A glide assembly is adapted to be mounted about an existing foot attached to the free end of a leg of a piece of furniture that is adapted to be supported upon a surface. The glide assembly includes a body defining an exterior surface and a bore extending partially through the body to define a hollow interior, an interior surface, a top, open end of the body, and a bottom, closed end of the body disposed opposite the open end. An insert assembly is mountable about the foot and adapted to be received through the open end and fixedly secured within the hollow interior of the body so as to mount the body about the foot. A cap is designed to be replaceably attached to the closed end of the body and adapted to engage the surface upon which the leg is supported.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to a glide attachable to a leg of a piece of furniture and, in particular, to a glide assembly mountable about an existing foot attached to the free end of a leg of a chair or desk.
2. Description of the Related Art
The free end of each leg of a piece of furniture often includes a cap, foot, glide, or the like. In many institutionalized settings, such as in a school or other educational facility, the feet disposed on the corresponding free ends of the respective legs of a piece of furniture are designed to allow easy sliding of a chair or desk, for instance, upon a surface such as a floor. More specifically, the feet are designed to increase the amount of surface-area contact, but reduce the amount of frictional contact, between the legs and the floor.
One type of foot commonly employed in the related art generally includes an attachment portion and a gliding portion. The attachment portion is adapted to be attached to the free end of a leg, and the gliding portion is pivotally connected to an end of the attachment portion located opposite the leg. The gliding portion defines a relatively broad, flat bottom surface adapted to be in operative contact with the floor. This type of foot is made typically of a hard, durable material, such as metal, nylon, or steel. The bottom surface of a conventional foot is sometimes made of metal or plastic.
However, this type of foot suffers from many disadvantages. The bottom surface of the conventional foot is relatively large, which increases the amount of frictional contact with the floor and causes scraping, scratching, or marring of relatively more surface area of the floor. And, use of this type of foot generally facilitates a sliding motion across the floor and, therefore, increases incidence of floor scraping, scratching, or marring and attendant noise. This relatively greater amount of scraping, scratching, or marring, in turn, increases not only costs of stripping, waxing, and buffing the floor and other labor and material costs associated with maintaining the floor, but also the number of airborne particulates and, thus, pollutants in the room in which the corresponding chair or desk is used. Furthermore, the bottom surface defines relatively more area upon which dirt, dust, sand, and other debris can gather, thus making this type of foot relatively more difficult, time-consuming, and, thus, expensive to clean and keep sanitary. This debris can even be imbedded into the bottom surface of the foot such that the texture of the bottom surface becomes like sandpaper and, thus, scrapes, scratches, or mars the floor even more than it does otherwise.
In addition, when the chair or desk is moved along the floor, the frictional contact between this type of foot and the floor produces a perceptible, often irritating, noise. In a classroom setting, especially in an elementary school where there are a substantial number of relatively young students moving or "scooting" their respective chairs and desks at any one time, this noise can be multiplied to a very significant level. Moreover, the floor upon which the corresponding chair or desk is supported can be mopped weekly, even daily. In such an especially wet environment, this type of foot—being made mostly or even entirely of metal—can rust and, hence, have a relatively shorter life, produce rust marks on the floor when the chair or desk is moved along the floor, and cause the legs of the chair or desk to be aesthetically displeasing.
Because of these disadvantages, it is often desired to replace the existing feet. As it turns out, however, the existing feet, which are initially employed with the respective chairs or desks, are not designed to be removed, so it is often a relatively difficult and, thus, expensive chore to remove all of them. Furthermore, the legs of the corresponding chairs or desks on which the respective conventional feet are used are often disposed at different angles relative to the floor. A replacement foot of the type known in the related art has suffered from the disadvantage that it is not adapted to interface between the free end of the corresponding leg and the floor at an appropriate angle. This has resulted in uneven contact of the foot with the floor and, thus, increased scraping, scratching, or marring of the floor by the foot and generation of more noise by the chair or desk as it is moved relative to the floor. A replacement foot of the type known in the related art has also suffered from the disadvantage that the portion of it that operatively contacts the floor inevitably becomes worn to the point that the replacement foot is no longer adequately effective for its intended purpose. Yet, this portion is not replaceable by itself such that even though the remainder of the replacement foot may have much more useful life, the entire replacement foot must be replaced. Of course, this results in wasted material and, thus, money. A replacement foot of the type known in the related art has also suffered from the disadvantage that it has hinges, locking prongs, and/or seams exposed that would allow dirt, dust, sand, and other debris to collect therein. These difficulties have presented a barrier to use of improved caps, feet, glides, and such.
Thus, there is a need in the related art for a relatively efficient way of replacing an existing foot from a leg of a chair or desk with a glide. More specifically, there is a need in the related art for a relatively easy and, thus, inexpensive way of mounting an aftermarket replacement glide to the free end of a leg of a chair or desk. In particular, there is a need in the related art for a glide that is adapted to accommodate an existing foot at an appropriate angle relative to a floor while reducing incidence of floor scraping, scratching, or marring and generation of noise. In addition, there is a need in the related art for such a glide that does not rust or otherwise mark the floor. Moreover, there is a need in the related art for such a glide the portion of which operatively contacts the floor is replaceable by itself (without replacing the entire glide). There is a need in the related art for such a glide that does not have hinges, locking prongs, and/or seams exposed that would allow dirt, dust, sand, and other debris to collect therein as well.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


According to one implementation, a fiber width adjustment device includes: a feeder and an adjuster. The feeder feeds a tape material in a length direction of the tape material. The tape material consists of fibers for a fiber reinforced resin after or before the fibers are impregnated with a resin. The adjuster has a path for the tape material. The path is formed by at least a bottom and a pair of wall surfaces. The interval of the wall surfaces decreased gradually. The width of the tape material which passed the path is changed by adjusting a part of the path. The tape material passes through the part of the path while contacting with the bottom and the wall surfaces.

Conventionally, a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), such as a glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is known as a material consisting of a resin reinforced with fibers. The FRP, which is also called composite material, is produced by impregnating fibers with a thermosetting resin and subsequent thermal curing of the resin.
More specifically, a composite material can be produced by laminating and shaping sheets of prepreg, which is sheet like material consisting of fibers impregnated with an uncured thermosetting resin, and subsequent thermal curing of the shaped laminated body of the prepreg. Alternatively, a method in which fiber sheets which has not been impregnated with a thermosetting resin are laminated and shaped, and subsequently, the fiber sheets are impregnated with a thermosetting resin and the resin is thermally cured is also known as an RTM (resin transfer molding) method (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Publication JP 2004-218133 A, Japanese Patent Application Publication JP 2009-234065 A and Japanese Patent Application Publication JP 2010-150685 A). Out of RTM methods, a method in which fibers are impregnated with a resin by vacuuming is called a VaRTM (vacuum assisted resin transfer molding) method while a method in which fibers are impregnated with a resin by molds is called a matched-die RTM method.
When a composite material is produced by an RTM method, it is required to produce sheet like fibers having appropriate width and thickness as a material. Accordingly, a technique of opening a reinforcing fiber bundle, such as a carbon fiber bundle or a glass fiber bundle, thinly and uniformly is known (for example, refer to international publication WO 2010-137525 A).
Opening a fiber bundle is work for thinning the fiber bundle obtained by bundling about 12,000 to 24,000 fibers, each having a thickness of about 0.007 mm, while spreading width continuously using a roller and the like. In recent years, a fiber tape obtained by opening a fiber bundle has been sold under the name of a dry tape material.
Moreover, a dry tape material, to which a sheet like or powdery thermoplastic binder has been attached, has been also sold. Therefore, dry tape materials can be laminated while being temporarily fixed by heat-sealing a thermoplastic binder.
An object of the present invention is to allow easily adjusting width of a fiber sheet, before or after impregnation with a resin, for a fiber reinforced resin composite material.

Fiber width adjustment device, fiber width adjustment method and composite material molding method


A drip chamber assembly that functions irrespective of its orientation and in the presence of increased internal pressure is provided.

Intravenous (IV) therapy allows fluids to be infused directly into a vein.
Compared to other fluid administration methods, IV therapy is one of the most efficient ways to deliver fluids to a patient. For infusion, a drip chamber is typically connected to the bottom of an IV bag contacting the fluid to be administered. Tubing is connected to the bottom of the drip chamber and can include means for intravenously inserting a needle or port though which the fluid is administered. The drip chamber permits gas (such as air) to escape from the fluid before the fluid enters a patient. In a patient, the inadvertent introduction of a gas bubble into a vein can result in what is called an embolism, which can in turn produce a blockage in a blood vessel. Many examples of the use of drip chambers by medical personnel to regulate the flow of intravenous fluids to a patient are known and disclosed in U.S. patents (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,395,260, 4,601,712 and 5,776,109).
The use of a drip chamber also allows an estimate of the rate at which fluids are administered. For a fluid of a given viscosity, drips from a hole of known size will be of nearly identical volume and the number of drips in a minute can be counted. The rate of flow can be controlled, e.g., by a clamp on the infusion tubing. The clamp affects the resistance to flow, and provides increased pressure within the cup. However, other sources of resistance (e.g., whether the patient's vein into which fluids are being delivered is kinked or compressed by the patient's position) cannot be so directly controlled, and a change in position may change the rate of flow leading inadvertently to either too rapid or too slow infusion. In problematic cases such as this, an infusion pump or pressurized infuser may be used which gives a more accurate measurement of flow rate.
In order to minimize the possibility of introducing gas bubbles, and maintain the correct "head height" (typically 39″ to 42″) for gravity infusion, plus avoid backward flow through the line, it is preferable to keep the drip chamber and infusion apparatus elevated over the patient. However, in emergency situations it is not always possible and/or convenient to keep the drip chamber and infusion apparatus elevated over the patient. Another problem that can occur is that the drip chamber can open up when under pressure resulting from resistance provided by clamping to control drip rate or by vein compression.
Therefore, there is a need for a drip cup assembly which can function consistently, from any position, in any situation, and which can withstand increased internal pressure.

