An Integrated Digital Enhanced Network system (1) includes a base radio (104) interconnected to a plurality of transcoders (4) located at central offices (2). The base radio (104) time division multiplexes voice packets from the plurality of transcoders (4) into a time division multiplexed signal frame (20). Each signal frame (20) includes a plurality of sequential frames (204). Each sequential frame (204) includes a predetermined number of slots (202) based upon a channel interleave. Each of the slots (202) includes a slot descriptor block (2024), and a plurality of subslots (e.g., 2026, 2028). The slot descriptor block (2024) alternatively contains overhead information for the plurality of subslots (e.g., 2026, 2028). The subscriber device (30) demultiplexes each sequential frame (204) and receives a specific slot (202) and a specific subslot of the specific slot based upon an assigned slot offset. The subscriber device (30) executes a handover process (600) for determining a timing for jumping to a time division signal frame (21) generated by a new base radio.

Enhanced vocoders such as, for example, the AMBE vocoder have recently been introduced within Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) systems for interconnect services. The bandwidth requirement of the AMBE vocoder is roughly half of the bandwidth requirement of earlier vocoders such as the VSELP transcoder. The lowered bandwidth requirement of these enhanced vocoders permits employment of a 6:1 interleave channel rather than the current 3:1 interleave channel, thereby doubling the channel efficiency and realizing RF capacity savings. However, employment of the 6:1 interleave channel provides higher audio delay that results in lower perceived audio quality than that provided by the 3:1 interleave channel.

Method and apparatus sharing a slot descriptor block between multiple users


Carrier particles for developers used in electrostatographic imaging processes such as electrophotography comprise core particles such as strontium ferrite having a coating that comprises a silicone resin admixed with an alkali metal salt of an organic acid. The novel carrier particles provide faster charging rates for toner, less toner throw-off and improved charge stability.

In electrostatography, image charge patterns are formed on a support and are developed by treatment with electrostatically charged marking particles which are attracted to the charge patterns. These particles are called toner particles or, collectively, toner. The image charge pattern, also referred to as an electrostatic latent image, is formed on an insulative surface of an electrostatographic element by any of a variety of methods. For example, the electrostatic latent image may be formed electrophotographically as in office copiers and laser printers, by imagewise photo-induced dissipation of portions of an electrostatic field of uniform strength on the surface of a photoconductive layer formed on an electrically conductive substrate. Alternatively, the electrostatic latent image may be formed by direct electrical formation of an electrostatic field pattern on a dielectric surface.
One well-known type of electrostatographic developer comprises a dry mixture of pigmented, thermoplastic toner particles in powder form and carrier particles. Developers of this type are employed in cascade and magnetic brush development processes. The toner particles and carrier particles differ triboelectrically, such that during mixing to form the developer, the toner particles acquire a charge of one polarity and the carrier particles acquire a charge of the opposite polarity. The opposite charges cause the toner particles to cling to the carrier particles. During development, the electrostatic forces of the latent image, sometimes in combination with an additional applied field, attract the toner particles. The toner particles are pulled away from the carrier particles and become electrostatically attached, in image-wise pattern, to the latent image bearing surface. The resultant toner image can then be fixed, by application of heat or other known methods, or can be transferred to another surface and then fixed.
In such development methods the electrostatic attraction between the toner and carrier particles must be strong enough to hold the toner particles on the surfaces of the carrier particles while the developer is being transported to and brought into contact with the latent image, but when that contact occurs, the electrostatic attraction between the toner particles and the latent image must be even stronger, so that the toner particles are pulled away from the carrier particles and deposited on the latent image-bearing surface.
Carrier particles can comprise a metallic or non-metallic core material coated with a polymer. Carrier coating polymers that have heretofore been used include: silicone resin; acrylic polymers, such as, poly(methylmethacrylate); and vinyl polymers, such as polystyrene. One purpose of the coating can be to reduce the tendency of toner material or other developer additives to adhere permanently to carrier surfaces during developer use (often referred to as "scumming"). Another purpose has been to improve the charging characteristics of the carrier.
A problem encountered in the use of electrostatographic developers is "throw-off," which refers to toner powder thrown out of a developer mix as it is mechanically agitated within a development apparatus. Throw-off can cause unwanted background development in the image and contamination problems in the apparatus. Throw-off can increase as the developer is used, to such an extent that the developer must be replaced. A possible mechanism for this increase in throw-off is that the charging sites on the surface of the carrier particles become scummed. If the throw-off of the developer can be controlled so that it does not increase unduly over time, the developer will last longer and reduce the cost to the user.
Polymers that have been proposed heretofore as coatings for carriers include silicones, acrylic polymers, vinyl polymers and fluorocarbon polymers. Patents disclosing silicone polymer coatings for developer carriers or for other substrates include:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,301 which describes an organopolysiloxane coating composition for an electrophotographic carrier; U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,054 which discloses as the coating for a developer certain specific silicone resins; U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,287 which discloses a soft ferrite carrier core that is coated with a composition comprising a silicone resin and a carbon fluoride; Japanese patent publication 6/266169 which discloses a carrier for a negative developer which has a soft ferrite core (copper zinc ferrite) and a silicone coating with hydrophilic silica particles; Japanese patent publications JP 59232362, JP 02210365 and JP 01191155 disclosing soft ferrite carrier particles coated with a filled silicone resin; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,073 which discloses the use of silsesquioxanes as abrasion resistant coatings for substrates such as acrylic lenses.
There is a need for carriers for dry developers having an improved combination of properties, such as greater charge stability of the toner, faster charging rate, low toner throw off and improved R.H. stability for the toner charge. The cited references fail to disclose developer carriers having the coatings that characterize the carriers of the invention and that provide the desired improved combination of properties.

Carrier particles for electrostatographic developers


Multiplexed microfluidic devices include a plurality of modular microfluidic elements, all of which are attached to a common frame or substrate, which itself includes one or more common input elements that are connected to corresponding input elements within several or each of the microfluidic modules for use in common control and/or common detection operations for each of the modules.

Microfluidic devices and systems have recently been developed for performing large numbers of different analytical and/or synthetic operations within the confines of very small channels and chambers that are disposed within small scale integrated microfluidic devices. These systems have proven extremely effective for performing a wide range of desired analytical operations at extremely high throughput rates, with much lower reagent requirements, and in a readily automatable format.
Despite the improvements in throughput and accuracy of individual microfluidic systems, as with any operation, multiplexing the basic system can substantially increase throughput, so that the operations of the system are carried out in highly parallelized systems. Specifically, by coupling together large numbers of individual systems, one can multiply the throughput of the system by the number of parallel systems.
Microfluidic devices and systems, because of their extremely small space requirements are particularly well suited for parallelization or multiplexing because large numbers of parallel analytical fluidic elements can be combined within a single integrated device that occupies a relatively small area, e.g., from about 1 cm2 to about 50 cm2. An example of such a parallelized or multiplexed device is described in, e.g., Published International Application No. 98/00231, which describes a microfluidic device, system and method for performing high throughput screening assays.
Because microfluidic systems can have complicated manufacturing processes, production yields of perfectly functioning devices can be relatively low. In the case of highly parallelized, multiplexed systems, the yield problems can be multiplied by the number of multiplexed or parallel systems. Merely by way of illustration, one might have a process of fabricating a channel network in a typical, single operation microfluidic device, where one of ten attempts at fabricating a functional channel network fails. Assuming that this probability of failure is the same for each separate channel network in a multiplexed system, e.g., including ten separate channel networks, one can see that the probability of producing a perfectly functioning multiplexed system is substantially reduced. This probability is further decreased as the number of multiplexed elements is increased.
Accordingly, it would generally be desirable to provide multiplexed microfluidic devices that have structures that permit higher fabrication yields, as well as methods of fabricating such devices. The present invention meets these and other needs.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a multiplexed microfluidic device, comprising a plurality of microfluidic modules. Each module is comprised of a discrete channel network disposed within. The device also includes at least a first substrate having at least a first fluidic element disposed within. The plurality of microfluidic modules are attached to the first substrate such that the at least first fluidic element is in fluid communication with a fluidic element disposed within each of the microfluidic modules.
Another aspect of the present invention is a multiplexed microfluidic device, comprising a plurality of microfluidic modules. Each module has a microfluidic channel network disposed within. A common frame is attached to each of the plurality of modules. The frame includes a common input element which is operably coupled to each of the plurality of microfluidic modules.
Another aspect of the present invention is a microfluidic system, comprising a multiplexed microfluidic device that comprises a plurality of microfluidic modules attached to a first substrate. The fluidic element in the first substrate is in fluid communication with at least one of a first and second intersecting microscale channels disposed within each of the plurality of microfluidic modules. The system also includes a material transport system operably coupled to each of the first fluidic element and the first and second microscale channels, for transporting material from the first fluidic element into and through the at least one of the first and second microscale channels. A detector is disposed in sensory communication with at least one of the first and second channels in the microfluidic modules, for detecting a signal within the at least one channel.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a multiplexed microfluidic device, comprising providing a substrate having at least a first fluidic element disposed therein. A plurality of openings are disposed from a surface of the substrate to the fluidic element. A plurality of microfluidic modules is attached to the substrate. Each microfluidic module comprises at least a first fluidic element disposed therein and an opening providing access from a surface of the microfluidic module to the first fluidic element. The modules are attached to the substrate such that each of the plurality openings on the substrate is in fluid communication with an opening on a separate microfluidic module.

