An apparatus for agitating a workpiece in a high pressure environment comprises a workpiece holder, a bearing, a pressure chamber housing, and a nozzle. The workpiece holder couples to the pressure chamber housing via the bearing. The nozzle couples to the pressure chamber housing. The workpiece holder comprises protrusions and a region for holding the workpiece. In operation a fluid exits the nozzle and impinges the protrusions of the workpiece holder causing the workpiece holder to rotate, which agitates the workpiece.

This invention relates to the field of high pressure processing. More particularly, this invention relates of high pressure processing where a workpiece is agitated.
Fluid processing of a workpiece often requires agitation of the workpiece. In high pressure processing, a prior art method of agitation of the workpiece includes placing the workpiece on a holder connected by a drive shaft through a pressure chamber housing to a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism rotates the drive shaft and consequently rotates the holder to provide agitation of the workpiece. A second prior art method of agitation of the workpiece uses a magnetically coupled motor, where a magnetic field drives a rotor within the pressure chamber housing.
Providing either the drive shaft through the pressure chamber housing or a magnetically coupled motor complicates design and fabrication of a high pressure processing system. Further, providing either the drive shaft through the pressure chamber housing or the magnetically coupled motor is expensive.
What is needed is a method of agitating a workpiece in a pressure chamber that does not use a drive shaft through a pressure chamber housing and that does not use a magnetically coupled motor.
What is needed is a method of agitating a workpiece in a pressure chamber that is more economical than using a drive shaft through a pressure chamber housing and that is more economical than using a magnetically coupled motor.
An apparatus for agitating a workpiece in a high pressure environment of the present invention comprises a workpiece holder, a bearing, a pressure chamber housing, and a nozzle. The workpiece holder couples to the pressure chamber housing via the bearing. The nozzle couples to the pressure chamber housing. The workpiece holder comprises protrusions and a region for holding the workpiece. In operation a fluid exits the nozzle and impinges the protrusions of the workpiece holder causing the workpiece holder to rotate, which agitates the workpiece.

Method and apparatus for agitation of workpiece in high pressure environment


An LCD device with a simplified configuration is disclosed. The LCD device includes a reflection sheet configured to include an opened upper surface, a plurality of first supporters formed to inwardly project from the side walls of the reflection sheet, a bottom cover configured to receive the reflection sheet, a plurality of second supporters formed to inwardly project from the side walls of the bottom cover, and optical sheets disposed on the reflective sheet and configured to include a plurality of fixed protrusions which are formed to outwardly project from the edges of the optical sheets. The edges of a lower surface of a liquid crystal display panel are placed on the first supporters, and the fixed protrusions of the optical sheets are placed on the second supporters.

1. Field of the Disclosure
This disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device with a simplified configuration.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal display (LCD) devices are widening their application fields as a result of their features, such as their light weight, slimness, low driving voltage, and so on. This trend is evident in the ways in which the LCD devices have been applied to office automation equipment, audio equipment, video equipment, and more. The LCD device controls a transmitting amount of light on the basis of image signals applied to a plurality of control switches, in order to display a picture.
The LCD device, which is not self-luminescent, includes a backlight unit irradiating light on the rear surface of an LCD panel in which a picture is displayed. The backlight unit is classified as either an edge type or a direct type in accordance with the disposition of its light source.
The edge type backlight unit includes a light source which is disposed in a position corresponding to one side of the LCD panel. Also, the edge type backlight unit irradiates light emitted from the light source onto the entire surface of the LCD panel using a light guide panel. On the other hand, the direct type backlight unit includes a plurality of light sources arranged opposite the rear surface of the LCD panel. These plural light sources apply light directly to the rear surface of the LCD panel. The direct type backlight unit has a higher brightness and a wider luminescent surface than the edge type backlight unit because it employs a plurality of light sources. In addition, this backlight unit can become larger in size corresponding to the increased size of the LCD device. In view of these points, direct type backlight units are widely used in LCD devices.
The direct type backlight unit included in a related art LCD device is configured to include a plurality of light sources arranged at fixed intervals on the rear surface of an LCD panel. The direct type backlight unit further includes a diffusion plate and optical sheets sequentially disposed to diffuse and converge light over the plurality of light sources.
To rectify this, the related art LCD device must be configured to include a plurality of components forming the backlight unit and a panel guider which supports the LCD panel and is secured to the backlight unit. As such, the related art LCD device has a complicated configuration, and it is very difficult to keep slim.


The invention is directed to a transgene expression system comprising a transcription unit which contains a transgene operably linked to expression control sequences, preferably the CMV promoter, and which is delivered simultaneously with all or part of the adenovirus E4 genomic region to a cell in order to facilitate persistent expression of the transgene. The components of the transgene expression system can be delivered by vectors including plasmids and/or viruses and may be complexed with cationic amphiphiles to facilitate entry into a cell. The invention is also directed to methods for the production of the transgene expression system. The invention is further directed to compositions that contain the transgene expression system and to methods for the use of such compositions to deliver transgenes encoding biologically active proteins to cells.

