A ferroelectric/pyroelectric infrared detector includes a lattice matched substrate material and a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material. In a second embodiment, the ferroelectric/pyroelectric detector includes a colossal magneto-resistive template material to accommodate the use of a non-lattice matched substrate material, and a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material. The embodiments of the present invention provide a semi-transparent electrode material of the requisite lattice constant value, crystal orientation, and chemical compatibility. Additional advantages associated with the invention include the ability to provide the desired resistance behavior by varying the composition of the colossal magneto-resistive material, the ability to tune the colossal magneto-resistive transition temperature to be near the device operating temperature through appropriate selection of materials and process conditions, and the ability to ensure the crystal oriented growth of the ferroelectric/pyroelectric thin film. By selecting an appropriate colossal magneto-resistive electrode material, the performance of the ferroelectric/pyroelectric detector can be improved over that associated with the use of conventional electrodes such as xe2x80x9cnormalxe2x80x9d metals or metal oxides.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to uncooled infrared detectors and focal plane arrays, and more specifically to a ferroelectric/pyroelectric infrared detector. The invention relates even more specifically to a ferroelectric/pyroelectric infrared detector comprising a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material.
2. Description of Related Art
Uncooled infrared thermal detectors have recently been developed into a large-size focal plane arrays (hereinafter xe2x80x9cFPAxe2x80x9d). For ferroelectric (xe2x80x9cFExe2x80x9d) and pyroelectric (xe2x80x9cPExe2x80x9d) infrared detectors, the detector structures are capacitors, in which the FE or PE (xe2x80x9cFE/PExe2x80x9d) thin film is disposed between top and bottom thin electrode layers.
In one type of detector, the FE/PE thin film is disposed between a reflective bottom electrode and a semi-transparent top electrode. In this type of detector, the resonance of the absorption occurs within the detector structure itself. In a second type of detector, the FE/PE thin film is disposed between a transparent bottom electrode and a semi-transparent top electrode. In this type of detector, the resonance of the absorption occurs in the cavity between the detector structure and the reflecting layer of the readout integrated circuit (xe2x80x9cROICxe2x80x9d).
Because the resonant cavities facilitate multi-pass absorption, the properties of the electrode are important to the FE/PE detector quality and performance. The electrode layer must be semi-transparent, so that part of the light can pass through to allow multi-pass absorption, and the sheet resistance must be within a specific range in order to maximize the infrared resonance absorption. Other important considerations include the value of the electrode material""s lattice constant, the crystal orientation of the material, and the chemical compatibility of the material with both the remainder of the detector structure and the processing steps.
While conventional electrode materials satisfy some of the aforementioned criteria for FE/PE detectors, no completely suitable electrode material has heretofore existed. For example, in a common practice, xe2x80x9cnormalxe2x80x9d metals, such as Pt, have been employed. Pt, however, not only is not semi-transparent, but is highly reflective. In addition, with Pt, the formation of helices at the deposition temperatures required for growth of the crystalline FE/PE films causes further complications for the growth of oriented films. Other conventional materials that have been studied for use as the electrode material are some metal oxides such as, La-Sr-Co-Oxide (xe2x80x9cLSCOxe2x80x9d).
Though not heretofore considered for use as electrode materials, the use of colossal magneto-resistive (xe2x80x9cCMRxe2x80x9d) materials for uncooled infrared detectors is described in Goyal et al., A., xe2x80x9cMaterial Characteristics of Perovskite Manganese Oxide Thin Films for Bolometric Applications,xe2x80x9d Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 71 (17) (Oct. 27, 1997), pp. 2535-2537. CMR materials demonstrate an exceptionally large change in resistance with temperature as they transition from a ferromagnetic to a non-ferromagnetic phase. The transition temperature can be adjusted through appropriate selection of materials and process conditions. For example, at the transition temperature, CMR materials exhibit a high temperature coefficient of resistance with adequate resistance for an ROIC impedance match. When the temperature increases to room temperature, however, the resistance of the CMR material is very small. The results have demonstrated the feasibility of growing CMR thin films on perovskite oxide material substrates such as LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 with a resultant temperature coefficient of resistance of greater than 7%.
CMR materials have a perovskite crystal structure with a square base. The lattice constant xe2x80x9cxcex1xe2x80x9d of the square base of a CMR material is approximately 3.8 to 3.9 xc3x85 depending on the material composition. As indicated above, CMR thin films have been successfully grown on perovskite oxide substrates such as LaAlO3 and SrTiO3, and exhibit a good crystal orientation and a high temperature coefficient of resistance. These perovskite oxide substrate materials are employed because of the correspondence of their crystal structure and lattice constant to those of CMR materials. For example, SrTiO3 has a cubic crystal structure with a lattice constant of 3.905 xc3x85, and LaAlO3 has a pseudo-cubic crystal structure with a lattice constant of 3.79 xc3x85. These properties facilitate the growth of a CMR material on LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 with a resultant high crystal orientation and quality.
A general need exists to provide an uncooled ferroelectric/pyroelectric infrared detector which includes a semi-transparent electrode material. An even more specific need exists to provide an electrode material that satisfies the aforementioned lattice constant, crystal orientation, and chemical compatibility requirements.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an uncooled ferroelectric/pyroelectric infrared detector which comprises a semi-transparent electrode material. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a semi-transparent electrode material of the requisite lattice constant value, crystal orientation, and chemical compatibility.
Accordingly, in a first preferred embodiment, the present invention advantageously relates to a ferroelectric/pyroelectric detector comprising a lattice matched substrate material and a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material.
By using either a rock salt structure material such as, for example, NaCl, LiF, NaF, KF, or KCl, or a solid solution of LaAlO3 and Sr2AlTaO6, as the substrate, a high quality epitaxial CMR material with a high temperature coefficient of resistance can be fabricated.
In a second preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a ferroelectric/pyroelectric detector comprising a non-lattice matched substrate material, a colossal magneto-resistive template material, and a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material.
By employing a colossal magneto-resistive material as the electrode material, each of the aforementioned electrode material requirements is satisfied. Additional advantages associated with the present invention, however, are also realized. First, a CMR material provides the added benefit that through control of the composition, growth conditions, and film thickness, the sheet resistance of the material can be varied as needed in order to optimize the resonant structure. By varying the composition of a CMR material, the properties of the material can be modified so as to provide a resistance behavior that improves the performance of the uncooled infrared detector. Secondly, a CMR material demonstrates exceptionally large changes in resistance with temperature as it transitions from a ferromagnetic to a non-ferromagnetic phase. Because the transition temperature can be adjusted through appropriate selection of materials, composition, and process conditions, the CMR transition temperature can be xe2x80x9ctunedxe2x80x9d so as to be close to the operating temperature of the device.
Thirdly, because many of the most important FE/PE materials have the same perovskite structure and similar lattice constant as the CMR materials, use of a crystal oriented CMR material as an electrode and/or a template layer can ensure the crystal oriented growth of the FE/PE thin film.
Thus, by selecting an appropriate CMR material, the performance of the FE/PE detector can be improved over that associated with either xe2x80x9cnormalxe2x80x9d metal electrodes or metal oxide electrodes such as LSCO. Hence, CMR electrode materials provide significant advantages which can result in an improvement in the overall performance of the FE/PE infrared detector, and thus the FPA.

Ferroelectric/pyroelectric infrared detector with a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material and rock salt structure as a removable substrate

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


A homogeneous high throughput assay is described which screens compounds for enzyme inhibition, or receptor or other target binding. Inhibition (or binding) by the library compounds causes a change in the amount of an optically detectable label that is bound to suspendable cells or solid supports. The amounts of label bound to individual cells or solid supports are microscopically determined, and compared with the amount of label that is not bound to individual cells or solid supports. The degree of inhibition or binding is determined using this data. Confocal microscopy, and subsequent data analysis, allow the assay to be carried out without any separation step, and provide for high throughput screening of very small assay volumes using very small amounts of test compound.