Multiplexed microfluidic devices, systems, and methods


Multi-shelled capsules are made by co-extruding a first liquid flavorant composition and a first shell-forming polymeric material to form droplets which are hardened to form an inner shell containing a first liquid flavorant composition, and then coated with a second shell-forming polymeric material which is hardened to form an outer shell. The result is a capsule where the inner surface of the outer shell is separate and/or separable from the outer surface of the inner shell to define a space, wherein a second liquid flavorant composition may be located.

Flavorants, e.g., compounds and compositions that provide pleasing tastes and aromas to other articles, are often incorporated into consumer products, such as smoking and smokeless articles, to increase the aesthetic enjoyment thereof. However, some flavorants are easily volatilized, escaping during storage and before the article is used.
It is desirable, therefore, to reduce or minimize migration and loss of flavorants in consumer products, and in particular in tobacco products, such as smoking articles and smokeless tobacco, so that a larger proportion of the applied flavorant is available to the consumer, even after the product has been stored for a period of time. In addition, it is desirable to provide flavorants to consumer products in such a way that multiple flavors can be applied, and their release characteristics controlled, in order to provide consumers with a consistently enjoyable experience.

Fabrication of core/shell capsules of different geometries and treatment thereafter


A kit for students to carry out biotechnology experiments in a classroom, comprising a plurality of first containers, each of the first containers containing a sample of a prepared substance for use in the experiments; at least one of the prepared substances including a biologically derived constituent; each of the prepared substances having constituents selected for their safety in a classroom experiment, while being representative of a substance used in an industrial experiment. A plurality of second containers are also provided, the second containers being arranged to receive a number of test samples of substances to be tested. A number of aids are also provided to allow the students to carry out the experiments in the absence of instrumentation used in the industrial experiment, along with a set of instructions to permit the students to carry out the classroom experiment and thereby to better understand the industrial experiment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to educational kits and more particularly to educational kits concerning biotechnology.
2. Description of the Related Art
Biotechnology has provided monumental gains in the development of industrial and pharmaceutical compounds, to make biotechnology a high growth industry. As this industry grows, so does its dependence on the education system to prepare young teenage students for work in the field. However, the pace of change in biotechnology has in recent years exceeded the ability of the education system to update its curricula accordingly. Moreover, there is a lack of practical experimental tools available to teachers to provide young teenage students hands-on experience in biotechnology.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel educational kit that mitigates these problems.


Imaging compositions and methods of using the compositions are disclosed. The imaging compositions are sensitive to low levels of energy such that upon application of the low levels of energy the compositions change color or shade. The compositions may be applied to a work piece to mark it and removed from the work piece by peeling.

