The invention provides a human delta-6 desaturase homolog (D6DH) and polynucleotides which identify and encode D6DH. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of D6DH.

This invention relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of two delta-6 desaturase homologs and to the use of these sequences in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, disorders of aging, disorders of fatty acid metabolism, and cancer.
Fatty acid desaturases catalyze the elongation and desaturation of the physiologically important hydrocarbon chain molecules known as fatty acids. Fatty acids are lipophilic modifiers of proteins, fuel molecules, insulating materials, and precursors to hormones including the prostaglandins, which are active in pyrogenesis, vasodilation, vasoconstriction, and pain reception. Phospholipids and glycolipids that compose cell membranes are made from fatty acids. Mammals derive unsaturated fatty acids from the unsaturated 16-carbon palmitate or diet-derived linoleate and linolenate, which are desaturated at two and three points, respectively. In eukaryotes, a variety of unsaturated fatty acids can be formed from oleate by a combination of elongation and desaturation reactions occurring on the cystolic face of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Desaturation reactions require NADH and O2 and are carried out by a complex consisting of a flavoprotein, a cytochrome, and a nonheme iron protein. The three components of the desaturase complex co-extract under pressure. It has been noted that each of the components of the delta-6 desaturase complex physically face a similar lipid environment in the microsomal membrane. (Leikin et al. (1994) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1211:150-155.)
It is suggested that interaction between histidine-rich motifs in oleate desaturase could contribute to an iron binding site in the cytoplasmic domain of the protein that would facilitate interaction between the desaturase and cytochrome b5, the source of electrons for the desaturation reaction. (Okuley et al.(1994) Plant Cell 6:147-158.) Zinc also appears to play a role in delta-6 desaturation. (Eder, K. et al. (1996) Biol. Trace Elem. Res.54: 173-183.) A variety of delta-6 desaturase inhibitors are known, e.g., anti-oxidants and calcium channel blockers, and delta-6 desaturase activity in the body is regulated by several hormones. Inhibitors include, e.g., glucagon, epinephrine, ACTH, and glucocorticoids, while insulin and thyroxin are necessary to delta-6 desaturase activity, and growth hormone appears to enhance delta-6 desaturase activity. (Nakamura, M. T. et al. (1996) Lipids 31(2) 139-143.) Expression of desaturase genes may also be influenced by diet. (Kaestner et al. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264:14755-14761.)
Several desaturases have been identified, including more than one delta-6 desaturase. (Marzo, I. et al.(1996) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1301:263-272.) The presence of three histidine boxes and the HX(2-3)(XH)H amino acid motif are used to characterize membrane-bound fatty acid desaturases. (Schmidt et al. (1994) Plant Mol. Biol. 26:631-642; Mitchell et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272 (45):28281-28288.) A cytochrome b5 domain may also be used to characterize desaturases. A cDNA encoding the delta-6 desaturase from Borago officinalis that contained an N-terminal domain related to cytochrome b5 has been isolated. (Sayanova, O. et al. (1997) Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci.USA,94: 4211-4216.)
Delta-6 desaturase is involved in a variety of diseases and disorders associated with fatty acid metabolism. A decrease in delta-6 desaturase activity is present in rats subjected to long-term exposure to ethanol. Diabetes mellitus involves many of the hormones that regulate delta-6 desaturase activity, such as insulin and glucagon. Obesity has been related to changes in delta-6 desaturase activity, and reduced delta-6 desaturase activity has also been implicated in coronary diseases. Delta-6 desaturation appears to decline with age, especially in women. Cancer cells show decreased delta-6 desaturase activity. Administration of delta-6 desaturation product, gamma linolenic acid, has been shown to ameliorate disorders of metabolism such as coronary disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and ulcerative colitis, as well as disorders of cell proliferation such as tumorigenesis.
The discovery of a new delta-6 desaturase and the polynucleotides encoding it satisfies a need in the art by providing new compositions which are useful in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, disorders of aging, disorders of fatty acid metabolism, and cancer.
The invention features substantially purified polypeptides, delta-6 desaturase homologs, referred to collectively as xe2x80x9cD6DHxe2x80x9d and individually as xe2x80x9cD6DH-1xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cD6DH-2.xe2x80x9d In one aspect, the invention provides a substantially purified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3.
The invention further provides a substantially purified variant having at least 90% amino acid identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3, or to a fragment of either of these sequences. The invention also provides an isolated and purified polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3. The invention also includes an isolated and purified polynucleotide variant having at least 90% polynucleotide sequence identity to the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3.
Additionally, the invention provides an isolated and purified polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3, as well as an isolated and purified polynucleotide having a sequence which is complementary to the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3.
The invention also provides an isolated and purified polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:2, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:4. The invention further provides an isolated and purified polynucleotide variant having at least 90% polynucleotide sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:2, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:4, as well as an isolated and purified polynucleotide having a sequence which is complementary to the polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:2, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:4.
The invention further provides an expression vector containing at least a fragment of the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3. In another aspect, the expression vector is contained within a host cell.
The invention also provides a method for producing a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3, the method comprising the steps of: (a) culturing the host cell containing an expression vector containing at least a fragment of a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide under conditions suitable for the expression of the polypeptide; and (b) recovering the polypeptide from the host cell culture.
The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially purified polypeptide having the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3 in conjunction with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier.
The invention further includes a purified antibody which binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3, as well as a purified agonist and a purified antagonist to the polypeptide.
The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing a disorder of aging, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially purified polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3.
The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially purified polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3.
The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing a disorder of fatty acid metabolism, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially purified polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3.
The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing a cancer, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially purified polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3.
The invention also provides a method for detecting a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3 in a biological sample containing nucleic acids, the method comprising the steps of: (a) hybridizing the complement of the polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, and a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3 to at least one of the nucleic acids of the biological sample, thereby forming a hybridization complex; and (b) detecting the hybridization complex, wherein the presence of the hybridization complex correlates with the presence of a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide in the biological sample. In one aspect, the nucleic acids of the biological sample are amplified by the polymerase chain reaction prior to the hybridizing step.


A blind rivet assembly for securing workpieces having aligned bores with the workpieces having an open surface at an open side and a blind surface at a blind side, the blind rivet assembly including a tubular shell having an enlarged shell head adapted to be in engagement with the open surface of the workpieces, a stem having an elongated shank with a stem head at the far end of the shank and having gripping means at the opposite end adapted to be gripped by an installation tool for application of an axial pulling force, and a placement ring having an near end and a far end, and having a pre-installation orientation and a post-installation orientation, wherein in the pre-installation orientation the placement ring is disposed around a ring receiving portion of the elongated shank, and the post-installation orientation is created by axially pulling the stem towards the open side of the workpieces with an axial pulling force that forces the placement ring into a through bore which causes the shell to deform outwards and form a blind head, and wherein upon continued axial pulling of the stem, the stem progressively moves into the shell until the stem encounters a stop shoulder, whereupon material of the stop shoulder is moved into a locking portion to arrest further movement of the stem, and whereupon increased axial force on the stem shears a portion of the stem on the open side at a shearable break-groove.

In securing workpieces together with a blind fastener, it is desirable to be able to maintain a high final clamp load on the workpieces. At the same time, it is desirable that the installed fastener has the capability of withstanding high shear loads. The magnitude of the clamp load is established by the relative axial force applied between the stem and shell when the blind head is formed and then engages the back surface of the workpiece. The magnitude of the shear load is primarily determined in this type of rivet by the mechanical strength of the stem, while the shear strength which can be attributed to the shell is normally less significant, and cannot be readily increased, since the shell must retain high ductility in order to be deformed during setting.
In order to achieve high shear strength, therefore, it is desirable to have a solid stem which will always shear flush with the head of the shell, and will guarantee a full plugging of the workpiece from the head of the shell on the one side, and to the blind (opposite) side of the workpiece. However, prior fasteners of this type have typically been limited in the width range of the workpieces they can fasten, since the principal engineering requirement to plug the entire workpiece in order to obtain high shear strength has not permitted the rivet to be used in multiple workpieces widths.


Provided is a mobile terminal comprising: a body: a ground embedded inside the body and having a vertical length longer than a horizontal length; a side case positioned on the periphery of a side surface of the body and comprising a first side member and a second side member positioned on the left and right side surfaces of the body, respectively; a first patch for connecting one end of the first side member and one end of the second side member; a second patch for connecting the other end of the first side member and the other end of the second side member; and a power supply part connected to the second patch, wherein the first side member, the second side member, the first patch, and the second patch from a loop form a loop ring-patch antenna.