Adenovirus is a non-enveloped, nuclear DNA virus with a genome of about 36 kb, which has been well-characterized through studies in classical genetics and molecular biology (Horwitz, M. S., "Adenoviridae and Their Replication," in Virology, 2nd edition, Fields et al., eds., Raven Press, New York, 1990). The viral genes are classified into early (known as E1-E4) and late (known as L1-L5) transcriptional units, referring to the generation of two temporal classes of viral proteins. The demarcation between these events is viral DNA replication.
Recombinant adenoviruses have several advantages for use as gene transfer vectors, including tropism for both dividing and non-dividing cells, minimal pathogenic potential, ability to replicate to high titer for preparation of vector stocks, and the potential to carry large inserts (Berkner, K. L., Curr. Top. Micro. Imnmunol. 158:39-66, 1992; Jolly, D., Cancer Gene Therapy 1:51-64, 1994).
The cloning capacity of an adenovirus vector is proportional to the size of the adenovirus genome present in the vector. For example, a cloning capacity of about 8 kb can be created from the deletion of certain regions of the virus genome dispensable for virus growth, e.g., E3, and the deletion of a genomic region such as E1 whose function may be restored in trans from 293 cells (Graham, F. L., J. Gen. Virol. 36:59-72, 1977) or A549 cells (Imler et al., Gene Therapy 3:75-84, 1996). Such E1-deleted vectors are rendered replication-defective. The upper limit of vector DNA capacity for optimal carrying capacity is about 105%-108% of the length of the wild-type genome. Further adenovirus genomnic modifications are possible in vector design using cell lines which supply other viral gene products in trans, e.g., complementation of E2a (Zhou et al., J. Virol. 70:7030-7038, 1996), complementation of E4 (Krougliak et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 6:1575-1586, 1995; Wang et al., Gene Ther. 2:775-783, 1995), or complementation of protein IX (Caravokyri et al., J. Virol. 69:6627-6633, 1995; Krougliak et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 6:1575-1586, 1995). Maximal carying capacity can be achieved using adenoviral vectors deleted for all viral coding sequences (Kochanek et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:5731-5736, 1996; Fisher et al., Virology 217:11-22, 1996).
Transgenes that have been expressed to date by adenoviral vectors include p53 (Wills et al., Human Gene Therapy 5:1079-188, 1994); dystrophin (Vincent et al., Nature Genetics 5:130-134, 1993; erythropoietin (Descamps et al., Human Gene Therapy 5:979-985, 1994; ornithine transcarbamylase (Stratford-Perricaudet et al., Human Gene Therapy 1:241-256, 1990; We et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271;3639-3646, 1996;); adenosine deaminase (Mitani et al., Human Gene Therapy 5:941-948, 1994); interleukin-2 (Haddada et al., Human Gene Therapy 4:703-711, 1993); and .alpha.1-antitrypsin (Jaffe et al., Nature Genetics 1:372-378, 1992); thrombopoietin (Ohwada et al., Blood 88:778-784, 1996); and cytosine deaminase (Ohwada et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 7:1567-1576, 1996).
The particular tropism of adenoviruses for cells of the respiratory tract has particular relevance to the use of adenovirus in gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF), which is the most common autosomal recessive disease in Caucasians. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that disturb the cAMP-regulated C1.sup.- channel in airway epithelia result in pulmonary dysfinction (Zabner et al., Nature Genetics 6:75-83, 1994). Adenovirus vectors engineered to carry the CFTR gene have been developed (Rich et al., Human Gene Therapy 4:461-476, 1993) and studies have shown the ability of these vectors to deliver CFTR to nasal epithelia of CF patients (Zabner et al., Cell 75:207-216, 1993), the airway epithelia of cotton rats and primates (Zabner et al., Nature Genetics 6:75-83, 1994), and the respiratory epithelium of CF patients (Crystal et al., Nature Genetics 8:42-51, 1994). Recent studies have shown that administering an adenoviral vector containing a DNA sequence encoding CFTR to airway epithelial cells of CF patients can restore a functioning chloride ion channel in the treated epithelial cells (Zabner et al., J. Clin. Invest. 97:1504-1511, 1996; allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/136,742, filed Oct. 13, 1993).
The use of adenovirus vectors in gene transfer studies to date indicates that persistence of transgene expression is often transient. At least some of the limitation is due to the generation of a cellular immune response to the viral proteins which are expressed antigentically even from a replication-defective vector, triggering a pathological inflammatory response which may destroy or adversely affect the adenovirus-infected cells (Yang et al., J. Virol. 69:2004-2015, 1995; Yang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:4407-4411, 1994; Zsengeller et al., Hum Gene Ther. 6:457-467, 1995; Worgall et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 8:37-44, 1997; Kaplan et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 8:45-56, 1997). Because adenovirus does not integrate into the cell genome, host immune responses that destroy virions or infected cells have the potential to limit adenovirus-based gene therapy. An adverse immune response poses a serious obstacle for high dose administration of an adenovirus vector or for repeated administration (Crystal, R., Science 270:404-410, 1995).
In order to circumvent the host immune response which limits the persistence of transgene expression, various strategies have been employed, generally involving either the modulation of the immune response itself or the engineering of a vector that decreases the immune response. The administration of immunosuppressive agents together with vector administration has been shown to prolong transgene persistence (Fang et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 6:1039-1044, 1995; Kay et al., Nature Genetics 11:191-197, 1995; Zsellenger et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 6:457-467, 1995).
The lack of persistence in the expression of adenovirus vector-delivered transgenes may also be due to limitations imposed by the choice of promoter or transgene contained in the transcription unit (Guo et al., Gene Therapy 3:802-801, 1996; Tripathy et al., Nature Med. 2:545-550, 1996).
Modifications to genomic adenoviral sequences contained in the recombinant vector have been attempted in order to decrease the host immune response (Yang et al., Nature Genetics 7:362-369, 1994; Lieber et al., J. Virol. 70:8944-8960, 1996; Gorziglia et al., J. Virol. 70:4173-4178; Kochanek et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:5731-5736, 1996; Fisher et al., Virology 217:11-22, 1996). The adenovirus E3 gp19K protein can complex with MHC Class I antigens and retain them in the endoplasmic reticulum, which prevents cell surface presentation and killing of infected cells by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) (Wold et al., Trends Microbiol. 437-443, 1994), suggesting that its presence in a recombinant adenoviral vector may be beneficial.
Experiments in which adenovirus vectors were introduced into nude mice demonstrated that the context of the adenovirus E4 genomic region was a determinant in the persistence of expression, especially when the CMV promoter was used to control expression of the transgene (Kaplan et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 8:45-56, 1997; Armentano et al., J. Virol. 71:2408-2416, 1997).
Therefore, the current state of adenoviral vector-based gene delivery requires the development of transgene expression systems which demonstrate the capability for persistence and sustained expression of a transgene.

Transgene expression system for increased persistence


Multilayered optical information recording media involve a problem that a BCA is erroneously formed in a different information recording layer even if the BCA is intended to be formed in a specific information recording layer.

Optical discs have been widely spread as the optical information recording media with which recording or reproduction of information is performed by irradiation of laser beams. These types of optical discs include CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs having embossed pit strings formed in advance to be used exclusively for reproduction, CD-Rs and DVD-Rs to which data can be recorded only once, CD-RWs, DVD-RWs, and DVD-RAMs which are capable of rewriting, etc. Each of these optical discs is structured to perform recording or reproduction of information by irradiating a converging beam spot to an information recording layer via a transparent substrate. Pit strings or grooves are formed on the information recording layer along a spiral recording track.
Among those optical discs, there is such a type that has an area called a burst cut area (BCA) as information that can be reproduced by a converging beam spot of an optical disc device, in addition to having the spiral recording track. This BCA is formed with segments extending in a radial direction by being arranged at prescribed intervals on a circumference in a low-reflectance form, and the pattern thereof is determined according to the contents of information to be recorded. In a sense, it is in a structure where a barcode used in general is provided circumferentially. Burst cut information such as the type (ROM, write-once type, or rewritable type) of the optical information recording medium and the copyright managed number is recorded in the BCA.
FIG. 4 shows an illustration of a BCA 101 and a fragmentary enlarged view thereof for explanations. As shown in FIG. 4, the BCA 101 is provided in a radius position range on a rotation center side (inside diameter side) of a specific recording layer of an optical information recording medium (optical disc) that includes a multilayered recording layer. The BCA 101 is formed with a plurality of low-reflectance segments 101 lined on a circumference in such a manner that the segments in a uniform length are lined in a radial direction as if short strips are lined at a small pitch to form a prescribed pattern.
The area where the BCA 101 is provided has no track for a converging beam spot "e" to follow. Thus, the optical disc device scans the converging beam spot "e" on the BCA 101 in the circumferential direction as indicated by an arrow S in accordance with rotation, while applying only the focus servo. At this time, the reflected light amount of the converging beam spot "e" is fluctuated depending on the patterns and it is outputted as a signal. Therefore, information associated with the BCA 101 recorded on the above-described optical disc can be reproduced based on the signal.
An example of such BCA 101 is depicted in a standardization material (ECMA-267; 120 mm DVD-Read-Only Disc) of ECMA (European Computer Manufacture Association).
Comparing the recording of information by using the BCA with the recording of information by using the pits, the information recording with the BCA is advantageous in respect that the BCA can be formed individually for each optical disc after manufacturing the optical discs. For example, the copyright management number can be added to the optical disc.
In this case, as a way to form the BCA in an optical disc such as a ROM used exclusively for reproduction, a metal reflection film formed on an information recording layer may be removed by irradiation of a strong laser thereby to form a low-reflectance part.
However, the interval of the pattern that can be formed with this method (the method for forming the BCA after manufacturing the optical disc) becomes considerably larger than the interval of the pits. For example, the practical value of the width of the low-reflectance part 101a is about 10 μm, and the widest used pattern interval is 100 μm or more.
Patent Document 1: International Patent Publication W2002/037483

Optical information recording medium, BCA information recorder, and BCA information recording method

Abstract: An optical information medium (1) for recording/reproducing information by applying a laser beam includes two or more recording layers (11, 12) for recording/reproducing information by receiving a laser beam at the same laser beam incident surface (1a). A geometrical irregularity (K) is formed in an area (inner peripheral side) (21) for a BCA on one recording layer (12), and a mirror surface is formed in the area of the other information recording layer (11) corresponding to the BCA area (21). The geometrical irregularity (K) is detected when focus servo is actuated so as to detect the desired information recording layer. Thus, a BCA is prevented from being erroneously formed in another information recording layer.


A tobacco solution containing water; a polysorbate compound; and an effective serving of tobacco constituents for vaporizing the tobacco solution for inhalation. The tobacco constituents may include nicotine, monoamine oxidase inhibitor, tobacco flavor, and tobacco aroma derived from tobacco.