To find lead compounds for drug discovery programs, large numbers of compounds are often screened for their activity as enzyme inhibitors or receptor agonists/antagonists. Large libraries of compounds are needed for such screening. As a result of developments in this field, it is now possible to simultaneously produce combinatorial libraries containing hundreds of thousands of small molecules for screening. With the availability such libraries, however, has come a need for large scale, rapid screening methods.
For example, the libraries may be contained on microbeads, each compound being present in a picomolar amount. Because the amount of compound is very small, it is advantageous to conduct the high throughput screening method in very small volumes, e.g., on the order of 1 .mu.l. Such assays can be performed in the 1536 well plate described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/037,636 filed Feb. 18, 1997. Microassays in such small volumes, however, are difficult to accurately and repeatedly perform using conventional methods.
Receptor binding assays used in high throughput screening typically involve three steps. First, a labelled ligand is incubated with a target receptor in the presence of compound to be tested for inhibition of ligand/receptor binding. Second, the receptor and ligand (and compound) are separated using filtration and/or washing of an immobilized receptor. Finally, the amount of labelled ligand bound to the receptor is quantified. This conventional screening is a `separations-mode` assay, i.e., one in which the bound ligand is physically separated from the free ligand using either a filtration membrane or the selective adhesion of either bound or free component to a surface (e.g., the surface of a microtiter plate).
Separation, however, is time-consuming and therefore slows high throughput screening. It can also, if fluid handling steps employed are not sufficiently precise, create variations in the signal generated in the assay and can disturb equilibrium binding conditions. Furthermore, separation is difficult to automate and is potentially hazardous when radioactive materials are involved. These problems are particularly acute in assays conducted in microvolumes using small amounts of test compound.
It is therefore advantageous in high throughput screening to distinguish bound and free ligands in a homogeneous assay, i.e., one that eliminates the need for separation. To be particularly useful in screening large scale combinatorial libraries, such an assay should readily permit small volumes, and small amounts of test compounds, to be used.
A homogeneous assay is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,649 which employs beads that are impregnated with a scintillant (these are commercially sold as Scintillation Proximity Assay beads (SPA.TM., Amersham Corp., Arlington Heights, Ill.)). The beads are also coated with a ligand that is capable of binding with radio-labelled target in a sample. When the ligand binds to the radio-labelled target, the scintillant on the bead is activated by the radiolabel. The level of light energy produced by the scintillant indicates the amount of bound labelled target in the sample. This method, however, requires handling of radioactive reagents and is somewhat limited in sensitivity.
Another homogeneous assay is known in which signal is generated when labeled ligand and labeled target interact. One label is an energy donating Eu-cryptate having a long-lived fluorescent excited state and the other is an energy-accepting protein, allophycocyanin, having a short fluorescent excited state. Energy transfer occurs between the labels when they are less than 7 nm apart. During the assay, the Eu-cryptate is excited by a pulsed laser, and its fluorescent emission continually re-excites the allophycocyanin, whose fluorescence is measured by a time resolved fluorescence reader. This method, however, requires labeling of both the ligand and the target and is not as sensitive as some other commercially available assays. Also, allophycocyanin is a very large, multimeric protein which can affect the assay in an unpredictable manner.
A fluorescent imaging plate reader has been used to perform optical screening in cell-based kinetic assays that measure membrane potential and intracellular calcium. The assay employs an optical method that limits the depth of field measured by a CCD camera to the bottom of an assay well, where fluorescence in a layer of live adherent cells is measured. By limiting the depth of field to the cell layer, background fluorescence from extracellular dye is reduced. Data is obtained over time measuring, e.g., depolarization of cells (Schroeder et al., (1996) Journal of Biomolecular Screening 1:75-80). This method, however, uses live cells that require maintenance for the period of the assay, necessitating complicated integrated fluid handling to trigger rapid cellular events. Such handling is very difficult, if not impossible, to perform in the microvolumes that are used in high throughput screening of small amounts of library compounds. Also, measurement is taken of a bulk sample, i.e., of the entire layer of cells and the assay does not discriminate between fluorescence bound to individual suspended cells and background fluorescence.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an assay for high throughput screening that does not require a separation step, i.e., is homogeneous.
It is another object of the invention to avoid radioactive waste, and to avoid labeling of both ligand and target molecule.
It is another object of the invention to provide an assay which is readily adaptable for miniaturization in microvolumes, and which is highly sensitive.
It is another object of the invention to provide a high throughput screening method for detecting activity of small amounts of compounds, such as are found in combinatorial libraries of beads having picomolar amounts of compound thereon.


An apparatus and a method for interlocking power to ion implantation equipment. The apparatus may include a positive and a negative power supply which generates a positive voltage and a negative voltage respectively, a comparator which compares the positive voltage and the negative voltage, and a signal generating unit which generates an interlocking signal which interlocks the positive and negative power supplies when a sum of a first relative value of the positive voltage and a second relative value of the negative voltage does not equal zero. The apparatus may further include a switching unit which changes a mode of the positive and negative power supplies from a remote mode to a local mode when the sum of the relative values does not equal zero. The switching unit may be a relay switch. Power output lines may connect the positive and negative power sources to a lens assembly unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to ion implantation, and more specifically to an apparatus and a method for interlocking a power supply to ion implantation equipment when a voltage difference between a positive and a negative voltage is detected, an apparatus and a method for generating an interlocking signal, an apparatus and a method for interrupting an ion implantation process, and an interlocking system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ion implantation is a semiconductor process for converting p-type dopant atoms (e.g., boron (B), aluminum (Al), and indium (In)), each of which has three valence electrons, or n-type dopant atoms (e.g., antimony (Sb), phosphorus (P), and arsenic (As)), each of which has five valence electrons, to a plasma ion beam and injecting impurity ions converted from the dopant atoms into a lattice of silicon to form conductors and resistors in a silicon wafer. Ion implantation may be advantageous in that it is relatively simple to control an implantation depth where the dopant atoms are placed in the silicon crystal lattice and to control the concentration of the impurity ions.
Conventional ion implantation equipment may include three systems (e.g., three auxiliary systems). For example, the ion implantation equipment may include an ion source for extracting an ion beam, a beam line for analyzing and adjusting the focus and the energy level of the ion beam, and a target chamber that has a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, that is to have ions implanted therein. The target chamber may include an ion dose measuring and controlling system that measures and controls a dose of atoms implanted into a target wafer. In addition, a lens assembly may also be provided to focus the ion beam.
The lens assembly may include a plurality of individual lens assembly units, each of which may have four lenses symmetrically arranged. For example, in each individual lens assembly unit, two of the four lenses may be arranged in a first orientation, e.g., a vertical orientation, and the remaining two lenses may be arranged in a second opposing orientation, e.g., horizontal orientation. The lenses in the individual lens assembly units may be powered by a positive or by a negative power supply. The positive and negative power supplies generate a positive and negative voltage respectively which may be supplied to each of the respective lenses. Lenses symmetrically arranged in the same orientation may be connected to the same polarity power. The power may be supplied to the lenses upon receiving a control signal from a power supply interface unit.
When an error occurs in a connection line that interconnects a power supply interface unit to the positive and negative power supplies, or there is a malfunction in the positive and/or negative power supplies such that voltages are not supplied to the lenses, a focusing error may occur in the beam line. As a result, a size of the ion beam may become enlarged and the ion beam may not pass through a slot provided in a rotating disc in which a target wafer is placed. In addition, the ion beam may not be completely captured in a Faraday cup. Therefore, the enlargement of the ion beam due to the focusing error may result in improperly measuring the dose of atoms implanted into the target wafer.

Apparatus and method for interlocking a power supply to ion implantation equipment, method and apparatus for generating an interlocking signal, method and apparatus for interrupting an ion implantation process, and an interlocking system


Pesticidal concentrate and spray compositions are described which exhibit enhanced efficacy due to the addition thereto of a compound which increases cell membrane permeability, suppresses oxidative burst, or increases expression of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins.

