolic pathways of microorganisms to an objective substance. It is identified that a dicarboxylic acid intervening in the tricarboxylic acid cycle such as succinic acid and the like is produced by incorporating carbonate ion from phosphoenolpyruvic acid or pyruvic acid produced in a glycolytic pathway of saccharides through a catalytic action of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (hereinafter, referred to as PEPC) or pyruvate carboxylase (hereinafter, referred to as PC), wherein a reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle reaction via oxaloacetic acid takes place.
Based on above mentioned metabolic pathways, as a process for producing organic acid such as malic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid and the like using a coryneform bacterium, a method of recombining a PEPC gene (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-196887) and a method of recombining a PC gene (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-196888) have been proposed.
However, the production rate of organic acid such as succinic acid and the like by any of these methods is not sufficient, and further improvement is needed.
On the other hand, there has been proposed a technique of simultaneously producing succinic acid, acetic acid and ethanol using an Escherichia coli mutant deficient in a lactate dehydrogenase (hereinafter, referred to as ldh) gene (enzyme gene involved in production route of lactic acid from pyruvic acid) which is one of the essential features of the present invention (U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,435, U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,301). The Escherichia coli mutant used in these US patents is an Escherichia coli mutant (AFP 111 strain) obtained by transforming an Escherichia coli strain (NZN 111 strain) deficient in an ldh gene and a pfl gene (pyruvate formate-lyase gene) so as to be capable of producing simultaneously succinic acid, acetic acid and ethanol, by mutation treatment (a mutated expression gene is not expressly described) or recombination treatment (treatment by introduction of a plasmid containing malate dehydrogenase-mdh-gene) under the anaerobic condition.
These two US patents have the similar technical contents by the same inventors. Although the present invention and these two US patents use respectively different organism species, but, similarly deficient in ldh gene expression function which is an essential feature of the present invention, the contents of metabolism function of a microorganism to be transformed are entirely different in view of the technical contents and results based on respective inventive concepts.
The difference in metabolism function between a coryneform bacterium transformant used in the present invention and the aforementioned Escherichia coli mutant is clear from the following two facts.
1) The Escherichia coli mutant (AFP 111) is further transformed by mutation or recombination of the Escherichia coli strain (NZN 111 strain) which is impossible in anaerobic growth because of deficiency in both genes of an ldh gene and a pfl gene, so as to have ethanol production function.
But a recombinant coryneform bacterium used in the present invention has not ethanol production function at all.
2) The Escherichia coli mutant (AFP 111) has not an essential requirement for the supply of carbonate ion in the production of succinic acid from saccharides (related with the above 1, since AFP 111 has an ethanol- and acetic acid-producing function, it is presumed that carbon dioxide gas produced as a byproduct of these fermentation products is utilized). In the production of dicarboxylic acids such as succinic acid and the like from saccharides by a coryneform bacterium of the present invention, it is essential to supply carbonate or bicarbonate ions or carbon dioxide gas from the outside.
Like this, it is thought that the Escherichia coli mutant and a coryneform bacterium of the present invention which are similarly deficient in an ldh gene have the entirely different metabolism functions and mechanisms. It is clear that the technique of the present invention is not obtained by combining two US patents regarding an Escherichia coli mutant (AFP 111) (in the present invention, mutation treatment and recombination technique of these US patents are not used) and the technique of the two Japanese Laid-Open Publications regarding a coryneform bacterium, and technical constitutional contents thereof are different.
Regarding production of succinic acid, the ldh gene-disrupted effect is made clear in Japanese Patent Application National Publication (Laid-Open) No. 2002-511250. In this published patent application, succinic acid production behavior is investigated regarding each of an ldh gene-disrupted mutant of an Escherichia coli wild strain (MG1655) and a double recombinant of PC gene high expression (although Escherichia coli wild strain has not originally a PC gene, introduction of a foreign PC gene is also called "high expression")/ldh gene disruption (see Japanese Patent Application National Publication (Laid-Open) No. 2002-511250, Example II, Table 4).
In the same Table, it is shown that disruption of an ldh gene of an Escherichia coli wild strain hardly influences on succinic acid production (has little effect), and disruption of an ldh gene exhibits an inhibitory effect on the potentiation of succinic acid production by high expression of a PC gene.
These results show that although disruption, inhibition or interruption of a pathway other than a pathway of metabolism from pyruvic acid to succinic acid (e.g. pathway of production of lactic acid from pyruvic acid) in order to potentiate the flow of a carbon substance in the metabolic pathway from pyruvic acid to an objective substance (succinic acid) could be expected to have an effect of accumulating pyruvic acid flowing to an objective substance (effect of increasing amount of substrate), and such transformations are thought as if they are an easily thinkable means, the fact is converse. That is, it is shown that disruption of an ldh gene cannot be said to primarily lead to positive effect to succinic acid production.

Coryneform bacterium transformant and process for producing dicarboxylic acids using the same

Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth


This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-γR) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-αR) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g., mRNA or DNA), an agonistic antibody to CD40 receptor or by CD40 ligand polypeptide. The enriched populations can be further modified by the administration of an immunogen to the DC. The DC will take up and process the immunogen on its cell surface.