Smokers of traditional tobacco products, for example, cigarettes, cigars and pipes, are finding that their use of these products has been significantly and seriously curtailed by smoking regulations passed and enacted due to concerns about the public health dangers of second hand smoke, and potentially harmful chemicals found in the smoke, including tar and carbon monoxide.
In addition to traditional tobacco alternatives to those that must be ignited, cigarettes, cigars ad pipes, like snuff, snus, chewing tobacco, tobacco tablets, tobacco lozenges and tobacco strips, smokers recently have also be utilizing electronic nicotine delivery devices or e-cigarettes.
These products vaporize nicotine, allowing a smoker to inhale a nicotine-infused vapor in a manner similar to smoking.
However, nicotine is just one constituent of tobacco that provides satisfaction to smokers. There are a number of others—actual tobacco flavor, aroma, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors ("MAOIs") are naturally found in tobacco and naturally occur in tobacco smoke. These naturally occurring tobacco constituents are also used in anti-depressants and are widely acknowledged to be mood elevators.
While there have been inventions that teach as to using actual leaf tobacco in certain combinations that then vaporize the constituents without ignition, they combine tobacco in certain and specific forms with solutions that require heating to a temperature range of at least 200 degrees C.
As used in this application, a "first solution" is a solution prior to its contact with tobacco to form a "tobacco solution." In some circumstances, a first solution may have had previous tobacco contact, but will eventually have subsequent tobacco contact to form a "tobacco solution."
Vaporization at 200 degrees C. represents a relatively low temperature compared to other current e-cigarettes, but there are compelling reasons for seeking first solutions and other solutions that vaporize at much lower temperatures. These reasons include a) minimizing power needs to reach temperatures of less than 200 degrees C., allowing for safer and more efficiently powered devices; and, b) using first solutions comprised of smaller molecules, allowing for deeper lung penetration upon inhalation and more efficacious absorption of the tobacco constituents, which, in turn, will allow for more efficient use of tobacco and its constituents—which would be beneficial and desirable should governmental authorities determine that e-cigarettes need to be limited with respect to the volume of tobacco or the density of nicotine and/or other constituents provided in a commercially-available product/device. Those potential limitations notwithstanding, low temperature vaporization of tobacco formulations using first solutions with smaller molecules than currently being utilized and vaporization points well under 200 degrees C. will prove to be more effective and efficacious with respect to providing a safer alternative to the public health risks associated with traditional tobacco products intended to be ignited and smoked.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a more effective and safer tobacco delivery mechanism and method of use that provides for vaporization at temperatures well under 200 degrees C. and, ideally, at no more than 100 degrees C.

Tobacco solution for vaporized inhalation


There is provided an electronic device including a flat main unit provided with a keyboard, a flat display unit having a display face, the flat display unit configured to movably slide between a first state that overlaps the main unit and a second state that is erect with respect to the main unit, and a hinge that is arranged so as to overlap the keyboard in the first state, and is configured to couple the main unit and the display unit together so that the display unit can move with respect to the main unit.

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device.
JP-A-2009-230244, for example, describes an apparatus that slides and tilts up/down a display unit with respect to a main unit. This apparatus includes a main unit that has a keyboard on its upper face for inputting information, and a display unit that has on its upper face a display for displaying information. The apparatus slides and tilts up/down the display unit with respect to the main unit with a slide mechanism and a tilt up/down mechanism.

Electronic device having a display unit and a main unit rotatably connected together by a hinge


A fiber optic sensing coil apparatus for a fiber optic gyroscope is provided. In at least one embodiment, the fiber optic sensing coil apparatus comprises a housing providing a hermetically sealed chamber and an optical fiber disposed within the hermetically sealed chamber of the housing, wherein the optical fiber is disposed in a coil. A gas including oxygen is disposed in the hermetically sealed chamber between the coil of the optical fiber and the housing. Moreover, an adhesive is amongst the optical fiber, wherein the adhesive holds the optical fiber together in the coil; and, a layer of oxygen blocking material is disposed on an outer surface of the coil of optical fiber, wherein the oxygen blocking material has an oxygen transmission rate less than 15 cc/m2/day.

A fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) measures a rate of rotation. In an example, the FOG does this by operating in the following manner: a beam of light in a FOG is split into two beams, the two beams travel around a sensing coil, exit the sensing coil and then measured in a detector. The detector measures the phase difference between the two counter propagating beams of light. The phase shift experienced by the two beams of light is proportional to the rate of rotation of the FOG due to the Sagnac effect. If any of the FOG's components deteriorate over time, the FOG can become less accurate in measuring the light's phase shift.

Systems and methods for controlling the gas conversion in a fiber-optic gyroscope


A disposable anesthesia mask is provided which has a top portion having an aperture, an encompassed side portion and an open bottom portion. Located on the open bottom portion is an inflatable sealing means, which provides a pneumatic seal between the mask and the patients face. The disposable mask is transparent and is located around the nasal bridge. This shape alleviates orbital pressure. Elongated hooks that are attached to the mask by a head strap plate provides the option of affixing a strap to the mask.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an anesthesia mask and more particularly to a disposable and visually transparent anesthesia mask.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
During surgery a patient is usually placed under anesthesia. The most common delivery system is composed of a canister containing the anesthesia gases, a system of regulating gas flow and patient breathing, and an anesthesia mask for delivery of the gas to the patient.
Several problems have been identified in the construction of anesthesia masks. Respiratory infection caused by cross-contamination from the use of reusable masks is a serious problem. Even though the masks are sterilized, this type of problem persists. In order to combat this problem, disposable masks have been proposed such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,596 issued to Keener et al.
Another problem encountered with anesthesia masks is gas leakage, which some have determined has an adverse medical effect on medical personnel who work with anesthesia. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,339, issued to Thompson, Sr. To solve this problem some, such as Thompson, Sr., have proposed masks that have scavenging circuits to recapture escaped gas. Although effective in protecting medical personnel, such devices are complex and costly.
Others have proposed using a cushioned surface to make contact with the patients face. Toward this end, two types of cushioning have been proposed. One type is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,097 issued to Wallace. The cushion consists of a foamed plastic material that contours to the patients face. A second type of cushion is an inflatable type of cushion as appears to be illustrated in Pat. No. Des. 293,613 issued to Wingler. The cushion is filled with air permitting a precise fit onto the patient's face, thereby providing a pneumatic seal.
A further problem of anesthesia mask construction, is the need for the anesthesia personnel to view the patents face so that any airway obstruction problems can be immediately identified. U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,331 issued to Northway-Meyer, disclosing a see-through mask has been disclosed in order to solve this problem.
Many anesthesia personnel require the use of both hands during surgery for purposes other than holding the mask to the patents face. Therefore, straps to hold the mask in place as found in the Keener patent, have been proposed. However, the use of these straps, as currently proposed make contact with the patient's face and are a source of discomfort for the patient before, during and after surgery.
A final problem associated with anesthesia masks that does not appear to be addressed by the current art is the ocular pressure enforced by the mask during use. This ocular pressure can be a source of exquisite discomfort and irritation and, in extreme cases, the pressure can cause an adverse medical condition in the patient.
The present invention, unlike the prior art, addresses each and every major concern associated with anesthesia masks. The present invention is disposable so that cross-contamination does not occur. The mask provides an inflatable sealing cushion so that a pneumatic seal is achieved without patient discomfort. Medical personnels exposure to anesthesia is eliminated. The mask is made of clear material so that medical personnel are in constant visual contact with a patients airway. The mask provides for strap attachment so that medical personnel gain the use of both hands during surgery. The present mask is constructed so that the straps used to attach the mask never communicate with the patient's face so that there is no strap discomfort. Finally, the mask is constructed so that it curves and contours around the mouth and nasal bridge for alleviating orbital irritation and deleting ocular pressure.


A method of forming a composition comprising adding at least one first compound that is at least one of an alkali metal salt, an ammonium salt, an alkali metal hydroxide, or an ammonium hydroxide and at least one second compound that is at least one of a Group IIA salt, a Group IIIA salt, a Group IIIB salt, a copper salt, a zinc salt, a cadmium salt, a manganese salt, an iron salt, a cobalt salt, or a nickel salt to a latex. This method allows for the formation of nanoparticles in the composition.