The present invention relates to a method for enhancing glyphosate herbicidal efficacy with organic acids. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of enhancing the herbicidal effectiveness of potassium glyphosate concentrate and tank mix formulations containing one or more surfactants through the addition of a polycarboxylic acid component or another component which increases cell membrane permeability or suppresses oxidative burst.
Glyphosate is well known in the art as an effective post-emergent foliar-applied herbicide. In its acid form, glyphosate has a structure represented by formula (1):
and is relatively insoluble in water (1.16% by weight at 25° C.). For this reason it is typically formulated as a water-soluble salt.
Monobasic, dibasic and tribasic salts of glyphosate can be made. However, it is generally preferred to formulate glyphosate and apply glyphosate to plants in the form of a monobasic salt. The most widely used salt of glyphosate is the mono(isopropylammonium), often abbreviated to IPA, salt. Commercial herbicides of Monsanto Company having the IPA salt of glyphosate as active ingredient include Roundup®, Roundup® Ultra, Roundup® UltraMax, Roundup® Xtra and Rodeo® herbicides. All of these are aqueous solution concentrate (SL) formulations and are generally diluted in water by the user prior to application to plant foliage. Another glyphosate salt which have been commercially formulated as SL formulations include the mono(trimethylsulfonium), often abbreviated to TMS salt, used for example in Touchdown® herbicide of Syngenta. Various salts of glyphosate, methods for preparing salts of glyphosate, formulations of glyphosate or its salts and methods of use of glyphosate or its salts for killing and controlling weeds and other plants are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,250 to Bakel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,026 to Prisbylla, U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,531 to Franz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,765 to Large, U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,513 to Prill, U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,860 to Franz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,530 to Franz, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,758 to Franz. The aforementioned patents are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
Among the water soluble salts of glyphosate known in the literature, but not known to be used commercially, is the potassium salt, having a structure represented by formula (2):
in the ionic form predominantly present in aqueous solution at a pH of about 4. This salt is disclosed, for example, by Franz in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,531 cited above, as one of the "alkali metal" salts of glyphosate useful as herbicides, with potassium being specifically disclosed as one of the alkali metals, along with lithium, sodium, cesium and rubidium. Example C discloses the preparation of the monopotassium salt by reacting the specified amounts of glyphosate acid and potassium carbonate in an aqueous medium.
Very few herbicides have been commercialized as their potassium salts. The Pesticide Manual, 11th Edition, 1997, lists as potassium salts the auxin type herbicides 2,4-DB ((2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butanoic acid), dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid), dichlorprop (2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid), MCPA ((4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid), and picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid), the active ingredient of certain herbicide products sold by DowElanco under the trademark Tordon.
The solubility of glyphosate potassium salt in water is recorded in pending application Ser. No. 09/444,766, filed Nov. 22, 1999, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As disclosed therein, glyphosate potassium salt has a solubility in pure water at 20° C. of about 54% by weight, that is, about 44% glyphosate acid equivalent (a.e.) by weight. This is very similar to the solubility of the IPA salt. Concentrations expressed as percent by weight herein relate to parts by weight of salt or acid equivalent per 100 parts by weight of solution. Thus a simple aqueous solution concentrate of glyphosate potassium salt can readily be provided at a concentration of, for example, 44% a.e. by weight, comparable to that commercially obtainable with glyphosate IPA salt, as in the aqueous solution concentrate available from Monsanto Company under the name D-Pak. Somewhat higher concentrations can be obtained by slight over neutralization, 5 to 10% for example, of an aqueous solution of glyphosate potassium salt with potassium hydroxide.
Polycarboxylic acid have been used as chelators to enhance glyphosate efficacy in tank mix compositions. For example, D. J. Turner reported in Butterworths (1985), at pages 229-230, that 2% concentrations of polycarboxylic acids in glyphosate (Roundup®) tank mixes gave efficacy enhancement. Further, Research Disclosure publication number RD15334, Industrial Opportunities Ltd., Homewell-Havant-Hampshire P09 1EF, United Kingdom (January 1977), disclosed that glyphosate tank mixes formulated with water containing calcium and/or magnesium ions in concentrations greater than 200 ppm (hard water) had diminished herbicidal activity. Herbicidal activity was restored by adding oxalic acid to the tank mix in weight ratios to glyphosate of between about 1:10 to about 10:1.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,863 to Hasabe et al. teaches tank mix formulations comprising about 0.08 wt % a.i. IPA glyphosate (as Roundup®) and about 0.001 moles/l of dipotassium, disodium, diammonium, diethanolamine or dimethylamine oxalate, and an ethoxylated tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium surfactant. Concentrates containing about 41 wt % a.i. IPA glyphosate, 0.21 mols/kg of dipotassium, disodium, diammonium, diethanolamine or dimethylamine oxalate are also described.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,576 to Medina-Vega et al. discloses a process for preparing a seed hull extract containing a mixture of polycarboxylic acids for use as a herbicide assimilation agent. 0.25% of the extract was added to tank mixes containing the trimethylsulfonium (TMS) salt of glyphosate (sold commercially as Touchdown®) or the isopropylamine (IPA) salt of glyphosate (sold commercially as Roundup®). U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,220 to Hickey teaches an efficacy enhancing formulation comprising a seed hull extract containing tricarboxylic acids and Roundup® herbicide, with glyphosate application rates of 64 to 191 g/ha in combination with 82 g/ha of a seed hull extract containing about 5 wt % tricarboxylic acid.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,849,663 and 6,008,158 to Hasabe et al. disclose tank mix formulations containing Roundup® herbicide at 0.08 wt % a.i. or TMS glyphosate, polycarboxylic acid salt chelating agents including oxalate salts at 0.02 wt %, and ethoxylated tertiary amine and quaternary ammonium surfactants. Hasabe reports polycarboxylic acid to surfactant weight ratios between about 1:2 and about 1:9 with efficacy enhancement resulting from complexation of metal ions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,679 to Azuma et al. discloses tank mixes containing 0.38 wt % glyphosate TMS (Touchdown®), 0.53 wt % hydroxycarboxylic acid-based chelating agents, including potassium oxalate, and a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an alkoxylated carboxy alkyl anion.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,336 to Coleman discloses tank mixes containing up to 1.25 wt % Roundup®) Ultra IPA glyphosate and 2.5 wt % of succinic, tartaric or malic acids or their ammonium salts. Sylgard 309® (ethoxylated organosilicone) and Emsorb 6900® (polyoxyethylenated sorbitol ester) surfactants may be added to the tank mixes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,421 to Okano et al. describes aqueous concentrate formulations containing 42 and 51 wt %, respectively of the diammonium or isopropylamine salts of glyphosate, dicarboxylic acid chelating agents including potassium oxalate at 8 wt %, and an ethoxylated quaternary ammonium surfactant.
Polycarboxylic acids have not been reported to be effective in potassium glyphosate formulations. Perhaps this is because commercial applications of potassium herbicide formulations have been limited, and the action of polycarboxylic acids on the numerous surfactants used in the herbicide formulation industry is varied and unpredictable.
The choice of a surfactant has a major bearing on herbicidal performance. For example, in an extensive study reported in Weed Science, 1977, volume 25, pages 275-287, Wyrill and Burnside found wide variation among surfactants in their ability to enhance the herbicidal efficacy of glyphosate, applied as the IPA salt. Suitable surfactants for potassium glyphosate formulations are disclosed in pending application Ser. No. 09/926,521, filed Nov. 14, 2001, (the national stage of International Application No. PCT/US01/16550, filed May 21, 2001), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Surfactants tending to give the most useful enhancement of glyphosate herbicidal effectiveness are generally, but not exclusively, cationic surfactants, including surfactants which form cations in aqueous solution or dispersion at pH levels of around 4-5 characteristic of SL formulations of monobasic salts of glyphosate.
Beyond some broad generalizations, the relative ability of different surfactants to enhance the herbicidal effectiveness of glyphosate is highly unpredictable.
Surfactants tending to give the most useful enhancement of glyphosate herbicidal effectiveness are generally but not exclusively cationic surfactants, including surfactants which form cations in aqueous solution or dispersion at pH levels of around 4-5 characteristic of SL formulations of monobasic salts of glyphosate. Examples are long-chain (typically C12 to C18) tertiary alkylamine surfactants and quaternary alkylammonium surfactants. An especially common tertiary alkylamine surfactant used in aqueous solution concentrate formulations of glyphosate IPA salt has been the very hydrophilic surfactant polyoxyethylene (15) tallowamine, i.e., tallowamine having in total about 15 moles of ethylene oxide in two polymerized ethylene oxide chains attached to the amine group as shown in formula (3):
wherein R is a mixture of predominantly C16 and C18 alkyl and alkenyl chains derived from tallow and the total of m+n is an average number of about 15.
For certain applications, it has been found desirable to use a somewhat less hydrophilic alkylamine surfactant, such as one having less than about 10 moles of ethylene oxide, as suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,085 to Forbes et al., for example polyoxyethylene (2) cocoamine. That patent discloses illustrative aqueous compositions comprising such a surfactant together with the IPA, ammonium or potassium salts of glyphosate. The highest concentration of glyphosate in the potassium salt formulations shown in Table 3 of the '085 patent is 300 g glyphosate a.e./l, with a weight ratio of glyphosate a.e. to surfactant of 2:1.
A class of alkoxylated alkylamines is disclosed in WO 00/59302 for use in herbicidal spray compositions. Potassium glyphosate solutions including various Jeffamine™ EO/PO propylamines or propyidiamines are described therein.
A wide variety of quaternary ammonium surfactants have been disclosed as components of aqueous solution concentrate formulations of glyphosate IPA salt. Illustrative examples are N-methylpolyoxyethylene (2) cocoammonium chloride, disclosed in European Patent No. 0274369, N-methylpolyoxyethylene (15) cocoammonium chloride, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,003, and various quaternary ammonium compounds having formula (4):(R1)(R2)(R3)N+—CH2CH2O—(CH2CH(CH3)O)nH Cl−  (4)where R1, R2and R3 are each C1-3 alkyl groups and n is an average number from 2 to 20, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,807.