Terminals may be generally classified as mobile/portable terminals or stationary terminals according to their mobility. Mobile terminals may also be classified as handheld terminals or vehicle mounted terminals according to whether or not a user can directly carry the terminal.
Mobile terminals have become increasingly more functional. Examples of such functions include data and voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files via a speaker system, and displaying images and video on a display. Some mobile terminals include additional functionality which supports game playing, while other terminals are configured as multimedia players. More recently, mobile terminals have been configured to receive broadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing of content such as videos and television programs.
As such functions become more diversified, the mobile terminal can support more complicated functions such as capturing images or video, reproducing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcast signals, and the like. By comprehensively and collectively implementing such functions, the mobile terminal may be embodied in the form of a multimedia player or device.
Efforts are ongoing to support and increase the functionality of mobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardware improvements, as well as changes and improvements in the structural components.
With the diversified functions, various standards of wireless communication techniques are combined to the mobile terminal and a plurality of antennas tends to be loaded in such the mobile terminal. An antenna radiator is arranged in an outer area of the mobile terminal such that it may be attached to a case or formed of some area of the case. In recent, a design of the mobile terminal is becoming common that uses a side case of the mobile terminal as the antenna radiator.
Especially, as a display unit is enlarged in the mobile terminal, the side case becomes close to the display unit. Accordingly, the performance of the antenna arranged in a side surface of the mobile might be deteriorated by the influence of the display unit or a metal plate supporting a rear surface of the display disadvantageously.


An apparatus and process are provided for drilling and completing multiple subterranean wells from a template which is secured within a cased well bore extending to the surface. An orienting cam having a bore therethrough is positioned above the template such that the bore through the orienting cam is automatically aligned with one of at least two bores through the template. Fluid tight seals are provided between the orienting cam and the casing and between the orienting cam and one of the at least two bores through the template. Thereafter, a drill string including a drill bit is lowered from the surface of the earth through the casing, the bore through the orienting cam and the one bore through said template to drill a first subterranean well bore. Drilling fluid and cuttings resulting from drilling a subterranean formation are circulated back to the surface via first subterranean well bore, one of the at least two bores through the template and the bore through the orienting cam and through the casing such that the drilling mud contacts the internal wall of the casing. The orienting cam is repositioned above the template such that the bore through the orienting cam is aligned with another of the at least two bores through the template. Thereafter, a second subterranean well bore is drilled via another of the bores through the template in a manner similar to that described for the first well bore.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an assembly and process for drilling multiple subterranean wells from a cased wellbore extending to the surface, and more particularly, to such assembly and process for drilling and completing multiple subterranean wells through a template having at least two bores therethrough and being secured to casing wherein fluid is circulated to the surface during drilling via the casing.
2. Description of Related Art
Increasingly, well bores are being drilled into subterranean formations at an orientation which is purposely deviated from true vertical by means of conventional whipstock technology or a mud motor secured in the drill string adjacent the drill bit. In fractured subterranean formations, deviated wells are utilized to increase the area of drainage defined by the well within the subterranean formation, and thus, increase production of hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation. An inherent problem in utilizing a conventional whipstock to drill a deviated well is that both the depth and radial orientation of the whipstock is set when the whipstock is positioned in the well bore and cannot be changed without retrieving the whipstock from the well bore and changing the depth and/or radial orientation thereof.
In addition, wells drilled from offshore drilling platforms are usually deviated to increase the number of wells which can be drilled and completed from a single platform. Offshore drilling platforms which are utilized in deep water to drill and complete wells in a subterranean formation vary in size, structure, and cost depending upon the water depth and the loads in which the platform will be set. For example, a platform may be constructed to be supported in part by one leg or caisson which extends to the ocean floor or by as many as eight such legs or caissons. Costs of such offshore drilling platforms vary from approximately $5,000,000 US to $500,000,000 US. Each offshore drilling platform is equipped with a set number of slots via which deviated wells can be drilled and completed through casings which are secured to the platform by conventional techniques.
Due to the significant capital expenditure required for these offshore platforms, templates and processes for drilling and completing multiple cased wells have been developed. During drilling operations utilizing such templates, a conventional tubular riser is lowered into the surface or intermediate casing and inserted into one of the bores formed through the template. Once the riser is properly positioned within the bore, the surface or intermediate casing is cemented within the well bore by conventional techniques and a conventional drill string including a drill bit and mud motor (not illustrated) is transported within the riser into the bore of the template whereupon the float valve or plug and any cement is drilled out of the template bore. Thereafter, a well bore is drilled by the drill string in a conventional manner with drilling mud and formation cuttings being circulated out of the well bore to the surface via the riser. The drill string is then withdrawn from the riser and, after the well is equipped with any tubulars, the riser is withdrawn from template bore, rotated, and inserted into another bore through the template. An additional well can then be drilled and completed in a manner as just described. However, the manipulation of the riser at the surface to insert the same in and out of a given bore through a multi well template which is positioned within a cased well bore at depths of up to ten thousand feet or more and to rotate the riser for insertion into another bore may be problematic. Thus, a need exists for an assembly and process for drilling and completing multiple cased wells through a multiple well template positioned within a cased well at a subterranean location which eliminates the need to use a downhole riser to connect a subsurface or downhole template to the surface.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly and process for drilling and completing multiple wells within subterranean formation(s) from a cased well bore which eliminates the need to utilize a riser in conjunction therewith.

Assembly and process for drilling and completing multiple wells


An aircraft flight deck includes: first and second seats disposed side-by-side longitudinally in a flying direction of an aircraft, and separated by a central pedestal; control or display elements distributed ergonomically in the flight deck; and a third seat disposed longitudinally in the flying direction, located behind the first and second seats, and at a rear of the central pedestal. The central pedestal includes: a connecting device for the display elements, a control device dedicated to a third crew member and disposed at a side of the third seat; and display or control elements dedicated to tasks other than piloting, and visible and accessible from the three seats.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flight deck layout for an aircraft.
II. Description of Related Art
In civil aviation, recent aircraft flight decks are generally designed around a crew composed of two pilots seated side-by-side and facing the flying direction. Such a layout permits the pilot to have good inside and outside visibility, and the various instructions are disposed around the pilots so that they can easily access same.
French Patent 2547273 describes an ergonomic aircraft flight deck designed for two pilots. No provisions are made for a third crew member in the cockpit described in that prior art document.
Military aircraft have flight decks configured to accommodate three, four or five crew members. As for the cockpits of civil airplanes described above, they generally contain two seats for the pilots, disposed side-by-side longitudinally in the flying direction of the aircraft. The other crew members present in the cockpit are then provided with a space and with specific instruments dedicated to particular tasks.
The problem at the basis of the present invention is to provide an aircraft cockpit configured for variable crews of two or three crew members. It is then desired that the airplane can be operated just as well with two as with three crew members in the cockpit. For example, during a logistic flight, when only a pilot and a copilot are necessary to achieve the mission, the flight deck is occupied by only two crew members. During a tactical flight, when complex and numerous tasks must be performed, three crew members occupy the cockpit.


Disclosed are 2-(amino or substituted amino)-5-(substituted oxymethyl)-phenol compounds according to the Formula (I), as defined herein. Also, compositions for the oxidative dyeing of keratin fibers, comprising a medium suitable for dyeing and a compound of the Formula (II), as defined herein. The substituents of both formulae may themselves be substituted or unsubstituted. Further, methods for oxidative dyeing of keratin fibers, comprising applying such compositions in the presence of an oxidizing agent, for a period which is sufficient to develop the desired coloration.