The present invention is directed to imaging compositions and methods where the imaging compositions undergo a color or shade change upon exposure to energy at low intensities. More specifically, the present invention is directed to imaging compositions and methods where the imaging compositions undergo a color or shade change upon exposure to energy at low intensities and may be peeled from workpieces on which they are coated.
There are numerous compositions and methods employed in various industries to form images on substrates to mark the substrates. Such industries include the paper industry, packaging industry, paint industry, medical industry, dental industry, electronics industry, textile industry, aeronautical, marine and automotive industries, and the visual arts, to name a few. Imaging or marking typically is used to identify an article such as the name or logo of a manufacturer, a serial number or lot number, tissue types, or may be used for alignment purposes in the manufacture of semiconductor wafers, aeronautical ships, marine vessels and terrestrial vehicles.
Marking also is employed in proofing products, photoresists, soldermasks, printing plates and other photopolymer products. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,280 discloses photoimageable compositions allegedly capable of forming monochrome and multichrome images, which have contrast image properties. The photoimageable compositions include photooxidants, photosensitizers, photodeactivation compounds and deuterated leuco compounds. The leuco compounds are aminotriarylmethine compounds or related compounds in which the methane (central) carbon atom is deuterated to the extant of at least 60% with deuterium incorporation in place of the corresponding hydrido aminotriaryl-methine. The patent alleges that the deuterated leuco compounds provide for an increased contrast imaging as opposed to corresponding hydrido leuco compounds. Upon exposure of the photoimageable compositions to actinic radiation a phototropic response is elicited.
Marking of information on labels, placing logos on textiles, or stamping information such as company name, a part or serial number or other information such as a lot number or die location on semiconductor devices may be affected by direct printing. The printing may be carried out by pad printing or screen printing. Pad printing has an advantage in printing on a curved surface because of the elasticity of the pad but is disadvantageous in making a fine pattern with precision. Screen printing also meets with difficulty in obtaining a fine pattern with precision due to the limited mesh size of the screen. Besides the poor precision, since printing involves making a plate for every desired pattern or requires time for setting printing conditions, these methods are by no means suitable for uses demanding real time processing.
Hence, marking by printing has recently been replaced by ink jet marking. Although ink jet marking satisfies the demand for speed and real time processing, which are not possessed by many conventional printing systems, the ink to be used, which is jetted from nozzles under pressure, is strictly specified. Unless the specification is strictly met, the ink sometimes causes obstruction of nozzles, resulting in an increase of reject rate.
In order to overcome the problem, laser marking has lately been attracting attention as a high-speed and efficient marking method and is already put to practical use in some industries. Many laser marking techniques involve irradiating only necessary areas of substrates with laser light to denature or remove the irradiated area or irradiating a coated substrate with laser light to remove the irradiated coating layer thereby making a contrast between the irradiated area (marked area) and the non-irradiated area (background).
Using a laser to mark an article such as a semiconductor chip is a fast and economical means of marking. There are, however, certain disadvantages associated with state-of-the art laser marking techniques that burn the surface to achieve a desired mark. For example, a mark burned in a surface by a laser may only be visible at select angles of incidence to a light source. Further, oils or other contaminants deposited on the article surface subsequent to marking may blur or even obscure the laser mark. Additionally, because the laser actually burns the surface of the work piece, for bare die marking, the associated burning may damage any underlying structures or internal circuitry or by increasing internal die temperature beyond acceptable limits. Moreover, where the manufactured part is not produced of a laser reactive material, a laser reactive coating applied to the surface of a component adds expense and may take hours to cure.
Alternatively, laser projectors may be used to project images onto surfaces. They are used to assist in the positioning of work pieces on work surfaces. Some systems have been designed to project three-dimensional images onto contoured surfaces rather than flat surfaces. The projected images are used as patterns for manufacturing products and to scan an image of the desired location of a ply on previously placed plies. Examples of such uses are in the manufacturing of leather products, roof trusses, and airplane fuselages. Laser projectors are also used for locating templates or paint masks during the painting of aircraft.
The use of scanned laser images to provide an indication of where to place or align work piece parts, for drilling holes, for forming an outline for painting a logo or picture, or aligning segments of a marine vessel for gluing requires extreme accuracy in calibrating the position of the laser projector relative to the work surface. Typically six reference points are required for sufficient accuracy to align work piece parts. Reflectors or sensors are positioned in an approximate area where the ply is to be placed. Since the points are at fixed locations relative to the work and the laser, the laser also knows where it is relative to the work. Typically, workers hand mark the place where the laser beam image contacts the work piece with a marker or masking tape to define the laser image. Such methods are tedious, and the workers' hands may block the laser image disrupting the alignment beam to the work piece. Accordingly, misalignment may occur.
Another problem associated with laser marking is the potential for ophthalmological damage to the workers. Many lasers used in marking may cause retinal damage to workers. Generally, lasers, which generate energy exceeding 5 mW present hazards to workers.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved imaging compositions and methods of marking a work piece.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention relates to an OFA having a high signal gain, easily manufactured, having a high mechanical strength, having a small splice loss with respect to other optical fibers, and rarely encountering the occurrence of noise at a signal wavelength. The OFA according to the present invention has a function of amplifying signals propagating therethroug by pumping light supplied thereto, and comprises, at least, a core region, an inner cladding region provided on the periphery of the core region, an outer cladding region provided on the periphery of the inner cladding region, and one or more node coupling gratings. An element for signal amplification is added to at least the core region. The core region has a structure ensuring a core mode with respect to the signals, while the inner cladding region has a structure ensuring a multi-mode with respect to the pumping light. Each of the mode coupling gratings passes core mode signals therethrough, and induces a mode coupling between the inner cladding mode and the core mode with respect to the pumping light.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an optical fiber amplifier, an optical fiber laser, and an optical fiber for optical amplifier (OFA) applicable thereto as an optical amplification medium.
2. Related Background Art
An optical fiber for optical amplifier (OFA) has a function of amplifying signals propagating therethrough by pumping light supplied thereto, and is an optical device applicable as an optical amplification medium in an optical fiber amplifier, an optical fiber laser, and the like. In general, an OFA is a silica-based optical fiber and has a core region doped with a luminescent element for signal amplification. As this luminescent element, for example, a rare earth element, preferably Er can be used. An OFA to which Er, as a luminescent element, is added can amplify signals of a wavelength band of 1.55 xcexcm when pumping light of a wavelength of 1.48 xcexcm or 0.98 xcexcm is supplied thereto. In such an OFA, increasing a signal gain is important, and some kinds of techniques for meeting this requirement have been proposed.
For example, an OFA disclosed as a conventional technology in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 135548/1998 (Document 1) has a core region having a refractive index of n1, an inner cladding region provided on the periphery of the core region and having a refractive index n2 ( less than n1), and an outer cladding region provided on the periphery of the inner cladding region and having a refractive index n3 ( less than n2). The core region is doped with a luminescent element. This optical fiber makes the pumping light propagate as light of an inner cladding mode (a mode in which the pumping light propagates while being confined in both the core region and inner cladding region), and makes signals as light of a core mode (a mode in which the signals propagate while being supported in the core region). Such an OFA will hereinafter be referred to as a cladding-pumped fiber.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No 238883/1991 (Document 2) discloses a structure suitable for above-mentioned cladding-pumped fiber. It is described that, in this cladding-pumped fiber, pumping light can propagated as an inner cladding mode light, so that a coupling efficiency of the pumping light in the fiber is high. Further, since the pumping light also propagates through an inner cladding region containing no luminescent element and a transmission loss of the pumping light is small, a gain efficiency can be improved.
A cladding-pumped fiber disclosed in International Laid-open Publication PCT/EP96/04187 (Document 3) works to induce a mode coupling between an inner cladding mode and a core mode with respect to pumping light by employing a non-circular cross-sectional shape to the inner cladding region. Concerning the pumping light introduced into this cladding-pumped fiber, the inner cladding mode is more effectively coupled to the core modes, and a gain efficiency is thereby increased to a high level.
Further, in a cladding-pumped fiber disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 107345/1998 (Document 4), signals propagate with not only light of a fundamental mode (core mode) but also that of a high-order mode while being confined in a core region, and a signal gain is thereby increased only light of the fundamental mode is outputted to outside by a grating cutting of that of the high-order mode.
The inventors discussed the above-mentioned prior techniques to discover the following problems. Namely, in the cladding-pumped fiber of Documents 1 and 2, the pumping light of inner cladding mode cannot effectively pump the luminescent element added to the core region, thereby the increasing of a signal gain could not be sufficiently attained. It is difficult to control the manufacturing of a cladding-pumped fiber having a non-circular cross-sectional shape of an inner cladding region, and further the mechanical strength of such optical fiber is liable to decrease.
In the cladding-pumped fiber of Documents 3 and 4 through which signals propagate with not only light of a fundamental mode but also that of a high-order mode while being supported in a core region, it is difficult to completely cut off the high-order mode light by a grating. The leakage high-order light induces a high noise figure. Moreover, a splice loss between this cladding-pumped fiber and another optical fiber becomes large, and the pumping of the high-order mode occurs in the latter optical fiber, this matter also constitutes a noise figure.
The present invention has been accomplished to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an OFA having a high gain efficiency, capable of being manufactured easily, having a high mechanical strength, not inducing a large splice loss with respect to any other optical fiber, and not inducing noise in a signal wavelength, an optical fiber amplifier and an optical fiber laser to both of which said OFA can be applied as an optical amplification medium.
An OFA according to the present invention is a silica-based optical fiber having a function of amplifying signals when pumping light is supplied thereto, and comprises a core region having a refractive index n1, an inner cladding region provided on the periphery of the core region and having a refractive index n2( less than n1), and an outer cladding region provided on the periphery of the inner cladding region and having a refractive index n3( less than n2). The core region has a structure ensuring a single mode with respect to the signals, and the inner cladding region has a structure ensuring a multi-mode with respect to the pumping light. A signal amplifying luminescent element is aided to at least a part of the core region.
In particular, the OFA according to the present invention comprises one or more mode coupling gratings, each allowing core mode light to pass therethrough and inducing a mode coupling between an inner cladding mode and a core mode with respect to the pumping light.
In the OFA, the pumping light initially introduced thereinto propagates as light of an inner cladding mode, and the inner cladding mode is then converted into a core mode by a mode coupling effect of the mode coupling grating. The pumping light of the core mode pumps the luminescent element added to at least the part of the core region of the OFA. On the other hand, signals propagate as light of the core mode and pass through the mode coupling grating while remaining its mode. Consequently, amplified signals are obtained from the OFA.
At least one of mode coupling gratings in the OFA according to the present invention may include a long-period grating which induces a mode coupling between an inner cladding mode and a core mode whose propagation direction is identical with that of the inner cladding mode. In this case, the period of the long-period grating is preferably 10 xcexcm-400 xcexcm. When the pumping light reaches a long-period grating, the inner cladding mode is converted into a core mode whose propagation direction is identical with that of the inner cladding mode by the mode coupling effect of the mode coupling grating.
At least one of mode coupling gratings in the OFA according to the present invention may include a tilted fiber Bragg grating which induces a mode coupling between an inner cladding mode and a core mode whose propagation direction is contrary to that of the inner cladding mode. In this case, an angle of inclination of the tilted fiber Bragg grating with respect to a predetermined axis, for example, an optical axis is preferably 0.5xc2x0-20xc2x0. When the pumping light reaches the tilted fiber Bragg grating, the inner cladding mode is converted into a core mode whose propagation direction is contrary to that of the inner cladding node by the mode coupling effect of this tilted fiber Bragg grating.
As clearly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,978, a long-period grating is a grating inducing a mode coupling between a core mode and a cladding mode propagating through an optical fiber, and clearly distinguished from a fiber Bragg grating which reflects light of around a predetermined wavelength without inducing a rode coupling. In a long-period grating, a grating period is so set that a phase difference between a core mode and a cladding mode becomes 2xcfx80 in order to obtain strong power conversion from the core mode into the cladding mode. Therefore, since the long-period grating works so as to couple the core mode with the cladding mode, the core mode attenuates over a narrow band around a predetermined wavelength (which will hereinafter be referred to as a loss wavelength).
The optical fiber amplifier according to the present invention comprises an OFA having the above-mentioned mode coupling grating (OFA according to the present invention), and one or more pumping light sources supplying pumping light to the OFA. In accordance with the optical fiber amplifier, a high gain is obtained because the OFA is employed as a signal amplifying optical amplification medium.
When the optical fiber amplifier comprises pumping light sources each supplying pumping light of wavelengths different from each other, it is preferable that the optical fiber for optical amplifier includes fiber Bragg gratings, which selectively reflect light of a predetermined wavelength, arranged so as to sandwich the one or more mode coupling gratings. Each of the fiber Bragg gratings may includes either a Bragg grating reflecting light of a specific wavelength without inducing a mode coupling, or a tilted Bragg grating inclined at a predetermined angle with respect a predetermined axis and having a mode coupling effect.
The optical fiber laser according to the present invention comprises an OFA having the above-mentioned structure (OFA according to the present invention), one or more pumping light sources each supplying pumping light to the OFA, and a resonator resonating signals amplified by the OFA. The resonator in the optical fiber laser may constituted by a Fabry-Perot resonator or a ring type resonator. In accordance with such an optical fiber laser, a high laser oscillation efficiency is obtained by the application of the OFA as an optical amplification medium for amplifying signals (induced emission light). In the optical fiber laser, the pumping light sources may also has structures which supply pumping light of wavelengths different from each other. In this case, it is preferable that the OFA comprises fiber Bragg gratings, selectively reflect light of a predetermined wavelength, arranged so as to sandwich the one or more mode coupling gratings. Each of the fiber Bragg gratings may include either a Bragg grating reflecting light of a specific wavelength without inducing a mode coupling, or a tilted Bragg grating inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a predetermined axis and having a mode coupling effect.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Optical fiber for optical amplifier, optical fiber amplifier and optical fiber laser


Disclosed is an electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery including an additive for overcharge inhibition comprising a compound represented by formula 1; a lithium salt; and a non-aqueous organic solvent:

The rapid development of smaller, lighter, and higher performance communication and other electronic equipment has required the development of high performance and large capacity batteries to power such equipment. The demands for large capacity batteries have fostered investigation of rechargeable lithium batteries. The rechargeable lithium battery employs a non-aqueous electrolyte including lithium salts dissolved in organic solvents.
There have been investigations on various additives for forming a layer on a surface of a negative electrode in order to improve battery performance. One attempt is that pyrrole, thiophene, or vinylene carbonate is added to the electrolyte. These compounds polymerize during charge and discharge to form a thin polymer layer on a surface of a negative active material and improve the battery's cycle life characteristics. Another attempt is that anisole is added to the electrolyte in order to improve the battery's safety characteristics.
However, the method for forming the thin polymer layer has shortcomings in that it is difficult to control the thin layer, and there are concerns about volume expansion of the battery. The anisole forms a high-resistance polymer layer on the negative electrode after the oxidation of the positive electrode, causing deteriorating battery performance factors such as cycle life characteristics. Thus, attempts to use additives for forming layers can improve a particular battery performance factor, but at the cost of a deterioration of one or more different performance factors.
Other attempts have been made to address such shortcomings by adding ethyl maleimide or methyl maleimide, but there has not been substantial use in batteries.

Electrolyte for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery

Abstract: where R1, R2 and R3 are the same or independently selected from H, CH3, C2H5, CH═CH2, CH═CHCH3, or a functional group with N, P, or S.