PCT Publication No. WO 97/16969 discloses aqueous solution concentrate compositions of glyphosate, in the form of the IPA, methylammonium and diammonium salts, comprising a quaternary ammonium surfactant and an acid salt of a primary, secondary or tertiary alkylamine compound.
Other cationic surfactants which have been indicated as useful in aqueous solution concentrate compositions of glyphosate salts include those disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 95/33379. It is further disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 97/32476 that highly concentrated aqueous compositions of glyphosate salts can be made with certain of these same cationic surfactants, with the further addition of a defined component that enhances stability of the compositions. Glyphosate salts exemplified therein are the IPA salt and the mono- and diammonium salts.
A class of alkyl etheramine, alkylether ammonium salt and alkyl etheramine oxide surfactants has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,468 to be suitable for preparation of aqueous solution concentrate formulations of various glyphosate salts, the potassium salt being included in the list of salts mentioned. It is disclosed therein that an advantage of the subject surfactants when used in an aqueous composition with glyphosate salts is that these surfactants permit the glyphosate concentration of the composition to be increased to very high levels.
Anionic surfactants, except in combination with cationic surfactants as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,598 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,015, are generally of little interest in SL formulations of glyphosate IPA salt. The '015 patent discloses a surfactant blend of a dialkoxylated alkylamine and an anionic eye irritancy reducing compound. The surfactant blend is disclosed as being suitable for preparation of aqueous solution concentrate formulations of various glyphosate salts, the potassium salt being included in the list of salts mentioned. Concentrates of the '015 patent contain from about 5 to about 50%, preferably about 35% to about 45% glyphosate a.i. and from about 5 to about 25% surfactant. Further, PCT Publication No. WO 00/08927 discloses the use of certain polyalkoxylated phosphate esters in combination with certain polyalkoxylated amidoamines in glyphosate containing formulations. Potassium is identified as one of several salts of glyphosate noted as being "suitable."
Nonionic surfactants are generally reported to be less effective in enhancing herbicidal activity than cationic or amphoteric surfactants when used as the sole surfactant component of SL formulations of glyphosate IPA salt; exceptions appear to include certain alkyl polyglucosides, as disclosed for example in Australian Patent No. 627503, and polyoxyethylene (10-100) C16-22 alkylethers, as disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 98/17109. Other nonionic surfactants are generally mixed with cationic surfactants to form a compatible surfactant system for use in liquid herbicidal concentrates. However, cationic/nonionic surfactant systems generally do not provide acceptable low temperature storage stability. Concentrates containing these surfactant systems can crystallize at temperatures at or below about 0° C., limiting the use of such concentrates in cold climates.
Glyphosate concentrates containing nonionic alkylether and cationic amine surfactants are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,713. The surfactant mixture is said to enhance biological effectiveness of the glyphosate and provide enhanced rainfastness. Suitable glyphosates for use in the concentrates include sodium, potassium, ammonium, dimethylammonium, IPA, monoethanolammonium and TMS glyphosate salts. This patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
It is likely that serious consideration of glyphosate potassium salt as a herbicidal active ingredient has been inhibited by the relative difficulty in formulating this salt as a highly concentrated SL product together with preferred surfactant types. For example, a widely used surfactant in glyphosate IPA salt compositions, namely polyoxyethylene (15) tallowamine of formula (3) above, is highly incompatible in aqueous solution with glyphosate potassium salt. Further, PCT Publication No. WO 00/15037 notes the low compatibility of alkoxylated alkylamine surfactants in general with high-strength glyphosate concentrates. As disclosed therein, in order to "build in" an effective level of surfactant, an alkylglycoside surfactant is used in combination with an alkoxylated alkylamine surfactant to obtain high-strength concentrates containing the potassium salt of glyphosate.
The addition of such alkylglycosides resulted in higher viscosity formulations (as compared to formulations without alkylglycosides). Such an increase in the viscosity of these high-strength formulations is undesirable for various reasons. In addition to being more difficult to conveniently pour from the container or to wash residues therefrom, the deleterious effects resulting from higher viscosity formulations is more dramatically observed with respect to pumping requirements. Increasing volumes of liquid aqueous glyphosate products are being purchased by end-users in large refillable containers sometimes known as shuttles, which typically have an integral pump or connector for an external pump to permit transfer of liquid. Liquid aqueous glyphosate products are also shipped in bulk, in large tanks having a capacity of up to about 100,000 liters. The liquid is commonly transferred by pumping to a storage tank at a facility operated by a wholesaler, retailer or cooperative, from which it can be further transferred to shuttles or smaller containers for onward distribution. Because large quantities of glyphosate formulations are purchased and transported in early spring, the low temperature pumping characteristics of such formulations are extremely important.
When such alkylglycosides (e.g., AgriMul™ APG-2067 and 2-ethyl-hexyl glucoside) are added to a glyphosate concentrate, the concentrate is dark brown in color. It is desirable for a glyphosate concentrate to be lighter in color than the alkylglycoside-containing concentrates as disclosed in WO 00/15037, which have a color value of about 10 to 18 as measured by a Gardner calorimeter. When dye is added to a glyphosate concentrate having a Gardner color of 18, the concentrate remains dark brown in color. Concentrates having a Gardner color value of 10 are difficult to dye a wide variety of colors, for example blue, green, red or yellow, as is often desired to distinguish the glyphosate product from other herbicidal products.
It would be desirable to provide a storage-stable aqueous concentrate composition of the potassium salt of glyphosate having an agronomically useful surfactant content, or that is "fully loaded" with surfactant. These formulations exhibit a reduced viscosity such that they may be pumped with standard bulk pumping equipment at 0° C. at rates of at least 7.5 gallons per minute, usually more than 10 gallons per minute and preferably greater than 12.5 gallons per minute. An "agronomically useful surfactant content" means containing one or more surfactants of such a type or types and in such an amount that a benefit is realized by the user of the composition in terms of herbicidal effectiveness by comparison with an otherwise similar composition containing no surfactant. By "fully loaded" is meant having a sufficient concentration of a suitable surfactant to provide, upon conventional dilution in water and application to foliage, herbicidal effectiveness on one or more important weed species without the need for further surfactant to be added to the diluted composition.
By "storage-stable," in the context of an aqueous concentrate composition of glyphosate salt further containing a surfactant, is meant not exhibiting phase separation on exposure to temperatures up to about 50° C., and preferably not forming crystals of glyphosate or salt thereof on exposure to a temperature of about 0° C. for a period of up to about 7 days (i.e., the composition must have a crystallization point of 0° C. or lower). For aqueous solution concentrates, high temperature storage stability is often indicated by a cloud point of about 50° C. or more. Cloud point of a composition is normally determined by heating the composition until the solution becomes cloudy, and then allowing the composition to cool, with agitation, while its temperature is continuously monitored. A temperature reading taken when the solution clears is a measure of cloud point. A cloud point of 50° C. or more is normally considered acceptable for most commercial purposes for a glyphosate SL formulation. Ideally the cloud point should be 60° C. or more, and the composition should withstand temperatures as low as about −10° C., preferably as low as about −20° C., for up to about 7 days without crystal growth, even in the presence of seed crystals of the glyphosate salt.
A surfactant that is described herein as "compatible" with a glyphosate salt at specified surfactant and glyphosate a.e. concentrations is one that provides a storage-stable aqueous concentrate as defined immediately above containing that surfactant and salt at the specified concentrations.
Users of liquid herbicidal products typically meter the dosage by volume rather than by weight, and such products are usually labeled with directions for suitable use rates expressed in volume per unit area, e.g., liters per hectare (l/ha) or fluid ounces per acre (oz/acre). Thus the concentration of herbicidal active ingredient that matters to the user is not percent by weight, but weight per unit volume, e.g., grams per liter (g/l) or pounds per gallon (lb/gal). In the case of glyphosate salts, concentration is often expressed as grams of acid equivalent per liter (g a.e./l).
Historically, surfactant-containing glyphosate IPA salt products such as Roundup® and Roundup® Ultra herbicides of Monsanto Company have most commonly been formulated at a glyphosate concentration of about 360 g a.e./l. The surfactant-containing glyphosate TMS salt product Touchdown® of Syngenta has been formulated at a glyphosate concentration of about 330 g a.e./l. Products at lower a.e. concentration, i.e., more dilute, are also sold in some markets, but carry a cost penalty per unit of glyphosate they contain, primarily reflecting packaging, shipping and warehousing costs.
Further benefits in cost savings and in convenience to the user are possible if a "fully loaded" aqueous concentrate composition, or at least one having an agronomically useful surfactant content, can be provided at a glyphosate concentration of at least about 320 g a.e./l, 340 g a.e./l, or significantly more than 360 g a.e./l, for example at least about 420 g a.e./l or more, or at least 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 660 g a.e./l or more.
At very high glyphosate a.e. concentrations such as these, a significant problem normally occurs. This is the difficulty in pouring and/or pumping of the aqueous concentrate arising from the high viscosity of the concentrate, especially as manifested at low temperatures. It would therefore be highly desirable to have a highly concentrated aqueous solution of glyphosate potassium salt fully loaded with an agronomically useful surfactant, such formulation preferably being less viscous than glyphosate potassium salt formulations containing alkylglycoside surfactants, such as those disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 00/15037.
It would be a significant commercial advantage if the efficacy of potassium glyphosate formulations could be increased. Higher efficacy affords lower application rates of the herbicide to achieve the same degree of weed control. Application of less herbicide is cost effective to the consumer since less product provides equivalent weed control. Moreover, such an enhanced efficacy formulation is environmentally responsible because packaged volume is reduced, less storage space is required, shipping cost savings may be realized, and most importantly, environmental burden is minimized. As will be clear from the disclosure that follows, these and other benefits are provided by the present invention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Pesticide compositions containing oxalic acid