Dyeing of keratin fibers, particularly hair, is known. The desire to alter the color of hair is not a facet of modern times. Hair color is altered to accommodate changes in fashion, style, and personal preference. However, obtaining good coloring and wearability without undesirable side effects to the hair and skin, remains an elusive goal. A suitable method of coloring hair is through oxidative dyeing. A variety of colors may be obtained, including yellows. Although the inventors choose not to speculate on the veracity of the adage according to which reputedly "blondes have more fun," they do recognize that yellow dyes themselves are desired.
Yellow dyes, particularly those used in coloring hair, should provide good coloring, including intensity of coloration and/or fastness, and be able to perform in spite of external agents, such as light, particularly sunlight, adverse weather conditions, washing and styling, permanent waving, perspiration, and/or friction. Such dyes should also be favourable as to toxicology and dermatology. They should be useful in providing a wide range of shades when combined with other ingredients and process stages, too.
The use of 2-aminophenol (also known as ortho-aminophenol or OAP) and some derivatives thereof, for yellow dyeing of keratin is known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,392 (Wella, AG) discloses 2-amino-5-methyl-phenol, WO 02/058,657 (Clairol, Inc.) discloses 2-(amino or amino substituted)-5-methyl-phenol, and DE 202,06,274U1 (Wella, A G) discloses 2,3-diaminophenol derivatives, each for use in providing yellow color, alone and in combination with other coloring agents.
However, many previous oxidative dye compounds and combinations of such compounds resulting in yellow colourations have demonstrated poor wearability and stability to light, and some have recently experienced objections to their use from a toxicological standpoint. OAP, in particular, has been found to provide poor yellow, e.g. with off-tones. One alternative approach has been to use direct non-oxidative dyes alone or in combination with lessened quantities of oxidative dyes. However, this approach has been found to result in poor wash fastness upon shampooing, among other undesirable effects. There remains a need to provide further oxidative dye alternatives to known dyes, preferably yellow dyes, and compositions for dyeing of hair comprising them, that produce good coloration, preferably a bright yellow colouration, that exhibit good dye uptake by the hair, are useful in providing shades or colors which are stable over a reasonable period of time, provide good wash fastness and wearability, good selectivity, do not undergo significant change on exposure to light, shampooing or acid perspiration, and/or exhibit a favourable safety profile.
Compounds according to the following formula are disclosed in JP 63-045,282 (Kanegafuchi Chem. Ind. Co.) as reagents for the synthesis of certain anti-microbial agents, however, not as oxidative dyes:
wherein X1 is O or S; and wherein R1 is selected from formyl, C1 to C3 alkyl substituted with a halogen atom, C1 to C4 acyl, —(CH2)mX2 (wherein m is 1 to 4; X2 is —OH, cyano, C1 to C3 alkoxy, tetrapyranyloxy, C1 to C4 acyl), and salts thereof, as defined therein.
The inventors have surprisingly found that by placing an oxymethyl group at the 5-position (5-oxymethyl) of a 2-(amino or substituted amino)-phenol, compounds exhibiting one or more of the aforementioned desirable qualities may be provided. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the addition of such a hydrophilic side chain in this position may provide similar or greater coloration and/or wash fastness with improved toxicology versus previous 2-amino phenols and 2-amino phenol derivatives.

2-(amino or substituted amino)-5-(substituted oxymethyl)-phenol compounds, dyeing compositions containing them, and use thereof


Process and a test kit for the detection of drugs of methylenedioxy amphetamine family and derivatives, are disclosed. The process comprises (a) sampling sufficient amount of a material, suspected to be examined comprise of said methylenedioxyphenyl group; (b) admixing said sample with a sufficient amount of a strong acid reagent; and (c) detecting color gradual appearance and determining accordingly the presence of said methylenedioxy amphetamine drugs in predetermined interval of time. The test kit comprises a strong acid reagent; a color vs time chart comprising means for the detection of a specific drug by means of color and time of appearance, a reaction chamber wherein suspected material and said strong acid reagent are admixed and color is indicated; a sampler having means to collect sufficient amount of suspected material to be tested and to insert it to the reaction chamber.

On numerous occasions police officers need to determine rapidly whether or not suspected materials contain drugs and thus quickly establish probable cause. A rapid and facile test kit can help to detect the presence of the drug or alternatively to determine whether a tested sample definitely is a drug.
The quickest process known today for drug detection is a color test in which the response of the drug to a specific reagent makes it possible to assign the drug to one or more classes.
Chemical spot test kits have been commercially developed in order to obtain sufficient evidence to detain a drug peddler or drug user. Those kits are used today for the detection of narcotics and drugs of abuse by many law enforcement agencies.
The commercial test kits for the identification of drugs containing methylenedioxyphenyl group such as N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (i.e., MDMA or 'ECSTASY'); 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (i.e., MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (i.e., MDEA); 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (i.e., MMDA); N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butaneamine (i.e., MBDB); or 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-(N-ethyl)butaneamine (i.e., MD-2-EB) are based on the famous Marquis sulfuric acid—formaldehyde reagent which gives a purple/black or blue/black color (ODV, Inc, NIK, Armour Holding Inc.). This kit, based on sulfuric acid-formaldehyde, is sold also through the Internet for the detection of "Ecstasy", becoming a serious problem in Europe and North America. The kits are sold by Green Party Drugs Group in the UK (E-Z Test™) and by US based Dancesafe organization (http://www.ecstasy.org).
Clark ("Isolation and Identification of Drugs" Pharmaceutical Press, 1986) lists tens of drugs that respond in the same way or similar way to Marquis reagent to MDMA type compound. Furthermore, according to Clark, Marquis reagent gives other color reaction with hundreds of drugs. The combination of concentrated sulfuric acid and formaldehyde is a known color reagent (i.e., Le—Rozen test) used for general detection of organic molecules containing aromatic rings (Feigel, F., Spot Tests in Organic Analysis, p. 137, 1966).
Due to low specificity of this reagent, one knows it is negative for Ecstasy wherein it does not turn to a purple/black or blue-black or black color by applying the color reaction.
It is thus apparent that aforementioned single color-producing reagent cannot serve usefully as a field-testing kit for the detection of drugs containing methylenedioxyphenyl group in field conditions, because of the possibility of giving false positive color reactions with so many other substances.
Therefore, when a possible positive color reaction is obtained by the Marquis test, user is advised to proceed to a color test for secondary amine (such as Simon Reagent) for possible presence of Ecstasy, which comprises a secondary amine group. It is thus apparent that a better and more specific reagent should be a color reaction based on the specific reaction of methylenedioxyphenyl group. An early study (M. Beroza, Identification of 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenyl Synergists by Thin-Layer Chromatography, Agriculture and Food Chemistry, Vol. 11, No. 1, p. 51, 1963) indicates that compounds comprising said methylenedioxyphenyl group could be detected by the color developed following reaction with sulfuric acid and chromotropic acid, although MDMA and related drugs were not examined at that study. The color reagent, according to Beroza, is composed of 60% sulfuiric acid and 40% water containing chromotropic acid. The color reagent is used for detection of synergists of insecticides by thin layer chromatography (TLC). However, aforementioned TLC apparatus is heated for 30 min at 105° C. This reagent thus cannot be applied to field-testing of drugs.
A recent method for color reaction of methylendioxyphenyl compounds based on sulfuric acid—chromotropic acid was described by Hideyuki Yamada et al. (Highly Specific and Convenient Color Reaction for Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Related Drugs Using Chromotropic Acid. Application as a Drug Screening Test, Journal of Health Science, 45(6), pp. 303-308, 1999). In this article the authors described a process for the detection of MDMA and related compounds. The authors stated, "MDMAs did not exhibit any color on adding sulfuric acid . . . namely, if the sample produces a color on adding sulfuric acid alone, it is not an MDMA" (p. 308). The authors also appended a list of drugs that give a color reaction with sulfuric acid—chromotropic acid reagent.
The deficiencies of these tests have led the inventor to develop a chromotropic acid free reagent, specific for phenethylamine derivatives (i.e., amphetamines) drugs, comprising methylenedioxyphenyl group, wherein said reagent having the means to screen out false positive results. This specific reagent allows surprisingly an error-free positive detection of said methylendioxyphenyl amphetamine compounds.

Method for the detection of compounds comprising methylenedioxyphenyl


There is provided a scintillometer for the measurement of the structure function constant and the inner scale of atmospheric refractive index fluctuations including a transmitter unit with a source emitting radiation. Included in the transmitter unit is a piece of birefringent material which splits the radiation into two displaced orthogonally polarized components. A receiver unit which substantially contains two detectors receives the two components of the radiation. The detectors are combined with polarizers in such a way that at least one detector has a preferred sensitivity to one polarization component and the apparent distance of the detectors in the plane perpendicular to the propagation direction approximately equals the beam displacement produced at the transmitter.

Scintillation denotes the apparent temporal variation of the intensity of a remote radiation source. This effect is well known from star light twinkling. Physically scintillation may be defined as the variance of the intensity received at a detector. Instruments which measure scintillation are called scintillometers. Scintillometers generally consist of a transmitter and a receiver unit. The transmitter contains a source which emits radiation usually in the visible or infrared. At the receiver the intensity fluctuations are measured. The distance between transmitter and receiver typically is a few ten to a few hundred meters.
For such wavelengths and scales the scintillation magnitude, i.e. the variance of the intensity, is determined by the structure function constant C.sub.n.sup.2 and the inner scale l.sub.0 of the turbulent refractive index fluctuations of the air. C.sub.n.sup.2 is a measure of the amplitude of the refractive index fluctuations and l.sub.0 defines the smallest occuring turbulence eddies. The mathematics of this relationship is well known.
Scintillometers may be used to determine C.sub.n.sup.2 and l.sub.0. An important application of scintillometers is the determination of the turbulent fluxes of heat and momentum in the lowest atmosphere (V. Thiermann and H. Grassl, Boundary-Layer Meteorology 58 (1992), pp. 367). The advantages of using scintillation for turbulence measurements are the high accuracy, the averaging over the optical propagation path, and the purely optical, contact-free access.
In order to derive the two quantities C.sub.n.sup.2 and l.sub.0 from scintillation measurements, two independent informations must be available. So far the following methods have been proposed:
1. the simultaneous measurement of scintillation variances over two differently long propagation paths (P. M. Livingston, Applied Optics 11 (1972), pp. 684), PA0 2. the simultaneous measurement of scintillation variances of a coherent and an incoherent source (G. R. Ochs and R. J. Hill, Applied Optics 24 (1985), pp. 2430), PA0 3. the simultaneous measurement of scintillation variances and covariances at two different wavelengths (E. Azoulay, V. Thiermann, A. Jetter, A. Kohnle, Z. Azar, Journal of Physics D S21 (1988), pp. 21), PA0 4. the simultaneous measurement of scintillation variances and covariances at displaced detectors. Here the radiation is emitted from a single source (R. G. Frehlich, Applied Optics 27 (1988), pp. 2194).
Method 1 has the disadvantage that it compares scintillation over different paths where the turbulence is not necessarily the same. It thus requires spatial homogeneity of the turbulence field, otherwise errors will result. The methods 2 and 3 have the disadvantage that they need either two different wavelengths or a coherent and an incoherent source. The realization of such systems requires much technical effort.
Method 4 compares the covariance at at least two displaced detectors with the variance at a single detector. The detectors are illuminated by the same source. This method is technically simple. However, the spatial weighting functions for the variances and covariances are very different. The spatial weighting functions describe the contribution the different positions along the propagation path make to the measured variances or covariances. The weighting function of the variance is symmetric with its peak at the path center. The weighting function of the covariance is asymmetric with its peak close to the transmitter. If the variances and covariances are compared, turbulence statistics originating from different locations are compared and, as with method 1, inhomogeneities of the turbulence field may cause severe errors.