Inorganic particles and/or clays have typically been incorporated into polymeric compositions during the polymerization of the polymer. This forms a nanocomposite composition. This method may be difficult to accomplish. It would be desirable to have a method of forming nanocomposite compositions without the difficulty of addition of the nanoparticles during polymerization.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Inorganic-organic polymer nanocomposite and methods for making and using


Systems and methods for selectively changing the current threshold of current limiting circuitry are provided. The current limit threshold of current limiting circuitry may be selectively changed based on a detected power source using a resistive network. The current limiting threshold may be selected by changing a resistance value of a resistive network electrically coupled to an input on the current limiting circuitry (e.g., battery controller) for programming the current limiting threshold. The resistance value received by the currently limiting circuitry at this input may set the current threshold and thus the maximum magnitude of current that may be provided to charge a battery or other energy storage device located in the electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone).

This relates to personal electronic devices and more particularly to battery charging systems and methods.
Portable electronic devices, such as wireless and cellular telephones, digital media players (e.g., music players and video players), and hybrid devices that combine telephone and media playing functionality are known. These devices are typically powered by one or more batteries, which may need to be replaced or recharged.
Batteries may be recharged by providing current to the battery. The greater the magnitude of the current, the faster the battery may be charged. Known battery controllers may be used to limit the magnitude of current provided to the battery by setting a current limit threshold. A drawback of such battery controllers may be that they are limited to providing only one or two different magnitudes of charge current, and if two different magnitudes can be provided, logic circuitry may be required to select which magnitude is provided.
Accordingly, what is needed are systems and methods for selectively changing the current limiting threshold of a battery controller.

Systems and methods for selectively changing current limit of a battery controller


A light emitting device includes a layer of first conductivity type, a layer of second conductivity type, and a light emitting layer disposed between the layer of first conductivity type and the layer of second conductivity type. A via is formed in the layer of second conductivity type, down to the layer of first conductivity type. The vias may be formed by, for example, etching, ion implantation, diffusion, or selective growth of at least one layer of second conductivity type. A first contact electrically contacts the layer of first conductivity type through the via. A second contact electrically contacts the layer of second conductivity type. A ring that surrounds the light emitting layer and is electrically connected to the first contact electrically contacts the layer of first conductivity type.

Semiconductor light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) are among the most efficient light sources currently available. Material systems currently of interest in the manufacture of high brightness LEDs capable of operation across the visible spectrum include group III-V semiconductors, particularly binary, ternary, and quaternary alloys of gallium, aluminum, indium, and nitrogen, also referred to as III-nitride materials; and binary, ternary, and quaternary alloys of gallium, aluminum, indium, and phosphorus, also referred to as III-phosphide materials. Often III-nitride devices are epitaxially grown on sapphire, silicon carbide, or III-nitride substrates and III-phosphide devices are epitaxially grown on gallium arsenide by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) or other epitaxial techniques. Often, an n-type layer (or layers) is deposited on the substrate, then an active region is deposited on the n-type layers, then a p-type layer (or layers) is deposited on the active region. The order of the layers may be reversed such that the p-type layers are adjacent to the substrate.
Some of these substrates are insulating or poorly conducting. In some instances, a window is attached to the semiconductor layers to enhance optical extraction. Devices fabricated from semiconductor crystals grown on or affixed to poorly conducting substrates must have both the positive and the negative polarity electrical contacts to the epitaxially grown semiconductor on the same side of the device. In contrast, semiconductor devices grown on conducting substrates can be fabricated such that one electrical contact is formed on the epitaxially grown material and the other electrical contact is formed on the substrate. However, devices fabricated on conducting substrates may also be designed to have both contacts on the same side of the device on which the epitaxial material is grown so as to improve light extraction from the LED chip. There are two types of devices with both the p- and n-contacts formed on the same side. In the first (also known as the flip chip), the light is extracted through the substrate or window material. In the second (also known as an epi-up structure), the light is extracted through the contacts, through the uppermost semiconductor layers of the device, or through the edges of the devices.

Contacting scheme for large and small area semiconductor light emitting flip chip devices


A method for fabricating light emitting diode (LEDs) comprises providing a plurality of LEDs on a substrate wafer, each of which has an n-type and p-type layer of Group-III nitride material formed on a SiC substrate with the n-type layer sandwiched between the substrate and p-type layer. A conductive carrier is provided having a lateral surface to hold the LEDs. The LEDs are flip-chip mounted on the lateral surface of the conductive carrier. The SiC substrate is removed from the LEDs such that the n-type layer is the top-most layer. A respective contact is deposited on the n-type layer of each of the LEDs and the carrier is separated into portions such that each of the LEDs is separated from the others, with each of the LEDs mounted to a respective portion of said carrier.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a method for fabricating a light emitting semiconductor device on a conducting carrier.
Description of the Related Art
Improvements in the manufacturing of semiconductor materials in the Group-III nitride material system has helped advance the development of GaN/AlGaN opto-electronic devices such as high efficiency blue, green and ultra-violet (UV) light emitting diodes (LED or LEDs) and lasers, and electronic devices such as high power microwave transistors. Some of the advantages of GaN is its 3.4 eV wide direct bandgap, high electron velocity (2×107 cm/s), high breakdown field (2×106 V/cm) and the availability of heterostructures.
Typical LEDs can comprise a p-type doped layer and an n-type doped layer such that when a bias is applied across the doped layers the LED emits light. Other LEDs can comprise an active region sandwiched between the n- and p-type doped layers such that when a bias is applied across the doped layer electrons and holes are injected into the active region, where they recombine to generate light. LED light is typically generated omnidirectionally in an "emission sphere" with light radiating in all directions within the material that makes up the LED structure. LEDs are efficient at generating light, but the light has difficulties emitting from the LED to the surroundings because of the differences in the indexes of refraction between the LED material and surroundings. In an LED having layers and regions of a typical thickness, only the photons formed in a cone about 20° wide in the direction of a surface exit the structure. The remainder of the light is trapped within the structure of the LED, and can eventually become absorbed into the semiconductor material, which reduces the overall emitting efficiency of the LED.
Different methods have been developed for improving the light emitting efficiency of typical LEDs, some of which include using non-planar shaped LEDs and roughening the emission surface of an LED. Both of these approaches improve emitting efficiency by providing an LED surface that has different angles such that when light from the LED's active region reaches the surface with varying angles between the light rays and the surface. This increases the possibility that the light will be within the 20° cone when it reaches the surface such that it emits from the LED. If it is not within the 20° angle, the light is reflected at different angles, increasing the likelihood that the light will be within the cone the next time it reaches the surface.
LEDs can be fabricated on a substrate, such as SiC and then flip-chip mounted so that the substrate becomes the primary emitting surface of the LED. Light generated from the LEDs active region is largely coupled into the higher index of refraction SiC substrate from which it must then be extracted. Light can become trapped within the substrate by total internal reflection (TIR), which reduces the overall emission efficiency of the device.
Light extraction can be improved by shaping the SiC substrate, such as by tapering the substrate side walls. One disadvantage of this approach is that shaping the substrate requires the cross sectional area to be reduced locally, leading to higher series resistance. In addition, the shaping of the substrate must scale in all dimensions as the lateral dimension of the chip is increased. This requires the SiC substrate to be made thicker as the lateral dimensions of the chip are increased to accommodate a proportionally longer taper of the side wall. There are other disadvantages to having a SiC substrate, such as difficulties in contacting the re-type layer. In addition, some embodiments having a SiC substrate, a conducting buffer layer is included between the substrate and the n-type layer to spread current to the n-type layer. This buffer layer, however, can absorb power during LED operation.