The invention refers to novel 2H-pyridazine-3-one derivatives of the formula I, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same and a process for the preparation of the active ingredient. The novel compounds possess neuroleptic effect and can be used, primarily, for the treatment of schizophrenia. In formula I, R stands for a hydrogen atom or a C1-4, alkyl group, X and Y represent, independently, a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a group of the formula II, with the proviso that one of X and Y means always a group of the formula II, and then the other one stands for a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, wherein in formula II n has a value of 1 or 2.

Psychiatric diseases including affective clinical patterns (schizophrenia, anxiety, depression) form a great challenge to the medical science. About 1% of the population suffers from schizophrenia. However, the recent drug therapy is not completely suitable for the treatment of the disease. Clinically, schizophrenia is characterized by two syndromes which are fundamentally different as to etiology and response to drug therapy. These are the so called positive or productive symptoms (hallucination, delusions) and negative or deficit symptoms (the emotional life becomes empty, dumbness) [Crow, T. J., Brit. Med. J., 280, 66 (1980)]. It is believed that the formation of the productive symptoms is due to the hyperfunction of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system [Kahn, R. S. and Davis, K. L., The Fourth Reneration of Progress, editor: Bloom, F. E. and Kupfer, D. J., Raves Press, New York, p 1215 (1995)], and these symptoms can be well controlled by the so called classic neuroleptics (haloperidol, chlorpromazine). However, in case of the negative symptoms, the hypofunction of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system is characteristic [Knable, M. B. and Winberger, D. M., Psychopharmacology, 11, 123 (1997)], and then the drugs mentioned above are ineffective, moreover, they can cause a deterioration of the negative symptoms. The so called conventional neuroleptics (haloperidol, chlorpromazine) which are primarily dopamine D2 receptor antagonists dominate the therapy up to this time. Consequently, as mentioned above, they have numerous unfavourable side effects and are inefficient in one of the syndromes of schizophrenia (negative symptoms) [Ellenbroek, B. A., Pharmacol. Ther., 57, 1 (1993)].
After the discovery of the 5-HT2A receptors [Leysen et al., Biochem. Pharmacol., 27, 307 (1978)], the role of these receptors was upgraded in the therapeutical effect against schizophrenia. Clozapine was the first drug that bound to the 5-HT2A receptors more strongly than to the D2 receptors and did not have the unfavourable side effects which characterize the conventional drugs, furthermore, clozapine controlled also the negative symptoms well [Meizer, H. Y., Schizophr. Bull., 17, 263 (1991)]. Clozapine was followed by several newer, subsequent generation neuroleptics such as olanzapine, seroquel etc., however, clozapine can be considered the standard atypical neuroleptic. Also the newer atypical drugs mentioned above are equally effective in case of the positive symptoms (hallucination, delusions) and negative ones (emptiness of the emotional life, dumbness) characterizing schizophrenia.
3-(1-substituted-4-piperidinyl)-1,2-benzisoxazole derivatives having neuroleptic activity are described in the article J. Med. Chem., 28(6), 761–769 (1985). 3(2H)-pyridazinone derivatives having antiarrhythmic effect are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,934.
The aim of the invention is to prepare novel compounds having neuroleptic effect which influence both syndromes of schizophrenia favourably, are more effective than clozapine and possess neither extrapyramidal nor endocrinic side effects.

2h-pyridazine-3-one derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same and a process for the preparation of the active ingredient


A RAID module for a RAID controller that includes a thin RAID layer and a thin disk layer. The thin RAID layer sits between an operating system layer and a RAID stack, and intercepts and fields requests and I/Os made the between operating system and the RAID stack. The thin disk layer sits between the RAID stack and the disks that comprise the array, and intercepts and fields requests and I/Os made between the RAID stack and the array. The module may maintain a bitmap with an entry corresponding to each stripe of the array. When the module detects that a stripe has zero data, the entry in the bitmap for the stripe is set to 0. When the module detects that data has been written to a stripe, the entry in the bitmap for the stripe is set to 1.

Though RAID has been commoditized for quite some time now, it has been under constant threat due to the nature of evolution in disk drive technology. Being mechanical in design, disk drives have not made any noticeable improvements in performance and latency, whereas over the years their capacities have grown substantially. For example, disk capacities have been doubling almost every year and a half without any improvement in performance.
As a result of this imbalance between size and performance, the time to perform certain RAID related functions has steadily increased. For example, the time to rebuild an array of disks has grown almost astronomically. Similarly, the times required to check consistency, patrol read operations, and to initialize an array have also dramatically increased.
There are many drawbacks associated with long rebuilding times. For example, a RAID system may become very slow and appear less responsive to users during rebuilding. In addition, longer rebuild times drastically increases the overall risk of RAID systems to failure. While rebuilding the RAID system is in a vulnerable state; any disk failures or medium errors may hurt system availability and may result in irrevocable data losses.
Long RAID initialization times also have associated drawbacks. RAID initialization is used for RAID-5 and RAID-6 systems to improve I/O performance and is typically performed in the background making the RAID system available for I/Os while the initialization is taking place. However, such background processes degrade the performance of the RAID systems, which is exacerbated due to larger and larger disk drives.

Systems and methods for raid acceleration


A system provides an image displaying technique that provides stable high contrast even in an area having high brightness. Based on information about an average brightness level of a digital luminance signal, black-correction processing which decreases a brightness level by offsetting the brightness level to the minus side, and increase processing which increases a contrast gain within a dynamic range, are performed for an analog luminance signal or a digital luminance signal, enabling improvement in contrast even where brightness is intense.

The present invention relates to an image displaying technique that converts an analog video signal to a digital video signal to display an image.
Image displaying devices, which use a fixed pixel device such as a plasma display panel (PDP) or a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), generally have low contrast compared to image displaying devices that use a cathode-ray tube. Conventional measures to improve contrast in PDPs include at least a technique for increasing the light-emitting efficiency of phosphor and a technique for improving control of the panel. They are described in detail, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-208637 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-138558. An example of a technique for adjusting video contrast in a television receiver includes the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-10784. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-10784 describes a technique in which the maximum value, the minimum value, and the mean of a digital signal is converted from a video signal before storing the values. Based on the result of the detection and calculation, amplification of the video signal is performed to improve contrast.

Image displaying method, image displaying device, and contrast-adjusting circuit for use therewith


A method for forming candles according to the invention includes four basic steps: providing a candle core; heating a working area on the outer surface of the candle core such that the working area is pliable; sculpturing a portion of the working area; and reheating the working area with a readily available household heating implement whenever the working area of the candle falls below a desired temperature. A candle core is comprised of multiple inner layers of distinct color and composition, an outer surface preferably having a pliable temperature range of about 120 to 125.degree. Fahrenheit, and a wick extending from a top end and wound into a loop. Because the pliable temperature range of the candle core is relatively low, the candle core need only to be preheated by submerging it a in hot water bath prior to sculpturing. Additionally, the outer surface of the candle core may be reheated anytime during sculpturing using a hair dryer or other readily available household heating source. To facilitate the sculpturing and reheating steps, a sculpturing stand is provided from which the candle core may be suspended by engaging the wick loop with a hook on an elevated member of the sculpturing stand.