A system for designing a free form reflector includes a user input interface (1), a free form reflector design unit (2), and a free form reflector output unit (3). The user input interface is configured for receiving various data associated with a desired free form reflector, via an input device. The free form reflector design unit is installed in a computer and configured for generating an optimum free form surface according to the input data by performing a non-uniform rational basis splines (NURBS) algorithm, a merit evaluation function, and a differential evolution (DE) algorithm. The free form reflector output module is configured for generating a free form reflector according to the optimum free form surface and outputting the free form reflector, in the form of a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing, to a display and/or a printer. A related method is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for designing reflectors and, more particularly, to a system and method for designing a free form reflector.
2. Description of Related Art
Non-imaging reflectors are widely used in illumination and solar energy systems. In these applications, a non-imaging reflector is designed to convert the Lambertian source into a beam with a divergence of half-angle θ without loss of throughput. One direct design approach is to using algebraic methods, among which a tailored edge ray approach has made a great success. In this approach, a two-dimensional (2D) reflector is determined by reflector equations that are deduced from an edge-ray method and conservation of energy. For a three dimensional (3D) reflector design, it is common to solve the problem by reducing three dimensions to two dimensions. Thus, a 3D reflector can be generated by means of rotational or translational symmetry. The second approach is indirect, and it uses optimization-based design techniques. The analytic knowledge of the connection between the reflector structure and optical performance is not needed. Free form surfaces, such as a Bézier surface and a non-uniform rational basis splines (NURBS) surface, are appropriate to represent the shape of a reflector in these automated design approaches.
A genetic algorithm has been proven to be valuable both in imaging and non-imaging optics since Holland laid down the basic principles of genetic algorithms. A differential evolution (DE) is a variation of the genetic algorithm proposed by R. Storn and K. Price. The DE stood out in the first IEEE conference on evolutionary computation, and then it was widely applied in various fields. Compared with standard the genetic algorithm, the DE uses floating point variables. In addition, the crossover and mutation implementations are more complex. The NURBS is a powerful technique for constructing general curves and surfaces. It has many good properties, for example, the order of the surface is independent of the number of control points. Local changes to the surface shape are possible because individual control points have only local influences. The algorithm combines the global search capability of the DE with the flexibility of the shape adjustment of free form surface, which has been used in the second approach of reflector design. S. Doyle used cubic Bézier curve to represent the profile of a reflector, and thus a paraboloid and ellipse reflector can be obtained by using his algorithm.
For the design of a non-imaging reflector, what is needed is a system and method for designing a free form reflector that performs an automated free form reflector generation, which can be applied for the design of more general reflectors.

System and method for designing a free form reflector using genetic algorithm


Novel compounds such as compounds designated herein as Xanifolia-Y or -Y3, -Y1, -Y2, -Y8, -Y9 and -Y10 are disclosed. These compounds have anticancer activity. The compounds of the present invention are obtainable from plants in the sapindaceae family, such as Xanthoceras sorbifolia, or other natural sources or products. The compounds of the present invention may also be synthesized chemically

Wenguanguo is a species of the sapindaceae family. Its scientific name is Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. Wenguanguo is the common Chinese name. Others are Wenguannguo, Wenguanmu, Wenguanhua, Xilacedeng, Goldenhorn and Yellowhorn. Wenguanguo is grown in Liaoning, Jilin, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia, China. Its seeds, leaves and flowers are edible and have been used as a folk or traiditional medicine to treat enuresis for centuries. Its branches and woods are also used as a folk or traditional medicine. For more detailed information and background or relevent art of the present invention, please refer to page 1, lines 25-38, to page 13 of International PCT Application No. PCT/US04/33359, filed Oct. 8, 2004, and U.S. Ser. No. 10/906,303, filed Feb. 14, 2005. The contents of these preceding applications are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference into this application.
Yingjie Chen, Tadahiro Takeda and Yukio Ogihara reported in Chem. Pharm. Bull 33(4)1387-1394(1985) described a study on the constituent of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. See Section V. Saponins from the Fruits of Xanthoceras sorbifolia. Four new saponins were isolated from the fruits of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. The structures of these saponins are bunkankasaponins A, B, C and D. The chemical name of these compounds are:    22-O-acetyl-21-O-(4-O-acetyl-3-O-angeloyl)-β-D-fucopyranosyl-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl] protoaecigenin    22-O-acetyl-21-O-(3,4-di-O-angeloyl)-β-D-fucopyranosyl-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl] protoaecigenin    28-O-acetyl-21-O-(4-O-acetyl-3-O-angeloyl)-β-D-fucopyranosyl-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl] protoaecigenin    28-O-acetyl-21-O-(3,4-di-O-angeloyl)-β-D-fucopyranosyl-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl] protoaecigenin.
The functions of these compounds were not previously disclosed.
Yingjie Chen, Tadahiro Takeda and Yukio Ogihara reported in Chem. Pharm. Bull 33(3)1043-1048(1985) described studies on the constituent of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. See Section IV. Structures of the Miner Prosapogenin. The prosapogenins from the partial hydrolyzate of fruit saponin of Xanthoceras sorbifolia were examined, and are characterized as:    16-O-acetyl-21-O-(3,4-di-O-angeloyl-β-D-fucopyranosyl) protoaecigenin    22-O-acetyl-21-O-(3,4-di-O-angeloyl-β-D-fucopyranosyl) protoaecigenin 3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside.
The functions of these compounds were not previously disclosed.
Yingjie Chen, Tadahiro Takeda and Yukio Ogihara. Chem. Pharm. Bull 33 (1)127-134(1985) described studies on the constituent of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. See Section III. Minor Prosapogenins aponins from the Fruits of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. The structure of 3 minor prosapogenins, obtained by acid hydrolysis of the crude saponin faction, were characterized as:    21-O-(3,4-di-O-angeloyl)-β-D-fucopyranosyltheasapogenol B    21-O-(4-O-acetyl-3-O-angeloyl)-β-D-fucopyranosyltheasapogenol B    21-O-(4-O-acetyl-3-O-angeloyl)-β-D-fucopyranosyl-22-O-acetylprotoaescigenin.
The functions of these compounds were not previously disclosed.
Yingjie Chen, Tadahiro Takeda and Yukio Ogihara in Chem. Pharm. Bull 33(4)1387-1394(1985) described a study on the constituent of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. See Section II. Major Sapogenol and prosapogenin from the Fruits of Xanthoceras sorbifolia. In addition to above studies, saponins with angeloyl groups attached were also reported in the following reports.
Laurence Voutquenne, Cecile Kokougan. Catherine Lavaud, Isabelle Pouny, Marc Litaudon. "Triterpenoid saponins and Acylated prosapogenins from Harpullia austro-calcdonica." Phytochemistry 59 (2002) 825-832.
Zhong Jaing, Jean-francois Gallard, Marie-Therese Adeline, Vincent Dumontet, Mai Van Tri, Thierry Sevenet, and Mary Pais "Six Triterpennoid Saponins from Maesa laxiflora.".J. Nat. Prod. (1999), 62, 873-876.
Young Seo, John M. Berger, Jennine Hoch, Kim M Neddermann, Isia Bursuker, Steven W. Mamber and David G. Kingston. "A new Triterpene Saponin from Pittosporum viridiflorum from the Madagascar Rainforest". J. Nat. Prod. 2002, 65, 65-68.
Xiu-Wei Yang, Jing Zhao, Xue-Hui Lui, Chao-Mei Ma, Masao Hattori, and Li He Zhang "Anti-HIV-1 Protease Triterpenoid Saponins from the Seeds of Aesculus chinensis." J. Nat. Prod. (1999), 62, 1510-1513.
Yi Lu, Tatsuya Umeda, Akihito Yagi, Kanzo Sakata, Tirthankar Chaudhuri, D. K. Ganguly, Secion Sarma. "Triterpenoid Saponins from the roots of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis var. Assamica)." Phytochchemistry 53 (2000) 941-946.
Sandra Apers, Tess E. De Bruyne, Magda Claeys, Arnold J. Viletinck, Luc A. C. Pieters. "New acylated triterpenoid saponins from Maesa laceceolata." Phytochemistry 52 (1999) 1121-1131.
Ilaria D'Acquarica, Maria Cristina, Di Giovanni, Francesco Gasparrini, Domenico Misiti, Claudio D'Arrigo, Nicolina Fagnano, Decimo Guarnieri, Giovanni lacono, Giuseppe Bifulco and Raffaele Riccio. "Isolation and structure elucidation of four new triterpenoid estersaponins from fruits of the Pittosporumtobira AIT." Tetrahedron 58 (2002) 10127-10136.
Cancer cells are defined by two heritable properties: (1) they reproduce in defiance of normal restraints on cell division; and (2) they invade and colonize territories normally reserved for other cells.
Cancers require mutations of one to many genes for its development, and they are classified according to the tissue and cell type from which they arise. Cancers arising from epithelial cells are named carcinomas; those arising from connective tissue or muscle cells are named sarcomas. In addition, there are cancers called leukemias, which are derived from hemopaietic cells. Cancers can also develop from cells of the nervous system.
Cancers originating from different types of cells are, in general, very different diseases. Each cancer has characteristics that reflect its origin. Even when a cancer has metastasized and proliferated out of control, its origins can be traced back to a single, primary tumor. Therefore, it is important to develop drugs or compounds capable of targeting various types of cancer cells.
Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in women and the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. In the United States, females have a 1.4 to 2.5%, or 1 out of 40-60 women, lifelong chance of developing ovarian cancer. Older women are at highest risk. More than half of the deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women between 55 and 0.74 years of age, and approximately one quarter of ovarian cancer deaths occur in women between 35 and 54 years of age. See MedlinePlus Encyclopedia on ovarian cancer at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000889.htm.
Ovarian cancer is disproportionately deadly for a number of reasons. First, symptoms are vague and non-specific, so women and their physicians frequently attribute them to more common conditions. By the time the cancer is diagnosed, the tumor has often spread beyond the ovaries. Also, ovarian cancers shed malignant cells that frequently implant on the uterus, bladder, bowel, and lining of the bowel wall (omentum). These cells can begin forming new tumor growths before cancer is even suspected. Second, because no cost-effective screening test for ovarian cancer exists, more than 50 percent of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease.
This invention provides compounds or compositions extracted from Xanthoceras sorbifolia or plants from the sapindaceae family, or synthesized which have substantial potency against ovarian cancer.