Cell therapy utilizes modified antigen presenting cells (APCs) or immune effector cells to initiate an immune response in a patient. Antigen presenting cells are central to cell therapy because they initiate the immune response. Indeed, they are the only cells capable of inducing a primary immune response from the T lymphocytes.
Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent APCs involved in adaptive immunity. They coordinate the initiation of immune responses by naive T cells and B cells and induce antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. DCs are specialized in several ways to prime helper and killer T cells in vivo. For example, immature DCs that reside in peripheral tissues are equipped to capture antigens and to produce immunogenic MHC-peptide complexes. In response to maturation-inducing stimuli such as inflammatory cytokines, immature DCs develop into potent T cell stimulators by upregulating adhesion and costimulatory molecules. At the same time, they migrate into secondary lymphoid organs to select and stimulate rare antigen-specific T cells. However, potent stimulation of T cells occurs only after DC maturation, a process that increases the availability of MHC/peptide complexes on the cell surface, in addition to co-stimulatory molecules, that direct the effector function of the responding T-cells. Indeed, immature DCs may be harmful in anti-tumor and other immunotherapies because they can induce immunotolerance rather than immunostimulation.
Co-stimulation is typically necessary for a T cell to produce sufficient cytokine levels that induce clonal expansion. One characteristic of dendritic cells which makes them potent antigen presenting cells is that they are rich in co-stimulatory molecules of the immune response, such as the molecules CD80 and CD86, which activate the molecule CD28, on T lymphocytes. In return, T-helper cells express CD40L, which ligates CD40 on DCs. These mutual interactions between DCs and T-cells leads to 'maturation' of the former, and the development of effector function in the latter. The expression of adhesion molecules, like the molecule CD54 or the molecule CD11a/CD18, facilitate the co-operation between the dendritic cells and the T-cells. Another special characteristic of dendritic cells is to deploy different functions depending on their stage of differentiation. Thus, the capture of the antigen and its transformation are the two principal functions of the immature dendritic cell, whereas its capacities to present the antigen in order to stimulate the T cells increases as the dendritic cells migrate into the tissues and the lymphatic ganglia. This change of functionality corresponds to a maturation of the dendritic cell. Thus, the passage of the immature dendritic cell to the mature dendritic cell represents a fundamental step in the initiation of the immune response. Traditionally, this maturation was followed by monitoring the change of the surface markers on the DCs during this process. Some of the more important cell surface markers characteristic of the different stages of maturation of the dendritic cells are summarized in Table I, below. However, the surface markers can vary depending upon the maturation process.
TABLE ICell typeSurface markersHematopoieticCD34+stem cellMonocytesCD14++, DR+, CD86+, CD16+/−, CD54+, CD40+ImmatureCD14+/−, CD16−, CD80+/−, CD83−, CD86+, CD1a+,dendritic cellCD54+, DQ+, DR++Mature dendriticCD14−, CD83++, CD86++, CD80++, DR+++, DQ++,cellCD40++, CD54++, CD1a +/−
Mature DCs are currently preferred to immature DCs for immunotherapy. Only fully mature DC progeny lack GM-CSF Receptor (GM-CSF-R) and remain stablely mature upon removal/in the absence of GM-CSF. Also, mature DCs have been shown to be superior in inducing T cell responses in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, immature DCs are reported to induce tolerance in vitro (Jonuleit et al. (2000) Exp. Med. 192:1213) as well as in vivo (Dhodapkar et al. (2001) Exp. Med. 193:233) by inducing regulatory T cells. Mature dendritic cells also are useful to take up and present antigen to T-lymphocytes in vitro or in vivo. The modified, antigen presenting DCs and/or T cells educated from these modified DCs have many applications, including diagnostic, therapy, vaccination, research, screening and gene delivery.
It is difficult to isolate mature dendritic cells from peripheral blood because less than 1% of the white blood cells belongs to this category. Mature DCs are also difficult to extract from tissues. This difficulty, in combination with the potential therapeutic benefit of DCs in cell therapy, has driven research and development toward new methods to generate mature dendritic cells using alternative sources. Several methods are reported to produce mature DCs from immature dendritic cells.
For example, Jonuleit et al. (Eur J Immunol (1997) 12:3135-3142) disclose maturation of immature human DCs by culture in medium containing a cytokine cocktail (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and PGE2).
WO 95/28479 discloses a process for preparing dendritic cells by isolating peripheral blood cells and enriching for CD34+ blood precursor cells, followed by expansion with a combination of hematopoietic growth factors and cytokines.
European Patent Publication EP-A-0 922 758 discloses the production of mature dendritic cells from immature dendritic cells derived from pluripotential cells having the potential of expressing either macrophage or dendritic cell characteristics. The method requires contacting the immature dendritic cells with a dendritic cell maturation factor containing IFN-γ.
European Patent Publication EP-B-0 633930 teaches the production of human dendritic cells by first culturing human CD34+ hematopoietic cells (i) with GM-CSF, (ii) with TNF-α and IL-3, or (iii) with GM-CSF and TNF-α to induce the formation of CD1a+ hematopoietic cells.
Patent Publication No. 2004/0152191 discloses the maturation of dendritic cells by contacting them with RU 41740.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0146492 teaches a process for producing recombinant dendritic cells by transforming hematopoietic stem cells followed by differentiation of the stem cells into dendritic cells by culture in medium containing GM-CSF.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0038398 discloses methods for the preparation of substantially purified populations of DCs and monocytes from the peripheral blood of mammals. Myeloid cells are isolated from the mammal and DCs are separated from this population to yield an isolated subpopulation of monocytes. DCs are then enriched by negative selection with anti-CD2 antibodies to remove T cells.
Although mature DCs are functionally competent and are therefore useful to induce antigen-specific T cells, not all mature DCs are optimized to induce these responses. It has been shown that some mature DCS may also stimulate T helper cells by secreting IL-12. Macatonia et al. (1995) Immunol. 154:507 1; Ahuja et al. (1998) Immunol. 161:868 and Unintford et al. (1999) Immunol. 97:588. IL-12 also has been shown to enhance antigen-specific CD8+ T cell response to antigen in an animal model. Schmidt et al. (1999) Immunol. 163:2561.
Mosca et al. (2000) Blood 96:3499, disclose that culture of DC in AIM V medium containing both soluble CD40L trimer and IFNγ 1b results in increased IL-12 expression in comparison to culture in medium containing only soluble CD40L trimer.
Koya et al. (2003) J. Immunother. 26(5):451 report that IL-12 expression can be enhanced by tranducing immature DCs, in the presence of IFNγ, with a lentiviral vector encoding CD40 Ligand. Greater than 90% of the CD40L transduced DCs expressed CD83 on their cell surface. Unfortuantely, lentiviral transduced cells are not suitable for therapeutic purposes, and proviral integration into the genome of the transduced cell can result in leukemia. Furthermore, persistant expression of CD40L may have detrimental effects on APC function and viability.
This work supplemented the earlier work of Mackey, et al. (1998) J. Immunol. 161:2094 who reported that in vivo, DCs require maturation via CD40 to generate anti-tumor immunity. Similarly, Kuniyoshi, J. S. et al. (1999) Cell Immunol. 193:48 have shown that DCs treated with soluble trimeric CD40 Ligand plus IFN-γ stimulated potent T-cell proliferation and induced T cells with augmented antigen-specific lysis. Kalady, M. F. et al. (2004) J. Surg. Res. 116:24, reported that human monocytederived DCs transfected with mRNA encoding melanoma antigen MART-1 or influenza M1 matrix protein exposed to different maturation stimuli added either simultaneously or sequentially showed variability in antigen presentation, IL-12 secretion and immunogenicity of effector T cells raised in the presence of these DCs. Most importantly, this study showed that the application of a 'cytokine cocktail' consisting of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and PGE2, followed by extracellular soluble CD40L protein was superior to applying all the agents simultaneously. However, these authors did not study the combination of IFN-γ signaling with transient CD40L signalling in a sequential process. Moreover, despite the production of IL-12 when IFN-γ and CD40L are concomitantly added to the culture medium, the recent prior art shows that the resulting DCs are actually immunosuppressive, rather than pro-inflammatory (Hwu et al. (2000) J. Immunol. 164: 3596; Munn et al. (2002) 297:1867; and Grohmann et al. (2003) Trends Immunol. 24:242) due to the induction of an enzyme that metabolized tryptophan resulting in the starvation of responder T-cells that then fail to proliferate. Thus, current literature suggests that the combination of IFN-γ and CD40L should not increase immunopotency. The present invention addresses the long-felt need to provide improved methods for DC maturation and mature DCs with enhanced immunopotentcy.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Mature dendritic cell compositions and methods for culturing same


A handheld guide for guiding a cable being wound onto a powered winch drum includes a split tubular member with opposed longitudinal slots. A pair of cable gripping members are positioned in the split tubular member and each gripping member includes a longitudinally extending actuating member extending outwardly through a slot in the split tubular member. Each of the cable gripping members includes a groove oriented in facing relationship to engage a cable being wound onto the winch drum. The split tubular member and cable gripping members are retained in assembled relation by a pair of slotted end caps threaded onto the ends of the split tubular member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a winch cable rewind guide and, more specifically, to a rewind guide which is a handheld for guiding a cable being wound onto a powered winch drum.
2. Description of the Related Art
When rewinding untensioned cable, rope, wire or similar flexible strand material onto a winch drum such as one powered by a hydraulic motor, electric motor or manually, the strand being rewound frequently results in convolutions of the coiled strand not being located in a side-by-side contacting relationship. Rather, the spiral convolutions or coils of the strand are frequently spaced apart, cross over each other and wind on top of each other in an uneven pattern. One conventional method of guiding a cable when it is being rewound is to grip the cable with one or both hands to apply tension on the cable and also orient the convolutions of the cable being coiled onto the winch drum in spiral contacting relationship. Work gloves with leather reinforced palms are usually employed to reduce the possibility of injury to the hands of the person guiding the cable.
In addition, various devices have been developed to guide or control rewinding of flexible strands on a spool or drum. For example, levelwind devices have been developed for guiding flexible fishing line onto a reel when rewinding the fishing line. However, such mechanical devices generally have not been successful with rewinding cable on a powered winch drum, such as when mounted on a vehicle or the like, since the angle of approach of the cable to the winch drum is not constant as occurs in a fishing line being guided onto a reel or spool. Frequently, when rewinding a cable onto a powered winch drum, the cable approaches the drum from various angles other than perpendicular to the rotational axis of the winch drum. This requires manual guidance of the cable and application of tension on the cable so that the convolutions of the cable on the drum will snugly engage the drum and also be oriented in an adjacent or contacting spiral relation to each other.


The invention relates to treatment of patients in need of increasing insulin sensitivity by administration of growth hormone or analogues thereof, preferably human growth hormone, in a low dose and the use of growth hormone or analogues thereof, preferably human growth hormone, for the manufacturing of a medicament useful for increasing insulin sensitivity in low dose therapy.

Human Growth Hormone, hGH, is a protein consisting of a single chain of 191 amino acids. The molecule is cross-linked by two disulfide bridges and the monomeric form has a molecular weight 22 kDa. hGH preparations have been prepared from human pituitaries, but nowadays the products on the market are produced by recombinant methods, rhGH. Two types of therapeutically useful recombinant hGH preparations are present on the market: the recombinant hGH, e.g. Genotropin®, Pharmacia AB, and an analogue of the recombinant hGH with an additional methionine residue at the N-terminal end, e.g. Somatonorm®. hGH is used to stimulate linear growth in patients with hypopituitary dwarfism or Turner's syndrome but other indications have also been suggested.
Growth hormone therapy is used in children to promote growth and in adults to improve muscle strength, reduce fat mass and improve metabolic profiles, which could predispose to cardiovascular disease. In contrast to the growth promoting effects of growth hormone, the metabolic effects have been less often studied, yet they may be very important to the risk-benefit assessment of GH therapy in adults.
GH therapy is known to counter insulin actions and is contra-indicated for individuals with diabetes mellitus.
At present GH therapy in adults is monitored using serum IGF-I levels, but it is possible that it is the metabolic effects which are more relevant to improvements in symptomatology and disease risk profiles and there is a need to develop ways of formally assessing these responses.