Decorative candle products are popular items for the home and other displays. These candles may be purchased in a variety of colors, shapes, and designs. Some of the more popular varieties are the ribbon candle, the basket weave candle, and the cutaway candle. Each of these candle designs feature a candle core having an outer surface of one color, typically white, and a plurality of internal layers of different colors. When the outer surface is carved or cut, the multi-color inner layers are exposed and incorporated into the candle design. Finished candles of these types and other types may be found in most craft stores or the craft section of most department stores.
The art of candlemaking, or chandlery as it is sometimes called, has been practiced for centuries by expert candlemakers for leisure and also for sale. Today, expert decorative candlemaking may be observed first hand at an artisan fair or craft event that features a chandler's booth. At the chandler's booth, one might find a candlemaker masterfully create a decorative candle of a complex design in just a few minutes. To obtain a desired color ensemble of inner layers, the candlemaker takes a candle core of one color and dips it repeatedly into a number of heated vats containing melted wax. Then, with the candle core still hot, the chandler skillfully but quickly carves, cuts, and shapes the multi-layered candle core to produce a decorative candle product that the lay person can purchase and take home.
Alternatively, a novice candlemaker may purchase the same candle cores, waxes, vats, and other candlemaking accessories that the candlemaker uses at the chandler's booth and attempt to make his or her own decorative candles at home. A booklet entitled "Easy to Do DIP `N` CURVE" by Yaley Enterprises (1974) was intended for such a novice candlemaker. The booklet provides basic guidelines to dipping and carving candle cores into fancy decorative candles.

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A system includes display of user interface, detection of a UI event associated with the user interface, interception of a request to a network triggered by the UI event, generation of a cache key based on the UI event, reception of a response to the request from the network, generation of a data structure including the response, and storage of the data structure in the persistent storage system in association with the cache key.

A computing system may execute a client application to access data and functionality of a remote server system. For example, a client system may execute a Web browser to request and receive Web pages from a Web server located on the World Wide Web. This operation relies on the existence of a network connection between the client system and the remote server system. Systems are desired to efficiently preserve some functionality of a client application in the absence of a network connection to a corresponding remote server system.


A logical circuit includes an inverter circuit for judging fluctuations of a potential at a potential detecting point, a power-source potential step-down circuit for supplying a potential between a potential at a switching point of the inverter circuit and a high-level power-source potential, from an output end thereof, a MOS transistor of P-channel for controlling in conductivity a location between the output end of the power-source potential step-down circuit and the potential detecting point, and a group of MOS transistors of N-channel for controlling in conductivity a location between the potential detecting point and a ground power source in accordance with an input signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a logical circuit for detecting an electric potential, with a high speed, at a potential detecting point relatively large in load, on the basis of a clock signal and an input signal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 of the attached drawings is a view showing an arrangement of a CMOS logical circuit of dynamic type, while FIG. 2 is a view showing operational timing of the logical circuit illustrated in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the logical circuit is controlled in conductivity by a clock signal .phi., and comprises a MOS transistor (hereinafter referred to as "PMOS") 101 of the P-channel type which pre-charges a potential detecting point to high-order power-source potential (series connecting point) N1, a logical switch 102 connected in series to the PMOS 101 through the series connecting point N1 for short-circuiting the connecting point N1 and a ground power-source potential V.sub.SS on the basis of a plurality of inputs I.sub.1 -I.sub.n and an inverter circuit 103 for detecting a change or variation in potential at the connecting point N1. In this connection, a capacitance 104 connected to the connecting point N1 indicates a parasitic capacitance added to the connecting point N1.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the logical circuit is arranged such that the series connecting point N1 between the PMOS 101 and the logical switch 102 is pre-charged to the high-order power-source potential V.sub.DD by the PMOS 101 under that conductive condition within a pre-charge period of time, the logical switch 102 subsequently short-circuits the ground point N1 and the ground power-source potential V.sub.SS to each other on the basis of inputs I.sub.1 -I.sub.n during an evaluation period of time, to bring the connecting point N1 to the ground potential, and this change in potential is detected by the inverter circuit 103 and is outputted.
With the arrangement of the logical circuit, the following disadvantage occurs. That is, in the case where the load capacitance 104 at the connecting point N1 is large, the logical switch 102 alters the potential at the connecting point N1 so that, as shown in FIG. 2, the time T.sub.EV until the potential at the connecting point N1 descends from the power-source potential V.sub.DD to a potential V.sub.S at the switching point of the inverter circuit 103 is increased. Thus, detection of the potential change at the connecting point N1 is delayed.
In view of the above, there is a method in which, in order to dissolve the above-discussed deficiency, a circuit constant of FET forming the inverter circuit 103, for example, threshold voltage is altered or changed whereby the potential V.sub.S at a witching point moves toward the power-source potential. Generally, however, it is difficult to largely move the switching point of the inverter circuit. Further, although detection of a change in potential from a high level to a low level is quickened by moving the switching point V.sub.S at the switching point toward V.sub.DD, detection from the low level to the high level is slowed down a great deal. Thus, the method has such a disadvantage that a balance of the detection is deteriorated.
On the other hand, as another method for avoiding of the above-discussed deficiency, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a method in which a transistor pre-charging the connecting point N1 is formed by an NMOS 105, and a pre-charge level at the connecting point N1 is brought to V.sub.DD -V.sub.TN (V.sub.TN is threshold voltage of the NMOS 105). However this method has the following problem. That is, the pre-charge level the connecting point N1 is liable to fluctuate so that an operating margin is reduced. Furthermore, the case where the connecting point N1 is not discharged for a long period of time, the potential at the connecting point N1 is raised to the power-source potential V.sub.DD by leak current in the NMOS 105 at non-conducting. Thus, the potential cannot be detected with a high speed.
As described above, the conventional logical circuit of the dynamic type, which detects a change in potential, causes the following deficiency. That is, high-speed detection of the potential is difficult in the case where the load capacitance at the potential detecting point is large, and if an attempt is made to execute the potential detection with high speed, the balance of detection is deteriorated, and the operational margin is reduced.

Logical circuit for detecting a potential


A novel and unique golf club, particularly a putter, is disclosed which has an effective structure for attaching the shaft of the club to the club head, such that the result is a self-compensating putter and consistently accurate putts. In a preferred embodiment, a golf club is provided which comprises a shaft and a club head having a front face. The club head has a length along which the front face extends. Advantageously, the shaft is attached to the club head at two discrete mounting locations along the length of the club head, which results in a consistently stable and comfortable swing.

This invention relates to an improved constructional design for golf clubs, and more particularly to an advantageous configuration for attaching a golf club shaft to a putter head.
The game of golf has consumed the weekends and passions of millions of people worldwide for many years, and increasingly so in recent years as its popularity has soared. The reasons for its popularity are legion, and include the beautiful settings in which it is played, the opportunity for leisurely exercise, companionship, and the elusive satisfaction of successfully navigating a small white ball several hundred yards from a golf tee into a small hole, using just a few strokes of a golf club.
While many people spend a great deal of time perfecting their tee shots, hoping to add distance to their drives, it is the putting stroke which usually determines the ultimate success of a golfer. Putting is an uncertain, uncontrolled, and intimidating demand in the game of golf. The reward from putting is often inconsistent with the overall skill and efforts of the player.
The difficulties with current state-of-the-art putters arise because of weight distribution at the putter head, and the fact that the club shaft is typically off-center with respect to the head. This causes a moment about the axis of the shaft when the club is put into motion. To compensate for this, in conventional putters the ends of the club head are often weighted more and various points of attachment between the shaft and the putter head have been tried. The torsional force on the club head as the putter is swung is felt unconsciously by the player, who then involuntarily adjusts his swing and grip to maintain control and to keep the club head square.
Thus, when the putter is moved backward at the start of the swing, the toe end of the putter head tends to remain behind, and conversely, on the beginning of the down swing, it again remains behind. Similarly, at impact with the ball, the putter head again has a tendency to turn or wobble because the weight mass is not at the impact point. This is the basic problem with putter designs, and has never been totally successfully addressed.
Therefore, what is needed is a new design for a golf putter which addresses the problem of weight distribution and generated torsion during the swing of the putter, compensating for the torsional effect by an offsetting moment so that the net effect is a very stable swing and a resultant accurate putt.


The invention relates to a stable, concentrated aqueous fertilizer suspension, which can be diluted with water to provide a working solution. The suspension contains 10 to 60% by weight of water and 40 to 90% by weight of a plant nutrient composition based on at least a calcium, and/or a magnesium and a phosphate ion, and the suspension comprises at least one plant nutrient containing water-insoluble solid particles with a particle size less than 50 .mu.m, the pH of the suspension being in the range of 0.5 to less than 2.