A circuit for generating a reference potential includes a first transistor having an emitter connected to a ground potential, a base, and a collector connected to the base; a second transistor having a base connected to the base of the first transistor; a first resistor connected between the collector of the first transistor and an output terminal outputting the reference potential; a second resistor connected between the collector of the second transistor and the output terminal; a third resistor connected between the emitter of the second transistor and ground potential; a third transistor having a base connected to the collector of the second transistor, and an emitter connected to the ground potential; a fourth transistor having a collector connected to a supply potential, an emitter connected to the output terminal, and a base connected to the collector of the third transistor; a first current source connected between the base and the collector of the fourth transistor; and a second current source connected in parallel with the first current source, the second current source generating a compensation current compensating for current fluctuations of the first current source.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to circuits for generating a reference potential. More specifically, the invention pertains to a circuit configuration for generating a reference potential with a first transistor, the emitter of which is connected to a ground potential and the base and collector of which are connected to one another; with a second transistor, the base of which is connected to the base of the first transistor; with a first resistor connected between the collector of the first transistor and an output terminal for picking up the reference potential; a second resistor connected between the collector of the second transistor and the output terminal; with a third resistor connected between the emitter of the second transistor and the ground potential; with a third transistor, the base of which is connected to the collector of the second transistor and the emitter of which is connected to the ground potential; with a fourth transistor, the collector of which is connected to the supply potential, the emitter of which is connected to the output terminal, and the base of which is connected to the collector of the third transistor; a first current source is connected between the base and the collector of the fourth transistor.
One such circuit configuration, also known as a band-gap reference voltage source, is known for instance from Paul R. Gray, Robert G. Meyer, "Analysis and Design of Analog Integrated Circuits", Second Edition 1984, pp. 293-296, and is used in many integrated circuits to supply other circuit blocks with a temperature-independent reference potential and/or a plurality of reference currents. In the future, it will moreover become increasingly important for integrated circuits to operate as independently as possible of the supply voltage, especially for battery-operated devices. In any actual transistor driven with a constant base-to-emitter voltage or a constant base current, the collector current, because of the so-called Early effect, fluctuates as a function of the collector-to-emitter voltage, which is often linked in turn directly to the supply voltage. The Early effect is described for instance in Paul R. Gray, Robert G. Meyer, "Analysis and Design of Analog Integrated Circuits", Second Edition 1984, pp. 17-19. This problem is also critical precisely because fast modern transistors tend to have poor properties in terms of the Early effect.

Circuit configuration for generating a reference potential


An improved phase controller is operatively connected to the operating lever or trigger of an electrically powered tool for supplying its motor with electric power from an ac power supply. It includes a device for establishing a divisional voltage derived from the ac voltage across the electric power supply. A variable resistor-and-capacitor series-connection is connected across the motor-and-power supply series-connection. A device provided for supplying the ac motor with electric power when the charging voltage across the capacitor rises above the divisional voltage. The variable resistor is operatively connected to the operating lever, and the capacitor can be charged with electricity at a charging rate which is determined by the variable resistance and the fixed capacitance under the control of the operating lever. The divisional voltage varies in the same way as the voltage across the ac power supply, thus permitting the ignition angle to remain substantially unchanged no matter whether the commercially available electric power may be of different cycles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a phase controller for an ac motor installed in an electrically-powered tool.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional phase controller for an ac motor installed in an electrically-powered tool is shown in FIG. 4. The phase controller 1 is in circuit with an ac motor M and an ac power supply AC, and it comprises a power switch SW1, a high-rotation switch SW2, a thyristor SCR, a bidirectional switching device DIAC, a variable resistor R.sub.1 operatively connected to the operating lever or trigger (not shown) of the electrically-powered tool, a diode D and a capacitor C.
The ac motor M is connected on one side to one side of the ac power supply AC, and the ac motor M is connected on the other side to the other side of the ac power supply AC through the series-connection of the power switch SW1 and the high-rotation switch SW2.
The thyristor SCR and a series-connection of the variable resistor R.sub.1 and the capacitor C are parallel-connected with the high-rotation switch SW2.
The bidirectional switching device DIAC is connected between the gate electrode of the thyristor SCR and the joint between the variable resistor R.sub.1 and the capacitor C, and the capacitor C is parallel-connected with the diode D.
The so constructed phase controller 1 is installed in an electrically-powered tool so that the power switch SW1 and high-rotation switch SW2 of the phase controller 1 may be made to turn on or off, depending on how much the operating lever or trigger is depressed. Also, the resistance of the variable resistor R.sub.1 varies with the degree of depression of the operating lever, thereby permitting the rotating speed of the ac motor M to be controlled in terms of the variable resistance. The operation of the phase controller is described for ac power supplies of 50 and 60 Hz, respectively.
Referring to FIG. 5A, when the ac power supply of 50 Hz is used, the operating lever is pressed to permit the power switch SW1 to turn on, thus starting the charging of the capacitor C through the variable resistor R.sub.1. When the charging voltage across the capacitor C rises above the break-over voltage DV of the bidirectional switching device DIAC (approximately 32 to 36 volts), the thyristor SCR is put in conductive condition from its anode-to-cathode electrode, thus supplying the ac motor M with electric power. The rate at which the charging voltage rises up to the break-over voltage DV of the bidirectional switching device DIAC is determined by the resistance of the variable resistor R.sub.1. The more the operating lever is depressed, the sooner the charging voltage rises up to the break-over voltage DV.
As the operating lever is depressed, the resistance of the variable resistor R.sub.1 decreases, and accordingly the charging rate of the capacitor C increases, thereby causing the angle of ignition of the thyristor SCR to lead for earlier position, and accordingly permitting the motor M to run at an increasing speed. On the contrary, as the operating lever is released, the resistance of the variable resistor R.sub.1 increases, and accordingly the charging rate of the capacitor C decreases, thereby causing the ignition angle of the thyristor SCR to lag for later position, and accordingly permitting the motor M to run at a decreased speed.
Referring to FIG. 5(B), the phase controller is connected to an ac power supply of 60 Hz, permitting the capacitor C to be charged with electricity at the rate of time constant given by the variable resistance R.sub.1 times the capacitance C, and accordingly the quantity of electric power fed to the ac motor M is controlled. More specifically, the capacitor C is charged repeatedly with electricity until the bidirectional switch DIAC turns on, triggering the thyristor SCR from its blocking to its conducting state in each positive half of the applied ac voltage for putting the ac motor M in running condition. It should be noted that the ignition angle lags much behind, compared with FIG. 5(A).
FIG. 6 is a graphic representation of the motor running rate (ordinate) versus the lever stroke or depression (abscissa). As for the initial stroke required for starting the motor M: the stroke difference W1 between the stroke for 50 Hz and the stroke for 60 Hz is 0.5 mm for 80 volts; the stroke difference W2 between the stroke for 50 Hz and the stroke for 60 Hz is 2 mm for 100 volts; and the stroke difference W3 is 4 mm for 110 volts (determined by extrapolation as indicated by broken lines). This initial stroke difference for 110 volts is fairly large.
Also, as seen from the graphic representation, the stroke difference is significantly large at the outset for respective voltages, but as the running rate rises, the stroke difference will decrease, converging at the coordinates of the stroke of 6.5 mm and the running rate of 80%, almost maximum speed. The more the initial stroke is large, the steeper the running rate rises toward the maximum speed.
As may be understood from the above, an electrically powered tool equipped with the conventional phase controller cannot be used at same running speed without depressing and moving its lever over a different distance for 50 or 60 Hz. This stroke difference is caused by the difference between the period for 50 Hz and 60 Hz (the period for 60 Hz being shorter than that for 50 Hz). Referring to FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) again, the length of time T required for charging the capacitor C with electricity within the positive half of the waveform is almost equal for 50 and 60 Hz, and accordingly the remaining length of time (hatching area) allotted to the driving of the ac motor M for 50 Hz is longer than that for 60 Hz, thus permitting the ac motor M to be powered for a longer time for 50 Hz than for 60 Hz. This is the cause for the stroke difference for same running speed between ac power supplies of 50 and 60 Hz.
Also, disadvantageously if the voltage across the power supply fluctuates more or less, say .+-.10%, the rate at which the capacitor can be charged with electricity varies significantly, and the ignition angle of the thyristor SCR varies accordingly, and hence, the running speed of the ac motor M varies accordingly. Assume that the controlling parameters of an electrically powered tool is set for appropriate operation in the Kanto District, Japan (50 Hz), and that the electrically powered tool is used in the Kansai District (60 Hz), and then, the operating lever must be moved a longer distance at the outset in the Kansai District. Also, the running speed rises rapidly from the outset to the maximum speed. This causes a significant inconvenience in controlling the electrically powered tool.