Abstract: The patient is preferably a normal subject, i.e. not growth hormone deficient patient and/or a non-obese patients.

Abstract: By low dose therapy is preferably meant less than 0.008 mg/kg/day, preferably 0.007 mg/kg/day or less, more preferably 0.005 mg/kg/day or less and most preferably 0.003 mg/kg/day or less.

Abstract: The therapy is preferably performed during short term treatment, preferably less than one month.


An eye cream comprises the following components: 2-16 parts of pearl, 0.2-2 parts of borax, 10-28 parts of VE, 0.005-0.05 parts of muscone, 0.2-3 parts of borneol, 30-90 parts of eye circles 338Y324 and 0.05-2 parts of zinc carbonate hydroxide in weight. The eye cream has good effects of increasing moisture, continuously locking water, inhibiting melanin, increasing the skin brightness and the skin texture.

The skin of the eyelid is the thinnest in the whole human body. The skin is most prone to aging, thereby telling the story of people's true age. Generally, eye skin aging always accompanies with eye pouches, black eye circles and crow's feet, which are caused by internal physiological changes such as blood circulation slowdown and inadequate oxygen supply, and some external factors such as UV ray stimulation or the like. The formation of eye pouch is mainly due to eye skin and muscle relaxation with increase of age or eye overfatigue such as sleep insufficiency and long-term working under computer circumstances. The black eye circle means that the eyelids in eye sockets exhibit a darker color, and is associated with the number of pigments of eyelid itself, vessel blood flow within the eyelid and other factors. There are many reasons for the formation of the black eye circle, which mainly include that (1) the black eye circle is caused by sleep insufficiency, nutrient deficiency, eye fatigue, unhealthy lifestyle and cosmetics pigmentation; (2) the black eye circle is caused by pigments deposited in the eye due to changes in body hormones during menstruation, in the late period of pregnancy or after childbirth; (3) the black eye circle is caused by qi and blood imbalance, and blood stasis block resulted from inadequate blood supply and bad venous return of subcutaneous tissue around the eyes of patients suffering from the high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and the weak suffering from long illness.
Now, there are many eye care products on the market, which are of single function. Most of these products are daily moisturizing. Artificially synthesized nutrient component is the main component of these products, so the cost is high. The application of traditional Chinese medicine to cosmetics, skin care products and health care products has a long history, but an eye cream, the main component of which is the traditional Chinese medicine, and which has the comprehensive effects of removing black eye circles, eye pouches, wrinkles or the like, has not been reported before.

MAYINGLONG PHARMACEUTICAL GROUP CO., LTD


A method together with enabling apparatuses is disclosed for the rapid controlled growth of vegetable and similar crops in a hydroponic system. The method includes control of light, minimization of exposure to pathogens, control of temperature of ambient air and the water in the system, nutrients, pH and other growth factors such as transfer between ponds as well as specially designed floating flats and related devices.

Hydroculture and its subset hydroponics has been a rapidly growing system for growing corps using mineral nutrient solutions in water as a solvent. It is typically done in a green house or similar structure to provide a controlled environment. It can be done anywhere in the country and at any time during the year.
Hydroculture technology has improved dramatically in the last decade to the point where it is becoming economical to produce vegetable crops such as spinach and other green leaf and root vegetables in the Northeast even during the winter. In fact, the quality is as good as or better than that grown in California's Central Valley and other traditional agriculture areas in the southwest of the United States. There are numerous sources describing the techniques of hydroculture and hydroponics. One excellent source is the "Cornell Controlled Environment Agriculture Hydroponic Spinach Production Hand Book", M. Brechner and D. de Villars© Cornell University CEA Program, 2013. Another background source on hydroponics to include would be this book: Resh, H. M. Hydroponic Food Production: A Definitive Guidebook for the Advanced Home Gardener and the Commercial Hydroponic Grower; CRC Press: Boca Raton, Fla., USA, 2012.
There are also references that provide information on light such as The Light And Shade System Implementation Algorithm both with and without integrated CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) control, termed LASSI as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,818,734 A 7,184,846 B2, respectively.
Additionally the following references provide information about various aspects of the systems that are applicable to the technology:
Lighting References:    "Growth and Cell Division of Lettuce Plants under Various Ratios of Red to Far-red Light-emitting Diodes" Myung-Jin Lee, So-Young Park, and Myung-Min Oh, Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. 56(2):186-194. 2015.    "Effects of supplemental light quality on growth and phytochemicals of baby leaf lettuce" by Qian Li and Chieri Kubota, Environmental and Experimental Botany 67 (2000) 59-64. [-]    Method for controlling greenhouse light—U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,734 inventor L D. Albright.    "Systems and methods for providing optimal light-CO2 combinations for plant production"—U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,846, inventors L. D. Albright, et at.    "Coordinate Management of Daily PAR Integral and Carbon Dioxide for Hydroponic Lettuce Production"—Crop. Models in Protected Cultivation, Ed. L. F. M. Marcelis, Acta Hort. 456 ISHS 1998.    Suppression of mildew pathogens using adjustable spectrum LED lighting, "LED has potential to end use of pesticides in farming" by Jaimin Pate Netherlands—23 May 2017-LUX Review. [-]    Sources on Pythium infection: THE RISK OF PYTHIUM APHANIDERMATUM IN HYDROPONIC BABY-LEAF SPINACH PRODUCTION MAY 2010—by T. J. Shelford A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Cornell University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. ROOT DISEASE TREATMENT METHODS FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF HYDROPONIC SPINACH, Final Report Prepared for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority by Cornell University Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering—February 2007 By W. Reinhardt. L. D. Albright, D. S. de Villers, R. W. Langhans, T. J. Shelford, and C. F. Rutzke.
While the above references provide a significant amount of information regarding hydroculture and hydroponics, there is still room for substantial improvement in the technology. These improvements include use of light, design of the flats that hold the plants, and other improvements to eliminate harmful pests, bacteria and fungi that can cause extensive damage in a hydroculture operation.
No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of any cited documents.

System and method for rapidly growing a crop


Semiconductor packages and methods, systems, and apparatuses of forming such packages are described. A method of forming a semiconductor package may include encapsulating a semiconductor die with a molding compound, applying a seed layer on the die and the molding compound, applying a resist layer on the seed layer, exposing a first portion of the resist layer, and exposing a second portion of the resist layer. The first portion can include a first area of the resist layer to be used for forming a redistribution layer (RDL) without including a second area of the resist layer to be used for forming an electrical communications pathway between at least one of the contact pads and the RDL. The second portion can include the second area of the resist layer that includes the electrical communications pathway.

Packaging technologies, such as embedded wafer level ball grid array (eWLB), embedded panel level ball grid array (ePLB), or Bumpless Build-Up Layer (BBUL) technology, generally involve encapsulating semiconductor dies in a molding compound to create a fan-out area, and subsequently building material layers over the encapsulated semiconductor dies and the fan-out area. One such material layer is known as a redistribution layer (RDL). The RDL that is built over the encapsulated die and the fan-out area enables the semiconductor package to have a higher input/output (I/O) count than would be available without the RDL and the fan-out area. Specifically, the higher I/O count is achieved by connecting the RDL that is formed over the encapsulated semiconductor dies to I/O pads (also known as contact pads) of the encapsulated semiconductor dies.
Undesirable die movement (e.g., die rotation, die shifting, etc.) can occur due to processing operations performed during formation of a package that includes a fan-out area. This undesirable die movement may cause problems when aligning subsequently formed material layers, such as the RDL. These problems can be pronounced in multi-chip packages, where two or more semiconductor dies are packaged together in a single package. Die movement is undesirable because it can result in reduced yields—for example, die movement can make it difficult to accurately connect the RDL to the contact pads of encapsulated semiconductor dies.

Hybrid exposure for semiconductor devices


The invention relates to a heat exchanger tube having a tube longitudinal axis, wherein fins extend continuously from the tube wall on the tube outer face and/or the tube inner face, or extend axially parallel thereto or in the form of a helix. Continuously extending primary grooves are formed between adjacent fins, said fins have at least one structured area on the tube outer face and/or tube inner face, and the structured area has a plurality of projections of a projection height projecting from the surface, the projections being separated by notches. According to the invention, a plurality of projections are deformed relative one another in pairs to such an extent that cavities are formed between adjacent projections. Furthermore, according to the invention, a plurality of projections are deformed in the direction of the tube wall such that cavities are formed between a respective projection and the tube wall.