Substrate removal process for high light extraction LEDs


A method includes advancing a distal end of a tubular nasopharyngeal airway device through a nostril opening and into a nasal passageway of a patient, the nasopharyngeal airway device having a proximal end that is larger than the nostril opening. At least a terminal tip of a resiliently flexible elongated locking protrusion that projects from the proximal end of the nasopharyngeal airway device is inserted into the same nostril opening in which the nasopharyngeal airway device is disposed so that the locking protrusion biases against the lining of the nasal passageway, thereby securing the nasopharyngeal airway device within the nasal passageway.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to nasopharyngeal airway devices and their methods of use.
2. The Relevant Technology
The medical industry uses nasopharyngeal airway devices to assist a patient in breathing. A typical nasopharyngeal airway device comprises an elongated tube having an opening located at the top end and at the bottom end so that air can pass therethrough. The devices is inserted into one of the nasal passageways of the patient, thereby providing an unobstructed passageway through which the patient can easily breath. For example, nasopharyngeal airway devices are commonly used in patients who are still under anesthesia following an operation and who may have some difficultly breathing. Once the patient is fully awake, the device can be removed.
An enlarged circular flange is located at the first end of the nasopharyngeal airway device so as to prevent the device from being slid too far into the nasal passageway of the patient. Natural movements of the patient, however, often cause the device to progressively slide out of the nasal cavity. As such, the medical staff must be continually vigilant to ensure that the nasopharyngeal airway device is continually retained within the nasal passageway so as to ensure proper breathing. This unwanted movement of the nasopharyngeal airway device not only creates risk to the patient's breathing but the continued reinsertion of the device can further irritate the lining of the nasal passageway.
It is appreciated that there are other additional shortcomings associated with conventional nasopharyngeal airway devices. For example, as a person breathes through their nose, humidity in the surrounding air provides moisture to the lining of the nasal passageway. By inserting the nasopharyngeal airway device into the nasal passageway, the air is no longer passing over the lining of the nasal passageway but is rather passing through the device. As a result, the nasopharyngeal airway device can result in drying out of the nasal passageway which in turn can cause irritation of the lining and/or nose bleeds.
Furthermore, sinus and other bodily fluids are continually delivered to the nasal passageway. These fluids typically flow back and down the throat of the patent. However, because conventional nasopharyngeal airway devices only have a single opening at the second end thereof, there is the potential risk that the single opening can become constricted or occluded by the fluids, thereby limiting that ability of the patient to breath through nasopharyngeal airway devices.

Nasopharyngeal airway device and method of use


A power window system includes an occupant existence determination unit and a power supply unit. The occupant existence determination unit determines whether an occupant is in the compartment or outside the passenger compartment, by receiving a signal from a portable device held by the occupant. The power supply unit supplies a power to a window driving unit when the occupant existence determination unit determines that the occupant is in the compartment and when the vehicle ignition key is in an OFF state.

The present invention relates to a power window system for electrically opening and closing a window of a vehicle through an operation by an occupant of the vehicle.
The vehicle such as an automobile generally has the power window system for electrically opening and closing a window of the vehicle (for example, JP-A-2001-234653). The vehicular power window system includes an operation switch installed on a trim on a passenger compartment side of the vehicle, a window main body adapted to be raised and lowered so as to close and open an opening in a door, and a window driving unit for electrically driving the main body in accordance with the operation of the operation switch. The driving unit has arms that are connected to the main body and driven by an electric motor when the motor is driven, whereby the main body is raised and lowered by moving the arms. The electric motor in the driving unit is designed to be energized when an ignition key is in an ON state and not to be energized when the ignition key is in an OFF state.
According to the power window system, in the event that no occupant is determined to sit in the passenger compartment, the raising and lowering speed thereof is designed to be faster than that when the occupant sits in the passenger compartment. A detection of an existence of the occupant within the passenger compartment is carried out by a portable device of a keyless entry system for operating the doors and an occupant sensor installed in a seat.
In addition, as another type of the power window system, there is known the power window system in which a window operating portion continues to be energized until the door to the driver's seat is opened and closed when the ignition key is switched from the ON state to the OFF state. According to the power window system, the window operation continues to be available until the occupant gets out of the driver's seat even when the ignition key is in the OFF state.
In the power window system in which the energization is controlled until the door to the driver's seat is opened and closed, when the ignition key is in the OFF state, however, in the event that the occupant gets out of the vehicle from a front-seat passenger side of the vehicle by utilizing a so-called walk-through function, the window driving unit still remains energized. Therefore, when the energization continues for a long time, there causes a risk that the battery is exhausted. Moreover, according to the above power window system, in the event that a robber inserts a stick or the like in an opened space to operate the switch with the stick, there causes a risk that the window main body can be lowered.


A system configured to receive bits of data. The bits of data include most significant bits and least significant bits. The system includes a first converter, a voltage-to-current converter, a current converter, and a current-to-voltage converter. The first converter is configured to generate input voltages. The input voltages represent the most significant bits of the bits of data. The voltage-to-current converter is configured to convert a selected one of the input voltages to a first current. The current converter is configured to, based on least significant bits of the bits of data, interpolate or divide the first current to generate a second current. The current-to-voltage converter is configured to convert the second current to an output voltage. The output voltage represents the most significant bits and the least significant bits.

The background description provided here is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
High-resolution digital-to-analog converters (DACs) suffer from high component count and area penalty. One approach to lower the high component count and area penalty is to segment the DAC such that a primary DAC converts the most significant bits of data and a sub-DAC converts the least significant bits of the data. Outputs of the primary and sub-DACs are combined to generate the output of the combined DAC. The sub-DAC must be linear only to the least significant bit level allowing a reduction in the size requirement of the sub-DAC. Any reduction in the sub-DAC component count and area reduces the overall DAC component count and area. The sub-DAC, however, loads the primary DAC, causing linearity errors, glitches, and cross-talk. In some sub-DAC architectures, linearity errors can be removed, but glitches and cross-talk remain due to capacitive loading. Minimizing the sub-DAC capacitive loading on the primary DAC reduces these errors.

High-resolution digital to analog converter


In the CT imaging system, a one-direction condition improves noise uniformity in the denoised images and avoids over smoothing in the low noise regions in an image, assuming that the image originally has an unequal noise distribution. On the other hand, the discrete gradients of total variation (DTV) minimization results in an improved edge preserving effects in comparison to the conventional total variation (TV) minimization. Using DTV, the pixel values on an edge will not be substantially affected after a certain denoising treatment. The difference between the DTV minimization and the conventional TV minimization is substantially negligible for strong edges while the DTV minimization substantially improves in preserving the weak edges. DTV keeps the original values while TV slightly smoothes the values for the pixel near the bottom and top of edges.

For image reconstruction in CT, an iterative algorithm may include a total variation (TV) minimization. For example, some techniques have been based upon the ordered subset simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (OSSART), and the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction (SART). The TV minimization may also be applied to images reconstructed with an analytical algorithm such as filtered backprojection (FBP), to reduce the noise.
Despite the prior art efforts, some problems remain unsolved and require improvement. Prior art efforts generally reduce noise quite uniformly in images except for edges. In other words, although the noise may be reduced based upon a total variation (TV) minimization, the resultant image may be excessively smoothed in some regions while the other regions may be still noisy if the original image has a non-uniform distribution. On the other hand, when prior art is applied to images with subtle edges, the edges may be smoothed out. It appears that prior art total variation (TV) minimization cannot improve the noise without sacrificing spatial resolution in some cases an original image has a non-uniform noise distribution that is common in clinical applications.
Furthermore, there are some odd pixel clusters in noisy images where the HU values are 2σ to 3σ off the mean value and are far from their true values. TV minimization leaves these clusters as black/white dots in the denoised images because (1) the "cluster effect" slows down the denoising and (2) the original HU values are far from the true values.
In view of the above discussed prior art problems, a practical solution is still desired for implementing a total variation (TV) minimization algorithm to avoid the overcompensation in the low noise regions and reduce the dots in the high noise pixel clusters.

Method and system for image denoising using discrete total variation (TV) minimization with one-direction condition


An apparatus for determining an ametropia of an eye 3 comprises a measurement light source 15 and beam formation optics 17 and an analysis module 35 comprising a detector 39 and analysis optics 37. The analysis optics are configured to focus a parallel light beam, entering through the optical interface 27, along a predetermined line extending transverse to a direction of the analysis beam path. The detector is a spatially resolving detector, wherein an acute angle between a surface normal of the detection area and the predetermined line is less than 80°. A controller 53 is configured to obtain light intensity data detected by the detector and to determine ametropia-data representing the ametropia of the eye based on the light intensity data.