Phase controller for intermittently supplying an AC motor with electric power


A wire or other brewing basket adapted to receive a brewing filter and be received by a brewing funnel. The basket comprises a body defining a cavity for receiving the brewing filter and a shield positioned above the body and extending over a portion of the cavity for reducing spillage of brewing material from the funnel. The shield desirably is substantially flat. The basket further includes including mounting structure mounting the shield to the body. Desirably, the mounting structure is in the form of a plurality of stems mounted to a top rim of the body and the shield and extending generally upwardly from the body. The shield in accordance with a preferred embodiment has a generally arcuate configuration, and has an inner arcuate edge and desirably an outer arcuate edge. The radius of curvature of the inner arcuate edge is greater than the radius of curvature of the top rim and desirably the radius of curvature of the top rim.

The present invention relates to a brewing basket for a brewing funnel and, more particularly, to a brewing basket adapted to receive a brewing filter and be received by the brewing funnel.
Coffee brewers typically include a coffee funnel and a coffee brewing filter that are used during the brewing process. During the brewing process, the coffee brewing filter is received within the funnel and brewing material in the form of water and coffee grinds are received by the funnel. Brewed material passes through the coffee filter and the brewing funnel and into the coffee pot.
Generally speaking, there are two types of coffee brewing funnel assemblies. Coffee brewers that are generally intended for domestic or office use typically use a funnel constructed of plastic, and the filters are placed directly into the funnel. The inside bottom of the funnel typically includes a series of upward projections intended to create spacing between the bottom of the filter and the funnel. Such a spaced relationship is desirable because it avoids sealing that otherwise could occur between the coffee filter and the funnel and thus facilitates a more uniform passage of brewed material from the coffee filter to the coffee pot and results in a higher quality brewed beverage.
The other type of coffee brewer is intended generally for use in a restaurant or other food service or high coffee production setting. The funnel assembly of such other type of coffee brewer typically includes a funnel which is constructed of metal to provide the strength and durability desirable in connection with high volume and continuous coffee production. The funnel assembly usually also includes a coffee filter and a wire brewing basket for supporting the filter in spaced relationship from the brewing funnel to facilitate a uniform passage of brewed material from the coffee filter to the coffee pot.
With either type of coffee brewer, the brewing funnels have a handle which is held by the user""s hand when putting the brewing funnel in or removing it from the brewing apparatus. The brewing funnels normally should remain in the brewing apparatus throughout the brewing cycle until all of the brewed beverage has drained therefrom. If a user acting without caution removes the brewing funnel from the brewer when all of the liquid brewed beverage has not fully drained from the brewing funnel, the slurry of liquid brewing material can develop a degree of momentum which moves it toward the handle of the funnel as it is removed. The slurry may splash out of the funnel and onto the user""s hand.
Attempts have been known to reduce spillage of brewed material from the coffee funnel in connection with the domestic-type coffee brewer described broadly above. In particular, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 6,055,900, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses examples of such attempts.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wire brewing basket for use particularly in connection with funnel assemblies of brewers used for high volume coffee production to reduce or eliminate the possibility of brewing material splashing out of the funnel when the funnel is moved during the brewing process.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a wire brewing basket that provides sanitation benefits.
In accordance with these and other objects, the present invention provides a brewing basket adapted to receive a brewing filter and be received by a brewing funnel. The brewing basket comprises a body defining a cavity for receiving the brewing filter and a shield positioned above the body and extending over a portion of the cavity for reducing spillage of brewing material from the funnel. In a preferred embodiment, the brewing basket defines one or more voids between the shield and the body. The brewing basket further includes mounting structure mounting the shield to the body that desirably is in the form of a plurality of stems mounted to a top rim or other portion of the body and the shield and extending generally upwardly from the top rim or other portion. The shield in accordance with a preferred embodiment has a generally arcuate configuration, including an inner arcuate edge and an outer arcuate edge. The radius of curvature of the inner arcuate edge is greater than the radius of curvature of the top rim so that the expanse of the shield over the cavity is greater near the center of the shield than the ends of the shield. The brewing basket desirably is in the form of a wire brewing basket.
The brewing basket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is effective in reducing or eliminating spillage of brewing material contained within the brewing funnel. Positioning the shield above the body of the basket with mounting stems provides several significant additional benefits. For example, the shield""s ability to prevent spillage is increased because it is at a higher position relative to the brewing material. Additionally, the mounting stems avoid inclusion of corners between the body of the brewing basket and the shield which eliminates sanitation concerns that may be caused by the presence of corners in beverage dispensing equipment.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detail description of the drawings when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


The present invention is a process for removing catalyst fines from a reactor effluent stream that has catalyst fines therein. The process comprises withdrawing the reactor effluent stream from the reactor. The reactor effluent stream is transported in a first conduit to a quench device and is quenched to form a quenched effluent stream and a liquid fraction containing a majority of the catalyst fines. The liquid fraction is transported in a second conduit to a solids separation device. The conditions under which the catalyst fines are moved prevent accumulation of catalyst fines in the catalyst fines process steps.

Olefins are traditionally produced from petroleum feedstock by catalytic or steam cracking processes. These cracking processes, especially steam cracking, produce light olefins such as ethylene and/or propylene from a variety of hydrocarbon feedstock. Ethylene and propylene are important commodity petrochemicals useful in many processes for making plastics and other chemical compounds. Ethylene is used to make various polyethylene plastics, and in making other chemicals such as vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide, ethylbenzene and alcohol. Propylene is used to make various polypropylene plastics, and in making other chemicals such as acrylonitrile and propylene oxide.
The petrochemical industry has known for some time that oxygenates, especially alcohols, are convertible into light olefins. This process is referred to as the oxygenate-to-olefin process. The preferred oxygenate for light olefin production is methanol. The process of converting methanol-to-olefins is called the methanol-to-olefins process.
There are numerous technologies available for producing oxygenates, and particularly methanol, including fermentation or reaction of synthesis gas derived from natural gas, petroleum liquids, carbonaceous materials including coal, recycled plastics, municipal waste or any other organic material. The most common process for producing methanol is a two-step process of converting natural gas to synthesis gas. Then, synthesis gas is converted to methanol.
Generally, the production of synthesis gas involves a combustion reaction of natural gas, mostly methane, and an oxygen source into hydrogen, carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide. Synthesis gas production processes are well known, and include conventional steam reforming, autothermal reforming or a combination thereof.
Synthesis gas is then processed into methanol. Specifically, the components of synthesis gas (i.e., hydrogen, carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide) are catalytically reacted in a methanol reactor in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. For example, in one process, methanol is produced using a copper/zinc oxide catalyst in a water-cooled tubular methanol reactor.
The methanol is then converted to olefins in a methanol-to-olefins process. The methanol-to-olefins reaction is highly exothermic and has a large amount of water. Water comprises as much as one half of the total weight of the output stream of the reactor or effluent stream. Consequently, the water must be removed by condensation in a quench device to isolate the olefin product. A quench device cools the effluent stream to the condensation temperature of water. Quenching the product recovers large quantity of water at the temperature near the boiling point of the quench medium.
Oxygenate-to-olefins reactions, including methanol-to-olefin reactions, use a catalyst, preferably a molecular sieve catalyst. Catalyst particles are circulated through the reactor system and are retained by the particle size separators or cyclones. The catalyst particles break down into smaller particles as they make physical contact with the hardware of the reactor system and pass through the particle size separators or cyclones into the effluent stream. As used herein, any catalyst particles that are found in the effluent stream are referred to as catalyst fines. After passing through the cyclones, catalyst fines are carried along in the effluent stream. Typically, the particle size separators retain catalyst particles that are above 40 microns in size. Catalyst particles are removed from the effluent stream in a quench device, and typically are suspended in a bottoms stream of the quench device. The presence of catalyst fine in the effluent stream or the bottoms stream of a quench device presents two unique problems. First, the catalyst fines can erode the walls of the vessel as they travel through the reactor. Second, catalyst fines can settle or collect in parts of the equipment. This settling or accumulation can damage equipment, cause inefficient operation, shut downs and frequent cleaning.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,504 describes a quench apparatus for an oxygenate-to-olefins process as well as a process for using a quench apparatus. The process removes water from the effluent stream as well as some oxygenate feedstock such as methanol.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,854 describes a two stage solids wash and quench for use with the oxygenate conversion process where catalyst fines are removed from the effluent stream through a first quench stage. Water and methanol are removed from the effluent stream in a second quench stage. The quench bottoms from the first quench stage are withdrawn as an aqueous waste stream or drag stream and are sent to a water treatment zone.
It would be desirable if there was a process for operating an oxygenate-to-olefin plant to avoid these problematic consequences. The present invention satisfies these and other needs.