Such metallic heat exchanger tubes serve, in particular, for evaporating fluids from pure substances or mixtures on the outer tube face.
Evaporation occurs in many fields of refrigeration and air-conditioning technology as well as in processing and energy technology. Tubular bundle heat exchangers in which fluids evaporate from pure materials or mixtures on the outer tube face and in the process cool brine or water on the inner tube face are frequently used. Such apparatuses are referred to as flooded evaporators.
The size of the evaporators can be reduced greatly by making the transfer of heat on the outer tube face and the inner tube face more intensive. As a result, the manufacturing costs of such apparatuses are lowered. Moreover, the necessary filling quantity of refrigerant drops, which can make up a considerable portion of the cost of the entire system with the chlorine-free safety refrigerants which are predominantly used nowadays. In the case of toxic or combustible refrigerants, the potential hazard can also be reduced by decreasing the filling quantity. The high-performance tubes which are customary nowadays are already more efficient by a factor of four than smooth tubes of the same diameter.
It is state-of-the-art to manufacture such efficient tubes on the basis of integrally rolled fin tubes. Integrally rolled fin tubes are understood to be finned tubes in which the fins have been formed from the material of the wall of a smooth tube. In this context, various methods are known with which the channels which are located between adjacent fins are closed in such way that connections remain between the channel and the surroundings in the form of pores or slits. As is already known from numerous documents, such essentially closed channels are produced by bending over or folding over the fins (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,696,861; 5,054,548; 7,178,361 B2), by splitting and compressing the fins (DE 2 758 526 C2; U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,381) and by notching and compressing the fins (U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,630; EP 0 713 072 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,826).
The most high-performance, commercially available fin tubes for flooded evaporators have, on the outer tube face, a fin structure with a fin density of 55 to 60 fins per inch (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,669,441; 5,697,430; DE 197 57 526 C1). This corresponds to a fin pitch of 0.45 to 0.40 mm. In principle it is possible to improve the performance of such tubes by means of a relatively high fin density or relatively low fin pitch, since this increases the bubble nucleation density. A relatively low fin pitch inevitably requires equally finer tools. However, finer tools are subject to a greater risk of breakage and to faster wear. The currently available tools permit safe fabrication of fin tubes with fin densities of at maximum 60 fins per inch. In addition, as the fin pitch decreases the production speed of the tubes becomes lower and consequently the manufacturing costs higher.
Furthermore, it is known that higher-performance evaporation structures with a constant fin density on the outer tube side can be produced by introducing additional structure elements between the fins in the region of the groove base. Since the temperature of the fin is higher in the region of the groove base than in the region of the fin tip, structure elements are absolutely effective for making the bubble formation more intensive in this region. Examples of this can be found in EP 0 222 100 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,252; JP 04039596A and US 2007/0151715 A1. These inventions have in common the fact that the structure elements of the groove base do not have an undercut shape, for which reason they do increase the intensity of the bubble formation sufficiently. In EP 1 223 400 B1 and EP 2 101 136 B1 it is proposed that undercut secondary grooves be produced at the groove base between the fins, which secondary grooves extend continuously along the primary groove. The cross-section of these secondary grooves can remain constant or be varied at regular intervals.
The invention is based on the object of specifying a higher-performance heat exchanger tube for evaporating fluids.
The object is achieved with a heat exchanger tube as described below.
The invention includes a heat exchanger tube having a longitudinal tube axis, wherein axially parallel or helically circumferential continuous fins are formed from the tube wall on the outer tube face and/or inner tube face, continuously extending primary grooves are formed between respectively adjacent fins, the fins have at least one structured region on the outer tube face and/or inner tube face, and the structured region has a multiplicity of projections which project from the surface with a projection height, wherein the projections are separated by notch formations. According to the invention, a plurality of projections are shaped with respect to one another in pairs in such a way that cavities are formed between adjacent projections.
Furthermore, the invention includes a heat exchanger tube having a longitudinal tube axis, wherein axially parallel or helically circumferential continuous fins are formed from the tube wall on the outer tube face and/or inner tube face, continuously extending primary grooves are formed between respectively adjacent fins, the fins have at least one structured region on the outer tube face and/or inner tube face, and the structured region has a multiplicity of projections which project from the surface with a projection height, wherein the projections are separated by notch formations. According to the invention, a plurality of projections are shaped in the direction of the tube wall, with the result that cavities are formed between a respective projection and the tube wall.
In the solutions according to the invention, the structured region can in principle be formed on the outer tube face or the inner tube face. However, it is preferred to arrange the fin sections according to the invention in the interior of the tube. The described structures can be used both for evaporator tubes and for condenser tubes. The structures are equally suitable for single-phase fluid flows, such as for example water.
A cavity in the case of adjacent projections is present when the respectively shortest distance between adjacent projections starting from the tube wall as far as the location on the projections which is furthest away from the tube wall is reduced. In other words: The adjacent projections which form a cavity are inclined toward one another.
In other words: The cavity is formed with the concave faces, respectively located opposite one another, of adjacent projections. The surfaces of the adjacent projections which form a cavity therefore extend over said cavity in an arch-like fashion.
The projection height is expediently defined as the dimension of a projection in the radial direction. The projection height is then the distance starting from the tube wall as far as the location on the projection which is furthest away from the tube wall in the radial direction.
The notch depth of the notch formations is the distance measured in the radial direction starting from the original fin tip as far as the deepest point of the notch. In other words: The notch depth is the difference between the original fin height and the residual fin height remaining at the deepest point of a notch.
The invention is based here on the idea that the cavities according to the invention are formed by the hollow spaces which are produced between the tube wall and the folded-over projections or between adjacent projections. In order to produce the cavities, the projections are cut and folded up or folded over so that they form such cavities. In this context, there are different embodiments in which the projections are in contact with the tube wall or also form cavities without direct contact. The manufacture can take place directly via adapted cutting geometries or by means of a secondary shaping process, wherein the secondary tool which is used smooth or can have an additional structure.
In principle, during the evaporation, the tubes can be arranged horizontally or vertically on the inner tube face for example. In addition, there are cases in which the tubes are inclined slightly with respect to the horizontal or the vertical. In refrigeration technology, evaporators with horizontal tubes are usually used. In contrast, in chemical engineering, vertical circulation evaporators are frequently used to heat distillation columns. The evaporation of the substance takes place here on the inner face of vertical tubes.
In order to permit the heat transfer between the medium which outputs heat and the evaporating substance, the temperature of the medium which outputs heat must be higher than the saturation temperature of the substance. This temperature difference is referred to as the driving temperature difference. The higher the driving temperature difference, the more heat can be transferred. On the other hand, the aim is mostly to keep the driving temperature difference low, since this is advantageous for the process efficiency.
The cavities according to the invention make the process of the nucleate boiling more intensive in order to increase the heat transfer coefficients during the evaporation. The formation of bubbles starts at nuclei. These nuclei are usually small pockets of gas or vapor. When the growing bubble has reached a certain size, it becomes detached from the surface. If the nucleus is flooded with fluid in the course of the detachment of the bubble, the nucleus is deactivated. The surface must therefore be configured as a cavity in such a way that when the bubble becomes detached a small bubble is retained, which then serves as a nucleus for a new cycle of bubble formation. This is achieved in that cavities in which a small bubble can remain after the bubble has become detached are arranged on the surface.
In one preferred refinement of the invention, the tips of at least two projections can be in contact with one another or cross over one another along the fin profile. This is advantageous specifically during the phase change in the reversible operating mode since the projections project far out of the condensate for the liquefaction and form a type of cavity for the evaporation.
The tips of at least two projections can advantageously be in contact with one another or cross over one another over the primary groove. This is in turn advantageous during the phase change in the reversible operating mode since the projections project far out of the condensate for the liquefaction and form a type of cavity for the evaporation.
In contrast, it is also possible for the distance between the tip of the projection and the tube wall to be less than the residual fin height. As a result, the projection is given a hook-like or eyelet-like shape directly over the tube wall. Such rounded shapes are particularly advantageous for bubble nucleation during evaporation processes.
In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the projections can be shaped in such a way that its tip is in contact with the inner tube face. As a result, a bubble nucleus is formed near to the tube wall as a result of an, in turn, hook-like or eyelet-like shape of the projection at the phase change of a fluid heat transfer medium. A particularly intensive transfer of heat into the fluid takes place via the tube wall there.
In one preferred refinement of the invention, the notch formations can be formed between primary grooves by cutting the inner fins at a cutting depth transversely with respect to the fin profile to form fin layers and by raising the fin layers in a main orientation along the fin profile.
The method-related structuring of the heat transfer tube according to the invention can be brought about by using a tool which is already described in DE 603 17 506 T2. The disclosure of this document DE 603 17 506 T2 is included fully in the present documents. As a result, the projection height and the distance can be configured variably and adapted individually with respect to the requirements, for example the viscosity of the liquid or the flow rate.
The tool which is used has a cutting edge for cutting through the fins on the inner surface of the tube in order to produce fin layers and a lifting edge for lifting the fin layers to form the projections. In this way, the projections are formed without removing metal from the inner surface of the tube. The projections on the inner surface of the tube can be formed in the same processing step or a different processing step to the formation of the fins.
As a result, the projection height and distance can be configured in a variable fashion and adapted individually to the requirements of the fluid in question, for example in terms of the viscosity of the fluid and the flow rate.
The projections can advantageously vary with respect to one another in terms of projection height, shape and orientation. As a result, the individual projections can be adapted selectively and can vary with respect to one another so that therefore, particularly in the case of laminar flow, they dip, as a result of different fin heights, into the different boundary layers of the flow in order to divert the heat to the tube wall. The projection height and the spacing can therefore also be individually adapted to the requirements, e.g. the viscosity of the fluid or the flow rate etc.
In a preferred refinement of the invention, a projection can have a tip, running to a point, at the face facing away from the tube wall. This brings about optimized condensation at the projection tip in the case of condenser tubes using two-phase fluids.
In one particularly preferred embodiment, a projection has, on the face facing away from the tube wall, a curved tip whose local curvature radius is decreased starting from the tube wall as the distance increases along the projection profile. This has the advantage that in particular in the case of condensation, the condensate which is produced at the tip is transported more quickly to the fin foot as a result of the convex curvature, and the transfer of heat is therefore optimized when liquefaction occurs. At the phase change, here specifically when liquefaction occurs, the emphasis is on the liquefaction of the vapor and the conduction away of the condensate from the tip to the fin foot. A convexly curved projection forms an ideal basis for the effective transfer of heat for this. The basis of the projection protrudes essentially radially from the tube wall here. Identical or similar structure elements can therefore be equally suitable both for an evaporator tube and for a condenser tube.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings.
Mutually corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference signs.