Scintillometer for the measurment of the structure function constant and the inner scale of atmospheric refractive index fluctuations


A tube holder is provided for securing a medical tube to a patient. In one illustrative embodiment, the tube holder includes a band to secure a medical tube to a patient, and first and second tabs attached at first and second ends of the band to secure the medical tube. Each of the first and second tabs include a hook surface and a loop surface, the hook surface and loop surface to mate with one another to secure the medical tube. The first and second tabs include moisture resistant material located on a surface contacting the patient's skin.

Insertion of a tracheostomy tube is a common procedure today in connection with patients who require assistance to breathe. It is essential to secure the tube to ensure that the tube does not accidentally dislodge or move relative to the patient. Accordingly, straps have been developed to hold the tracheostomy tube in place. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,144, herein incorporated by reference, discloses a band for supporting a trachestomy tube. A similar band is shown in prior art FIG. 1, a band similar to which is also sold by Dale Medical Products, Inc., of Plainville, Mass. (Product No. 240).
The tracheostomy tube holder of FIG. 1 includes a band 1 including first and second straps 10 and 12 for securing tracheostomy tube 30. Each strap is of a three-part construction having a cotton-lined surface 14, a flexible foam layer 16, and an outer loop surface 18. Straps 10 and 12 each have a tab 20 and 22, respectively, attached thereto for threading through apertures 24 and 26 in the tracheostomy tube flange 28 that supports the tracheostomy tube 30.
As seen in FIG. 1, each tab 20 and 22 has Velcro hooks 32 on one side thereof for mating with the respective loop surface 18 on straps 10 and 12, thereby supporting the tracheostomy tube flange 28 and tube 30. Tabs 20 and 22 are preferably attached to straps 10 and 12 via stitching or other appropriate attachments means. Strap 12 also includes an elastic section 34 attached thereto, for example via stitching 35, to provide tension which ensures a secure fit around the patient's neck. Attached to elastic section 34 is a tab 36 (attached, for example, via stitching) having Velcro hooks on one side thereof for attachment to surface 18 of strap 10 (see, e.g., FIG. 3), and thereby securing: strap 12 to strap 10, the tracheostomy tube holder around the patient's neck, and the tracheostomy tube 30 in place.
One disadvantage of this prior art structure is that the ends 38 and 39 of straps 10 and 12 respectively, are in close proximity to the tracheostomy tube and the patient's stoma in the throat area, thereby exposing the end of the straps to secretions from the patient. Thus, the cotton surface 14 of the straps can quickly become saturated by fluids, thereby necessitating frequent replacement to maintain a clean environment. It would therefore be desirable to provide a tracheostomy tube holder which does not easily become saturated by patient fluids while still securely fastening the tracheostomy tube in place. It is further advantageous to provide a tracheostomy tube holder which is comfortable when used by the wearer, and which does not induce adverse dermatological effects such as redness, soreness, and irritation to the patient.