Apparatuses for determining the ametropia of eyes are suitable for determining the refractive error of an eye of a patient. This determining is the basis for prescriptions of corrective lenses, such as spectacles or contact lenses, for correcting the refractive error of the eye. Data obtained by such an apparatus conventionally comprise an amount of a spherical refractive error and an amount and an orientation of an astigmatic refractive error.
Such conventional apparatuses also referred to as auto refractors may comprise a wave front sensor such, as a Hartmann-Shack-sensor. For measuring the ametropia, a small region on the retina of the eye to be inspected is illuminated by a measurement light, beam. The light of the measurement light, beam reflected at the retina is emitted from the eye and is directed onto an entrance window of the wave front sensor. Subsequently, the ametropia of the eye may be determined based on the measured wave front.
While providing a relatively high measurement accuracy, apparatuses for determining the ametropia of an eye comprising a wave front sensor are expensive devices.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to propose an apparatus for determining the ametropia of an eye which is realizable simpler and, thus, less expensive and, in particular, does not have a wave front sensor.

Apparatus for determining an ametropia of an eye


A sawhorse apparatus which is sturdy and easily assembled or disassembled facilitating efficient storage and mobility. The invention is more sturdy than prior devices because it incorporates "cross beam support channel(s)" that extend down most or all of its length, providing rigidity in all directions. The invention employs two alternative embodiments. "Type A" features a single three sided channel that cradles the bottom of the cross beam and interfaces with a plurality support leg device using tapered dovetail or "T" rail groove joints. "Type B" features separate channel members, one attached to each end of the cross beam member and the combination extending along all or most of the cross beam length. The channel members are integrally molded to end pieces that provide sockets into which lumber support legs are inserted.

The present invention relates to carpenter saw horses which are generally used to support construction material, such as boards, sheet rock, etc., while a worker cuts or otherwise alters the material and more specifically relates to saw horses of the type that can accommodate of a cross beam supported at each end by support legs that are removable for easy storage or transport. Saw horses of this type generally use connections interfacing the cross beam with the support legs which are relatively loose and allow considerable movement making such collapsible sawhorses unsafe. Much of this movement is due to the fact that the legs are attached to the cross member with brackets that only interface with a short length of the beam, thus allowing pivoting of the legs relative to the cross beam.
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with these prior devices by utilizing either a unitary molded design or improved linkage techniques that eliminate pivotal movement of the support legs relative to the cross beam. Additionally, the present invention utilizes a channel or channels that interface along most of the cross beam length instead of interfacing solely with the brackets.


An endoprobe for ophthalmic microsurgery for intraocular treatment of the eye and that affords a surgeon good visibility regardless of the distance from the treatment site in the eye. The endoprobe includes a stainless steel cannula enclosing one or more optical fibers and a laser fiber. A distal end of the optical fibers can be closed by a transparent lens-shaped structure such that an illuminating light transmitted through the optical fibers is radiated and transmitted laser light can exit from the laser fiber, or such that the laser fiber is embedded in a transparent shaped element. The laser fiber may have a covering for transporting light. The laser light may be injected directly into the laser fiber and the illuminating light is injected via at least one optical element into the covering of the laser fiber or into the transparent shaped element.

It is known that when an endoprobe is used operatively in ophthalmic surgery, assuring adequate illumination of the interior of the eye and the ocular fundus is problematic. Therefore, in addition to the surgical endoprobe tool, frequently an illumination device is guided via a second puncture. This further complicates the surgery and the burden on the patient increases significantly. It is therefore customary to use endoprobes that represent a combination of laser light and illuminating light. In general the laser light is guided to the treatment site via a laser fiber and the illumination light via one or more optical fibers that are arranged parallel to the laser fiber within a stainless steel cannula. Both fibers terminate at the distal end of the endoprobe.
One disadvantage of this known operative use of an endoprobe in ophthalmic surgery is that the illuminated area of the operation in the eye depends on the distance to the treatment site. That is, the closer a surgeon comes with the endoprobe to the retina of an eye, the less illuminated the surrounding area is and in addition the surgeon's vision is limited. Known from DE 10 118 464 A1 is an electrical probe for microsurgery, especially ophthalmic surgery, in which the probe comprises an outer and an inner electrode as well as a light guide, the inner electrode possesses an electrode end surface having a contour and projects beyond a front end of the light guide, or embedded in the light guide closes therewith and in a cylindrical embodiment of the electrodes and the light guide the hollow space remaining between the electrodes and the light guide is used as a suction channel for suctioning tissue particles. Known from DE 692 31 402 T1 is a surgical laser probe that emits a laser light beam in connection with an optical element that has a light-permeable rod with a longitudinal axis and a reflecting surface that is inclined against the longitudinal axis of the rod in order to reflect the laser light beam out of the optical element along an exit path so that visible light that propagates from the light spot on a tissue along the exit path to the reflecting surface passes through the reflecting surface and is visible along an observation axis.

Endprobe for intraocular treatment of the eye


A superconducting coil protective system comprising a protective resistor connected in parallel to a superconducting coil for dissipating the energy stored on the superconducting coil and a normally-closed power switch for interrupting an electric current flowing from the power source to the superconducting coil in response to a quenching signal from the quenching detector. A fuse circuit, which includes a serially-connected fuse and a closure switch, is connected in parallel to the power switch. The protective system may comprise a current interrupting circuit connected in parallel to the superconducting coil and the protective resistor and a commutation switch connected in series with the protective resistor and the current interrupting circuit for allowing a commutation of a current from the superconducting coil to the current interrupting circuit in response to the quenching signal. In this case, the fuse circuit is connected in parallel to the protective resistor.

This invention relates to a superconducting coil protective system for protecting a superconducting coil from being destroyed upon quenching.
FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate circuit diagrams of various superconducting coil protective systems disclosed in "Improvements in the Parallel Resistor Circuit for the Quench Protection of a Superconducting Magnet" by T. Nakano, S. Okuma and Y. Amamiya, B-102 No. 12 pp. 73-79, published from Japanese Institute of Electrical Engineering, December, 1982.
In the conventional parallel resistor circuit type protective system illustrated in FIG. 6, a cryostat CR comprises a superconducting coil L and a resistance R(t) of a normal conduction portion generated in the superconducting coil L. This resistance R(t) has a resistance that increases as the time lapses. Across the cryostat CR, a power source such as a mono-polar electric source E is connected through a power switch S, and a protective resistor R.sub.o is connected in parallel to the cryostat CR.
FIG. 7 illustrates a protective circuit in which a diode D is employed in place of the protective resistor R.sub.o and two switches S1 and S2 as well as three resistors R1, R2 and R3 are used to form a multi-stage parallel resistors.
FIG. 8 illustrates a protective circuit in which series-connected resistors Ra and Rb are connected in parallel to the cryostat CR, and a capacitor C is connected across the resistor Rb. A protective circuit illustrated in FIG. 9 further comprises a series circuit of an inductor Ls and a resistor Rs connected in parallel to the protective resistor.
All of these known protective circuits illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, which comprise the power switch S connected between the power source E and the superconducting coil L, have the basically same disadvantages, so that the description of the d.c. current interrupting operation will be made only in terms of the protective circuit illustrated in FIG. 6 for simplicity.
During normal operation, the power switch S of the protective circuit of FIG. 6 is closed and a very large current from the power source E flows through the superconducting coil L but substantially no current flows through the protective resistor R.sub.D because it has a large resistance.
However, upon the occurrence of quenching in the superconducting coil L, in order to quickly remove stored energy within the superconducting coil L, as soon as the occurrence of the quenching in the superconducting coil L is detected, the voltage of the power source E is decreased and at the same time the power switch S is opened. Then a high voltage Vc which generates across the power switch S is applied to the protective resistor R.sub.D, whereupon an electric current which has been flowing through the superconducting coil L initiates to flow as indicated by an arrow i.sub.D. Then, the magnetic energy stored in the superconducting coil L is converted into heat at the protective resistor R.sub.o to be dissipated to the exterior of the cryostat CR, whereby the superconducting coil L can be protected.
With the conventional protective system as above discussed, the power switch S must carry an extremely massive current, which also flows through the superconducting coil L, during normal operating condition, and also the power switch S must interrupt this massive current at a high voltage upon the occurrence of the quenching in the superconducting coil L. However, it sometimes happens that the power switch S fails to interrupt the current when the arc voltage of the arc plasma generated across the contacts of the power switch S is low and does not reach the interrupting voltage. If the current interruption is failed, the power switch S and the superconducting coil L are destroyed.
In the circuit illustrated in FIG. 6, since the current must be interrupted by the power switch S, the power switch S must have a d.c. current interruption capability which can break a current ic at a voltage (RD.times.ic). Also, because of an arc plasma generated between the switch contacts of the power switch S, the current interruption sometimes fails and it is difficult to reliably carry out the interruption.
FIG. 10 illustrates a further example of a conventional superconducting coil protective system in which a reversible polarity power source PS is connected across the superconducting coil L through a disconnector DS. The system also includes a protective resistor RD connected in parallel to the superconducting coil L. A closing switch S3 is connected in series to the protective resistor RD and a fuse F is connected in parallel to the the resistor RD. The normal conduction portion of the superconducting coil L is not illustrated in FIG. 10.
During normal operation, the disconnector DS is closed so that a predetermined current i can flow into the superconducting coil l in the direction of the arrow from the reversible polarity power source PS to energize the superconducting coil L.
Upon the occurrence of quenching in the superconducting coil L, the quenching is detected and the closing switch S3 is immediately closed and the voltage across the reversible polarity power source is reversed or made zero. Then, the current from the power source PS rapidly decreases and the current in the superconducting coil L is commutated into the fuse F as illustrated by the arrow ic, so that the current from the power source PS eventually reduces to zero, upon which the disconnector DS can be opened. Thereafter, the fuse F melts because of the commutated current. Therefore, the commutated current which has been flowing through the fuse is interrupted and again commutated to the protective resistor RD where the energy in the superconducting coil L is dissipated.
In this arrangement, it is not possible to control the relationship between the time points of the closure of the closing switch S3 and the current commutation into the fuse F, so that the arrangement is disadvantageous in that a large-sized fuse must be used as the fuse F because the current interruption fails if the fuse F melts before the current commutation completes, and that it is difficult to simultaneously interrupt the current in the system having a plurality of d.c. interrupting units.