A noise control apparatus adapted for installation on top of a straight upright sound barrier, existing or newly erected, is provided which comprises a main body formed from a first screen inclined towards a sound source and a second screen inclined away from the sound source to have a generally V-shaped cross section; the first screen having formed at the top thereof a first additional screen inclined away from the sound source; the second screen having formed at the top thereof a second additional screen inclined towards the sound source; and the distance between free ends of the first and second additional screens being 55 to 88% of that between the tops of the first and second screens. This sound barrier structure has a highly improved effect of noise control while being very compact and lightweight.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a noise control apparatus for use on top of a straight upright sound barrier provided to reduce noises emanating from road, railway, factory, etc.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a typical conventional noise control apparatus for use on top of a straight upright sound barrier or screen, existing or newly erected, which will be referred to as "main sound barrier" for the convenience of the explanation hereinunder). As seen, the noise control apparatus comprises a main sound barrier 100, a first additional screen 101 installed on top of the main sound barrier and tilted towards a sound source, and a second additional screen 102 installed atop the main sound barrier and tilted away from the sound source (namely, towards protected area). As will be understood from FIG. 1, the main sound barrier 100, first and second additional screens 101 and 102 form together a structure having a Y-shaped cross section. This Y-shaped structure reduces noise rather more effectively than a straight upright sound barrier or screen having a same height.
The conventional Y-structure of sound barrier has been required for an improved capability of sound attenuation and further compact and lightweight design. Especially, since there is a regulation in Japan that the upper portion of the sound barrier of this type for use along the roadway should not overhang more than 0.25 m over the road surface, the sound barrier structure is required to be more compact while maintaining the improved capability of sound attenuation.


A support mat, such as a mat suitable for supporting heavy construction equipment, includes a plurality of beams fastened together, each of the beams being made of a plurality of individual wood laminations.

This invention relates in general to support mats for supporting heavy equipment, and in particular, to an improved support mat and a method of making such support mats.
The construction industry utilizes solid sawn wood and wood panel members in a variety of forms to aid in the erection of buildings, roads, and bridges. For example, temporary road panels and crane mats are often constructed using solid-sawn hardwood timbers or some species of softwoods. These panels are used to form a temporary lightweight roadway or foundation to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel as may be required in construction operations. Other industry users of such mats include users in the field of pipeline, utility, transportation, oil, and infrastructure.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional road panel, shown generally at 10, is formed by using a plurality of solid sawn timber elements 12. Typically, four pieces of solid sawn timber 12 are used, each having a cross-sectional dimension ranging from about 8 inches×8 inches to about 12 inches×12 inches, with a length of 16 feet. The four pieces of timber 12 are usually bolted together using bolts 14 to form the temporary road panel 10 having an assembled dimension of 4 feet×1 foot×16 feet. Several panels can be placed side by side over existing ground to form a temporary roadway or to support cranes on a construction site. Ground conditions under the panels vary greatly and may include, for example, sand, clay, wetlands, and possibly a considerable amount of water. Another conventional wood mat utilizes smaller dimensional lumber and utilizes nails, carriage bolts, or steel rods as a fastening system. All of these systems have mechanical fastening systems to transfer stresses between components.
The hardwood panels are typically discarded at the end of the construction project, or they may be re-used if they are in relatively good condition. The longevity of the panels may be as little as six months to one year, depending on the length of the construction project and the environmental conditions to which the panels are subjected. The wood panels are typically untreated with preservative chemicals because of environmental concerns. Hardwoods are typically used because of their superior wear resistance to heavy truck and other construction equipment traffic. In addition to road panels and crane mats, other applications for the hardwood panels include decks over steel girders for temporary bridges, and soldier piles.
Because the timber used to form the panel 10 is expensive, the panel 10 is very costly. Further, the roadway formed by the panels 10 is very costly because tens of thousands of the panels 10 may be used for a single construction project. In addition, the solid sawn timber used to form the panel 10 is scarce because of the solid sawn timber must be extremely long, typically about sixteen feet in length. Further, each timber 12 is typically has an allowable design strength value within the range of from about 650 psi (pounds per square inch) to about 700 psi., thereby limiting the type and size of equipment which can be supported thereon. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an improved support mat for supporting heavy equipment.


An installation tool for pre-assembled screw and plate assembles. The tool has magnetic areas in a plastic nose piece that enables the installer to use the tool to pick up a screw and plate assembly by the head and install the fastener. The tool can be used with pre-assembled screw and plate assembles that are laying on an insulation board with head up or down, as well as pre-assembled screw and plate assemblies that have been impaled or stuck into the insulation board.

The present invention relates to an installation tool for pre-assembled screw and plate assemblies. The tool has magnetic areas in a plastic nose piece that enables the installer to use the tool to pick up a screw and plate assembly by the head and install the fastener. The tool can be used with pre-assembled screw and plate assemblies that are laying on an insulation board with head up or down, as well as pre-assembled screw and plate assemblies that have been impaled or stuck into the insulation board. The tool can also be used to pick up a screw and install it through a plate without having the screw and plate preassembled.
One prior art device for fastening a screw and metallic washer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,883 (Goldi et al.). The fastening element of that device includes a screw and large-surface washer to attach sheeting onto a solid substructure. The screw has a drill tip, a shaft with a thread that extends over at least part of its length and a screw head. The washer has an aperture to insert the screw shaft having a diameter that approximately corresponds to the sum of the core diameter and the height of one thread. The washer is preassembled at a distance from the screw head to restrict axial movement of the washer in the threaded area of the screw shaft until there is rotation of the screw in the washer. The Goldi device also includes a screw-in device which has permanent magnets inserted into two openings that are directly parallel to the axis of the receptacle pipe and radially oppose each other with reference to the receptacle pipe. It does not appear that the Goldi device is capable of retrieving and holding screw and washer assemblies for installation as in the present invention.