Drip chamber assembly that functions irrespective of orientation


There is provided an information processing apparatus, including a storage section which stores a first image, which is an image of a format requiring license information in reproduction, to which reproduction is performed by a reproduction apparatus after being acquired, a conversion section which converts the first image into a second image of a format not requiring license information in reproduction, which is an image with content the same as content of the first image, and a distribution section which distributes the second image to the reproduction apparatus to be reproduced, during acquisition of the first image.

In the past, there have been image sharing services in which a plurality of users can share images online. For example, in the image sharing service disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a client terminal of a prescribed user transmits an image to a server, and the server receives and forwards this image to a different user of a distribution destination. Then, the client terminal of the user of the distribution destination receives and reproduces this image. In this way, images are shared between users.

Information processing apparatus and method, program, and information processing system


A semiconductor device card includes an electric circuit board, at least one panel having self-locking pawls formed at several places along the edge thereof, and a frame having engagement surfaces for engaging the pawls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a panel assembly structure of a semiconductor device card.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating conventional semiconductor device card. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line II--II of FIG. 1. A semiconductor device card 1 comprises an electric circuit board 2 having a plurality of electric circuit elements, e.g., semiconductor storage elements 3, mounted on both the obverse and reverse main surfaces thereof, housed in a case formed by a frame 4, and an obverse panel 5a and a reverse panel 5b which are fitted into the upper and lower sections of this frame. The edges of the electric circuit board 2 are supported and fixed by a supporting section 4a formed inside the frame 4 which surrounds the four sides of the electric circuit board 2. On the outer side of the frame 4, a plurality of terminals 6 which are used to electrically connect the semiconductor storage element 3 to the outside of the card are disposed.
The obverse panel 5a and the reverse panel 5b are used to protect the semiconductor storage element 3 from both the top and bottom sides. The obverse panel 5a and the reverse panel 5b are each fitted in the recessed sections 4b formed inside the upper and lower sections of the frame 4, and are fixed with an adhesive sheet such as double-sided tape, or an adhesive agent (both not shown).
Since the conventional semiconductor device card is constructed as described above, there exists a problem in that the strength of bonding between the obverse and reverse panels and the frame depends on an adhesive sheet or an adhesive agent, thus the strength of bonding is not uniform and varies widely, resulting in low reliability.

Semiconductor device card having a plurality of self-locking pawls


A method determines temperature information associated with a current coil connection in a meter. The method includes conveying heat from a current coil connection to a location proximate a winding disposed about a core. The core includes an opening through which a current carrying coil is disposed, the current carrying coil carrying current measured by the meter. The method also includes measuring a resistance of the winding disposed about a core, wherein the winding has a resistance that varies as a function of temperature. The method includes determining a temperature value based on the measured resistance and storing or communicating the determined temperature value.

Electricity meters that measure energy consumption or power consumption typically connect between a utility power line and a load. For example, an electricity meter for a residential customer is often connected at the point at which the electrical system of the residence connects to the utility line. The meter may thereby perform measurements regarding the energy consumed by the load.
Utility meters often include one or more electrical contacts across which a significant amount of current flows. For example, meters often have blades that connect across the power line to enable the measurement of load current and load voltage from within the meter. The blades are received by the jaws of a meter mounting device of the building. The jaws use spring compression to retain the blades securely. If the meter is to be replaced or repaired, the meter may be pulled out of the mounting device, and hence the blades out of the jaws. Although the blades and jaws are usually mechanically robust, they are nevertheless subject to wear, and possibly corrosion. This is particularly the case if the meter has been removed or replaced several times. If wear on the jaws is significant, or if the jaws have corrosion, then there is a possibility of introducing a non-trivial resistance at the jaw/blade connection, which is undesirable. Similarly it is possible for the spring used to effect jaw compression to lose some force with aging or heating over time resulting in a reduction of jaw compression force.
Likewise, certain meters have switches that allow for disconnection of electrical service to a load. For example, many meters allow for remote switching off of the load. Such switches necessarily must have substantial contacts because they carry the entire current of the load when the switch is closed. If these switches are used with some frequency, then there is a potential for degradation. Degradation of the switch contacts increases the resistance over the switch contacts. Such resistance creates additional power loss within the meter, which is undesirable.
Because it is undesirable to introduce resistance at the meter/socket connections or service switch connections, there is a need for a way to detect possible degradation of such connections over time.

Method for detecting a meter maintenance condition using winding resistance


A principal guide-plate (12a) is bent adjacent a first edge (13a) to define a retention groove (9) extending along an axis (y,y'). A secondary guide-plate (12b) is mounted parallel to the principal guide-plate with a first edge (13b) disposed parallel to and spaced from the principal guide plate first edge. A lever (16) is pivotally mounted (21) between the guide plates. The lever defines a cam surface (26) and a locking surface (25) for engaging a safety line (6) disposed in the retention groove. The lever has an aperture (23) at a second end for receiving a safety catch (5). The guide plates define a lower surface (17a, 17b) with a smaller radius (R1) and an upper surface (18a, 18b) with a larger radius (R2). A radial stop surface (20a, 20b) extends between the upper and lower arcuate surfaces to engage the safety-catch and prevent the lever from pivoting from a closed position (FIG. 10) in which the locking surface engages the safety line toward an intermediate position (FIG. 9) and an open position (FIG. 8) in which the safety line can be released from the mechanism.

The present invention concerns an individual safety device for falls from an altitude. It relates to a movable fall-preventing device specifically adapted to vertical safety supports, notably flexible supports, such as cables or ropes.
Personnel, which has to intervene on high installations and who must, to that end, climb or descend the length of towers or poles, must have the assurance that they will not sustain untimely falls. This is, for example, the case with installers or repair personnel of installations such as cable cars or ski lifts. It is thus necessary to assure them that they can freely climb or descend with the risk of falling.
Such devices are already known, comprising a safety rope or safety cable, which is arranged vertically, also called "life line", upon which the user relies in order to move in upward or downward direction. To that effect, the user is fitted with individual safety equipment connecting the user to the "life line" and comprising a harness attached to a movable fall-prevention device. The known devices, however, are not totally satisfactory when it comes to convenience and reliability.

Fall preventing mechanism for safety lines


A system and method of providing increased security of a personal computer through the use of its operating system and initialization. The invention provides a security profile which indicates the level of authorization which the user has and the security exposure which a user will be permitted, which combines with a stored log of attempts to access the personal computer through the use of the password and the results of each attempt to provide a system where unsuccessful attempts will turn off the system. The system also includes a plurality of access levels so that some functions in the computer may be denied to a user but permitted to a system administrator. The access log also may include a record of physical security attacks or attempt, such as removing the covers of a personal computer. The system and method of the present invention have the advantage that, as a result of maintaining information on access attempt and other security information, a security profile may be established and criteria imposed on the user which will improve the security of the personal computer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is an improved system and method for providing system security in a computer. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved security provided by the operating system of a personal computer.
2. Background Art
Security, particularly data security, is an essential aspect of any computer and its operating system. It is desirable to make data and programs stored on a computer system available to authorized users with a minimum of effort by (and delay to) an authorized user with minimum overhead to the computer while preferably denying access to the programs and data to those who are not authorized to use the data and programs (or at least delaying substantially and requiring much time and trouble).
It is well known to have a "power-on" password on a computer system. Such a system allows an authorized user to identify himself as an authorized user by his entry of the power-on password, then access the data and the programs stored on the computer.
It is also well known, particularly in large computer systems and in networks, to have different levels of security provided by password control. That is, a first user (or group of users) might have one level of authorization to perform some functions with the computer or the network and to be denied performing other functions, with a second user (or group of users) with a higher authorization being permitted to perform those functions the first user was denied. For example, in a grocery store, a cashier may be able to process sales transactions but not "credit" transactions (or credit transactions above a threshold), which may require a manager's authorization). As a second example of differing levels of authorization, in a mainframe computer, the password of the system administrator must be employed to add a new user to the list of authorized users, a function which an authorized user would not be permitted to perform.
But a personal computer might be subject to a variety of attacks, ranging from a physical attack (an attempt to get into the hardware by removing a cover or other enclosure) to repeated entry of different passwords to try to find the right password (a process which has been called "hammering" in the trade). Many of the present day personal computers have some form of security, perhaps a power-on password. These systems lack a log of the access attempts and the results thereof, allowing someone to try repeatedly different passwords until the valid password is determined. Some systems have a system which locks up after several failures to enter the proper password, but these systems then allow the computer to be powered down and powered back up for repeated efforts to find the right password. This system of having to power the computer down and back up may slow down the process of breaking into the computer but it does not prevent it.
Although it might be assumed that a personal computer bears a greater risk of security breaches at some times rather than others (for example, at night or on a weekend in an office environment, the security risk is greater because fewer people are present), the present security systems for personal computers do not take into account that the risk of security attempt differs by the day and time.
The Operating System Patent discloses the functions of an operating system and suggests some limited forms of security for the personal computer. Other personal computers on the market include some forms of security, sometimes quite limited such as a key lock, while others rely on a power-on password.
Accordingly, the current systems for providing computer security, particularly in a personal computer system, have undesirable limitations and disadvantages.