A method and apparatus for implanting various portions of a prosthesis into an anatomy. The instruments can include portions that allow for positive and rigid engagement with a selected prosthesis member to allow for positioning it relative to the anatomy. Further, various instruments can include portions that allow it to engage or match with marking portions or alignment portions on a first prosthesis member to align a second prosthesis member with the first one. Further, methods of using the various instruments are taught and providing for a less or minimally invasive procedure.

A natural anatomy includes several anatomical portions that are generally able to articulate relative to one another in a substantially pain-free and natural manner. For example, a glenoid can articulate with a humerus or an acetabelum can articulate with a femoral head. For various reasons, however, the various anatomical portions may become damaged or not operate in a natural manner. Due to various reasons, for example, injury or disease, the anatomical portions can become damaged. Once an anatomical portion has become damaged, under certain circumstances, a prosthesis can be positioned relative to the remaining anatomical portions to allow for mimicking the natural anatomical motion. For example, an acetabular implant can be positioned relative to an acetabulum, a femoral head implant can be positioned relative to a femur, or other various prosthesis can be positioned in the anatomy to allow for obtaining or repairing natural anatomical motion.
Various anatomical implants can be positioned relative to the anatomy using various procedures. Generally, an open procedure can be used to position a prosthesis relative to the anatomy. In an open procedure, an incision is formed through the soft tissue, which can include adipose tissue, muscle tissue, skin tissue and the like. The open incision allows for access to the entire anatomical area to be replaced, such as a large incision over a substantial portion of the knee joint, the hip joint, or the like. The damaged anatomical portions can then be generally removed to allow for placement of the prosthesis members. In a hip joint, the acetabulum may be reamed and an acetabular implant may be positioned relative to the reamed actabelum.
Generally, an implant may include a portion that allows it to be fixed to the anatomy and a second portion that allows it to articulate with another portion of anatomy or another implant. It may be that the various portions are formed as a single member or formed as multiple members. Nevertheless, the large incision generally allows for ease of access to the natural anatomical portions and for implanting the prosthesis.
It is desirable, however, to allow for the same ease of implantation with use of a smaller incision. A less or minimally invasive procedure can include forming an incision that is only large enough or not substantially larger than the size of the prosthesis or portions of the prosthesis to be implanted in the anatomy. To perform such a procedure, it is desirable to provide instruments that allow for ease of positioning the various portions of the prosthesis and for preparing the anatomy for implantation of the prosthesis while maintaining maximum efficacy of the procedure.

Method and apparatus for implanting a prosthesis


Provided is a method and system for identifying and evaluating common cause failures of system components, wherein at least one analytical artifact and machine readable system related to at least one of spatial, topological data and machine readable system related lifecycle data are processed to analyze automatically a susceptibility of system components to common cause failure based on common cause failure influencing factors.

A technical system can comprise a plurality of different components, in particular hardware components connected to each other via wired or wireless links. The system can comprise several sub systems which in turn can include different kind of hardware and/or software components to be executed by hardware components. A technical system has to fulfil different kinds of criteria. A technical system has to meet predetermined safety, reliability, availability or maintainability criteria to meet a technical standard or to fulfil obligations from a contract. The increasing complexity of technical systems makes it more difficult to develop, analyse, monitor and control them. A technical system can potentially be harmful to humans or other facilities. Different kinds of safety analysis techniques can be used to assess a potential risk of an industrial system. For instance, failure modes and effects analysis FMEA can be used for failure analysis of an investigated system. FMEA involves analysis of components, assemblies and sub systems of an investigated system to identify failure modes as well as their causes and effects and to define activities such as mitigation measures etc. In a conventional failure mode and effect analysis for each component the failure modes and their resulting effects on the rest of the system can be recorded in a specific FMEA worksheet.
Conventionally, analytical artifacts, AA, such as an FMEA table documenting the outcome of an FMEA are generated manually by domain experts. Consequently, significant efforts, costs and time for experts are involved for developing and analysing complex technical systems.
Safety, reliability or availability related analytical artifacts, AA, are results when a complex technical systems has been analyzed with respect to the fulfilment of corresponding safety, reliability or availability requirements that may for instance stem from contractual obligations. The safety, reliability or availability related analytical artifacts, AA, for technical systems such as failure modes and effect analysis, fault tree or Markov chains are conventionally generated manually for instance by reliability, availability, maintainability or safety (RAMS) experts or related teams. Significant efforts, costs and time must be spent especially in case of complicated or challenging applications.
Common cause failures should be considered and evaluated in safety, reliability and availability analyses. The corresponding analytical artifacts shall reflect the effects of common cause failures.
Common cause failures are failures resulting from common causes. Common causes can comprise a wide variety of causes relating to technical, lifecycle related and/or spatial or topology aspects between different components C of a complex technical system of interest. Factors which influence common cause failures can comprise design principles, technologies, component manufacturers, component lifecycle resources, component redundancies, component diversities and even component complexities. For instance, in a factory where pressure in a fluid tank is monitored by two different pressure sensor components there can be different kinds of common cause failure influencing factors. For instance, if the two pressure sensors attached to the fluid tank are implemented by the same sensor technology or use the same measuring principle it is more likely that both sensors fail in a specific failure scenario. The same is true if both pressure sensors attached to the fluid tank are manufactured by the same component manufacturer. For instance, if the manufacturer has low standards for specific aspects of quality control it is likely that two pressure sensors manufactured by this manufacturer may both fail during specific operational conditions. Even if the sensors are manufactured by a manufacturer with high quality standards the fact that they originate from the same design and manufacturing processes does increase the probability that both pressure sensors may fail simultaneously e.g. under certain conditions or in a specific state of operation in the technical system. Another possible influencing factor for a common cause failure is that both sensors implement similar measuring techniques. This increases also the probability of a common cause failure. Another possible influencing factor for a common cause failure is the applied lifecycle procedure such as maintenance. For instance, if two sensor components attached to a fluid tank are maintained by the same maintenance team this does increase the probability that a common cause failure might occur as well e.g. because a faulty repair or calibration procedure might have been applied to both sensors. This may for instance be loose fixation screws for the sensors leading to susceptibility with respect to oscillations, i.e. both sensors could be positioned improperly or fall off simultaneously.
During planning and/or operation of an industrial facility or technical system of interest it is important to identify and evaluate common cause failures of system components in the investigated system. If sources of common cause failures are not identified this can lead to common failures of system components or sub-systems or even to a failure of the entire investigated technical system of interest.
Accordingly, an aspect relates to provide a method and system for identifying and evaluating common cause failures of system components of a system of interest.

Method for identifying and evaluating common cause failures of system components


A side loading refuse collection vehicle has a lift arm extendible and rotatable relative to the vehicle, the lift arm carrying grabber apparatus at an end for grasping a refuse container which may be lifted and dumped into the top of the body of the vehicle. The lift arm which is guided to move in a path so as to grasp the container, raise it, dump it and return it to its initial position, is driven toward and away from the vehicle by a first hydraulic drive cylinder and lifted and lowered by a second hydraulic drive cylinder. The first hydraulic drive cylinder has a drive rod on which a locking bolt is secured and may be captured in a receptacle of a keeper when the rod is in the fully retracted position to lock the arm against inadvertent and undesirable extension outwardly away from the vehicle. The keeper is pivotally mounted and moved by the output rod of a pneumatic cylinder to permit the bolt to be released from the receptacle when the hydraulic drive is activated. When the hydraulic drive rod is retracted to its fully retracted position, the keeper returns to the locking position to receive the locking bolt. This ensures that the arm does not inadvertently drift outwardly into traffic while the vehicle is driven should there be a failure of the hydraulic cylinder system.