A method, system, and product for analyzing a digitized image of an array to create an image of a grid overlay. The method comprising the steps of locating the center of each object on the array, determining a standard shape and size for the objects, and creating a final image of the grid overlay. Preliminary procedures can be used to normalize the image so that optimal results can be obtained. Sub-grids can be identified and objects repositioned within their corresponding sub-grids. Noise can be removed by filtering processes based on object size, intensity, and location.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to analysis of digitized images of arrays.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Array technology has dramatically expanded the ability of researchers to perform a variety of biotechnological operations. It has proven especially valuable in applications for DNA genotyping and gene expression. By supporting simultaneous examination of up to thousands of samples, the method enables researchers to gain a better overall picture than what may be obtained from a traditional xe2x80x9cone gene in one experimentxe2x80x9d approach. Array technology also reduces the time and the volume of materials needed for an experiment. Where previously a researcher might screen an array of unknowns with a defined probe, array technology facilitates a reverse approach. Defined DNA fragments can be affixed to known positions in an array and probed with an unknown sample.
Often, a distinction is made in array technology between microarrays and macroarrays. Objects on a microarray typically have diameters of less than 200 microns, while those on a macroarray are usually larger than 300 microns. Arrays may use glass slides, micromirrors, or semiconductor chips as substrate materials. The shape, alignment, and density of objects on an array may be controlled by a variety of methods. Robotic systems that precisely deposit small quantities of solution in an ordered configuration on the substrate material are common. Photolithographic techniques, similar to those used in the semiconductor electronics industry, are also used. Masks define activation sites where chemical coupling may occur. Repeating this process to build upon previously exposed sites allows for the formation of various gene sequences at different positions throughout the array. Alternatively, a solution of biomaterial may be spread across the substrate while specific sites on the chip are electrically activated to induce chemical bonding at those locations. Often a high density array is partitioned into sub-arrays to distinguish various aspects of an experiment, to separate different tests, or due to mechanical limitations in the means by which samples are applied to the substrate.
In a typical experiment, the array is exposed to a chemical sample to induce hybridization between array object and sample compounds. A variety of detection strategies may be used to locate the specific sites on the array where hybridization has occurred. These include use of fluorescent dyes, autoradiography, radiolabels, bioelectronic detection (observance of electron transfer reactions between samples and the substrate), and laser desorption mass spectrometry. Signals emitted from objects via detection media provide information about the reactions. Signals may be measured for absolute intensities or, in the case where different colored dyes are used to detect the degree of presence of different compounds, for ratios of intensities within specific frequencies.
Measurement and analysis of signals emitted from an array of objects usually involves examination of an image of the array. The labeled samples are excited and a detector system captures an image of the emitted energy. Accuracy of subsequent signal analysis is heavily dependent on the parameters of the detector system and its ability to reproduce faithfully the image of the array. Detector pixels need to be sufficiently small so that representation of each object includes enough pixels to support statistical analysis of the intensity of the object.
In addition to issues with image accuracy, signal measurement and analysis may be further complicated by the introduction of noise onto either the array or the image. Noise may arise from variations in sources used to excite labeled samples, fluorescence scattered by adjacent samples (xe2x80x9cbloomingxe2x80x9d effect), dust and other impurities on the array, and other sources. Signal strength may be limited by the size of the objects, irregularities in preparing sites on the array, shortfalls of sample compounds deposited at certain locations, uneven application of detection media, and other causes. Fluctuations in the intensity of energy emitted by the background of the image can cloud the distinction between signal and noise objects and add to the difficulty of image analysis.
Image analysis is often aided by use of a grid overlay to assist the researcher in locating signal objects and identifying noise. However, alignment of the grid overlay often must be adjusted for the particular array, especially where a standard grid overlay must be modified to create sub-grids that correspond to underlying sub-arrays. When done manually, grid alignment can take days. Additionally, errors in human judgment in performing this process can substantially diminish the likelihood that other researchers will be able to reproduce the results of an experiment.
Digital image processing software has helped to mitigate some of the concerns with matching the grid overlay to the array. Orientation markers included on array substrates and captured in the image can be used to align grid overlays on the image. A typical algorithm to distinguish sub-grids detects signals from objects, determines the xe2x80x9ccenter of massxe2x80x9d for each object, identifies corner coordinates for each sub-array, and aligns sub-grids accordingly.
Measurement of background intensity usually involves distinguishing background pixels from object pixels. Often it is assumed that those pixels nearest the edge of the image represent the background of the image. However, this is not always the case, particularly for high density arrays. Where an image consists of relatively low intensity objects against a high intensity background, a histogram of the image will likely be unimodal in character and provide useful information for distinguishing background pixels from object pixels. With an accurate characterization of background intensity, objects on the image may be identified. Often, objects are defined simply as those pixels with a value of intensity greater than a multiple of the standard deviation of the distribution of intensities for background pixels added to the mean value of this distribution.
Each of these methods for processing the digital image of an array has benefits and disadvantages. While the processes described in the current art have admirably employed statistical tools in the course of their analyses, they have not included other mathematical methods, such as evaluations of fourier transform spectrums, in their overall schemes. Also, current methods have taken a xe2x80x9cbackground firstxe2x80x9d approach in which objects are defined in terms of xe2x80x9cnot being backgroundxe2x80x9d. On whole, development within the art has tended to focus on identifying and correcting individual impediments to accurate image analysis. What has been needed is a comprehensive scheme to integrate a variety approaches into a single optimal method that can be used with any array regardless of object size or density, corrects the orientation of the array on the image, flattens fluctuations in background intensity, removes noise, and adjusts its efficacy to variations in background and noise intensity.
The present invention provides a method, system, and product for analyzing a digitized image of an array to create an image of a grid overlay. It is designed to function on images of arrays of various sizes and densities and with different levels of noise intensity. In general, the invention locates the center of each object on the array, determines a standard shape and size for the objects, and creates a final image of the grid overlay. In a preferred embodiment, preliminary procedures normalize the image so that optimal results can be obtained, sub-grids are identified and objects are repositioned within their corresponding sub-grids, and noise is removed by filtering processes based on object size, intensity, and location. Unlike prior art approaches, the present invention takes an xe2x80x9cobjects firstxe2x80x9d approach by initially identifying objects on the image and then defining the background in terms of xe2x80x9cnot being objectsxe2x80x9d.
Accurately ascertaining the location, size, and shape of objects on an array is critical for precise measurement of array data. The present invention advances the state of the art by eliminating the need for orientation markers, by incorporating full array and frequency analysis operations into the process in addition to local measurement techniques, and by reducing the requirement for manual intervention and the errors it introduces. The present invention enables objects on an array to be characterized more quickly, more consistently, and more accurately than the prior art.
In a preferred embodiment, preliminary procedures normalize the image so that optimal results can be obtained. First, a determination is made as to whether the image is negative or positive. A histogram is prepared of the original image and a third order moment of the histogram is calculated. If the third order moment is negative, the image is converted to positive. After establishing a positive image, the background of the image is corrected to reduce fluctuations in its intensity. Object pixels are distinguished from background pixels and the values of the background pixels are set equal to a common value. On a background-corrected image, the orientation of the array is adjusted so that the array aligns with the borders of the image. A desired angle of orientation between the rows and columns of the array and the boundaries of the image is selected. A fast fourier transform spectrum is created for the image. The maximum frequency is determined from the fast fourier transform spectrum and used to calculate the actual angle of orientation between the rows and columns of the array and the boundaries of the image. Thereafter, the image is rotated to a selected desired angle of orientation. This same fast fourier transform spectrum can be used to measure the level of noise on the image. (Therefore, these two procedures can be performed in tandem.) In measuring the level of noise on the image, an average of the pixel values is determined for a middle portion of one of the four quadrants of the fast fourier transform spectrum. With this average a threshold noise level is set for use in subsequent filtering processes.
These preliminary procedures create an intermediate image that will optimize the results of subsequent filtering processes. Because the present invention is designed to function on images of arrays of various sizes and densities, filter size parameters, based on the size of objects on the array, are calculated. The image is lowpass filtered in one dimension to create an image of linear bands. A line of pixels is formed substantially perpendicular to these linear bands. A profile is developed of the line of pixels and a fast fourier transform spectrum is prepared for the profile. The maximum frequency is determined from the fast fourier transform spectrum and used to determine a filter size parameter appropriate for the size of the objects on the array. The same process is repeated for the other dimension. In conjunction with the procedure for calculating filter size parameters, boundaries for the array are defined to prevent the inclusion of background pixels located on the outer edges of the image in subsequent filtering processes.
Once preliminary procedures have been completed, single pixel centers of objects are located through a series of filtering processes that also serves to remove noise based on object size and intensity. Using these single pixel centers, horizontal and vertical polynomial segments are created that approximate the lines that pass through the single pixel centers. Polynomial segments are used in recognition of the possibility that the single pixel centers may not lie on the same line. Therefore, defining the positions of the single pixel centers as points on a polynomial function increases the accuracy of the location of objects on the final grid overlay. Additionally, the spacing between polynomial segments is used to identify sub-grids within the array. Once sub-grids are identified, first, single pixel centers are aligned and, then, objects are repositioned with respect to their corresponding sub-grids. By comparing single pixel centers with objects, a final effort is made to remove noise based on object location on the image. Using the remaining objects, a standard shape and size is determined for objects and the final image of the grid overlay is created in which each object has said standard shape and size and is positioned in relation to its corresponding said center.

Method, system, and product for analyzing a digitized image of an array to create an image of a grid overlay


A utility knife has a blade carriage having a blade-receiving bay and moveable horizontally to move a cutting blade disposed in the bay from a retracted position to a deployed position. A locking mechanism is operative to releasably couple the cutting blade to the carriage and includes a lock plate having an blade-engagement element and moveable by non-pivoting, generally vertical displacement between a locked position and an unlocked position. An actuator engages the locking mechanism and moves the locking mechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position. The actuator may move from a first position to a second position in unlocking the locking mechanism, optionally vertically, with the second position being not closer to the midline of the utility knife than the first position. The blade-receiving bay may face the side of the housing that supports the actuator for the locking mechanism.

The present invention is directed generally to utility knives, and more particularly to a utility knife having a releasable blade locking mechanism.
Modern utility knives typically include a housing, a moveable blade carriage, and a cutting blade. The blade carriage is mounted in the housing so as slide back and forth inside the housing. The cutting blade is coupled to the blade carriage so as to move between an extended or deployed cutting position (carriage forward) and a retracted position (carriage back). The cutting blade typically has a trapezoid shape with a razor sharp cutting edge along the long lower side and two small U-shaped notches along an opposing shorter upper side for mating the cutting blade to the blade carriage.
In use, the sharp edge of the cutting blade may become dulled, or the blade may break, or the blade may otherwise need to be replaced. As such, it is common for utility knives to allow the blade to be replaced. In very simple utility knives, the housing may be formed of two halves that are joined together by a central screw. Replacement of the blade in such devices requires the screw to be removed, the housing halves separated to expose the blade carriage, removal and replacement of the blade, and then re-assembly of the housing. Such an arrangement is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,099,578 and 3,192,624. Other utility knives use modified versions of this concept, with housing halves that pivot with respect to one another, or other means to hold the housing halves together. Nevertheless, the manipulation of the housing required to change the cutting blades is less than ideal with such designs. Accordingly, some designs have been proposed that use a "quick release" mechanism that allows the cutting blade to be replaced via the front slit in the housing. Examples of such designs are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,829,827 and 6,553,674. However, even these quick-release mechanisms have proven less than ideal, and there remains a need for alternative utility knife designs that allow for easy cutting blade replacement.