Method and system for improved computer security utilizing dynamically variable security profile


This invention relates to the use of catechol or substituted catechol half esters of beta-haloethylphosphonic acid to inhibit head formation in lettuce. Increased pigmentation of the head leaves is achieved as a result of the application.

This invention relates to the use of catechol or substituted catechol half esters of beta-haloethylphosphonic acid to inhibit head formation in lettuce.
Commercially important varieties of crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa) form heads, as they mature. Heads occur when the leaves curve over the center of the plant and fold over on each other tightly such that the exposure of the interior leaf tissue to sunlight is inhibited. Typically, these leaves are not well-pigmented and lack an abundance of chlorophyll in comparison with leaves that have been exposed to the sun. Though consumers enjoy the crisp nature of head lettuce, the lettuce lacks another highly valued consumer trait, darker green pigmentation, with a resulting higher .beta.-carotene content.
Some phosphonate compounds have found use in the agricultural art, for example, for herbicidal purposes as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,927,014 and 3,223,514. Compound 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,819 to be useful in inhibiting plant growth. It is currently marketed for use in tomatoes, cherries, grapes, apples, walnuts, peppers, blackberries and cantaloupes and is advocated for the use of promoting early coloration and maturity of tomatoes, grapes, apples and pears. In the case of cherries, walnuts and apples, it loosens the fruit for earlier, more efficient harvest. The compound promotes fruit abscission in cantaloupes and accelerates ripening and loosening of blackberries.

Method for inhibition of head formation in lettuce


A method, system and machine-readable storage medium for monitoring an engine using a cascaded neural network that includes a plurality of neural networks is disclosed. In operation, the method, system and machine-readable storage medium store data corresponding to the cascaded neural network. Signals generated by a plurality of engine sensors are then inputted into the cascaded neural network. Next, a second neural network is updated at a first rate, with an output of a first neural network, wherein the output is based on the inputted signals. In response, the second neural network outputs at a second rate, at least one engine control signal, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate.

Internal combustion engines have been widely used for many years as power sources in passenger vehicles, tractor trailers, earth movers, military vehicles, etc. As the engines have become more complex and their performance requirements more restrictive, so too have the methods for monitoring the engines and controlling the combustion process. For example, a combustion-type gas turbine has a gas path which typically includes, in a serial-flow relationship, an air intake (or inlet), a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a gas outlet (or exhaust nozzle). Sensors located at various locations throughout the gas path provide feedback to one or more proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers that then compare the feedback to desired predetermined values. If unexpected differences exist, changes are made to the input variables to return the output values to an acceptable range. PID controllers provide satisfactory control behavior for many single input/single output systems whose dynamics change within a relatively small range. However, efficient operation of modern turbo-charged diesel engines (e.g., to obtain desired fuel economy, establish and maintain a desired power output, and reduce the level of emissions) requires the processing of a number of interrelated, but not easily measured engine and turbine operating parameters to determine optimal settings for fuel flow and distribution, and intake air flow. Since each PID controller has only one input variable and one output variable, they lack the ability to control a system with multivariable input and outputs.
This has led engine designers and manufacturers to explore other, more capable methods to control engine operation. One such method is the use of neural network controllers. Unlike PID (or classical) controllers, neural network controllers solve for an ad hoc control relationship. In other words, neural networks do not need to "know" the governing equations of a specific system they are controlling. A neural network merely needs some set of outputs and inputs accumulated from a system during a learning period to create a control rule for controlling the system in the future. One particularly popular neural network controller, known as a back propagation (BP) neural network includes a plurality of processing elements called neural units arranged in layers with interconnections between units of successive layers. Typically, a BP neural network has an input layer, an output layer, and one or more "hidden" layers in between. The hidden layer is necessary to allow solutions of nonlinear problems. Each unit functions in ways analogous to a biological neuron; a unit is capable of generating an output signal which is determined by the weighted sum of input signals it receives and a threshold specific to that unit. A unit is provided with inputs (either from outside the network or from other units) and uses these to compute a linear or non-linear output. The unit's output goes either to other units in subsequent layers or to outside the network. The input signals to each unit are weighted either positively or negatively, by factors derived in a learning process.
When the weight and threshold factors have been set to correct levels, a complex stimulus pattern at the input layer successively propagates between hidden layers, to result in a simpler output pattern, such as only one output layer unit having a significantly strong output. The network is "taught" by feeding it a succession of input patterns and corresponding expected output patterns. The network "learns" by measuring the difference (at each output unit) between the expected output pattern and the pattern that it just produced. Having done this, the internal weights and thresholds are modified by a learning algorithm to provide an output pattern which more closely approximates the expected output pattern, while minimizing the error over the spectrum of input patterns. Neural network learning is an iterative process, involving multiple "lessons". Neural networks have the ability to process information in the presence of noisy or incomplete data and still generalize to the correct solution.
Even though BP neural networks are often well-suited to accurately model and control engine operation, they are not ideally suited for all such applications. One drawback of BP neural networks is related to the fact that in certain small computer applications, the extensive mathematical manipulations are time-consuming, and thus do not render control possible in real time for an actual physical system. For such applications, system designers in the past have implemented a less capable cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) network, which is not as computationally intensive as a BP neural network. CMAC computes control functions by transforming each input variable into a set of intermediate variables, which are combined to select a unique set of weights. These weights are then summed to produce an output. The fact that each possible input vector selects a unique set of memory locations, rather than a unique single location, allows CMAC to generalize (produce similar outputs for similar inputs) by controlling the degree of overlap in the sets of memory locations which are selected for each input vector. Since CMAC networks are not capable of efficiently processing multiple inputs to generate multiple outputs, they are not effective for use in most modern combustion engines.
In the past, one or more neural networks have been linked together or cascaded, to improve their ability to model complex multivariable processes. Unfortunately, the improved processing capabilities have typically resulted in a lower processing throughput by the CPU. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,282 to Hansen et al., discloses a multivariable nonlinear process controller that includes cascaded controllers for achieving optimal performance when the underlying process includes unmeasured disturbances, modeling errors, and unpredictable process changes. That reference, however, does not disclose the capability to provide increased processing capabilities at speeds normally associated with less capable neural networks.
Therefore a control system is needed that can perform robust calculations associated with BP neural networks, and provide them with the speed normally associated with CMAC networks.

Engine control system using a cascaded neural network


A MAC aggregation technique utilizing a large field addition operation is disclosed. The large field addition operation defines the addition of two or more MACs mod p, where the two or MACs may comprise constituent MACs or aggregate MACs, and where p is a prime number that is large relative to the size of the MACs. The disclosed MAC aggregation technique yields an aggregate MAC much shorter than the concatenation of constituent MACs while achieving security even in the case where constituent MACs may be aggregated in duplicate.

A message authentication code (MAC, or MAC "tag") is a digital signal sequence used for authenticating a message exchanged between a sender and receiver each having a shared secret "key." In a typical MAC authentication scenario, the sender of a message runs it through a cryptographic hash function having the message and the secret key as inputs, yielding a MAC tag as an output. The sender then sends the message and the tag to the receiver. The receiver runs the received message through the same MAC algorithm using the same key, yielding a second MAC tag. The receiver then compares the tag generated by itself to the tag received from the sender and if they are the same, the message is deemed authentic. If they are not the same, it is an indication that the message was altered or compromised in some manner during the exchange.
Although MAC tags are relatively short, they can represent a significant overhead in data networks that include multiple nodes generating multiple messages and hence, multiple different MAC tags. This overhead is most pronounced when the MAC tags are larger than the messages themselves. As one example, distributed sensor networks (such as "Smart Grid" energy metering networks) rely on a multitude of deployed cheap sensors to report measurements, such as temperature, electricity consumption, etc. This data is transmitted hop-by-hop over multiple nodes and needs to be authenticated and verified by a central node. The measurement data can be quite small (e.g., on the order of 10-15 bits), whereas the typical MAC tag is 128 bits which is roughly an order of magnitude larger than the data it authenticates.
To mitigate the overheads inherent in multi-node data networks, the concept of aggregate MACs (comprising an aggregation of multiple MAC tags into a shorter tag) has been proposed by the cryptographic community. Aggregate MACs are much shorter than the concatenation of constituent MACs, thus greatly reducing the network overhead, yet can still be verified by a central node that shares a distinct key with each sending node. However, existing MAC aggregation techniques do not guarantee security of the aggregate MAC if more than two identical messages are aggregated together. This is a significant impediment in the practice of secure networking, since a plurality of message delivery and routing protocols, such as flooding, rely on (or at least allow) duplicate messages being authenticated. Accordingly, there is a need for improved MAC aggregation techniques that not only greatly reduce the overhead of a multi-node data network, but that guarantee security even in the case where constituent MACs may be aggregated in duplicate. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to addressing this need.