This invention relates to a stable, concentrated aqueous fertilizer suspension, which can be diluted with water to provide a working solution in water irrigation systems.
Besides nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and trace elements, calcium and phosphorus are vital plant nutrients, which should be constantly available to plants. Irrigation fertilisation usually comprises water-soluble fertilizers, often prepared as a concentrate solution, added to the irrigation water at intervals. If such a concentrate solution/fertilizer solution contains calcium and/or magnesium salts and ordinary water-soluble phosphorus sources such as for instance monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate or potassium phosphate, the pH of the solution will be so high that calcium forms insoluble phosphate salts. The insoluble component precipitates, thus clogging the irrigation systems, and its nutrients are no longer in a form which the plants can utilise. The trace elements, added as sulphates or nitrates, also tend to precipitate under these conditions, and for this reason expensive chelate forms are normally used to prevent this. Thus the preparation and use of P, NP, PK and NPK fertilizers containing calcium and/or magnesium in irrigation systems are tricky. A solution to the precipitation problems entailed by water irrigation fertilizers containing calcium and/or magnesium and phosphorus could involve supplying the solution containing calcium and/or magnesium and phosphorus by means of two discrete irrigation systems in parallel. However, such an implementation would be complicated and obviously quite costly.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,171,349 and 5,395,418 the phosphorus source consists of water-soluble urea phosphate, which reduces the pH of the fertilizer concentrate solution and helps keeping the calcium in a dissolved state. Here the calcium source consists of calcium nitrate. Nevertheless, this method involves the drawback of an extremely low, 2 to 40% salt content of the fertilizer solution, implying high transport costs, since the fertilizer solution may contain up to 60 to 98% of water. In practical application, the cultivator thus has to prepare the solution himself by blending solid raw materials, taking care that overdosing does not entail unexpected precipitates in the fertilizer concentrate solution. This requires that the cultivator is well informed and has adequate skills, which are not always available for instance in less developed countries. Moreover, a fully water-soluble phosphorus fertilizer raw material is expensive, and may thus be used to a very limited extent in poor countries.
EP patent application 84 196 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,052 disclose liquid suspensions containing calcium and phosphorus, but these already contain components that are totally water-insoluble, and due to sedimentation problems, they are unusable in water irrigation systems.
JP patent application 52 75571 discloses a fertilizer solution containing calcium and phosphorus, which has been prepared from hydrated or burnt lime or calcium carbonate by dissolving with a mixture of phosphoric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, but here too, the low salt content due to the solubility of the fertilizer solution involves a problem. Moreover, this acid mixture would require special anti-corrosive materials in the irrigation system.
The applicant's FI patent application 941759 describes a fertilizer suspension suitable for drip irrigation, wherein the solid particles are of micron particle size.

Aqueous fertilzer suspension containing at least phosphate ions and calcium or magnesium ions and a use of the suspension


A ceramic composite comprising ceramic fibers and glass microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder provides baffles for cryogenic fluids in a storage container.

Our prior application referenced above, describes fibrous ceramic insulation materials formed by dispersing a suspension of ceramic fibers over a form-defining surface, drying the fibers to form a mat, solidifying the mat by soaking it with a sol-gel ceramic precursor, and then drying and curing the sol-gel precursor. The present invention is directed to baffles comprising an improved fibrous ceramic.
In NASA Tech Brief (April 1989), p. 88, entitled "Surface Tension Confines Cryogenic Liquid" by Goddard Space Flight Center, there is disclosed a Dewar containing an all-silica, open-cell sponge which is immune to cryogenic temperatures. The average pore size is small enough to ensure the cryogen is prevented from sloshing during orientation, gravitation and/or acceleration changes.
The present invention utilizes glass microballoons and/or diatoms with a fibrous ceramic, which is set after impregnation with a sol-gel. Glass microballoons are usually about 5-200 microns in diameter and are hollow. Various glasses with different wall thicknesses (in the case of hollow spheres) can be used to obtain the desired mechanical strength. In place of, or in combination with microballoons, diatoms may be used. Diatoms are porous silica inner support structures of certain marine and fresh water algae, having typical size ranges of 5-50 microns.
We have found that the rigidized fiber mat made in accordance with our prior application consists of fibers which are randomly tangled, most of which are oriented in the x-y plane (the z-axis being aligned with the thickness of the mat). When bound with the sol-gel binder, the random three dimensional network provides a material, with a porosity of about 90-95%. However, the voids between the ceramic fibers are filled by microballoons and/or diatoms, thus further rigidizing the structure. The mechanical compression strength is increased as the fibers are supported by the microballoons (and/or diatoms). Isotropic structural properties (i.e., similar properties in the x-y, x-z and y-z planes) are also more closely approximated. Typical densities of the fibrous ceramic are in the range of 15-23 lb/ft.sup.3. The useful range may be tailored to be as low as about 7 lb/ft.sup.3. Lower densities may be achieved by substituting lower density microballoons and/or diatoms for higher density binder to achieve an increased strength-to-weight ratio. Selected densities may be achieved for specific applications. The processing time for preparing the ceramic material is substantially reduced, usually by one-half, over the time for making an all fibrous structure without sacrificing strength. Furthermore, problems associated with handling ammonia (used to cure the sol-gel binder) are reduced. In certain applications, the ceramic according to the present invention has a lower dielectric constant than that of the fibrous ceramic of our prior application. For example, at microwave frequencies, ceramic composites according to our prior application have dielectric constants around 1.4, whereas composites of the present invention have dielectric constants around 1.2.
A significant advantage of the improved ceramic is its wickability, especially its wickability to cryogenic fluids, such as liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, etc.
The present invention provides internal baffles that are cryogenically compatible with fluids such as liquid fuel for rockets, liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, etc. Such baffles are particularly important to prevent the fuel in an aircraft or space craft from adverse movements which affect the structural integrity and flight characteristics of the craft.
One of the problems with fuel storage in a vehicle is the maintenance of proper readings from electronic sensors regarding fuel level and flow. Particularly in aircraft, the lower the fuel level in a tank, the more critical it is to have accurate information on the remaining amount of fuel. Accordingly, a primary problem is the turbulence at or near the liquid surface, since most fuel level sensors are designed to measure fuel volume as a function of liquid level in a tank. Baffles provided by the present invention may either be permanently attached to the sides of a tank to minimize surface turbulence, or may be moveable to follow the liquid level of the fuel.

Microparticle enhanced fibrous ceramic baffle for cryogenic liquid containers


A method and system for reducing contamination build-up within a fuser roll system are disclosed. The method and system includes a donor roll in rotational combination with a fuser roll. The donor roll can be configured to transfer a toner release agent to the fuser roll to reduce toner build-up on the surface of the fuser roll. A grounded static brush can be located proximate to the donor roll. The grounded static brush can be configured to inductively remove electrostatic discharge from the surface of the donor roll. The reduced electrostatic reduces contamination build-up on the fuser roll, and therefore increases the cycle life of the components of the fuser roll system.

Electrostatic reproduction involves an electrostatically-formed latent image on a photoconductive member, or photoreceptor. The latent image is developed by bringing charged developer materials into contact with the photoconductive member. The developer materials can include two-component developer materials including carder particles and charged toner particles for such as "hybrid scavengeless development" having an image-on-image development. The developer materials can also include single-component developer materials including only toner particles. The toner particles are transferred to the photoconductive member from a toner cloud generated during the development process.
The toned image on the photoconductive member is advanced to a transfer station where an image-receiving substrate such as a sheet of paper is moved into contact with the photoconductive member to transfer the image via any suitable process. The image-receiving substrate is then advanced to a fusing station to fix or fuse the toner material onto the image-receiving substrate permanently by heat.
Conventional fusing stations include a fuser roll and a pressure roll to fuse the toner to the substrate. Over time, contamination can build up on the surface of the fuser roll. Specifically, toner resin build-up on the fuser roll from various forms of offset, gelled oil, pigment staining, and Zinc Fumarate, a byproduct of additives and toner resin. Further, the contamination can lead to a pigment building up on the fuser roll or penetration of the top-coat material.
Toner release agents can also be applied to the fuser roll to aid in the removal of toner from the fuser roll. The toner release agents can be comprised of conventional substances and can be applied by way of a donor roll. The configuration and materials of the donor and fuser rolls can lead to an accumulation of an electrostatic charge in the fuser roll system, specifically on the donor roll. The accumulation can exacerbate the build-up of the toner resin, the pigment, and other forms of contamination on the surface of the fuser roll over the life of the roll.
Thus, there is a need to overcome these and other problems of the prior art and to provide a system, method, and apparatus to reduce premature fuser roll failure by reducing the contamination build-up or rate of build up on the fuser roll.