The invention provides a number of methods for enhancing the aqueous solubility of an active ingredient which is insoluble or sparingly soluble in water. In one preferred embodiment, solubilization of the active ingredient is enhanced by combining it with β-cyclodextrin in an aqueous complexation medium comprising β-cyclodextrin and a negatively- or positively-charged compound which forms an inclusion or non-inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin and its inclusion complexes.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the formation of guest/host (cyclodextrin) inclusion complex microaggregates and the non-inclusion solubilization of water-insoluble compounds within such aggregates, as well as methods for solubilizing and stabilizing the microaggregates and cyclodextrin complexes of two or more drugs where at least one drug forms an inclusion complex with cyclodextrin and at least one other drug forms a non-inclusion complex with the inclusion complex formed.
2. Background Art
Cyclodextrins are a group of structurally related saccharides that are formed by enzymatic cyclization of starch by a group of amylases termed glycosyltransferases. Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides, consisting of (α-1,4)-linked α-D-glucopyranose units, with a somewhat lipophilic central cavity and a hydrophilic outer surface. Due to lack of free rotation about the bonds connecting the glucopyranose units, the cyclodextrins are not perfectly cylindrical molecules but are cone-shaped. The primary hydroxyl groups of the sugar residues are located on the narrow end of the formed cone while the wider face contains the secondary hydroxyl groups.
The most common naturally occurring cyclodextrins are α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin and γ-cyclodextrin consisting of 6, 7 and 8 glucopyranose units, respectively. Of these three derivatives, β-cyclodextrin appears to be the most useful pharmaceutical complexing agent due to its cavity size, availability, low cost and other properties.
The natural cyclodextrins, in particular β-cyclodextrin, have limited aqueous solubility and their complex formation with lipophilic drugs often result in precipitation of solid drug-cyclodextrin complexes. Thus, the solubility of β-cyclodextrin in water is only about 18.5 mg/mL at room temperature. This low aqueous solubility is, at least partly, associated with strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the cyclodextrin crystal lattice. Substitution of any of the hydrogen bond-forming hydroxyl groups, even by hydrophobic moieties such as methoxy groups, will increase the aqueous solubility of β-cyclodextrin.
In addition, since these manipulations frequently produce large numbers of isomeric products, chemical modification can transform the crystalline cyclodextrins into amorphous mixtures, increasing their aqueous solubility. For example, isomeric mixtures of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin are obtained by treating a base-solubilized solution of β-cyclodextrin with propylene oxide. The aqueous solubility of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is over 60 g/100 mL. These cyclodextrin systems resemble, therefore, other pharmaceutical starches, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, in terms of the complexity of their composition. Both the molar substitution, i.e., the average number of propylene oxide molecules that have reacted with one glucopyranose unit, and the location of the hydroxypropyl groups on the β-cyclodextrin molecule will affect the complexation properties of the 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin mixture. Other cyclodextrin derivatives of current pharmaceutical interest include the analogous hydroxypropyl derivatives of α- and γ-cyclodextrin, sulfoalkyl ether cyclodextrins such as sulfobutylether β-cyclodextrin, alkylated cyclodextrins such as the randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin, and various branched cyclodextrins such as glucosyl- and maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin.
In aqueous solutions cyclodextrins form complexes with many drugs, as well as other molecules, which possess somewhat hydrophobic moieties capable of entering the somewhat lipophilic central cavity, through a process in which the water molecules located in the cavity are replaced by this hydrophobic moiety. In some cases, small lipophilic water-insoluble drugs (or other small lipophilic compounds) are completely encapsulated by the cyclodextrin molecule, but in most cases the drug molecules are too large and thus will only be partly encapsulated by the cyclodextrin molecule. The drug molecule is called the guest molecule and the cyclodextrin molecule the host molecule. The cyclodextrin cavity is relatively hydrophobic due to the presence of the skeletal carbons and ethereal oxygens that comprise the cavity. Since the water molecules located inside the cavity cannot satisfy their hydrogen-bonding potential, they are of higher enthalpy than bulk water molecules located in the solution. The main driving force for complex formation, at least in the case of β-cyclodextrin and its derivatives, appears to be the release of these enthalphy-rich water molecules from the cavity, which lowers the energy of the system. Once included in the cyclodextrin cavity, the guest molecules may be dissociated through complex dilution, by replacement of the included guest by some other suitable molecule (such as dietary lipids or bile salts in the GI tract) or, if the complex is located in close proximity to a lipophilic biological membrane (such as the mucosal membrane of the GI tract), the guest may be transferred to the matrix for which it has the highest affinity. Importantly, since no covalent bonds are formed or broken during the drug-cyclodextrin complex formation, the complexes are in dynamic equilibrium with free drug and cyclodextrin molecules.
One of the main obstacles of pharmaceutical applications of cyclodextrins is their complexation efficiency. For a variety of reasons, including toxicological considerations, formulation bulk and production cost, it is important to use as little cyclodextrin as possible in pharmaceutical preparations. Unfortunately, the complexation efficiency of cyclodextrins is frequently rather low, in which case large amounts of cyclodextrin are needed to complex relatively small amounts of drug. Common pharmaceutical additives, such as surfactants, buffer salts, preservatives and organic solvents, can reduce the efficiency even further (T. LOFTSSON, O. STEFANSDOTTIR, H. FRIDRIKSDOTTIR and O. GUDMUNDSSON: Interactions between preservatives and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. Drug Devel. INd. Pharm.; 18, 1477–1484, 1992; T. LOFTSSON and M. E. BREWSTER: Pharmaceutical applications of cyclodextrins. 1. Drug solubiization and stabilization. J. Pharm. Sci.; 85, 1017–1025, 1996). Normally solid drug-cyclodextrin complexes contain less that 5 to 10% of the drug. It is therefore important to develop methods that can be applied to enhance the complexation efficiency of cyclodextrins. In the past, the following methods have been applied in an effort to enhance the complexation efficacy of cyclodextrins, all of which assume that cyclodextrins interact with drug molecules on molecular bases through formation of inclusion complexes without further association or aggregation (T. LOFTSSON and M. E. BREWSTER: Cyclodextrins as Pharmaceutical Excipients. Pharmaceutical Technology Europe; 9, 26–34, 1997):
Unionized drugs usually form more stable cyclodextrin complexes than their ionic counterparts. However, it is sometimes possible to enhance cyclodextrin solubilization of ionizable drugs by appropriate pH adjustments (R. KRISHNAMOORTHY AND A. K. MITRA: Complexation of weak acids and bases with cyclodextrins: Effects of substrate ionization on the estimation and interpretation of association constants, Int. .J. Pharm. Advances, 1, 330–343, 1996; T. LOFTSSON AND N. BODOR: Effects of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin on the aqueous solubility of drugs and transdermal delivery of 17β-estradiol, Acta Pharm.Nord., 1, 185–194; 1989; E. REDENTI, L. SZENTE AND J. SZEJTLI: Cyclodextrin Complexes of Salts of Acidic Drugs. Thermodynamic Properties, Structural Features, and Pharmaceutical Applications. J. Pharm. Sci., 90, 979–986, 2001). In this case the solubilization is increased due to increased intrinsic solubility of the drug obtained through ionization of the drug molecule. Furthermore, formation of water-soluble salts between a basic drug and an organic acid (such as lactic acid), or an acidic drug and organic base (such as tromethamine) can enhance the complexation due to lowering of the melting point of the solid drug which in turn increases the intrinsic solubility of the drug. See also BADWAN ET AL. U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,131.
Addition of certain low molecular weight acids, such as acetic, citric, malic, or tartaric acid, to aqueous complexation media can enhance cyclodextrin solubilization of basic drugs as well as increase complexation efficiency (E. REDENTI, L. SZENTE AND J. SZEJTLI: Drug/Cyclodextrin/Hydroxy Acid Multicomponent Systems. Properties and Pharmaceutical Applications. J. Pharm. Sci., 89, 1–8, 2000). Enhanced complexation is obtained through formation of free (i.e., un-aggregated) drug-hydroxy acid-cyclodextrin ternary complexes with basic drugs. In all cases the drug has to be a proton acceptor capable of forming an ion pair or salt with the acid. BADWAN ET AL., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,131, describe a method for enhancing the solubilization of a drug which is insoluble or sparingly soluble in water by combining the drug in water with cyclodextrin and a saturated or unsaturated C2–C6 carboxylic acid having 1 to 3 COOH groups and 0 to 4 OH groups, provided that when the acid has only one COOH group, it must bear at least one OH group, or a salt of the acid, the weight ratio of cyclodextrin to carboxylic acid being from 1:50 to 5:1. Preferred are citric acid, glutaric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid and their salts. Basic drugs are of particular interest.
Water-soluble Polymers
It has been shown that various pharmaceutical polymers, such as water-soluble cellulose derivatives and other rheological agents, can form complexes with cyclodextrins and that such complexes possess physicochemical properties distinct from those of individual cyclodextrin molecules (THORSTEINN LOFTSSON: Cyclodextrin/drug complexation, U.S. Pat. No.: 5,324,718 (Filed: Jul. 14, 1992; Issued: Jun. 28, 1994); THORSTEINN LOFTSSON: Cyclodextrin Complexation, U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,954 (Filed: May 11, 1994; Issued: Dec. 5, 1995)). In aqueous solutions, water-soluble polymers increase the solubilizing effect of cyclodextrins on various hydrophobic drugs by increasing the apparent stability constants of the drug-cyclodextrin complexes. See also T. LOFTSSON AND H. FRIDRIKSDOTTIR: The effect of water-soluble polymers on the aqueous solubility and complexing abilities of β-cyclodextrin. Int. J. Pharmaceutics, 163, 115–121, 1998; and B. POSE-VILARNOVO ET AL., Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, Vol. 68, 657–667, 2002.
Combination Methods
Finlly, it is often possible to enhance cyclodextrin complexation even further by using several different methods simotaneously to enhance the cyclodexrin complexation (T. LOFTSSON, T.K. GUDMUNDSDOTTIR AND H. FRIDRIKSDOTTIR: The Influance of Water-Soluable Polymers and pH on Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin of Drugs. Drug Devel. Ind. Pharm., 22, 401–405, 1996).