Releasable blade locking mechanism for utility knife


A method and system for transferring a file from a home network to Wide Area Network (WAN) user device using the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) telephony service are provided. A request is received from a Telephony Control Point (TCP) to start a file transfer session. The request can include information associated with the file. The file transfer session is established using a messaging service based on the request and file information received in the request from the TCP. The file is fetched from the TCP and stored in the TS. An invite is sent to the WAN user device for initiating the file transfer session from the home network to the WAN user device. The file is transferred to the WAN user device when an acknowledgment of the invite is received from the WAN user device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of home networking, and more particularly to Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) enabled telephony devices.
2. Description of Related Art
UPnP telephony service allows access to telephony services using home devices. This provides a user with flexibility to access telephony services at home using different kinds of devices. The UPnP is a set of computer network protocols promulgated by the UPnP forum. The goals of UPnP telephony are to allow home devices to connect seamlessly and to simplify implementation of networks in the home (for example, data sharing, communications, and entertainment) and corporate environments. The UPnP achieves these goals by defining and publishing UPnP device control protocols built upon open, Internet-based communication standards.
The UPnP architecture allows peer-to-peer networking of Personal Computers (PCs), networked appliances, and wireless devices. The UPnP architecture is a distributed, open architecture based on established standards such as Transmission Control Protocol or Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Extensible Markup Language (XML).
The UPnP architecture supports zero-configuration networking. An UPnP compatible device from any vendor can dynamically join a network, obtain an IP address, announce its name, convey its capabilities upon request, and learn about the presence and capabilities of other devices. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Domain Name System (DNS) servers are optional and are only used if they are available on the network. The UPnP compatible device can leave the network automatically without leaving any unwanted state information.
The UPnP telephony services also provides discovery, control and event mechanisms. The discovery mechanism is enabled using Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP). All control messages are in the form of XML and follow General Event Notification Architecture (GENA) protocol. Thus, the UPnP makes the availability and unavailability of the devices known to the other devices in the network on the fly.
The UPnP defines new telephony services for extending the user experience in the home to access of the telephony services, such as, messaging services, presence services, and call handling (packet switching or circuit switching).
The UPnP telephony defines the messaging service and the call management service, which allows the user to access the messaging service by, for example, sending the message using the device which does not have the messaging capability and initiating the media calls. The UPnP telephony messaging service uses the basic UPnP architecture to define the messaging service so it defines the actions and state variable to access the messaging service.
As analogous to UPnP Device Architecture (DA), the UPnP telephony services define the following three kinds of devices.
A Telephony Server (TS) provides messaging, and presence related services to the user. The TS also provides call management services.
A Telephony Control Point (TCP), which is the same as Control Point (CP), initiates the actions provided by the TS.
A Telephony Client (TC) device is for media related handling and for acting as the input and output of the device
Current messaging services allow the user to send messages, for example, messages using Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), Chat Instant Messaging (Chat IM) and Electronic mail (Email). The messaging services also allow the user to group the messages into one session by defining the actions to create the IM session and allowing the user to modify the existing session.
Table 1 shows a state variables list and the message service.
TABLE 1Variable NameTypeValuesNewMessageStringMessage IdsIMSessionStatusStringSession Information(Session closed,Session updated, Sessionrejected, User typing)A_ARG_TYPE_MessageIDStringAny string (Uniquestring)A_ARG_TYPE_MessageClassStringEmail/SMS/MMS/InstantMessageA_ARG_TYPE_MessageFolderStringReceived/Deleted/ALL/Sent/OutgoingA_ARG_TYPE_RetrieveFlagStringMessage flag: Notified/Read/Unread/AllA_ARG_TYPE_MessageStringMessage Structure(XMLFragment)A_ARG_TYPE_MessageListStringMessage Information(XML(message ID or DateFragment)Recipient, or subjectetc)
Table 2 below shows an action list and the message service.
TABLE 2Action NameDescriptionReadMessage( )Reading the message stored in the TS (Inputis MessageID)ReadLast Messages( )Reading last Message in storage, (input argument:Message class, Message Folder, Retrieve Flag)GetNewMessage( )Requesting New Message IDsGetMessage( )Getting Messages Information (input para:MessageClass, Message Folder, Retrieve Flag)GetFilteredMessage( )Getting Filtered message with specified messagefilterSendMessage( )Sending the message to TSDeleteMessage( )Deleting MessageCreateIMSession( )Initiating the IM Session, Input Parameters: IMSession class, Recipients.ModifyIMSession( )Adding User, Removing users. (Media Content)AcceptIMSession( )Accepting incoming IM SessionGetIMSessonStatus( )IMsessionStatus variableGetIMSessions( )Getting all ongoing messaging on TSGetIMSessionInfo( )Retrieving session info input parameter (sessionID)CloseIMSession( )To close, leave, reject the IM Session
However, currently there is no mechanism in UPnP technology that allows the user to send a file to any Wide Area Network (WAN) user from the home network.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for file transfer in universal plug and play telephony service


An information providing system allows to intentionally modify the arrangement of clips to be reproduced from that of the first transmission. The program clips and the CM clips obtained by receiving those broadcast are stored in recorded result storage section 11 and rearrangement examining section 15 carries out a processing operation of comparing the attributes of each of the clips and the applicable profile data generated by applicable profile generating section 14. Then, the sequence of reproducing the contents clips is modified on the basis of the result of the processing operation and download operating section 16 downloads the contents clips to be added on an on-demand basis. Then, the final arrangement section 17 rearranges the sequence of reproducing the contents clips including those to be added to set up the final arrangement.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an information providing system adapted to provide contents data containing a group of multi-media contents obtained by combining prearranged program main body data and assisting materials as well as to an information terminal device, an information server device and an information providing method that are adapted to be used with such a system.
2. Description of the Related Art
The broadcasting stations of many broadcasting systems including those of terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting and CATV transmit news and programs with commercials (CMs) inserted therein. Differently stated, the sponsors of TV commercials bear the cost of producing programs and transmitting the produced programs, that should otherwise be borne by the viewers so that the viewers are provided with broadcasting services at considerably low cost.
Meanwhile, many programs that are broadcast are recorded on various recording means such as magnetic tapes by using recording/reproduction devices such as video cassette recorders (to be referred to as VCRs hereinafter) so that they may be replayed whenever necessary.
The recent technological developments in the fields of digital coding of audio signals and wide area telecommunications networks entails various possible applications of the technologies. Such possible applications include interactive video services that are being studied for feasibility. A typical example of such services is VoD (Video on Demand). With VoD, the video server of the transmitting station is connected to the set top box of each subscriber/receiver by way of telecommunications lines on a one to one basis so that the video server can be operated like a VCR according to the request of the subscriber sent from the set top box to the video server by way of an up line. For instance, the applicant of the present patent application has proposed an information providing system for the purpose of streaming transmission of programs on an on-demand basis where each subscriber/user can select and download a program by way of an information telecommunications network such as Internet (see Japanese Patent Application No. 11-354992).
For programs to be provided on an on-demand basis by streaming transmission, the transmission center of the service provider may typically store:
1) motion pictures to be transmitted in the Christmas season that contain CMs for Christmas sales inserted therein;
2) motion pictures to be transmitted in the New Year season that contain CMs for New Year sales inserted therein; and
3) motions pictures to be transmitted in night time zones in the Christmas season or the New Year season that contain CMs.
Then, the service provider may transmit any of the above programs to the subscriber/user on an on-demand basis in response to the request of the latter. Each on-demand program of the type under consideration will carry a price tag showing the price of the on-demand service that of course more than covers the cost of the service.
Most programs that are recorded and replayed by ordinary home users of recording/reproduction devices such as VCRs contain CMs that are unchangeable. In other words, the CMs inserted in a program or between any two programs cannot be changed and constantly stay there until the program or programs are erased.
However, CMs are a sort of commodity information and therefore mostly meaningful only for a certain limited period of time. Additionally, CMs need to be conveyed to selected targets.
For example, a CM for a discount sales campaign for a limited period of time will be meaningless if it is replayed after the period from the viewpoint of announcement and advertisement. Similarly, a CM for cosmetic products will have little effect if the viewers of the CM are mostly men. However, a broadcast program that is recorded by a recording/reproduction device will be reproduced without paying attention to the majority sex of the viewers.
Meanwhile, with known on-demand broadcasting systems, while a subscriber/user can select a program he or she wants to watch out of a plurality of available programs, the user cannot select one of same programs that are arranged differently.
As a result of the recent technological developments, particularly those related to Internet and other telecommunications networks, a wide variety of programs and other audio/video services are made available to viewers. Nowadays, viewers expect to obtain mass information not so much as information customized to individual viewers. However, preparing and storing customized pieces of information will require enormous efforts and a vast storage capacity because the demand of each viewer/user can change incessantly with time.
With know on-demand broadcasting systems, however, a given program accompanied by given CMs is always priced at a same level on a same cost management policy so that it will be a problem how to price the program if it is combined with different CMs immediately before transmission. If a program is combined with various different sets of CMs and recorded for storage in order to adapt itself to different situations, the transmission center will have to be provided with a vast storage capacity. Additionally, each of such combinations have to be priced appropriately, entailing cumbersome cost-related calculations.

Information providing system, information terminal device, information server device and information providing method


A request to move along a route is detected. The request is from a first electric vehicle. The route may include a start point and an end point. It may be determined that the first vehicle is an electric vehicle including a battery. In response to determining that the first vehicle is an electric vehicle, one or more battery parameters of the first vehicle may be retrieved. One or more electric vehicle chargers may be identified based on the start point and the end point. A subset of the electric vehicle chargers may be selected based on the battery parameters of the first vehicle. A second route is generated based on the subset of the electric vehicle chargers. The second route is generated such that the first vehicle is capable of reaching the end point. The route of the first vehicle may be replaced with the second route.

The present disclosure relates to vehicles, and more specifically, to providing charge to electric vehicles.
Vehicles may be used to transport people, and to facilitate movement of goods and services. Vehicles may operate based on a powertrain, such as an internal combustion engine. Vehicles may operate based on an electric powertrain, such as an electric motor. The electric motor may be powered by a battery, a generator, a hydrogen fuel cell, or other power source.