MAC aggregation with message multiplicity for use in a multi-node data network


A method by which many plants control organ shape is by regulated, differential cellular expansion. A gene involved in regulating the expansion of plants cells, such as Arabidopsis thaliana root cells is COBRA which encodes a protein with a putative GPI anchor. Plants comprising altered root morphologies may be produced by control of COBRA activity. For example, roots which lack COBRA activity comprise thicker, fatter roots (a CORE or cob phenotype) which are well suited for penetrating dense, compacted soil. Plants lacking COBRA activity may be useful in applications wherein plant growth in areas with dense soil would be beneficial. The present invention comprises the Arabidopsis thaliana COBRA gene and COBRA protein and homologues thereof as well as mutated alleles of COBRA. Also provided are anti-COBRA antibodies, transgenic plants which overexpress COBRA and methods for identifying COBRA modulating substances.

To control organ shape, plant cells expand differentially. The organization of the cellulose microfibrils in the cell wall is a key determinant of differential expansion. Mutations in the COBRA (COB) gene of Arabidopsis thaliana, known to affect the orientation of cell expansion in the root, are reported here to reduce the amount of crystalline cellulose in cell walls in the root growth zone. The COB gene, identified by map-based cloning, contains a sequence motif found in proteins that are anchored to the extracellular surface of the plasma membrane through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) linkage. In animal cells, this lipid linkage is known to confer polar localization to proteins. The COB protein was detected predominately on the longitudinal sides of root cells in the zone of rapid elongation. Moreover, COB RNA levels are dramatically upregulated in cells entering the zone of rapid elongation. Based on these results, models are proposed for the role of COB as a regulator of oriented cell expansion.
Because there is no morphogenetic movement of plant cells, control of the three-dimensional structure of organs is only through regulation of cell division and cell expansion. Distinct from most other eukaryotes, after division, plant cells dramatically increase their size achieving volumes that can be hundreds of times their original size (Cosgrove, D. J., Annu. Rev. Cell. Dev. Biol. 13: 171–201, 1997). For plant organs to attain their final morphology and function properly, constituent cells must tightly regulate the way in which they expand. The orientation and extent of an individual cell's expansion are key parameters in determining its size and shape, yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate either aspect of cell expansion.
Although cell expansion is driven by cell turgor, all evidence indicates that neither water flow nor solute influx to maintain turgor is the primary determinant of the extent or direction of cell expansion (Pritchard, J., New Phytol. 127: 3–26, 1994); rather, the plant cell wall is believed to be the regulator of both. The plant cell wall comprises an array of para-crystalline cellulose microfibrils, which are associated with cross-linking glycans (e.g, hemicellulose) and embedded in a matrix of pectin and small amounts of protein (McCann, M. C., et al., "Architecture of the primary cell wall." in The cytoskeletal basis of plant growth and form (ed, C. W. Lloyd), pp. 109–129. Academic Press, London, 1991; Carpita, N. C., et al., Plant J. 3, 1–30, 1993). The polysaccharides of the growing plant cell wall are mostly long-chained polymers that form a cohesive network through non-covalent lateral associations and physical entanglements (Cosgrove, D. J., Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 50: 391–417, 1999). The cell wall's ability to withstand enormous osmotic pressure while readjusting the arrangement of these constituent polymers appears to be critical to the expansion process.
Regulation of the direction in which a cell expands involves oriented control of cell wall extension as well as polarized deposition of new wall materials (Carpita, N. C., et al., Plant J. 3, 1–30, 1993). Biophysical considerations indicate that there must be a component in the expanding walls that resists the osmotic pressure, thereby channeling the direction of cell elongation. Most evidence points to cellulose microfibrils as the primary load-bearing component of the expanding cell wall performing this function (Pritchard, J., New Phytol. 127: 3–26, 1994). In many cell types, cellulose microfibrils have been shown to be oriented perpendicular to the primary direction of expansion, analogous to hoops around a barrel (Green, P. B., Ann. Rev. Plant. Physiol. 51–82, 1980; Giddings, T. H. J., et al., "Microtubule-mediated control of microfibril deposition: A re-examination of the hypothesis" in The cytoskeletal basis of plant growth and form (ed, C. W. Lloyd), pp. 85–99. Academic, London, 1991). Therefore, to regulate the orientation of cell expansion, the cell must be able to control the deposition and spatial organization of cellulose microfibrils as well as rearrange bonds to allow the wall to yield to or resist the osmotic pressure. Unlike pectins and cross-linking glycans, which are made in the cytoplasm and transported out to the wall via the Golgi apparatus (Gibeaut, D. M., et al., FASEB J. 8: 904–915, 1994), cellulose microfibrils are synthesized at the cell membrane-cell wall interface (Delmer, D. P., Plant Mol. Biol. 50: 245–276, 1999). The cellulose microfibrils that are spooled around plant cells are generated by multimeric protein complexes in the plasma membrane commonly referred to as the "terminal complexes" or "particle rosettes". About three dozen individual polymer chains of (1–4)-β-D-glucans are synthesized and subsequently crystallized into a microfibril (Delmer, D. P., Plant Mol. Biol. 50: 245–276, 1999). The process of microfibril crystallization may be facilitated by a subunit of the rosette complex (Delmer, D. P., et al., Plant Cell 7: 987–1000, 1995). Recently, genes have been identified that are involved either in the synthesis of cellulose (Arioli, T., et al., Science 279: 717–720, 1998; Pear, J. R., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 93: 12637–12642, 1996; Turner, S. R., et al., Plant Cell 9: 689–701, 1997; Taylor, N. G., et al., Plant Cell 11: 769–780, 1999; Fagard, M., et al., The Plant Cell, 12, 2000 (in press)) or of non-cellulosic polysaccharide components at the Golgi apparatus or involved in their secretion to the wall (Lukowitz, et al., Cell 84, 61–71, 1996; Bonin, C. P., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 2085–2090, 1997; Nicol, F., et al., EMBO J. 17: 5563–5576, 1998; Edwards, M. E., et al., Plant J. 19, 691–697, 1999; Perrin, R. M., et al., Science 284: 1976–1979, 1999; Gibeaut, D. M., Plant Physiol. Biochem. 38: 69–80, 2000). Genes and their products have also been identified that function in rearranging bonds in the cell wall to allow for extensibility (Cosgrove, D. J., Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 50: 391–417, 1999). In particular, expansins are a family of proteins involved in the disruption of the non-covalent bonds between cellulose microfibrils and cross-linking glycans, causing rapid induction of wall extension (McQueen-Mason, S., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91: 6574–6578, 1994). However, regulation of the orientation or extent of expansion is still poorly understood at the molecular level. To further understand the molecular mechanisms involved in cell expansion we have cloned the COBRA (COB) gene and determined its pattern of expression in roots. Initially cobra, a member of the conditional root expansion (CORE) class of mutants, was isolated in a screen for Arabidopsis seedlings with abnormally expanded roots (Benfey, P. N., et al., Development 119: 57–70, 1993). The phenotype of all CORE mutants is conditional on the root growing in the presence of high concentrations of sucrose or other conditions that stimulate rapid root growth (Hauser, M. T., et al., Development 121: 1237–1252, 1995). Root cells in cob appear to be expanded more in the radial than the longitudinal orientation while maintaining cell volume, indicating a role for COBRA in regulating the orientation of cell expansion. Here we report that COB encodes a putative GPI-anchored protein that is localized primarily in the plasma membrane of the longitudinal sides of root cells, and plays a role in determining the orientation of cell expansion.