Technique and system for reducing contamination build-up on fuser roll by reduction of static charge build-up in IGEN3 fuser subsystem


Oral appliances, methods of making oral appliances, and bite registration devices for use in making oral appliances are provided. An oral appliance includes a lower segment, and upper segments. The upper segments are operably connected to the lower segment using threaded elements. Rotational manipulation of the threaded elements causes the upper segments to be displaced horizontally relative to the lower segment about the lengths of the threaded elements, and the lengths of the threaded elements are substantially parallel to each other. A bite registration device for use in making an oral appliance includes a top surface including a protrusion and a bottom surface including a receptacle configured to receive the protrusion. The device is configured to be maintained in stacked relation to a like configured second bite registration device by mating the protrusion of the bite registration device with a receptacle of the second bite registration device.

The present invention is in the technical field of dentistry. More particularly, an oral appliance and method of making an oral appliance are provided, including a bite registration device for use by dentists to determine and record the correct patient bite position for a laboratory to fabricate an oral appliance.
The airway of humans has no bony support. This unique condition has the distinct advantage of facilitating speech, a very valuable adaptation, but has disadvantages as well—choking, snoring and apnea. Snoring and obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome ("OSAS") are the manifestations of collapse of the flexible, compliant human airway.
Snoring is defined as obstructive sleep breathing, characterized by a harsh, loud sound. Snoring is a partial collapse of the tongue on the airway. Three conditions are necessary for snoring to occur: (1) sleep, (2) airflow limitation, and (3) vibrating structure in the airway. Snoring is a condition affecting approximately 40% of the population. Snoring can disrupt the sleep, not only of the snorer, but the sleep partner as well, having profound effects on their daytime quality of life.
OSAS has been reported to occur in up to 7 or 8% of the population. The tongue during sleep loses it natural tonus and can collapse into the airway, blocking airflow. Apnea literally means lack of breath. OSAS is a condition that occurs during sleep when a person is trying to breathe and get air, but the airway is blocked by the tongue. Airway blockage for a period of at least 10 seconds with effort being made to breathe is the definition of an apneic event. The apneic blockage is ended by a gasp, causing an arousal that disrupts normal sleep architecture.
The four commonly utilized therapies to treat snoring and sleep apnea are CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) therapy, surgery, lifestyle changes and oral airway dilators. CPAP works well, but it is uncomfortable, requires wearing a mask attached to a positive pressure pump, and creates a bloated feeling. Surgery is painful and invasive, and has a success rate of less than 50%. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, no alcohol consumption, dietary counseling and food restrictions have very low compliance. Oral airway dilators have high patient compliance, and are comfortable and effective, particularly in cases of mild to moderate OSAS. The drawbacks of known oral airway devices are that some restrict tongue protrusion by their design of anterior mandibular advancement mechanisms, some cause tooth movement by incorporating retentive clasps on teeth, others cause gagging by tongue depression, and some have frequent breakage. The color of many such devices, which are constructed with clear methyl-methacrylate material, deteriorate in color with time, becoming an unpleasant shade of yellow.
Further, when fabricating an oral dental device, such as an oral airway dilator, for example, the prescribing dentist must determine the relationship in space in all dimensions of the mandibular (lower) arch in relation to the maxillary (upper) arch. Bite registration devices are provided between the patient's upper and lower arches and record an imprint of the patient's maxillary and mandibular teeth and ridges in the prescribed position. The bite registration is later used by a laboratory along with stone casts that are made from impressions of the patient's upper and lower arches. The stone casts are mounted on an articulator with the bite registration between the maxillary and mandibular arches in the exact position that the dentist prescribes. This process facilitates the proper fit of the oral dental device for the patient.
Historically, wax was the substance used to record the patient's bite. However, a bite recorded in wax is not stable as it may warp, bend and/or become brittle, depending on how it is handled and stored. If any of these above occurrences happens to the wax bite, the bite will not be a proper replica of the relationship between the maxillary and mandibular arches.
Certain conventional bite registration devices require the lips to be separated in order to record a full arch bite. Breathing through the nose with the lips closed is the healthiest physiological condition for sleep. If an individual's jaws are so far apart that he or she cannot comfortably close the lips, he or she will breathe through the mouth. The lips should be closed when the future oral dental device is in the mouth.
Certain conventional bite registration devices may not allow the distance between a patient's maxillary and mandibular arches to be easily varied. However, it may be desirable for a prescribing dentist to select a custom distance between a patient's maxillary and mandibular arches.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need for improved oral airway dilators and methods of making oral appliances. Such improved methods of making may include improved bite registration devices.

Oral appliances and methods of making oral appliances


A sugar centrifugal operates at decreased speed to reduce crystal damage but suffers no loss of sugar crystal/molasses separation rate. This is accomplished by superposing a partial vacuum on the molasses chamber of the centrifugal which promotes removal of syrup and water from the sugar crystals through the centrifugal basket wall. Additional drying of the separated crystals is provided by injection of air above the sugar chamber to replace that which is extracted through the centrifugal basket wall.

This invention relates generally to sugar making machinery and more particularly to devices and methods for achieving improvements in sugar centrifugals which provide enhanced molasses/sugar crystal separation efficiency.
Sugar making requires several operations for separating massecuite into sugar crystals and molasses (or run-off), its two components. In all cases except for separation of high grade sugar crystals, the crystals are re-melted and further refined. The quality and integrity of the crystals after separation is therefore of minimal consequence except in the case of high grade sugar.
Broken crystals require downgrading of sugar product, and they must, therefore, be avoided. However, the viscosity of the molasses component of the massecuite requires centrifugal separation in order to free the sugar crystals of the surrounding syrup. The high discharge velocity and resultant high gravity forces imposed on the massecuite by the centrifugals frequently results in excessive damage to the sugar crystals.
Reducing centrifugal operating speed will reduce crystal impact damage, but it also reduces production and it leaves more water and syrup on the crystals which results in lump and cake formation during storage. This is a very undesirable trade-off but is an expected draw-back of the high viscosity of the molasses. Excessive water addition for rinsing sugar crystals and diluting the molasses results in waste of water and in increased energy consumption for subsequent evaporation.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present devices and methods. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.

Apparatus and method for enhancing sugar crystal/molasses separation efficiency in a sugar centrifugal


An installation for fabricating an optical fiber preform includes a reaction tube and an excess silica soot exhaust tube equipped internally with a screw having flat helical threads for removing the excess soot. The screw is a helix hollowed out longitudinally and the installation includes a cylinder housed within the interior passage of the helix, eccentrically disposed within this passage and bearing against the inside surface of the helix. The cylinder is rotated about its axis.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention concerns the fabrication of an optical fiber preform by the CVD method. It is more particularly concerned with an optical fiber preform fabrication installation including a device for removing excess soot during the fabrication of the preform.
2. Description of the prior art
In a manner well known in the fabrication of an optical fiber preform by the CVD method, silica soot is obtained in a reaction tube from a gaseous mixture injected into the latter and this soot is vitrified by heating it using a mobile torch executing successive passes along the tube rotating on its axis. The soot obtained beyond the travel of the torch is not vitrified. This excess soot is received and deposited in the downstream end part of the reaction tube, beyond the travel of the torch, or in an exhaust tube connected to the reaction tube, substantially all of the length of which is then swept by the torch. It is removed to prevent clogging of the area in which it is deposited and resulting defects in the preform.
Document JP-A 5841734 discloses a device for removing excess soot including a rod mobile in translation and equipped with a terminal screw with flat helical threads which scrape the interior surface of the deposition area to remove the soot into a collecting box.
A device of the above kind is not always satisfactory because the excess soot can accumulate between the threads of the screw so that the latter is rendered ineffective and/or be pushed back towards the preform.
Document WO 89/02 419 describes another device for removing excess soot downstream of a preform during fabrication of the latter. This device includes a screw type structure that rotates in the exhaust tube and is formed by a tubular pipe wound in a spiral. This pipe is a pressurized gas injection pipe and is provided with holes open towards the outlet of the exhaust tube, in order to create a flow of gas entraining the excess soot towards the outlet of the exhaust tube. The tubular screwthreads do not achieve very effective scraping of the deposition area. Moreover the gas pressure in this pipe must be sufficient for the flow of gas in the exhaust tube to be effective. On the other hand, there is the risk of causing turbulence prejudicial to the quality of the preform.
An aim of the present invention is to avoid the drawbacks of the above prior art systems.

Optical fiber preform fabrication installation