Routing and charging of electric powertrain vehicle

International Business Machines Corporation


Estimates of ringing produced by short recovery pulse sequences (CPMG or modified CPMG) are used to improve the effects of ringing in a conventional CPMG or modified CPMG sequences. This is an effective method for removal of ringing when the ringing is varying over a time interval that would be spanned by a phase alternated pair of conventional sequences. By use of frequency dithering, ringing due to the excitation pulse and the refocusing pulses can be removed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of nuclear magnetic resonance exploration of oil wellbore. In particular, the invention is a method of correcting for ringing effects inherent in magnetic pulse sequence testing.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of techniques are utilized in determining the presence and estimation of quantities of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) in earth formations. These methods are designed to determine formation parameters, including among other things, the resistivity, porosity and permeability of the rock formation surrounding the wellbore drilled for recovering the hydrocarbons. Typically, the tools designed to provide the desired information are used to log the wellbore. Much of the logging is done after the well bores have been drilled. More recently, wellbores have been logged while drilling, which is referred to as measurement-while-drilling (MWD) or logging-while-drilling (LWD).
One recently evolving technique involves utilizing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) logging tools and methods for determining, among other things, porosity, hydrocarbon saturation and permeability of the rock formations. The NMR logging tools are utilized to excite the nuclei of the liquids in the geological formations surrounding the wellbore so that certain parameters such as spin density, longitudinal relaxation time (generally referred to in the art as T1) and transverse relaxation time (generally referred to as T2) of the geological formations can be measured. From such measurements, porosity, permeability and hydrocarbon saturation are determined, which provides valuable information about the make-up of the geological formations and the amount of extractable hydrocarbons.
The NMR tools generate a uniform or near uniform static magnetic field in a region of interest surrounding the wellbore. NMR is based on the fact that the nuclei of many elements have angular momentum (spin) and a magnetic moment. The nuclei have a characteristic Larmor resonant frequency related to the magnitude of the magnetic field in their locality. Over time the nuclear spins align themselves along an externally applied magnetic field. This equilibrium situation can be disturbed by a pulse of an oscillating magnetic field, which tips the spins with resonant frequency within the bandwidth of the oscillating magnetic field away from the static field direction. The angle θ through which the spins exactly on resonance are tipped is given by the equation:θ=γB1tp.  (1)where γ is the gyromagnetic ratio, B1 is the effective field strength of the oscillating field and tp is the duration of the RF pulse.
After tipping, the spins precess around the static field at a particular frequency known as the Larmor frequency ω0, given byω=γB0  (2)where B0 is the static field intensity. At the same time, the spins return to the equilibrium direction (i.e., aligned with the static field) according to an exponential decay time known as the spin-lattice relaxation time, or longitudinal relaxation time, T1. For hydrogen nuclei, γ/2π=4258 Hz/Gauss, so that a static field of 235 Gauss would produce a precession frequency of 1 MHz. T1 of fluid in pores is controlled totally by the molecular environment and is typically ten to one thousand milliseconds in rocks.
Typically, measurement of NMR related phenomena in the earth formation is performed by allowing some time for the static magnetic field to polarize nuclei in the formation in a direction substantially along the direction of the static magnetic field. A first one of the RF pulses passed through the antenna has a magnitude and duration selected to reorient the nuclear magnetization by about 90 degrees from its previous orientation. This pulse is referred to in the prior art as the A-pulse, the 90°-pulse, and the excitation pulse, among others. After a selected time, successive RF pulses are passed through the antenna, each of these having a magnitude and duration selected to reorient the nuclear spin axes by about 180 degrees from their immediately previous orientations in order to enable the nuclear spin axes to "rephase" or realign with each other. These pulse rephrasing pulses are referred to in the prior art as the B-pulses, the 180°-pulses, and refocusing pulses, among others. The induced signals, known as "spin echoes", are generally measured during the time interval between each successive one of the "180 degree" RF pulses. The succession of spin echo measurements is generally known as a "sequence". The amplitude of the spin echo signals, and the rate at which the spin echo amplitudes change during a measurement sequence, are related to properties of interest of the earth formations, such as fractional volume of pore space (porosity) and the properties of fluids present in the pore spaces. The frequency of the RF magnetic field needed to reorient the nuclear magnetization, which is the frequency of the spin echo signals, is related to the amplitude of the static magnetic field and a factor, known as the gyromagnetic ratio γ, which is unique to each isotope. For evaluation of earth formations, the static magnetic field amplitude and RF magnetic field frequency are typically selected to excite NMR phenomena in hydrogen nuclei, although other nuclei may be used for NMR evaluation of earth formations.
Exciting the antenna with RF power pulses in the presence of a strong static magnetic field causes mechanical excitation of the antenna. Mechanical excitation of the antenna leads to excitation of a signal, called "ringing", in the antenna. The ringing is unrelated to NMR phenomena, and frequently has a very large amplitude. The amplitude of the ringing is often highest right after application of each RF pulse, and is of such a magnitude as to make it difficult to measure the amplitude of NMR induced signals. Reducing the effects of ringing on NMR measurement is very important in well logging applications, among others, because significant information about the properties of the earth formations are determined by the amplitudes of spin echoes occurring shortly after the RF pulses.
Apparatuses which reduce ringing effects by way of tool design are discussed, for example in U.K. Patent Publication GB2310724A, of Taicher, and U.S. Patent Publication 20030038631 of Kruspe. Methods for removing the effects of acoustic ringing in Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance techniques are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,171, of Beuss.
Several methods are known in the art for removing ringing effects. One class of such methods includes creating a phase difference between the ringing signal and the NMR induced signals, and summing or "stacking" multiple sets of measurements to reduce the amplitude of the ringing signal in the output. One commonly used measurement sequence used in evaluation of earth formations is known as "phase alternate pairs" (PAPS). PAPS sequences include performing a measurement sequence as just described including a 90 degree RF pulse followed by successive 180 degree pulses. After a selected wait time, another such measurement sequence is performed, but with the polarity of the 90 degree pulse reversed. Stacking the two sets of measurements substantially cancels the ringing signal. Such a method is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,274 to Sezginer and U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,551 to Kleinberg et al.
In traditional PAPS techniques, first an acquisition is performed at time t and the resulting measurement, m(t) contain both useful echo data, e(t), and corrupting ringing data, r(t), resulting inm(t)=e(t)+r(t).  (4)After this acquisition, it is typically necessary to wait a time for the measured material to recover, leading to a long repetition rate, trl. The acquisition is repeated, this time with identical parameters, except that the phase of the excitation pulse is moved through 180°. This has the effect of changing the sign of the echo data, but it does not affect the ringing which is primarily created by the refocusing pulses. So:m(t+trl)=−e(t+trl)+r(t+trl).  (5)The PAP technique is to subtract these two measurements, i.e.
                              PAPS                                (                          t              +                                                tr                  l                                2                                      )                          =                                                            m                                                  (                  t                  )                                            -                              m                                                  (                                      t                    +                                          tr                      l                                                        )                                                      2                    =                                                                      e                                                        (                    t                    )                                                  +                                  e                                                        (                                          t                      +                                              tr                        l                                                              )                                                              2                        +                                                            r                                                        (                    t                    )                                                  -                                  r                                                        (                                          t                      +                                              tr                        l                                                              )                                                              2                                                          (        6        )            If the ringing is constant or very slowly changing, the PAPS result is the average of the two echo signals and contains little or no ringing signal. Usually, the material that is ringing is within the instrument (sensor or electronics) and the assumption that the ringing changes slowly with time. However, in some circumstances, e.g. metal debris in the well, the ringing material may be external to the instrument. This external material typically moves with respect to the instrument and therefore changes the ringing during time interval between the pulse sequences. The duration of time between the first and second sequences of the PAPS sequence must necessarily be large to allow for adequate spin-lattice relaxation before the second sequence. The extended length of time also leads to different material being tested in each sequence of the PAPS because of the motion of the measurement device through the borehole. The wait time, trl, thereby limits the effectiveness of the results. Another disadvantage of the PAPS sequence is that it only eliminates ringing due to the application of the B-pulses, and does not reduce ringing from the A-pulse.
Several other methods for reducing the effects of ringing are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,498,484 to Sun et al., discusses a method in which two CPMG pulse sequences are used with variation of the static magnetic field. In the second pulse sequence, the static field amplitude is adjusted by an amplitude and time span selected to cause a 180 deg phase shift in the spin echo signals. Base line noise and ringing substantially cancels when the first and second signals are subtracted. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,774 to Sun et al., during a first time period of a single pulse sequence cycle, a first plurality of oscillating pulses is applied to a volume of formation. The subsequent measured signal comprises a ringing component and a plurality of spin-echoes. During a second time period of the single pulse sequence cycle, a second plurality of oscillating pulses are applied to the volume of formation and signals generated in the formation are measured. The measured signals comprise the ringing component and substantially exclude the spin-echoes. During the second time period, the spin-echoes and stimulated echoes may be eliminated by repeatedly applying a short pulse followed by a time delay in order to spoil the stimulated and echoes and spin-echoes. The signals measured during the first time period are corrected to eliminate the ringing component.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,377,042 to Menger et al., discusses a method of obtaining enhanced-resolution NMR data by merging, in the time domain, different NMR pulse echo trains into a single echo train. The input echo trains can be acquired with different inter-echo spacing, wait time, and signal-to-noise ratio parameters that are optimized to correspond to both fast and slow portions of the T2 spectrum. The merged echo trains are inverted into complete T2 spectra in a single step, the merged echo train typically carrying information about both relatively fast and relatively slow NMR signals.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,541,969 to Sigal et al. an estimate of the ringing component of the signal can be obtained by combining two or more acquisition sequences in such a manner as to obtain an estimate of the ringing component of the signal. Alternatively, the ringing component of the signal is estimated by direct measurement using a separate NMR pulse sequence, which is a specific implementation is a standard CPMG pulse echo sequence without the leading 90° pulse. Such sequence will generally contain ringing but not any decay signals. Various signal processing or statistical methods are applied to remove the estimated ringing component from the acquisition sequences.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,570,381 to Speier et al. discusses using a series of cycles of measurement pulse sequences applied to a formation surround a borehole. Each pulse sequence includes an RF excitation pulse at several RF refocusing pulses. Spin echoes are received that contain spurious ringing signals from the excitation and refocusing pulses. For example, manipulating the polarities of the excitation and refocusing pulses can obtain the substantial cancellation of the spurious ringing from the excitation and refocusing pulses. Spin echo signals from corresponding spin echoes of each cycle are combined and substantially cancel the spurious ringing from the excitation and refocusing pulses of the pulse sequences. U.S. Pat. No. 6,518,757 to Speier discusses rotating the nuclear spins in a pulse sequence. A sequence of refocusing pulses is applied a period of time after termination of the excitation pulse to generate a plurality of echoes. The phase of the refocusing pulses is changed so that pairs of echoes in the echo train have opposite ringing phase. Echoes in the echo train having opposite ringing phase are added to cancel ringing in the echo train. The echo train can then be analyzed for amplitude and/or decay characteristics.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,013 to Hawkes et al. discusses a method of both maximizing a signal and minimizing RF power consumption. The timing and duration of the RF pulses are altered from conventional CPMG pulses. In an exemplary embodiment, a refocusing pulse having a spin tip angle less than 180° is applied with carrier phase shifted by typically π/2 radians with respect to the 90° tipping pulse. As a consequence, more of the nuclei originally tipped by 90° are refocused, resulting in larger echoes and reduced power consumption of the tool. An additional forced recovery pulse at the end of an echo train may be used to speed up the acquisition and/or provide a signal for canceling the ringing artefact.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,438 to Kruspe et al. discusses a method of acquiring NMR spin echo signal using pulse sequences having more than one interecho spacing By proper selection of the variable TE sequences, a desired resolution may be obtained for all expected components (short, medium, and long) while reducing the required time and the required power.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,663 to Prammer discusses a method for suppressing magneto-acoustic artifacts in NMR data using a cycle of pulse sequences characterized by a change in the measurement frequency between pulse sequences. In a preferred embodiment, the frequency change is chosen so that spurious signals induced by the excitation pulse may be significantly reduced by combining NMR signals from corresponding echoes received in response to each measurement frequency.
In the prior art, the PAPS sequence is useful only for reducing the ringing effect from the B-pulse. It would be desirable to have a method of removing ringing from both the A pulse and the B pulse in a situation where the ringing may be changing rapidly during the logging process. The present invention fulfills that need.