An arrangement to control an antenna arrangement in a magnetic resonance examination representatively has a device for signal splitting. This device has an input and a first input and a second output. A radio-frequency transmission signal is supplied at the input. The device for signal splitting has phase-shaping components with which the transmission signal supplied via the input is divided into a first transmission signal for the first output and a second transmission signal for the second output. A phase difference between the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal can be adjusted by the phase-shaping components. An antenna arrangement is provided that has a first and second connections and that is fashioned to radiate a circularly-polarized transmission signal as soon as the two transmission signals with a phase difference of 90° are present at both connections. Each output of the device for signal splitting is connected with an associated connection of the antenna arrangement. The device for signal splitting has switchable components with which selected ones of the phase-shaping components can be activated or deactivated in order to alter the phase difference.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an arrangement to control an antenna arrangement as well as a device for signal splitting and a transmission method, for a magnetic resonance examination to be implemented.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Presently techniques known as "transmit-sense" techniques are under discussion for use in magnetic resonance examinations of patients in order to excite nuclear spins in a narrowly limited range in a targeted manner.
This technique enables the effective integral of the radio-frequency magnetic field for examination to be directed only in a narrowly limited region of interest for the excitation of the nuclear spins, while also enabling the integral of the radio-frequency magnetic field (which integral is effective for the excitation of the nuclear spins) to be homogeneously adjusted in the examination region.
Multiple transmitters are used in this technique, each of which is connected with an antenna element of a transmission antenna arrangement. For example, the transmission antenna arrangement is fashioned in the form of a birdcage antenna. A radio-frequency signal is emitted via each transmission element in a transmission time period. In their time curve, the radio-frequency signals differ entirely from one another in terms of their voltages, frequencies and phases.
Today circularly-polarized transmission signals are preferably used for examination.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary arrangement of a circularly-polarized transmission signal according to the prior art.
A radio-frequency transmission signal SS arrives at a radio-frequency splitter SPLIT as an amplified transmission signal VSS via a transmission power amplifier PA. The radio-frequency splitter SPLIT has two inputs In1, IN2 as well as two outputs Out1, Out2, wherein the amplified transmission signal VSS is connected to a first input In1.
The radio-frequency splitter SPLIT divides the transmission signal VSS in two, into essentially equal transmission signals SS1 and SS2, with the two transmission signals SS1 and SS2 being phase-shifted relative to one another by 90°.
A first transmission signal SS1 arrives at a first connection A1 of an antenna arrangement ANT while a second transmission signal SS2 arrives at a second connection A1 of the antenna arrangement ANT. The two connections A1, A2 form respective feed points of the antenna arrangement ANT.
The antenna arrangement ANT is fashioned to radiate a circularly-polarized transmission signal when two transmission signals (ideally phase-shifted by 90°) are fed to it via the feed points.
In this example the antenna arrangement ANT is fashioned as what is known as a birdcage resonator. The two connections A1 and A2 are arranged offset on a ferrule of the antenna ANT such that a circularly-polarized transmission signal is radiated by the transmission signals phase-shifted by 90°.
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment according to the prior art, based on FIG. 3 of the radio-frequency splitter SPLIT.
The radio-frequency splitter SPLIT has a first input In1, a second input In2, a first output Out1 and a second output Out2. The amplified transmission signal VSS is connected at the first input In1.
The first input In1 is connected via a first inductor L1 with the first output Out1 while the second input In2 is connected via a second inductor L2 with the second output Out2. It is also possible to magnetically couple the inductors L1, L2.
The first input In1 is connected via a first capacitor C1 with the second input In2 while the first output Out1 is connected via a second capacitor C2 with the second output Out2.
The second input In2 is connected via a resistor Z with a reference potential (here the ground) such that constant power components reflected in the outputs Out1, Out2 are compensated in the resistor Z.
The first output Out1 is connected with the first connection A1 of the antenna arrangement ANT while the second output Out2 is connected with a second connection A2 of the antenna arrangement ANT.
The values of the inductors L1, L2, the coil coupling and the values of the capacitors C1, C2 are selected such that the desired phase difference of 90° between the two transmission signals SS1 and SS2 results at the outputs Out1, Out2 of the frequency splitter SPLIT.
Here the first transmission signal SS1 that is fed via the first output Out1 to the first connection A1 as a first feed point at the ferrule of the antenna ANT has a phase position of 90°.
The circularly-polarized transmission signal is formed by the phase-shifted control at the aforementioned connections A1, A2.
In magnetic resonance apparatuses that are operated with magnetic field strengths of greater than or equal to three Tesla and that use circularly-polarized transmission signals, currents are induced in the tissue of the subject due to different relative permittivities (dielectric constants) and conductivities of the human tissue.
Depending on the type of the tissue and after distribution of the currents, these currents cause an amplification or reduction of the exciting radio-frequency magnetic field. These effects disadvantageously affect the examination.


Glutamate Transporter Associated Proteins and nucleotide encoding Glutamate Transporter Associated Proteins are provided. Also provided is a method for identifying a compound that modulates a cellular response mediated by a Glutamate Transporter Associated Protein. A method is further provided for identifying a compound that inhibits an interaction between a Glutamate Transporter Associated Protein and a glutamate transporter protein. A method is provided for treating a disorder associated with glutamate transport.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to protein-protein interactions and more specifically to Glutamate Transporter Associated Proteins involved in mediating glutamate transport, chloride transport and cytoskeletal stability and their association with glutamate transporter proteins.
2. Background Information
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, acting on postsynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors (particularly NMDA and AMPA receptors). In addition, glutamate stimulates a subset of metabotropic glutamate receptors (particularly the group I metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluR1a and mGluR5) concentrated in the postsynaptic membrane. The timely removal of glutamate from the synaptic cleft is critical to preventing desensitization resulting from continued exposure of the postsynaptic receptors to glutamate. Removal of glutamate from the synaptic cleft is mediated by a class of molecules known as glutamate transporter proteins located on surrounding astroglia and neurons. Five distinct, high-affinity, sodium-dependent glutamate transporters have been identified in animal and human central nervous system. Rat GLAST, GLT-1, EAAC1 (EAAT1, EAAT2 and EATT3, respectively, in human), EAAT4 and EAAT5 differ in structure, pharmacological properties and tissue distribution.
Glutamate transport is a sodium- and potassium-coupled process capable of concentrating intracellular glutamate up to 10,000-fold compared with the extracellular environment. The stoichiometry of the process has been studied and at several models exist proposing various ionic exchanges. In one model derived from salamander retinal glial cells, the transport process is coupled to the co-transport of two sodium ions and the counter-transport of one potassium ion and one hydroxyl ion. (Bouvier et al. (1992), Nature 360:471-474). Another model proposes that with EAAC1, one glutamate is co-transported with three sodium ions and one hydrogen ion, with the counter-transport of one potassium ion (Zerangue et al, Nautre (1996) 383:634-637). Yet another study suggests that two sodium ions are co-transported with one glutamate molecule (Hart et al., Science (1998) 280:2112-2114).
The cloning of glutamate transporter subtypes and detailed electrophysiological studies of these proteins reveals that glutamate transporters also possess channel-like properties. The conduct chloride flux is not thermodynamically coupled to substrate transport, although at transportable substrate is required for the chloride conductance. The binding of glutamate to the transporter may change its conformational state to form the chloride channel.
In addition to their possible role in development and learning (due to their potential for modulating normal synaptic transmission), the regulation of synaptic glutamate transporters is likely to play an important role in acute and chronic neurological processes. They can be involved through the disruption of synaptic transmission as well as through glutamate mediated excitotoxicity. Several diseases are associated with disruptions in glutamate transport.
Loss of cerebellar Purkinje cell is the hall mark of several inherited neurodegenerative diseases, including the trinucleotide repeat diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), and is commonly associated with neurotoxicity of chronic ethanol ingestion, and with certain paraneoplastic neurological disorders. Although the molecular event that initiates the disease is known—a trinucleotide repeat—the cellular mechanisms responsible for Purkinje cell degeneration is not known. The selective loss of glutamate transporters such as EAAT4 could make the protein an attractive candidate for a downstream event.
Similarly, dysregulation of glutamate transporter EAAC1 could also have pathological consequences. EAAC1 has the unusual localization to GABA pre-synaptic terminals. This transport could serve as a precursor transporter, supplying extracellular glutamate for GABA re-synthesis. GABA normally is synthesized, via glutamate amino decarboxylase, from glutamate. The source of this glutamate has been traditionally thought to be cellular glutamate. However, the unique localization of the glutamate transporter to GABA terminals suggests that these transporters supply precurser glutamate for GABA re-synthesis. Thus, EAAC1 could serve as an important step in GABAergic neurotransmission. Modulation of GABAergic metabolism is associated with a number of neurological disorders, including epilepsy, tremors, and spasticity. In addition, some theories of schizophrenia include disturbances of glutamate and GABA metabolism.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for compounds that regulate glutamate transport and in particular, compounds and molecules that interact with glutamate transporter proteins.

Glutamate transporter associated proteins and methods of use thereof


A computer peripheral device includes a body, a printed circuit board (PCB), a light source, and a reflecting device within the body arranged to cause light to be emitted from the body in a homogeneous manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer peripheral device, and in particular to a peripheral device that emits a homogeneous or uniform light therefrom.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Computer peripheral devices, including but not limited to a computer mouse, trackball, keyboard, wireless receiver, hub, card reader, or mainframe, are well developed in function due to the successive advances in electronic technology. As a result, there are limited opportunities for enhancing market appeal by improving function. Instead, manufacturers have begun to concentrate on providing an enchanting appearance so as to satisfy the customer.
Besides providing various shapes and colors of the peripheral housing, the appearance of the peripheral devices can be improved by projecting light from the inside of the housing to create a surprising variety of visional effects. The known prior art disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,420 is a light emitting input device that utilizes a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source in the housing. However, the projected area is too narrow to light the whole housing evenly. Even if the number of LEDs is increased, the housing of the device still rudely shows light spots corresponding to the number of LEDs in the housing. In addition, the heat generated by the LEDs is of serious concern as it can damage the whole electronic device.

Computer peripheral device arranged to emit a homogeneous light


The present invention relates to methods for screening body fluids or tissues for antibodies, including neutralizing and isotype-specific antibodies, against lysosomal enzymes administered as part of enzyme replacement therapy.