Installation tool for pre-assembled screw and plate assemblies


A seat belt retractor with a switchable load limiting device for a safety belt of a motor vehicle with a belt shaft and a locking device which upon actuation locks the belt shaft in the belt extraction direction. The load limiting device is located in the force flow between the belt shaft and the locking device between the load limiting levels. A switching device is used for switching the load limiting device. The switching device includes a gas generator for releasing a gas flow into a pressure chamber and an expandable hollow pot which can be driven by the gas flow. The expandable hollow pot is attached to the gas generator in a gas-proof manner and forms the pressure chamber.

A seat belt retractor of the above-referenced type with a switchable load limiting device is known, for example from DE 199 27 427 A1. The load limiting device is formed by a torsion rod with two sections having a different diameter which can be selectively switched by a switching device into the force flow between a belt shaft and a blocking device blocking the belt shaft in the direction of extraction. Depending on whether the section of the torsion rod with the larger diameter or the section with the smaller diameter acts between the belt shaft and the blocking device there is then a large belt extraction force limiting or a smaller belt extraction force limiting. The sections of the torsion rod are separated from each other by a multi-tooth profile across which the torsion rod can be coupled with the belt shaft via a torsion bushing. The torsion bushing in turn is coupled to the belt shaft via several catches which are held in the contact position with the torsion bushing by a shaft ring. The switching device is formed by a pyrotechnically driven, displaceable piston, which upon activation of the switching device, displaces the shaft ring, so that the catches move out of contact with the torsion bushing and the force flow between the belt shaft and the torsion casing is interrupted.
Also known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,081 B1 is a seat belt retractor of the same type construction in which a shaft ring rests on a rotatable ring with an axially aligned ramp contour, which upon the activation of the switching device is distorted by a piston driven by means of a gas pressure and the shaft ring is axially displaced by sliding off the ramp contour.
The driven piston respectively limits a pressure chamber which upon the activation of the switching device is impacted with a gas flow standing under a high pressure which in turn powers the piston.
A disadvantage of these solutions is that the pressurized gas flow can exit outward when the piston exits the pressure chamber or the pressure chamber is not completely sealed by the piston. Adjacent component parts can be damaged by the exiting gas pressure or can even be set on fire when a pyrotechnical gas generator with a very hot gas flow is used.
The object of the invention is to make available a seat belt retractor with a switchable load limiting device of described above type, in which the gas flow powering the piston is sealed and does not exit the pressure chamber.
The object of the invention is attained by a seat belt retractor with the features described in accordance with this invention. Preferred embodiments are specified in the figures, and the associated description.
The basic idea of the invention proposes that a piston is located on an expandable hollow pot which is attached to a gas generator in a gas-proof manner and forms the pressure chamber. By means of the proposed use of the expandable pot, the pressure chamber impacted with the gas flow is encapsulated in a gas-proof manner with respect to the surroundings, so that it can be prevented with certainty that the pressurized gas flow exits outward. Furthermore, a simple to mount unit is created which includes all component parts required for activation of the switching device. Another advantage of the invention can be seen in the fact that the piston itself no longer must be guided in a gas-proof manner and no pressure chamber has to be created which must be specially sealed in the seat belt retractor. In addition, the construction is simplified as such, since a separate part, namely the piston, can be eliminated, in that the front end of the pot simultaneously performs the function of the piston and conveys the positioning movement to switch the load limiting device.

Belt retractor with a switchable force-limiting device for a seatbelt of a motor vehicle


A protein crystallization trial is automatically analyzed by capturing images of the protein drops in the trial. A machine-learned model, such as a neural network, is applied to classify the images. The model generates a predicted classification from among a set of possible classifications which includes one or more crystal type classifications and one or more non-crystal type classifications. Users may be notified automatically of newly identified crystals (e.g., drops that are classified as a crystal type). The notification may include a link to a user interface that includes results of the trial.

The molecular structure of proteins is studied using x-ray crystallography. As the name implies, this technique requires the protein of interest to be in a crystallized form. However, the conditions under which a given protein will crystallize are often highly specific and difficult to predict. For example, achieving protein crystallization may involve fine tuning the concentration, temperature, precipitant type, and pH value. Furthermore, the time it takes for crystals to form and the nature of those crystals may also be highly dependent on the specific protein being studied.
Existing robotic systems for identifying crystallization conditions of a protein perform large numbers trials under a wide range of conditions. However, each trial must be manually inspected periodically (e.g., daily) to determine whether crystallization has occurred. In a majority of the trials, no crystallization will ever occur as the conditions are not conducive to crystallization of the particular protein being tested. As a result, protein x-ray crystallographers spend a significant proportion of their working day inspecting trials to identify crystals rather than analyzing the molecular structure of proteins of interest.

Automatic protein crystallization trial analysis system


Described are a system and method for lossless message delivery between two processing devices. Each device includes a remote direct memory access (RDMA) messaging interface. The RDMA messaging interface at the first device generates one or more messages that are processed by the RDMA messaging interface of the second device. The RDMA messaging interface of the first device outputs a notification to the second device that a message of the one or more messages is available at the first device. A determination is made that the second device has resources to accommodate the message. The second device performs an operation in response to determining that the processing device has the resources to accommodate the message.

Data centers are generally centralized facilities that provide Internet and intranet services supporting businesses and organizations. A typical data center can house various types of electronic equipment, such as computers which may include servers of various types (e.g., domain name system (DNS) servers), network switches, routers, data storage devices, and so on. A given data center can have hundreds or thousands of interconnected server nodes communicating with each other and external devices via a switching architecture comprising switches, routers, etc. The server nodes can communicate with each other according to established messaging schemes. However, such messaging schemes do not consider the state of the receiver of the messages. In particular, when a receiving server node is unable to process incoming packets due to insufficient packet buffers, overflow conditions, and the like, backpressure may occur causing the receiver to drop packets.

Speculation based approach for reliable message communications


Embodiments relate generally to noise reduction techniques and systems for use with supplied air respirators. Typical embodiments may comprise porous elements located within a respirator system operable to alter the air flow pattern through the system and therefore reduce noise created in the system. These porous elements might be located within an inhalation valve, a breathing hose and/or a muffler block housing of a respirator system.

Noise may be a concern for conventional supplied air respirators, due to governmental regulations, industry custom, and/or ergonomic concerns for worker safety and efficiency, for example. Conventional supplied air respirators may be quite noisy, and some proposed modifications to respirators might further increase noise issues. Applicants have, therefore, developed noise reduction system embodiments to help minimize noise concerns associated with supplied air respirators, as discussed herein.

Noise reduction system for supplied air respirator


Lacing systems can be used for tightening a shoe or other article. Some embodiments include a lace guide that includes a lace channel that is disposed below a portion of the shoe such that the lace channel is hidden from view, and an exposed end piece that is positioned on the exterior of the article such that the end piece is visible during use. The end piece can be generally bell-shaped and can provide a curved sliding surface for a lace to slide on when being tightened or loosened.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to lacing systems for wearable articles (e.g., shoes, bags, clothing, etc.), and more particularly to lace guides for use with lacing systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Although various lacing systems are available for use in connection with various wearable articles, there remains a need for improved lace guides for use with lacing systems.


A cutting balloon for use in PTCA and PTA procedures and methods for manufacturing cutting balloons are disclosed. One or more surfaces of the cutting balloon are formed with a non-smooth surface texture to improve adhesion between cutting blades and the inflatable balloon, to improve traction between the cutting balloon and the arterial wall, or to prevent inadvertent balloon perforation by a cutting blade. Textures, which can include a knurling texture and a nodular texture can be formed on the inflatable balloon surface directly using laser ablation. Alternatively, the texture can be formed on a mold surface used to mold the inflatable balloon from a parison. Mold surfaces can be textured using a laser photolithography process, sandblasting or a high-speed tool such as a diamond saw.