This invention relates to refuse collection vehicles of the type having an arm that carries container grabbing mechanism that may extend from the body of the vehicle to grasp a container, hoist it and dump its contents into the collection vehicle body, and return the container to its original position, and more particularly to apparatus for preventing the arm from inadvertently drifting outwardly from the vehicle by locking the arm extension drive when the arm is fully retracted.
Refuse collection vehicles are known which have an arm selectively extendible from the body of the vehicle and having grabbing or grasping apparatus at the end of the arm remote from the vehicle for clamping firmly about a refuse container. Associated with the arm is means for lifting the end of the arm including the grasping apparatus for dumping the contents of the container into a hopper at the top of the vehicle body. Such vehicles, known in the art as side loaders, have the obvious advantage in that only one person, to wit, a driver is necessary to collect refuse from a substantial number of dwellings or the like. The means for extending the arm includes a hydraulic drive cylinder with an extendible piston rod which permits the arm to be extended up to approximately 8 feet from the body so that a refuse container may be picked up in tight or difficult locations such as on the sidewalk of a street where the refuse vehicle may be prevented from getting close to the sidewalk because of parked vehicles and the like. The arm may be retracted fully so that the grasping apparatus is disposed substantially within the lateral confines of the body of the vehicle or in close proximity thereto thereby permitting the vehicle to be driven at highway speeds when necessary, such as when traveling to a dump site or the like.
A potential problem associated with the extendible lift arm is that which may occur should there be a failure of the arm extension drive means, e.g. the extension cylinder, the hydraulic circuit therefor or the electrical circuit controlling the operation of the hydraulic system. In such a situation the vehicle may be stopped by the driver of the vehicle and manually positioned if the arm is extended far enough from the vehicle to be seen from the cab by the driver. However, if the arm is not extended far enough so as to be viewable by the driver, the driver may not be aware of such failure and may drive the vehicle at speeds or conditions that would be hazardous to life and property. For example, the arm may spring outwardly due to centrifugal force while the driver is turning a corner or driving at less than relatively high speeds on a street or at high speeds on a highway. Should the arm extend in this manner to its full length an obviously dangerous situation is presented.
This problem was set forth in Flerchinger and Smith co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/661,197 filed Jun. 10, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,547, and assigned to the common assignee of the instant invention. There, the lift arm is carried by a carriage which is slidably mounted on a track and retaining apparatus is provided for locking the carriage and thus the arm in various positions less than the fully retracted position of the carriage. The retaining apparatus includes a keeper plate movable with the carriage and a latch for seizing and holding the keeper when the carriage is not being driven.
Other extendible lift arm refuse vehicles utilize mechanisms which pivot or swing the arm relative to a fixed frame mounted on the vehicle. Here, there is no slidable carriage. Hydraulic cylinders act to extend and pivot the arm. The prior art attempted to address the problem resulting from a failure of the extension cylinder or its control by four known methods. One method utilized a chain and pin arrangement wherein the chain was looped around the arm to keep the arm fully retracted. This required the operator to physically disembark from the vehicle to install the chain and pin. The second method utilized friction cams and roller detents. This technique however, has been unsuccessful since the detent or friction is readily overcome as the vehicle bounces along a roadway or turns about a curve. Hydraulic detents within the hydraulic drive cylinder have been utilized but are found to wear rapidly and are unreliable and no visual inspection of the cylinder may be made to determine whether the detent is functioning properly. A pilot operated hydraulic check valve or counterbalance valve on the hydraulic drive cylinder has been utilized and although this corrects for a leaky valve or broken hose, if the hydraulic drive cylinder piston fails the arm will extend from the vehicle.

Swinging arm loading refuse collection vehicle arm restraint


A device with a PCB with forced airflow has a housing including a first panel (141) and a second panel (142). Within the housing is mounted a printed circuit board (111) with heat dissipating elements, an opening (112), a first surface (131) and a second surface (132). The first surface (131) of the printed circuit board (111) is located at a distance from the first panel (141) smaller than a distance between the second surface (132) and the second panel (142). To the printed circuit board (111) is mounted a fan (113) that covers the opening (112) and forces airflow from a space between the first surface (131) and the first panel (141) to a space adjacent the second surface (132).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printed circuit board with forced airflow and a device provided with a printed circuit board with forced airflow.
2. Brief Description of the Background of the Invention Including Prior Art
Cooling systems for electronic devices are under constant improvement, due to the miniaturization of electronic elements followed by increase of dissipated heat. The design of cooling systems is an especially important issue for devices with closed housings. One of the simplest cooling elements is a radiator, whose large surface dissipates heat to the surroundings. The cooling efficiency can be increased by forcing air circulation by a fan, which can be located directly on a cooled element or which forces air circulation around all elements assembled on a main printed circuit board (called motherboard) of the device.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,674 "Circuit board mounting brackets with convective airflow apertures" presents a device with expansion cards in form of printed circuit boards, where one edge of every card is assembled to the housing by means of a support with openings along the edge of the board. A fan, assembled in the device at its side panel, forces circulation of air drawn from the openings in the supports. The airflow efficiently cools the expansion cards. However, it is difficult to define the direction of airflow relative to the motherboard. After flowing along the expansion cards the air is dispersed, therefore cooling of the motherboard is ineffective. Moreover, the fan located on the side panel limits the minimum height of the device to fan dimensions.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,168 "Powersupply" presents a power supply unit with a blower-type fan located horizontally, with air directed via a channel to a side panel. The channel forces airflow drawn from openings in the opposite side panel. Such solution makes it possible to lower the height of the device. However, drawing air via openings in the opposite panel is ineffective for a device with a large motherboard surface, where the air can be dispersed.

PCB with forced airflow and device provided with PCB with forced airflow


The invention relates to a process for preparing (S)-.alpha.-methylarylacetic acids from mixtures, such as racemic mixtures, of (R)- and (S)-.alpha.-methylarylacetic acid esters by enantiospecific hydrolysis using extracellular lipases of microbial origin (EC 3.1.1.3).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to processes for producing chiral .alpha.-methylarylacetic acids. More specifically, it relates to a process for preparing (S)-.alpha.-methylaryl-acetic acids from mixtures, such as racemic mixtures, of (R)- and (S)-.alpha.-methylarylacetic acid esters by enantiospecific hydrolysis using extracellular lipases of microbial origin (EC 22.214.171.124).
2. Background to the Invention
A number of .alpha.-methylarylacetic acids (2-arylpropionic acids) are known as antiinflammatory agents: among the best known being ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, ketoprofen, and suprofen (all of which are substituted .alpha.-methylbenzeneacetic acids), and naproxen (a substituted .alpha.-methylnaphthaleneacetic acid). As is well known, the .alpha.-methylarylacetic acid molecule is chiral at the .alpha.-carbon atom and, therefore, exists in two stereoisomeric forms: the R- and S-forms (these forms are named by application of the "Sequence Rule", see J. Org. Chem., 35, 2863-7 (1970)). The S-enantiomers of these .alpha.-methylarylacetic acids generally possess greater antiinflammatory activity than the R-enantiomers ["Non-steroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs", J. G. Lombardino (ed.), John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1985, p. 3031]. For example, the S-enantiomer of 6-methoxy-.alpha.-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid has 28 times greater antiinflammatory activity than the R-enantiomer [I. T. Harrison et al., J. Med. Chem., 13, 203 (1970)]. Hence, the S-enantiomer alone is used as the antiinflammatory drug naproxen (USAN and the USP Dictionary of Drug Names, 1986, p. 222).
The chemical synthesis of 6-methoxy-.alpha.-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid [I. T. Harrison et al., J. Med. Chem., 13, 203 (1970)] leads to a racemic mixture of R- and S-enantiomers. Hence, resolution methods have to be employed to obtain the separate enantiomers from the racemic mixture. These resolution methods are, however, cumbersome and expensive. Generally, the chemical resolution methods entail the selective stoichiometric crystallization of a diastereomeric salt by the use of an expensive amine such as cinchonidine [P. Wirth et al., German Pat. (Offen.) 2,319,245 (1973); U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,787,580; 3,651,106; 3,906,0381] or dehydroabietylamine acetate [British Pat. 1,426,186 (1976)], or the use of a water soluble amine such as glucamine, which is difficult to recover [E. Felder et al., U.K. Pat. App. 2025968A (1980)]. Naproxen has also been prepared by the chemical resolution of a precursor using the expensive and less-available (I)-10-camphorsulfonic acid [G. I. Tsuchihashi, Tet. Lett., 5427 (1982)].
Various microbiological techniques have been reported for the preparation of chiral .alpha.-methylarylacetic acids. For example, the intact microorganism of Aspergillus sojae was used for the partial resolution of (.+-.)-6-methoxy-.alpha.-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid methyl ester (S. Iriuchijima and A. Keiyu, Agri. Biol. Chem., 45, 1389 (1981)]. Unfortunately, the rate of conversion was very slow (only 16.3% of the substrate was converted), because the intracellular enzyme concentration was low and the amount of dried cells (400 mg) exceeded the amount of (.+-.)ester substrate (160 mg), and the R-isomer, rather than the desired S-isomer, of the acid was produced. Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, in European Pat. App. 153474, describe the enantioselective enzymatic hydrolysis of (.+-.)-6-methoxy-.alpha.-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid (using, e.g., esterases from Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus sojae, and Bacillus subilis) to produce the R-isomer of the acid, leaving the S-ester. The S-ester is then hydrolyzed with an esterase from hog liver or Pleurotus ostreatus to give the desired S-acid. Montedison S.p.A., in European Pat. App. 195717, describe the enantioselective hydrolysis of certain (.+-.)-.alpha.-arylalkanoic acid esters to produce the S-acids, using a lipase from Candida cylindracea, a lipase which is exemplified in my prior applications.

Process for preparing (S)-.alpha.-methylarylacetic acids


An electric contact and a female terminal have high spring elasticity and high electric conductivity. In the electric contact 1 arranged inside the female contact maker 11, the contact member 2 in an approximately cylindrical shape is formed by the composite member composed of the electric conductive member 3 and the spring member 4.

The present invention relates to an electric contact and a female terminal arranged inside the female contact maker in which the male contact maker is inserted.
There is such an electric connector for carrying a high current over 100A that an electric connection is established between the female contact maker and the male contact maker by an electric contact having multiple contact makers configured as multiple springs shaped in a cylinder arranged inside the female contact maker.
For example, a typical connector 51, as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B comprises a male contact maker 52, an electric contact 54. formed as a cylindrical shape and arranged inside the female contact maker 52, for accepting the male contact maker 52 inside itself. The electric contact 54 is used so that the electric contact 54 may be placed between the male contact maker 53 and the female contact maker 52. The conventional contact 54 is composed of a single material and its material is selected by considering both the spring elasticity and the electric conductivity.
As the technical references related to the present invention, there are Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-192794 (1995) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-31488 (1996).