Lysosomal storage diseases known as mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) (Klock et al., Internat Pediatr. 9:40-48 (1994); Starr et al., Glycosylation & Disease 1:165-176 (1994)) are caused by a deficiency in an enzyme or combination of enzymes. These lysosomal storage diseases are characterized by intralysosomal accumulation of undegraded glycosaminoglycans, excessive urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans, progressive mental and physical deterioration, and premature death. Patients are usually born without the visible clinical features of MPS, but develop progressive clinical involvement. Each type of MPS has specific lysosomal enzyme deficiency with a characteristic degree of organ involvement and rate of deterioration. See Muenzer, Adv. Pediatri. 33:269-302 (1986).
For example, MPS VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) is a lysosomal storage disease in which the affected patients lack the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase (ASB). The enzyme metabolizes the sulfate moiety of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) dermatan sulfate (Neufeld et al., "The mucopolysaccharidoses" The Metabolic Basis of Inherited Disease, Eds. Scriver et al., New York:McGraw-Hill, 1989, pp. 1565-1587). In the absence of the enzyme, the stepwise degradation of dermatan sulfate is blocked and the substrate accumulates intracellularly in the lysosome in a wide range of tissues. The accumulation causes a progressive disorder with multiple organ and tissue involvement in which the infant appears normal at birth, but usually dies before puberty. The diagnosis of MPS VI is usually made at 6-24 months of age when children show progressive deceleration of growth, enlarged liver and spleen, skeletal deformities, coarse facial features, upper airway obstruction, and joint deformities. Progressive clouding of the cornea, communicating hydrocephalus, or heart disease may develop in MPS VI children. Death usually results from respiratory infection or cardiac disease. MPS VI is not typically associated with progressive impairment of mental status, although physical limitations may impact learning and development. Although most MPS VI patients have the severe form of the disease which is usually fatal by the teenage years, affected patients with a less severe form of the disease have been described who may survive for decades.
Some patients die from disease-related complications between childhood and early adulthood. One way to treat lysosomal storage diseases is by intravenous enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) (Kakkis, Expert Opin Investig Drugs 11(5):675-85 (2002)). ERT takes advantage of the vasculature to carry enzyme from a single site of administration to most tissues. Once the enzyme has been widely distributed, it must be taken up into cells. The basis for uptake into cells is found in a unique feature of lysosomal enzymes: lysosomal enzymes constitute a separate class of glycoproteins defined by phosphate at the 6-position of terminal mannose residues. Mannose 6-phosphate is bound with high affinity and specificity by a receptor found on the surface of most cells (Munier-Lehmann et al., Biochem. Soc. Trans. 24(1): 133-6 (1996); Marnell et al., J. Cell. Biol. 99(6):1907-16 (1984)). The mannose 6-phosphate receptor (MPR) directs uptake of enzyme from blood to tissue and then mediates intracellular routing to the lysosome.
Recombinant human ASB (rhASB) has been developed as an enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of MPS VI. RhASB is internalized into the lysosome through the Calcium Independent Mannose-6-Phosphate Receptor (CIMPR). In this subcellular compartment, the low pH (pH 4-4.5) and proteolysis would decrease or eliminate the interaction of antibody and rhASB.
A potential side effect of administration of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the development of enzyme-specific antibodies in patients receiving multiple rounds of therapy. These enzyme-specific antibodies may precipitate potential adverse events and changes in clinical efficacy, including anaphylactoid-type reactions associated with antibodies of the IgE isotype, changes in pharmacokinetic profile, neutralization of the enzymatic activity in the lysosome, interference with receptor-mediated enzyme uptake, and breaking of tolerance toward self proteins. Reliable assays to accurately measure development of anti-enzyme antibodies would enable assessment of the treatment regimen in a patient receiving ERT and facilitate more efficient design of patient therapy (Mire-Sluis et al., J. Immunological Methods 289:1-16 (2004)). Thus, there remains a need in the art for reliable, sensitive assays that detect antibodies to lysosomal enzymes useful in enzyme replacement therapy.

Assay for detection of antibodies to lysosomal enzymes


A method for variable operation of a vehicle transmission using rough road sensing includes defining a first set of parameters to calibrate the vehicle transmission for a smooth road condition and a second set of parameters to calibrate the vehicle transmission for a rough road condition. The method includes sensing a road condition, generating a road condition signal corresponding to the road condition, and measuring a magnitude of the road condition signal. The method includes switching from the first set of parameters to the second set of parameters to operate the vehicle transmission when the magnitude of the road condition signal exceeds a first predetermined threshold. The method includes switching from the second set of parameters to the first set of parameters to operate the vehicle transmission when the magnitude of the road condition signal is less than a second predetermined threshold that is different than the first predetermined threshold.

Calibrating a vehicle transmission optimizes ride comfort, performance, and fuel efficiency of a vehicle. Calibration of an automatic transmission of a vehicle requires adjusting parameters such as gear shift times, shift schedules, etc., of the transmission to achieve smooth transmission operation, fuel efficiency etc. Generally, during normal driving conditions, a transmission is calibrated with emphasis on smooth transmission operation to enhance ride comfort. Often, fuel efficiency is sacrificed to achieve smooth transmission operation.
On rough roads, however, the magnitude of vibrations experienced by a vehicle occupant due to the roughness of the road can be significantly higher than the magnitude of vibrations caused by a transmission that is calibrated for optimum fuel efficiency. Therefore, when the road conditions are rough, the emphasis on smooth transmission operation in calibrating a transmission is less important.

Variable operation of vehicle transmissions using rough road sensing


The present invention discloses a fiber-grade polyphenylene sulfide resin synthesis method, taking sodium bisulfide and p-dichlorobenzene as raw materials, N-methyl pyrrolidone as the solvent and C5-C6 fatty acid salt formed through dehydration to C5-C6 fatty acid and sodium hydroxide as the polymerization additive for synthesis through polymerization. White polyphenylene sulfide resin is obtained through acidification and washing of reaction slurry. In view of the fact that MFR is below 125 g/10 min, weight-average molecular weight as measured by GPC is over 4.2×104, and whiteness is over 90, it can satisfy requirements for fiber polyphenylene sulfide resin. C5-C6 fatty acid salt according to the method of the present invention has a higher solubility in NMP, which can better promote polymerization. It is to be fully diverted into the filtrate after filter prior to conversion into free fatty acid again through acidification with hydrochloric acid. C5-C6 fatty acid is available for azeotropy with water, which has a limited solubility in water. Therefore, it is applicable to recycle C5-C6 fatty acid from the filtrate through azeotropy with water, and thereby solve the problem with separation of additive and sodium chloride that are soluble in water.

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is also known as thiophenylene, which has a symmetrical macromolecular linear rigid structure formed by association between phenyl ring and sulfur atom; its molecular structure is shown as follows:

Polyphenylene sulfide is an excellent special engineering plastic, which serves as the sixth universal engineering plastics following polycarbonate (PC), polyester (PET), polyformaldehyde (POM), polyamide (PA) and polyphenylene oxide (PPO) as well as one of the eight aerospace materials. Owing to its chemical structure featuring in alternating and ordered arrangement of sulfur atoms and phenyl rings, polyphenylene sulfide can ensure highly stable chemical bond of molecules, which has such features as high temperature and radiation resistance, flame retardancy, low viscosity, high dimensional stability, high resistance to solvents and chemical corrosion, excellent dielectrical properties and wear resistance. Its major physiochemical properties are stated as follows:
(1) High temperature resistance: PPS has excellent thermal performance with melting point and thermal deformation temperature over 280° C. and 260° C. respectively; it can withstand an instantaneous temperature of 260° C. and is available for long-term application below the temperature of 200° C. As its thermal deformation temperature is up to 350° C., it is presently one of the thermoplastic engineering plastics with maximum working temperature.
(2) Chemical resistance: High chemical resistance is one of the most distinctive features of PPS; its chemical stability is just next to polytetrafluoroethene (PTEE). PPS is stable to most acids, esters, ketones, aldehydes, phenols as well as fatty, aromatic, chlorinated hydrocarbons, etc. So far, no solvent that can dissolve polyphenylene sulfide below the temperature of 200° C. has been discovered yet. PPS has a high resistance to inorganic acid, alkali and salts. It is only soluble in diphenyl and diphenyl ethers as well as their halides above the temperature of 250° C.
(3) Excellent electrical properties: PPS has excellent electrical properties; its dielectric constant and tangent value of dielectric loss angle are relatively low as compared with other engineering plastics, which can remain almost unchanged in case of excessive frequency, temperature and temperature ranges. PPS also has high resistance to electric arc, which is on par with thermosetting plastics. PPS is frequently used as insulating material for electrical appliances, of which consumption accounts for approximately 30% of the total consumption amount of the PPS.
(4) Flame retardancy and wear resistance: PPS has an oxygen index of 46-53, which is available for combustion on the flame other than dripping. It is to be extinguished automatically once moved away from the flame, of which smoke production is lower than that of halogenated polymers. It is up to the high flame retardancy criteria of UL-94V-O without addition of any fire retardant. It is applicable to fill in fluororesin and carbon fiber lubricant to significantly improve wear resistance and properties of PPS.
(5) Perfect machining performance: It is applicable to produce PPS by means of injection, mold pressing and extrusion to ensure relatively low forming shrinkage, linear expansion coefficient and water absorption. Its products are free of any deformation in the environment of high temperature and humidity.
Owing to its excellent properties and perfect compatibility to inorganic fillers, reinforced fibers and other polymer materials, polyphenylene sulfide can be fabricated into various reinforced fillers and polymer alloys. It has extensive applications, which is mainly used in such industries as electronic and electrical appliances, precise instruments, machineries, vehicles, household appliances, films, fibers, power supply, aviation, environmental protection and chemistry.
As reported by literatures, there are numerous methods for synthesis of PPS. However, there is only one real industrialized method for synthesis of PPS through polycondensation between sulfides and polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. Sulfides are mainly represented by sodium sulfide and sodium bisulfide or hydrogen sulfide as reported by literatures. Working principle of hydrogen sulfide is almost identical to that of sodium sulfide. The only difference lies in the supplemented reaction for generation of sodium sulfide by using sodium hydroxide to absorb sodium bisulfide gas. Presently, most of PPS manufacturers and research institutions are concentrated in USA, Japan and China.
Phillips Petroleum Company developed a method for industrialized synthesis of PPS in 1960s and 1970s. The company proposed for the first time to use sodium sulfide and dichlorobenzene as materials and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as the solvent for production of PPS resin with melting point over 275° C. through dehydration and polycondensation in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,354,129, and realized industrialized production of PPS for the first time in 1971. Its products were later put into the market under the commodity name of "Ryton". Owing to low price and easy acquisition of materials, limited technical route, stable production quality and high yield, the method for synthesis of PPS by using sodium sulfide as material has attracted high attentions. For similar synthesis methods, one can refer to U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,454, U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,865, U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,356, U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,260, U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,118 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,263. At the early stage, impact resistance of products produced with such method was relatively poor due to relatively lower molecular weight (weight-average molecular weight is below 2.0×104). Moreover, humidity resistance, electrical properties and shaping properties are relatively poor due to existence of inorganic salt. To lower fluidity of resin, and satisfy processing requirements, two methods were used to increase molecular weight of resin during early industrialized production of PPS. One method was expected to obtain PPS resin of low cross-linking level by reducing molecular weight for thermal oxidized cross linking; whereas the other method aimed to obtain branch chained PPS resin by adding limited amount of third reaction monomer (normally polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons above trifunctional level). Nevertheless, the resin as obtained through thermal oxidized cross linking was unavailable for spinning; whereas spinning performance of PPS resin as obtained through addition of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons above trifunctional level was also unsatisfactory.
Phillips Petroleum Company was the only company engaged in production of PPS resin before 1985 due to patent protection. However, other companies began to establish production facilities to produce PPS resin after 1985, and thereby gradually secured their leading positions in production of PPS resin.
TORAY from Japan has performed massive studies on materials and techniques used by sodium sulfide method, and applied numerous Japanese patents (such as TK 2001-261832, TK 2002-265604, TK 2004-99684, TK 2005-54169, TK 2006-182993, TK 2007-9128, TK 2009-57414, TK 2010-53335 and so on), US patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,018), international patent (WO2006-059509) and Chinese patent (CN200480015430.5). Such patents have provided detailed studies on varieties and consumption of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds, sulfides, solvents and polymerization reaction additives. Among them, polyhalogenated aromatic compounds are mainly represented by 1,4-dichlorobenzene and 1,2,4-trichloro-benzene; sulfides are mainly represented by aquo sodium sulfide. N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is used as the solvent; whereas sodium acetate is used as the polymerization reaction additive. Patents as applied by that company have also provided detailed description of technique control; reaction process normally aims at mixed dehydration of organic solvents, sulfides, polyhalogenated aromatic compounds and polymerization reaction additives within the temperature range of 100˜230° C. for the purpose of producing PPS resin through polymerization within the temperature range of 200˜290° C. In order to obtain PPS of higher degree of polymerization, it is essential to proceed with polymerization by numerous stages for extrusion and shaping of PPS resin obtained. However, patents as applied by the company are not involved with isolation or recycling of sodium acetate, the polymerization additive.
KUREHA TECHNO ENG CO., LTD from Japan has also applied numerous Japanese patents for synthesis techniques on PPS resins of different properties (such as TKZ 62-187731, TKZ 62-253626, TKZ 62-285922, TKZ 63-39926, TKP 6-145355, TKP 8-183858, TK 2000-191785, TK 2004-244619 and TK 2004-51732). Its selection of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds, sulfides, solvents and polymerization additives is similar to that of TORAY. Polymerization aims to obtain acceptable PPS resin through two-stage reaction. According to requirements, polymerization additives are to be added at different polymerization stages. Furthermore, mole ratio of H2O/S is normally over 1.0 at polymerization stage. It is also essential to supplement water at the later stage of polymerization to increase mole ratio of H2O/S to 2.5˜3.0. This may significantly increase the reaction pressure, which has put forward higher requirements for reaction devices. Chinese Patent CN88108247.3 as applied by the company in China has also mentioned similar PPS resin synthesis techniques. To improve performance of final products, patents as applied by the company have provided numerous reports on after-treatments such as pickling.
Polymerization techniques as described in Japanese patents applied by Tonen Chemical Corporation (such as TKP 5-222196, TKP 6-157756, TKP 7-102065, TKP 7-224165 and TKP 7-292107) are also in two-stage reaction mode. To obtain PPS resin of higher molecular weight, cooling reflux device is added to the gas phase of the reactor in addition to supplement of polymerization additives and trichloro-benzene. This aims to minimize degradation by-reaction.
Japanese patents (such as TKP 5-78487 and TKP 5-78488) applied by Tosoh Finechem Corporation propose to add multifunctional monomers during polymerization for co-condensation to obtain PPS of higher molecular weight. Japanese patents (such as TKP 3-43692 and TKP 5-140328) as applied by the company also propose to proceed with oxidized cross linking of synthetic PPS resin to reduce melt mass-flow rate (MFR), and improve mechanical performance of PPS resin.
US patents (U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,522, U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,468 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,892) applied by Dainippon Ink Chemicals Inc has also provided a description of method for synthesis of PPS resin through single-stage or multi-stage polymerization. As proposed in US patents (U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,191 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,600,009), a coolant is supplied to the cooling device at the top or inside of the reactor at the later stage of heat preservation during polymerization to reduce the pressure inside the reactor. Once the polymerization is completed, proceed with cooling to the specified temperature before adding acetic acid, oxalate, formic acid, chloroacetic acid, hydrochloric acid and sodium bisulfate for acid treatment of slurry. PPS resin as obtained in this way may have a crystallization temperature over 220° C., a whiteness of 50-65 and a maximum viscosity of 240 Poise.
Japan is a leading PPS resin producing country at present. Most of companies in Japan focus on systematic studies of polymerization process and post treatment techniques other than recycling of solvents and additives.
Studies on synthesis and application of PPS resin in China were started in 1970s. Relevant research and manufacturing enterprises have also applied some Chinese patents (CN85102554A, CN85109096A, CN00116141.5, CN00120629.X, CN02113673.4, CN200510022437.6 and so on). Presently, major PPS resin manufacturers in China include Sichuan Deyang Chemical Co., Ltd., Zigong Honghe Chemical Co., Ltd. and so on. Sodium sulfide and p-dichlorobenzene are frequently used as materials for PPS synthesis in China; whereas synthesis techniques are also similar to sodium sulfide based techniques abroad. To improve product performance, a large quantity of additives is added during dehydration, synthesis and post treatment.
Meng Xiao et al. (Modern Chemistry, 32(2), 36-40) propose to proceed with solid-liquid separation of water contained slurry upon completion of polymerization by using lithium chloride as the reaction additive; water contained in the filtrate obtained is to be removed through depressurization and distillation prior to heat preservation, sedimentation and removal of inorganic salt through filter; whereas residual filtrate is to be directly used for follow-up PPS synthesis. Despite of the fact that such method for treatment of filtrate is relatively simple, it is still necessary to increase the proportion of solvent during polymerization in view of limited solubility of lithium chloride in NMP.
Water containing sodium sulfide is normally in solid form, which may produce numerous impurities through oxidization during transport. This is unfavorable for synthesis of PPS resin of high molecular weight. On the contrary, sodium bisulfide is in the form of aqueous solution at a higher concentration, which is unlikely to be oxidized during transport. Therefore, it is more favorable for accurate measurement. For this purpose, various PPS manufacturers have carried out studies on polymerization techniques using sodium bisulfide as the material.
According to the patent (TK 2010-70702) applied by TORAY, sodium bisulfide is mixed with p-dichlorobenzene, sodium hydrate and NMP for direct heating to produce PPS of low molecular weight through polymerization, and thereby obtain oligomer with weight-average molecular weight of approximate 1.2×104 through separation of reaction product; Further mixing such oligomer with limited sodium bisulfide, sodium hydrate, p-dichlorobenzene and NMP for directly heating and polymerization to obtain PPS product with weight-average molecular weight of approximate 2.5×104 through separation. Nevertheless, the quantity of synthetic low polymer as obtained with this method is extremely low. Patents (CN200310123491.0, CN200580039249.2, CN200780017569.7 and CN200780102158.8) as applied by the company in China have also proposed the method for synthesis of PPS resin through dehydration and addition of p-dichlorobenzene for multi-stage polymerization by taking sodium bisulfide as the material, sodium acetate as the additive and NMP as the solvent.
According to patent (TK 2004-244619) applied by KUREHA TECHNO ENG CO., LTD, sodium bisulfide is mixed with NMP for heating and dehydration prior to polymerization through heating with addition of p-dichlorobenzene. Once the temperature is increased to 180° C., further dropping sodium hydroxide solution to control pH value of the reaction system prior to further heating to the temperature of 230° C.; supplement water (mole ratio of H2O/S is normally above 2.0) for eventual heating to the temperature of 260° C. until the reaction is completed; Finally, proceeding with treatment to the reaction product to obtain PPS resin. Patent (CN200380107629.6) as applied by the company in China has also proposed to proceed with normal dehydration and multi-stage polymerization with addition of p-dichlorobenzene by taking sodium bisulfide as the material and NMP as the solvent. Once the polymerization is completed, filter the reaction slurry, and use acetone for washing, leaching and pickling of filter cake prior to further washing and drying to obtain granular PPS resin of different viscosities.
Dehydration process in aforesaid synthesis technique using sodium bisulfide is similar to the technique using sodium sulfide. The only difference is the addition of reaction between sodium bisulfide and sodium hydroxide. Furthermore, sodium bisulfide is relatively poor in stability with loss between 1.0-3.5 mol %. It has brought difficulties to synthesis of PPS of higher molecular weight.
In 1991, Darryl R. Fahey and Carlton E. Ash (Darry R. Fahey, Carlton E. Ash. Mechanism of Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) growth from p-Dichlorobenzene and Sodium Sulfide. Macromolecules, 1991, 24, 4242-4249), carried out thorough study on chemical reactions during heating of water contained sodium sulfide and NMP. Substances as contained in the system are normally indicated as Na2S.NMP.H2O by the empirical formula after dehydration. However, according to analysis and inference by the research personnel through nuclear magnetic resonance, more correct one is the mixture of sodium4-(N-methylamino)-butanoate (SMAB) and sodium bisulfide, namely SMAB-NaHS mixture. SMAB-NaHS mixture is available for better dissolution in NMP of certain temperature. Nevertheless, anhydrous Na2S and NaHS are almost insoluble. It is applicable to obtain such mixture through heating of mixed SMAB and NaHS or NaHS, NaOH and NMP. Furthermore, it is also easy to obtain SMAB through reaction by heating mixed NaOH and NMP.
In conclusion, it is normally required to add polymerization additives for synthesis of PPS resin of high molecular weight that is appropriate for spinning. Common polymerization additives as reported in literatures are mainly represented by sodium acetate and lithium chloride. Sodium acetate and lithium chloride might be partially in solid form upon completion of reaction due to their limited solubility in NMP. This part of sodium acetate or lithium chloride is unlikely to be separated from sodium chloride, the reaction by-product; whereas sodium acetate or lithium chloride dissolved in NMP is to be in the form of salt, which is to be converted into raffinate during distilled recycling of NMP. Therefore, sodium acetate and lithium chloride, the two conventional polymerization additives, are unlikely to be recycled.