Although conventional percutaneous, transluminal, coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and percutaneous, transluminal, angioplasty (PTA) procedures have been somewhat effective in treating coronary artery disease, incising devices, such as cutting balloons, are currently viewed by many as the next generation treatment option for the revascularization of both coronary and peripheral vessels. The cutting balloon mechanism is unique in that the balloon pressure is distributed over one or more blades (i.e. microtomes). The blade(s) function as stress concentrators and cut initiators in PTCA and PTA procedures. Importantly, PTCA and PTA procedures that employ cutting balloons for this purpose have been proven to minimize vessel recoil, lessen vessel injury and lower the rate of restenosis, as compared to conventional PTCA and PTA procedures.
In the past, typical cutting balloons have been prepared by first encapsulating a portion of an incising element, such as a metal cutting blade, in a blade pad. The blade pad is then adhesively bonded to the smooth outer surface of an inflatable balloon. In some instances, however, this type of bond between the blade pad and the balloon has been somewhat inadequate due to the inability of the adhesive to bond to the smooth surfaces of the balloon and pad. In particular, relatively long blades require a strong bond due to the differential expansion rate of the metal blade and the flexible balloon material. An inadequate bond is especially troublesome in light of the grave consequences that can result if a blade pad de-bonds from the balloon while the balloon is located in a sensitive area of the patient. For example, a de-bonding of a blade pad from an inflatable balloon in or near the heart would in most cases require immediate, high-risk open-heart surgery to remedy.
The cutting blades used in cutting balloons are extremely sharp (e.g. three to five times sharper than a conventional scalpel). In the absence of suitable precautions, the sharp blades can tear, cut or perforate the thin, fragile inflatable balloon during assembly of the cutting balloon, handling or during clinical use. In a worst case, a balloon perforation or tear can result in an unsuccessful PTCA/PTA procedure and the loss of inflation fluid into the patient's vasculature.
In a typical PTCA and PTA procedure, a cutting balloon is advanced through the vasculature of a patient with the balloon in a deflated configuration. The balloon is then precisely positioned across a lesion in the vessel that is to be treated. Once the balloon has been properly positioned, fluid is infused into the balloon to expand the balloon into an inflated configuration. As the balloon expands, the blades cut into the lesion and the surface of the balloon presses against the lesion, dilating the lesion to increase the effective diameter of the vessel. In turn, the portion of the lesion that is in contact with the balloon produces reactive forces on the balloon. For a lesion that is lubricious, the reactive forces may overcome the frictional forces between the balloon and the lesion. If this happens, slippage can occur between the balloon and the lesion resulting in unwanted movement of the balloon relative to the lesion. For instance, the reactive forces can cause the balloon to shoot forward or backward through the vessel in a longitudinal direction (i.e., "the watermelon seed effect"). This unwanted movement is often deleterious to the PTCA and PTA procedure because dilation and cutting may not occur at the desired location in the vessel. Thus, unless unwanted movement of the balloon relative to the lesion can be prevented, the effectiveness of the PTCA and PTA procedure may be significantly reduced.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide cutting balloons and methods for their manufacture having cutting blades that are strongly bonded to the surface of an inflatable balloon. It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for forming surface textures on one or more cutting balloon surfaces to promote adhesion between the cutting blades and the inflatable balloon, to improve traction between the cutting balloon and the arterial wall, or to prevent inflatable balloon perforation by a cutting blade. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide cutting balloons and methods for their manufacture that are easy to use, relatively simple to implement, and comparatively cost effective.


An apparatus for measuring and controlling lengths of movement of a continuous stock material strip which is intermittently fed by feed rollers along a predetermined path of travel to a machine which includes a reciprocally operable carriage having tooling for acting upon the strip. The apparatus comprises a strip measuring mechanism for engaging with and sensing a length of movement of the strip and generating a first signal representative of the length of movement of the strip. A controller receives the first signal from the strip measuring mechanism, and comparing the first signal to a second signal representative of a predetermined desired length of movement of the strip. The controller generates a shut-down signal to the machine if the difference between the first and second signals exceeds a predetermined shut-down limit range and generates a length error signal representing the difference between the first and second signals. A bridge mechanism is connected to the controller and can be manually or automatically controlled for adjusting the succeeding lengths of movement of the strip based upon the length error signal.

This invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the length of movement of a continuous stock material strip which is intermittently fed to a press by feed rollers and, more particularly, to such an apparatus which includes a bridge assembly for correcting successive lengths of movement of the intermittently fed stock material strip by varying the distance the strip travels from the feed rollers to the press.
Apparatus has been employed in the prior art for determining a length of movement of a strip of material as the strip is intermittently fed by feed rollers into a press. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,078 discloses an apparatus for sensing the length of movement of an intermittently fed strip of material. The apparatus comprises rotor means including a shaft which rotatably supports two wheels that engage the strip of material. Intermediate the ends of the shaft is a rotor which includes a conductor section and an insulator section. A plurality of brushes are provided for sensing the rotative position of the rotor, thereby providing an indication of the length of movement of the strip. Also provided on the shaft is a collar having an opening therein. A spring-biased plunger is provided which is engageable with the opening in the collar when the press closes. If the strip of material has been fed a correct distance, the opening in the collar will be positioned directly in alignment with the plunger which will move freely into the opening when the press closes. If, however, the strip has been fed a distance either slightly farther or less than intended, the opening in the collar will be slightly out of alignment with the plunger. Thus, when the press closes, the plunger will be forced into the opening in the collar, thereby rotating the shaft and the wheels positioned thereon. Rotation of the wheels is intended to move the strip so as to correctly position the strip in the press. It has been found, however, that slippage occurs between the wheels and the strip as the shaft begins to rotate causing inaccurate correction of the position of the strip. The apparatus has also been found to be disadvantageous since an operator must engage in a tedious, time consuming operation of changing the wheels on the shaft each time a different length of feed is desired.
Accordingly, there is a need for an accurate and easily operable apparatus for measuring and controlling lengths of movement of a continuous stock material strip which is intermittently fed to a press by a set of feed rollers.


A heat-activatable adhesive comprising an acrylic copolymer, which copolymer comprises a monomer consisting of an acrylate or methacrylate ester of a non-tertiary alkyl alcohol having a Tg of about 0.degree. C. or lower; a monomer consisting of an acrylate or methacrylate ester of an alcohol having a Tg of at least about 5.degree. C.; and a functional monomer. Selected embodiments include a retroreflective article comprising a film having a substantially flat surface and a structured surface, the structured surface comprising a plurality of precisely shaped projections, a colored layer disposed on the structured surface and adhered thereto in a plurality of discrete locations, and a heat-activatable adhesive layer disposed on the colored layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a crosslinked acrylic heat-activatable adhesive with low activation temperature, and products containing said adhesive.
2. Related Art
Most embedded-lens and encapsulated-lens retroreflective sheetings, in particular for the Japanese traffic sign market, are heat applicable sheetings having a heat activatable adhesive. However, cube corner retroreflective sheetings are typically only adhered through the use of pressure-sensitive adhesives, which are substantially different from heat activatable adhesives. See, e.g., Adhesion and the Formulation of Adhesives 2d Ed., Wake, pp. 98-99 (Elsevier Applied Science Publishers 1986). Heat applicable cube corner retroreflective sheetings would be advantageous since they would have better handling characteristics, better quality, and easy maintenance.
A heat applicable cube corner retroreflective sheeting should have the desired optical clarity; have the desired level of tack, so that the sheeting is preferably positionable, but does not slide on the substrate once its position is fixed; have the ability to be applied at around 70.degree. C. or less by a heat lamp vacuum applicator ("HLVA") without loss of optical quality; adhere very strongly without any delamination or "pop off" failure; and be applicable to curved edge substrates such as the aluminum panels used for Japanese regulatory road signs.
Adhesives comprising nitrile rubber and an acrylic polymer, disclosed in Japanese Published Patent Kokai No. 88056274-B, are heat-activatable adhesives currently employed to adhere retroreflective sheetings to aluminum substrates in the Japanese traffic sign market. However, if this type of adhesive is applied to a cube corner retroreflective sheeting, the whiteness of the sheeting typically decreases because the color of the adhesive is dark brown and the sheeting is translucent. Further, when the heat-activatable adhesives of the prior art are laminated to a cube corner retroreflective sheeting wherein the sealing film of the sheeting has a surface treatment such as corona or chemical primer, the sheeting cannot hold on curved edge substrates because of their low cohesiveness at elevated temperatures. Because the heat activation temperature of the current heat-activatable adhesives is relatively high (about 82.degree. to 93.degree. C.), the brightness of the sheeting typically decreases due to thermal distortion of its retroreflective elements. Also, the nitrile rubber-based heat-activatable adhesives have little or no tack at room temperature. As a result, they are not appropriate for adhering cube corner retroreflective sheetings to aluminum because the sheeting shifts before HLVA processing.
A pressure applicable cube-corner retroreflective sheeting is not easily positionable because most pressure-sensitive adhesives have very high initial tack. Because the adhesive typically fails cohesively after application, the sheeting can only be applied to curved substrates that have a 127 millimeter ("mm") or greater radius. Such adhesives cannot hold on the curved edges of regulatory guidesigns in the Japanese traffic sign market which typically have a 7 to 8 mm radius. Further, sheetings applied using pressure-sensitive adhesives tend to trap air between the substrate and the sheeting during sign fabrication, so waste is typically high.
Similar requirements need to be met for the application of optically clear overlay films to traffic signs, Dinoc products and the lamination of light management films to glass or clear plastic surfaces. Overlay films typically must be laminated to their substrates without entrapment of air bubbles and without interfering with the optics of the product. Such films typically provide such unique properties as stain resistance, dew resistance and the like. Light management products, such as brightness enhancement films, light control films and privacy films for computer or monitor screens may be considered as special examples of overlay films wherein the primary function is control of the optical properties of the product.
Decorative films, such as for tile, tables and countertops, also make use of overlay films. In such decorative films, ease of application, including positionability and the ability to be bonded to the substrate without entrapment of air bubbles are of considerable importance.
Pressure-sensitive adhesives and tapes currently produced by ultraviolet ("UV") polymerization do not meet all the above requirements, especially with respect to tack, because the higher tack of known pressure-sensitive adhesives makes them very difficult to position. Known heat-activatable adhesives often lack the combination of optical clarity, high cohesive strength and low temperature of activation which is critical for lamination of microstructured surfaces such as those used in the retroreflective sheeting products of this invention.
Acrylic adhesives employing isobornyl acrylate are described in Japanese Published Patent Kokai Nos. 5(1993)-310810 and 6(1994)-128544, but these references do not teach or suggest their use in adhering retroreflective sheetings to substrates.
Acrylic adhesives employing N,N-dialkyl substituted amides are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,742, U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,686 and EP 615 983 A2. While some of these disclose pressure-sensitive adhesives for PVC application, none disclose heat-activatable and optically clear adhesives used for the application of sheeting products.
A need exists for improved heat-activatable adhesives for adherence of the sheeting to desired substrates. A need also exists for heat-applicable sheeting products that may be used, for example, to enhance brightness, control light, help maintain the privacy of a computer screen, enhance the appearance of substrates, or create reflective areas on clothing or other articles to enhance the visibility of the user.