A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a first fuel is reformed into a gaseous fuel comprising H, CO, and CH4, or the fuel may change state to vaporized alcohol. The present method provides for ramping injection of the gaseous fuel so that stoichiometric combustion may be maintained while gaseous fuel is injected to the engine.

In an effort to improve engine power, lower engine emissions, and reduce consumption of fossil fuels, it has been proposed to operate internal combustion engines with more than one type of fuel so that desirable attributes of the different fuels may be leveraged. In European Patent EP2048339 a mixture of gasoline and alcohol is separated into two fuels; the first having a higher concentration of gasoline, and the second having a higher concentration of alcohol. The alcohol fuel is then routed to a fuel reformer and converted to reformate comprised of H2, CO, and N2. The reformate may then be directed to the engine intake system so that cylinder dilution may be increased.
The inventor herein has also recognized that it is possible that vaporized ethanol may be routed to the engine rather than reformate during conditions of low fuel reformer efficiency or during degradation of the fuel reformer. If vaporized alcohol is routed to the engine rather than reformate, the engine exhaust gas oxygen concentration may deviated from a desired concentration. Further, the engine may begin to knock or misfire because vaporized alcohol may be less beneficial for improving combustion stability and knock mitigation as compared to reformate.
The inventors herein have recognized the above-mentioned disadvantages and have developed a method for improving engine air-fuel control of an engine having a fuel reformer. One embodiment of the present description includes a method for operating an engine, comprising: operating an engine by injecting a first liquid fuel; processing a second liquid fuel in a fuel reformer to produce a gaseous fuel; ramping in an injection amount of said gaseous fuel to said engine; and adjusting an actuator to a first state in response to said gaseous fuel when said gaseous fuel is a first type of gas; and adjusting said actuator to a second state in response to said gaseous fuel when said gaseous fuel is a second type of gas, said engine operating at substantially a same engine speed and load when adjusting said actuator.
By slowly ramping in injection of an unknown fuel to an engine, it may be possible to ascertain the fuel composition so that engine exhaust gas oxygen concentration deviates less. In this way, it may be possible to maintain or at least reduce efficiency losses of exhaust after treatment devices that may relate to the introduction of a gaseous fuel to the engine. Further, by adjusting an engine actuator in response to the detected fuel composition, it may be possible to limit cylinder charge dilution and cylinder charge capacity so that the engine has fewer propensities to knock or misfire. Thus, engine air-fuel control for an engine having a fuel reformer may be improved, at least under some conditions.
The present description may provide several advantages. Specifically, the approach may improve engine air-fuel control. Further, the method may better leverage attributes of different fuels output by a fuel reformer. Further still, the method allows the engine to operate at an output level that is related to the fuel type output from fuel reformer.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.


The present invention is concerned with the identification of genes or functional fragments thereof from Candida albicans which are critical for growth and cell division and which genes may be used as selective drug targets to treat Candida albicans associated infections. Novel nucleic acid sequences from Candida albicans are also provided and which encode the polypeptides which are critical for growth of Candida albicans. Methods for the identification of anti-fungal compounds which inhibit fungal or yeast growth are also contemplated.

Opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts represent an increasingly common cause of mortality and morbidity. Candida species are among the most commonly identified fungal pathogens associated with such opportunistic infections, with Candida albicans being the most common species. Such fungal infections are thus problematical in, for example, AIDS populations in addition to normal healthy women where Candida albicans yeasts represent the most common cause of vulvovaginitis.
Although compounds do exist for treating such disorders, such as, amphotericin, these drugs are generally limited in their treatment because of their toxicity and side effects. Therefore, there exists a need for new compounds, which may be used to treat Candida associated infections in addition to compounds, which are selective in their action against Candida albicans.
Classical approaches for identifying anti-fungal compounds have relied almost exclusively on inhibition of fungal or yeast growth as an endpoint. Libraries of natural products, semi-synthetic, or synthetic chemicals are screened for their ability to kill or arrest growth of the target pathogen or a related nonpathogenic model organism. These tests are cumbersome and provide no information about a compounds mechanism of action. The promising lead compounds that emerge from such screens must then be tested for possible host-toxicity and detailed mechanism of action studies must subsequently be conducted to identify the affected molecular target.