Method and apparatus for correcting ringing in NMR signals


A centralized recorded announcement unit shared by multiple end offices on a public switched telephone network stores announcements in digital files. When a call is received at a switch and an announcement is required, the announcement is played to the caller by an announcement device if the particular announcement file is stored locally. If the announcement is not stored locally, a request is sent to the centralized recorded announcement unit to retrieve the announcement file and play the announcement to the caller. Both the request and the announcement file are sent via a packed-switched network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to the field of telecommunications. More particularly, the present invention relates to the distribution of voice announcements from a centralized recorded announcement platform to a plurality of end office switches.
2. Acronyms
The written description contains acronyms that refer to various telecommunications services, components and techniques, as well as features relating to the present invention. Although some of these acronyms are known, use of these acronyms is not strictly standardized in the art. For purposes of the written description, acronyms will be defined as follows:                Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM)        Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN)        Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)        Asynchronous Transfer Mode Gateway (ATMG)        Basic Rate Interface (BRI)        Carrier AIN (CAIN)        Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF)        Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)        Intelligent Peripheral Announcement Device (IPAD)        Internet Protocol (IP)        Local Area Network (LAN)        Media Gateway (MG)        Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP)        Network Facility Access (NFA)        Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)        Primary Rate Interface (PRI)        Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)        Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)        Service Control Point (SCP)        Service Switching Point (SSP)        Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)        Signaling System 7 (SS7)        Speech Activated Intelligent Dialing (SAID)        Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)        Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)        Voice Over IP (VoIP)        Wide Area Network (WAN)
3. Background and Material Information
Telephone service providers provide voice announcements to subscribers in support of its services and to assist in call processing. The voice announcements are recorded voice files that are installed at each end office switch. That is, each particular recorded voice announcement must be duplicated or installed on each end office switch. To do so requires a substantial amount of time and resources from a manpower and hardware perspective.
With new services being offered frequently, flexibility in provisioning announcements is crucial. This is especially true with respect to the delivery and marketing of subscription and pay per use services. Moreover, an increasing segment of the population would appreciate announcements in a language other than English. Unfortunately, installing new announcements or changing existing announcements is very difficult to coordinate on a company wide basis, given the number of end office switches involved. Attempts at improving this process have proved unsatisfactory.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to implement a centralized digital recorded announcement system employing high speed transmission technology that would permit the provisioning of voice announcements quickly and inexpensively.

Method and system for playing packetized announcements to telephone network end office switching systems from a centralized digital recorded announcement unit


A method and compounds for inhibiting and controlling corrosion is disclosed. The method is particularly effective at inhibiting or preventing corrosion of ferrous-based metals in contact with aqueous systems such as cooling water systems. The method comprises introducing into the aqueous system a compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, substituted alkyl or substituted aryl; R' and R" are each independently hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl or C.sub.1-4 substituted alkyl; Z is O, S, NH, or NR, where R is as described above; n is a positive integer greater than 1; f is a positive integer; and M is hydrogen, a water soluble cation (e.g., NH.sub.4.sup.+, alkali metal), or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group.

In industrial cooling systems, water such as from rivers, lakes, ponds, etc., is employed as the cooling media for heat exchangers. The cooling water from heat exchangers is typically passed through a cooling tower, spray pond or evaporative system prior to discharge or reuse. In these systems, the cooling effect is achieved by evaporating a portion of the water passing through the system. Because of the evaporation which takes place during cooling, dissolved materials in the water become concentrated, making the water more corrosive.
In cooling systems, corrosion causes two basic problems. The first and most obvious is the failure of equipment, resulting in replacement costs and plant downtime. Also, decreased plant efficiency occurs due to the loss of heat transfer. The accumulation of corrosion products causes heat exchanger fouling, resulting in the loss of heat transfer.
Ferrous-based metals, e.g., iron metal and metal alloys containing iron (mild steel), are routinely used in the construction of cooling systems due to their low cost and availability. As the system water passes over or through these ferrous-based metal containing devices, they are subjected to corrosion processes. Corrosion inhibitors are generally added as part of a water treatment program in cooling systems to prevent and inhibit the corrosion of ferrous-based metal containing devices.
Chromates, molybdates, zinc, phosphates or polyphosphates, and phosphonates have been used to inhibit the corrosion of ferrous-based metals in contact with the system water of cooling systems. Each treatment, however, presents certain drawbacks. Chromate is highly toxic and presents handling and disposal problems. Phosphates, polyphosphates, and phosphonates contribute to the eutrophication of the receiving water upon discharge, leading to restriction of their discharge by regulatory bodies. The discharge of cooling tower blowdown containing zinc, a heavy metal, is also regulated due to its aquatic toxicity. Molybdate and tungstate are not effective at low concentrations and generally are combined with other conventional inhibitors, such as phosphonates, to be cost effective.
There exists a need, therefore, for a more environmentally acceptable corrosion inhibitor of ferrous-based metals in contact with aqueous systems. In particular, there is a need for a non-phosphorus containing organic corrosion inhibitor.
Preventing the corrosion and scaling of industrial heat transfer equipment is essential to the efficient and economical operation of a cooling water system. Excessive corrosion of metallic surfaces can cause the premature failure of process equipment, necessitating downtime for the replacement or repair of the equipment. Additionally, the buildup of corrosion products on the heat transfer surface reduces efficiency, thereby limiting production or requiring downtime for cleaning.

Inhibition of corrosion in aqueous systems