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


In a storage type data communication terminal, a first switch section is connected to a power feeder and turned on/off by an operator. A second switch section is connected in parallel with the first switch section and turned on/off in accordance with a control signal. An external interface section performs connection to an external information processing device. A data storage section temporarily stores data received through the external interface section. An Air interface section sequentially transmits the data stored in the data storage section to a distant station through a communication channel in accordance with a communication sequence, and stores data received from the distant station. A control section switches the second switch section from an OFF state to an ON state at the same time when a connection phase of the communication sequence is completed. When the first switch section is turned off during a communication phase, the control section holds the second switch section in the ON state until reception of an acknowledgement from the distant station with respect to data transmitted immediately before the first switch section is turned off.

The present invention relates to a storage type data communication terminal which provides communication services between terminals and between terminals and a center according to a communication sequence constituted by call connection, communication, and call release phases.
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-156095, a conventional power control scheme is used to prolong the service life of the LCD section of a display connected to an apparatus, and realize labor saving and power saving in the apparatus itself. The above prior-art invention can be applied to communication terminals. For example, the power supply of a communication terminal may be controlled depending on the presence/absence of data in the buffer in the communication terminal. More specifically, the conventional technique may be applied in such a manner that the power supply of the apparatus is kept on when data is present in the buffer in the apparatus.
If, however, the above conventional technique is applied, the following problems are posed. The reasons why the problems are posed will be described with reference to sequences in FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 shows a communication sequence to be followed when communication is to be performed between storage type radio data communication terminals (to be referred to as TEs hereinafter). FIG. 6 shows a communication phase in the communication sequence in FIG. 5 in detail. FIG. 7 is a communication sequence to be followed when the power supply of a TE is reset by an operator in the sequence in FIG. 5. In this case, the term "TE" means a radio data communication terminal having a function of automatically dividing data transmitted from an external information processing device (to be referred to as a DTE hereinafter) on the operator side in a given unit (to be referred to as a packet hereinafter), and checking an error in units of packets in radio communication with a radio data communication terminal.
The following case is posed as the first problem.
Assume that a TE is operated according to the sequence in FIG. 5. In the connection phase shown in FIG. 5, upon reception of a connection request message from the TDE of a terminal T1, the TE of the terminal T1 transmits this connection request message to the TE of a terminal T2 through a radio channel. The TE of the terminal T2 receives the connection request message from the TE of the terminal T1 and outputs a termination designation message to the DTE of the terminal T2. The TE of the terminal T2 also returns a connection response message to the DTE of the terminal T1 through the TE of the terminal T1. Thereafter, in the communication phase, transmission data is exchanged between the DTE of the terminal T1 and the DTE of the terminal T2 through the TEs of both the terminals. When exchange of transmission data is completed, the TE of the terminal T1 transmits a disconnection request message from the DTE of the terminal T1 to the TE of the terminal T2 through a radio channel in the disconnection phase. The TE of the terminal T2 receives the disconnection request message from the TE of the terminal T1 and outputs a disconnection designation message to the DTE of the terminal T2. The TE of the terminal T2 also returns a disconnection response message to the DTE of the terminal T1 through the TE of the terminal T1.
FIG. 6 shows the communication phase in FIG. 5 in detail. Upon reception of transmission data from the DTE of the terminal T1, the TE of the terminal T1 divides the data into 1st to Nth packets and transmits them to the TE of the terminal T2 through a radio channel. Every time the TE of the terminal T2 receives a packet from the TE of the terminal T1, the TE returns an acknowledgement message to the TE of the terminal T1. Upon reception of all the packets, the TE of the terminal T2 outputs the transmission data to the DTE of the terminal T2. When the above prior-art invention is applied to this terminal, the power supply of the apparatus may be turned off upon completion of a predetermined communication sequence.
As is well known, the electric field level of a radio channel greatly varies, and the channel quality is not always good all the time. For this reason, when the channel quality deteriorates, the TE which operates according to the sequence in FIG. 5 repeatedly transmits a packet or an acknowledgement message with respect to a packet in the communication phase (FIG. 6). Since this operation is performed by the TE itself, the operator of the TE and the DTE cannot grasp the operation state at all. In this case, the operator may forcibly turn off the power supply of the apparatus by operating the power switch, thereby forcibly disconnecting the channel.
If, however, the conventional technique is applied, since supply of power is automatically maintained until a predetermined sequence is completed, the operator cannot forcibly disconnect the channel through which communication is currently performed. For this reason, if the above prior-art invention is applied, in a state wherein a communication channel is unstable, communication cannot be ended until the timeout of the communication sequence.
In applying the above prior-art invention to a communication terminal, even when channel quality deteriorates, the operator cannot immediately disconnect the channel, but needs to wait until the timeout of the communication sequence. This causes an inconvenience to the user.
The following case is posed as the second problem. Assume that the TE operates according to the sequence shown in FIG. 5, and the above prior-art invention is not used. When the operator turns off the power supply of the TE of the terminal T1 while the TE of the terminal T1 is transmitting data as shown in FIG. 7, the TE of the terminal T1 cannot receive an acknowledgement message from the TE of the terminal T2 with respect to a packet transmitted immediately before the power supply is turned off. In addition, since the sequence of packet transmission and acknowledgement reception is directly performed between the TEs, the operator cannot perform transmission/reception control. For this reason, the operator cannot know up to which packet transmission has been completed. In the case shown in FIG. 7, since the TE of the terminal T1 cannot receive an acknowledgement message with respect to the second packet, the Te cannot check whether the terminal T2 could transmit the second packet.
If, therefore, the operator turns off the power supply of the TE while the TE is performing communication, the operator cannot know whether data transmitted immediately before the power supply is turned off is received or not. In order to reliably transmit the data to the destination, the operator must transmit the same data as that transmitted immediately before the turn-off operation of the power supply again. The transmission efficiency deteriorates from the viewpoint of the operator.

Storage type data communication terminal


A geographically limited communications system comprises a server for receiving one or more posts or messages from one or more location-enabled portable devices. The server may store these posts and retrieve them based on location information stored along with the posts. This allows only posts left at a particular location to be viewed by users at that location. In addition, posts may only be left at a user's current location in one or more embodiments. The server may notify a user when another user leaves a post near or at one of the user's previous posts.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to electronic communications, and in particular to a social networking system and method where communication is time agnostic but geographically limited.
2. Related Art
Traditional social networking systems are designed for the purpose of serving the widest audience possible. For example, traditional systems strive to provide full or complete access to posts, images, status updates, and other information thereon from anywhere and at anytime. With the advent of mobile devices, traditional systems now strive to provide complete access to their system or network even from mobile devices. One problem with traditional social networking systems is that they are inherently difficult to integrate with the "real" world.
From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions.

Geographically limited communications system and method