Fiber grade polyphenylene sulfide resin synthesis method

ZHEJIANG NHU SPECIAL MATERIALS CO., LTD.

SHANGYU NHU BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL CO., LTD.


The present invention provides a method for producing a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which the drop in capacity retention rate is controlled by forming a coating in a more favorable state on the surface of the negative electrode active material. This production method comprises a step S10 of preparing a battery assembly in which an electrode assembly is housed within a battery case, the electrode assembly including a positive electrode produced by forming a positive electrode active material layer containing at least a positive electrode active material, and a negative electrode produced by forming a negative electrode active material layer containing at least a negative electrode active material; a first injection step S20 of injecting a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a specified additive into the battery case; a precharging step S30 of forming the additive-derived coating on the surface of the negative electrode active material; a second injection step S40 of injecting a nonaqueous electrolyte not containing an additive into the battery case; and a charge and discharge step S50 of charging and discharging the battery assembly to a predetermined charging and discharge voltage.

Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries such as lithium ion secondary batteries are becoming more important as power sources to be mounted in vehicles that utilize electricity as a motor driving power supply, as power sources to be used in personal computers, portable terminals, and other electronic products, and so on. In particular, lithium ion secondary batteries that are lightweight and provide a high energy density are preferred as high output power sources to be mounted in vehicles.
In nonaqueous secondary batteries such as lithium ion secondary batteries, however, a part of the nonaqueous electrolyte can decompose during charging, and a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film, which is a coating formed from the decomposition products thereof, can be formed on the surface of the negative electrode active material (for example, natural graphite particles). The SEI coating plays a role in protecting the negative electrode active material, but because it is formed by expending the charge carrier (for example, lithium ions) in the nonaqueous electrolyte, (in other words, through being immobilized in the SEI layer the charge carrier can no longer contribute to capacity), if the amount of the coating is too great, it becomes a factor that contributes to a drop in capacity retention rate (decrease in cycling characteristics).
To counteract this problem, an additive that decomposes at or above a predetermined charging voltage and forms a coating on the surface of the negative electrode active material can be included in the nonaqueous electrolyte so that it will form a stable coating beforehand on the surface of the negative electrode active material in place of the SEI coating.
The use of such an additive is noted in Patent Literature 1 as prior art. Patent Literature 1 describes a technique wherein an attempt is made to form a coating on the surface of the negative electrode active material by injecting a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a specified additive, performing an initial charging, and thereafter further re-injecting the above nonaqueous electrolyte containing the specified additive, and recharging the battery.

Method for producing nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery


Bags custom-sized to the volume of articles packed and to be packed therein are manufactured on-site and on-demand at the location at which the articles are packed in the bags. The bags are formed from a continuous sheet of flexible film material which is shaped into a tubular wrapper along the interior of a generally quadrangular former. The bags are sealed along their tops so as to prevent inadvertent spillage of articles therefrom and may incorporate unitary handles formed during manufacture of the bags and a readily removable protective envelope at least partly defining the top closure thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of flexible article-receiving bags, and to the configuration and structural and functional features of said bags. It is more particularly directed to a method and apparatus for on site and on demand manufacturing of flexible bags, custom-sized to conform to the volume of articles packed therein, at a check-out counter of, for example, a supermarket or other sales establishment, and to the flexible bags thereby produced.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Current practice at supermarkets is to have a cashier operator register, either by automated scanner or direct manual keyboard entry, or both, the prices of the various articles purchased by a customer. The cashier, an assistant, or the customer then places the articles or goods in a bag which has generally been preformed most commonly either of plastic material or of paper. Such an operation is time consuming and awkward and often results in inefficient and awkward processing of customers through the supermarket checkout counter. Similar practices and attendant problems exist at department stores and other retail establishments.
The paper and plastic bags currently in use exhibit several noteworthy drawbacks that negatively impact upon both customer convenience and merchant efficiency and costs. The bags, after the purchased goods have been placed therein, remain open at their tops. This creates the substantial risk and not uncommon occurrence that the bags' contents may inadvertently spill out of the bags as the customer removes them from the store to their eventual destination--particularly when the bags are transported by car or bicycle or the like, and even when they are hand carried.
Moreover, in order to properly accommodate the great majority of customer purchases, the preformed bags are sized with sufficiently large dimensions for holding a substantial number of articles. In actual use, however, the volume of articles packed in the bags varies greatly from bag to bag resulting in customer difficulty and inconvenience in manipulating a combination of filled and partially filled open-topped bags, in substantial waste of materials and in increased cost to the merchant.

Method and apparatus for on demand manufacturing of custom-sized bags conforming to the volume of articles received therein at a check-out counter


A carrier head for a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a detachable retaining ring which may be used for centering the substrate during substrate loading.

The present invention relates generally to chemical mechanical polishing of substrates, and more particularly to a carrier head for a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus.
Integrated circuits are typically formed on substrates, particularly silicon wafers, by the sequential deposition of conductive, semiconductive or insulative layers. After each layer is deposited, the layer is typically etched to create circuitry features. As a series of layers are sequentially deposited and etched, the outer or uppermost surface of the substrate, i.e., the exposed surface of the substrate, becomes increasingly non-planar. This non-planar surface presents problems in the photolithographic steps of the integrated circuit fabrication process. Therefore, there is a need to periodically planarize the substrate surface.
Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is one accepted method of planarization. This planarization method typically requires that the substrate be mounted on a carrier or polishing head. The exposed surface of the substrate is placed against a rotating polishing pad. The polishing pad may be either a "standard" pad or a fixed-abrasive pad. A standard pad has a durable roughened surface, whereas a fixed-abrasive pad has abrasive particles held in a containment media. The carrier head provides a controllable load, i.e., pressure, on the substrate to push it against the polishing pad. A polishing slurry, including at least one chemically-reactive agent, and abrasive particles, if a standard pad is used, is supplied to the surface of the polishing pad.
The carrier head usually includes a retaining ring. The retaining ring is positioned around the substrate to ensure that the substrate is held in a recess beneath the carrier head during polishing. The retaining ring may be affixed directly to the carrier head, or it may be connected to the carrier head by a flexible connector, such as a flexible membrane or bellows.
To conduct polishing, a substrate is loaded into the carrier head and positioned by the carrier head against the polishing pad. The loading operation typically occurs at a transfer station which includes centering equipment to align the substrate with the recess defined by the retaining ring.
One problem that has been encountered in CMP is that, in some carrier head designs, the retaining ring is free to pivot about a point located above the polishing pad surface. The pivoting action can lift one side of the retaining ring and lower the other side. This creates an uneven pressure distribution on the polishing pad, reducing the polishing uniformity.
Another problem is that the retaining ring needs to be periodically replaced. However, the retaining ring may be difficult to replace, requiring complete disassembly of the carrier head.

Carrier head with a removable retaining ring for a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus