An electric propulsion system for a traction vehicle includes a controllable power converter operable in either a propulsion or an electric braking mode in which power is withdrawn from a wayside source or returned to the source, respectively. The wayside source utilizes certain preselected frequencies for power generation and for signaling. It is desirable to detect these frequencies quickly and to be able to disconnect the vehicle from the source if some frequencies are being generated by the vehicle and others are not present on the system. Bandpass filters are coupled to the power converter to detect the preselected frequencies. Wayside transients sometimes encroach on these frequencies with large power spikes causing ringing of the filter circuits and delay in detecting the preselected frequencies. The system includes an active power limiter for limiting the peak amplitude of the signals coupled to the filters without interfering with the signal frequency content or affecting filter operation.

This invention relates generally to electrical propulsion systems used on traction vehicles (such as self-propelled rapid transit rail cars) to propel and retard the vehicle, the electric power input to the system being obtained from wayside conductors (e.g., a third rail) normally energized by direct current derived from electric power sources located at various stations along the right-of-way that the vehicle will travel, and it relates more particularly to means for detecting whether or not the wayside conductor with which the vehicle is in contact is so energized and for preventing any "regenerative" braking operation of the propulsion system if the wayside conductor is not otherwise energized and for disconnecting the vehicle from the wayside conduction if the vehicle propulsion system generates signal frequency components which may interfere with a wayside communication system.
A typical traction vehicle propulsion system comprises two pairs of electric traction motors, with the rotatable shafts of each pair being mechanically coupled through suitable gearing to the respective axle-wheels sets of a separate one of the two trucks that support the vehicle, two controllable electric power converters each having relatively positive and negative direct current (d-c) source terminals and a set of load terminals connected to a different pair of traction motors, a bi-directional current path including an electro-mechanical line switch or circuit breaker for connecting the d-c terminals of both converters to a set of current collectors protruding from the vehicle in sliding contact with a normally energized wayside source of unipolarity voltage having a relatively low, constant magnitude, and suitable control means for operating the converters either in a propulsion (motoring) mode when acceleration or constant speed of the vehicle is desired, or in an electrical retarding (braking) mode when deceleration is desired. Preferably the traction motors are three-phase alternating current (a-c) induction motors, the converters are three-phase voltage source inverters, and a low pass electrical filter is connected between the aforesaid line switch and the d-c terminals of the inverters.
In its motoring mode of operation, each inverter is so controlled that the unipolarity voltage applied to its source terminals is converted into three-phase alternating voltage of variable fundamental frequency and amplitude at its load terminals, and the a-c traction motors respond by producing torque to accelerate the vehicle or maintain its speed as desired. In the alternative electrical braking mode of operation, the inverter is so controlled that each motor acts as a generator driven by the inertia of the vehicle and supplies electric power which flows in a reverse direction through the inverter and appears as direct current and unipolarity voltage at the source terminals. As this electrical energy is used or dissipated, the traction motors respond by absorbing kinetic energy and slowing the vehicle.
Electrical braking is achieved by a combination of dynamic and regenerative braking. Dynamic braking is effected by selectively connecting a dynamic braking resistance in parallel relationship with the d-c source terminals of the inverter. This resistance receives current from the inverter, converts the electrical energy to thermal energy, and dissipates the resulting heat. Regenerative braking, on the other hand, is effected by returning to the wayside source power flowing in a reverse direction through the inverter during electrical braking. The regenerated power can be advantageously utilized by the propulsion systems of other traction vehicles sharing the same wayside source of voltage and operating in their motoring mode. The two electrical braking modes can be combined in desired proportions, this mixing process being commonly referred to as "blending." An electrical propulsion system, including a voltage source inverter for supplying a-c traction motors, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,918 --Bailey, Kumar and Plette, granted on Feb. 27, 1990, and assigned to General Electric Company.
The wayside source of unipolarity voltage usually comprises two or more low-voltage d-c power generating plants or stations located near the right-of-way traveled by the traction vehicle. In a typical station the d-c power is derived from commercially available three-phase a-c electric power by means of a polyphase power transformer in combination with an uncontrolled power rectifying bridge having a set of a-c input terminals connected to the transformer secondary windings (i.e., the low voltage windings) and a pair of d-c output terminals across which the unipolarity voltage is produced. At each station one of the d-c terminals of the rectifying bridge (conventionally the one whose potential is negative with respect to the other d-c terminal) is grounded, and suitable means is provided for connecting the other terminal to a plurality of bare electrical conductors extending along different sections of the right-of-way. Proximate ends of the conductors in adjacent sections are separated from each other by relatively short, insulating gaps. Such gaps are commonly found at track crossings and switches and at other strategic locations along the route traveled by the vehicle. As the vehicle is driven by its electrical propulsion system along each different section of the right-of-way, its current collectors are in sliding contact with the corresponding conductor until a conductor gap is reached, at which point the vehicle will be unpowered for a relatively short distance (e.g., as short as four or five feet) until its leading current collector makes contact with the wayside conductor associated with the next section of the right-of-way. This external conductor is usually a third rail parallel to the pair of rails forming the track on which the vehicle travels, in which case the gaps are simply air gaps and the current collectors are spring-biased "shoes" respectively supported in cantilever fashion on the two trucks of the vehicle.
There are certain times when the wayside conductor in one section of the right-of-way will be temporarily disconnected from its normal voltage source for track maintenance work or for some other purpose. In this event, the wayside conductor is intended to be de-energized or "dead." If a vehicle enters such a de-energized section while its electric power converter is operating in a regenerative braking mode, there is a possibility that the regenerative current from the vehicle will raise the electrical potential on the wayside conductor to an undesirably high level, thereby endangering maintenance people who believe the conductor is dead. In order to prevent this hazard from occurring, suitable means for detecting whether or not the conductor is energized by a power generating station and for preventing regenerative braking if the conductor is not so energized are desired.
It is known in the prior art, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,753, to provide a permissive control signal which is inserted into the electrical power supplied by each wayside generating station to the vehicle for establishing when regenerated power may safely be returned from the vehicle to the wayside conductor.
It is also known in the prior art, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,154, to open the line switch in the current path between the electric power converter and the current collectors on board the vehicle as these current collectors traverse each wayside conductor gap every time the vehicle moves from section to section of the right-of-way, thereby preventing either motoring or regenerative braking operation of the propulsion system as the vehicle enters the next section. After the leading current collector makes contact with the wayside conductor of the next section, the line switch is not reclosed until voltage is detected on the current collectors and a current sensor indicates that appreciable current is flowing to auxiliary electrical load circuits on the vehicle.
The above-referenced prior art regenerative braking protective apparatus has shortcomings. If the propulsion system were operating in a regenerative braking mode and the traction vehicle were traveling at a relatively high speed (e.g., 40 MPH) as the current collectors pass through a gap between a first energized wayside conductor and a second de-energized conductor, the gap would be traversed in an interval of time (e.g., 70 milliseconds) that is shorter than a typical opening time (e.g., 100 milliseconds) of a conventional line switch. Consequently, an undesirable spike of high voltage could be applied to the de-energized conductor before the line switch has time to open the current path between the converter and the current collectors. Furthermore, if the wayside conductor were disconnected from its power generating station while in contact with a vehicle whose propulsion system is operating in a regenerative braking mode, the regenerative current would fool the protective apparatus so that neither the current-collector voltage detector nor the auxiliary load current sensor would cause the line switch to open.
It is known in the prior art relating to electrical propulsion systems for trolley buses to interrupt regenerative braking current in the bi-directional current path between each of two trolley poles and an electric power converter whenever the tandem trolley poles of the bus traverse insulator gaps in a pair of overhead power supply lines and thereafter to permit such current to be conducted to the power lines of the next section of right-of-way only if the unipolarity voltage across such lines has proper polarity and magnitude and is not decreasing. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,113 wherein the bi-directional path includes a diode bridge to ensure that the polarity of the voltage applied to the d-c source terminals of the converter during motoring operation will not change if line voltage polarity changes, a pair of the diodes are shunted by thyristors poled to conduct regenerative current, and a lightning arrestor capacitor is connected between the trolley conductors. During regenerative braking operation, both thyristors change from conducting to non-conducting states whenever the trolleys come to the insulator gap because current in the trolley conductors then decreases abruptly to zero and the resulting increase of voltage across the lightning arrestor capacitor puts a reverse bias on the thyristors. Later, the thyristors are returned to their conducting states in response to the concurrence of a number of conditions: the sensed line voltage has proper polarity and magnitude and is not decreasing; traction motor current exceeds a predetermined threshold magnitude; and the vehicle is moving faster than a predetermined speed.
A typical power conversion system which includes a voltage source inverter for supplying a-c traction motors is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,551 to Plunkett, assigned to General Electric Company. The Plunkett patent also includes a low pass electrical filter of the conventional series inductance (L), shunt capacitance (C) type between the voltage raising resistor and the inverter for attenuating harmonics generated by operation of the inverter and for partially isolating the inverter from undesirable line transients. (As used herein, the term "harmonics" refers to various components of the composite current and voltage waveforms having frequencies that are multiples of the frequency of the fundamental component of such waveforms.) In addition, the shunt capacitance of the filter at the DC terminals of the inverter provides the "stiff" voltage required for proper operation of a voltage source inverter.
The filter capacitors used to provide the filtered DC link voltage in the above described systems are generally electrolytic capacitors and have a higher failure rate than many other power components. Typically, the filter capacitors may range from 10000 to 100,000 microforads (MFD) and are formed from a plurality of parallel connected capacitors. For example, as many as 112 individual capacitors may be used to create a single 55,000 MFD capacitance means. One of the primary functions of these capacitors, in addition to "smoothing" the DC link voltage is to reduce certain frequencies of current which can be introduced to the wayside conductors DC power source from the propulsion system. As is well known, such wayside conductors are often positioned adjacent wayside signalling equipment in transit applications. The signalling equipment may operate at preselected frequencies, such as, for example, 25 Hz, 60 Hz, 95 Hz, 200 Hz, or such other frequency as the transit authority may select. The signalling system may be used for communication to transit vehicles operating in the system or to indicate the presence of a transit vehicle within a particular block of the transit system. Other frequencies, such as 360 Hz, 720 Hz, and 990 Hz, are used for safety checks as is explained in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/630,698, filed Dec. 20, 1990, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Because of the importance of the signals on the signalling system, it is desirable that transit vehicles not generate signals in their respective propulsion systems which might interfere with the signalling system. To this end, the values of the capacitance means and the inductance means in the power filter circuit are selected to avoid oscillations or ringing at signalling frequencies or harmonics of these frequencies. However, as noted above, the electrolytic capacitors used in the filter circuits are known to have higher failure rates than other components. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method for periodically verifying the value of the capacitance means so that capacitors whose value has changed may be replaced. Such maintenance not only assures integrity of the filter circuit but can be used to direct maintenance personnel to the capacitors in case of degradations and assures smoother operation of the propulsion system with adequate capacitance means.
Both the voltage detection circuits at 360 Hz, 720 Hz, and 990 Hz and the current detection circuits at 25 Hz, 60 Hz, 95 Hz, and 200 Hz are susceptible to signal transients causing ringing of the filter circuits. Such transients are typically step-change signals caused by shoe bounce and line breaker opening an closing. Ringing forces the output of the filter circuits to appear higher than the actual frequency component being sampled. In order to avoid false indications due to such transients, it has been proposed to establish a higher set-point for detection of the actual signal components and to establish a time delay to assure that selected frequency components still exist after ringing due to such step changes has abated. However, it is desirable to avoid the use of time delays in order to improve response time and the use of higher thresholds or set-points may allow some actual frequency component to be undetected.

Regenerative braking protection for an electrically-propelled traction vehicle


A fluid filtering apparatus and method may include keyed components to ensure that a correct filter element is being installed into a filter base. Keyed arrangements may occur between a filter element and a filter housing, a filter and a filter base, and a filter base and a filter housing. A locking arrangement may be provided to prevent undesired loosening of a filter relative to a filter base. The filter base may include a torsion lock insert that engages lock detents of a filter to prevent the undesired loosening. An adaptor may be provided to provide the lock detents that interact with a torsion lock insert.

It is necessary to remove particulate matter and water from fuel being supplied to an engine in order for the engine to operate properly and to have a long service life. Accordingly, the fuel supply system for an engine will typically include a fuel filter apparatus for removing particulate matter from the fuel before it is supplied to the engine. Such filter apparatuses also sometimes include provisions for removing water from the fuel, pre-heating the fuel, and provisions for injecting anti-gel or lubricity additives. Such filter apparatuses may also include other devices such as thermostats, pressure sensors, or water sensors. The filter may also be required to perform additional functions to neutralize acids or oxidants in the fuel. In addition, a filter apparatus may be used for the lubrication system of an engine.
Such filters typically include a filter element for trapping the particulate matter in a media. The element is configured so that it can be removed and replaced periodically as it becomes plugged with particulate matter. In order to allow for removal and replacement of the element, it is often mounted inside of a filter housing, which is in turn attached to a filter base having an inlet and an outlet port adapted for attachment of fluid lines directing fluid in to and away from the filter apparatus.
It is desirable that the filter apparatus and element be constructed to facilitate servicing of the filter. It is also desirable that the element and apparatus be configured in such a manner that only the proper element can be inserted into the base and housing, to preclude errors during servicing. It is further desirable, particularly in filters used in dirty or dusty environments of the type encountered in earth moving and farm equipment, that the filter apparatus include features for precluding entry of dirt or dust into the system while the filter element is being replaced. Also, it is desirable to prevent the filter from being undesirably loosened or removed from the filter base.
It is also desirable that a filter apparatus include built-in features for facilitating replacement of the filter element, preferably without the need for tools, and that the filter apparatus provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance.
Previous filter apparatuses have been less than satisfactory in providing such needs, desired features and functionality. It is desirable, therefore, to provide an improved apparatus and method for filtering a fluid, and in particular for filtering fuel or lubricants supplied to an engine, in a manner that better fulfills one or more of the needs described above.

Filter element and filter assembly including locking mechanism


A decorative pony tail holder for securely holding the hair of a user includes a band of elastic material with fabric surrounding the band and forming a plurality of radial projections extending circumferentially around a portion of the band. The pony tail holder may thus be secured to the hair by twisting the elastic band into a generally figure-eight configuration and folding it over itself to provide a tight band securing the hair with the radial projections extending circumferentially around the held hair of the user.

Pony tail holders formed of an elastic band having a relatively large amount of bunched fabric therearound to provide a decorative fashion accessory are known, and such items are disclosed, for example, in U.S. design Pat. Nos. Des. 292,030, Des. 315,036; and Des. 315,226. Additionally the applicant has filed application Ser. No. 935,029 on Aug. 25, 1992 which discloses a fashion accessory which can be used as a decorative pony tail holder.
Generally, the user of such decorative pony tail holders will often twist the elastic band and fold it over itself to provide a fairly secure grip to a length of hair held by the elastic band; and it is often difficult to provide a high-fashion and decorative arrangement of fabric around the elastic band which will not become too bulky when the elastic band is twisted over itself to tightly secure the hair. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a decorative pony tail holder which can secure a length of hair by twisting the elastic band over itself to provide a tight grip for the hair while simultaneously providing a decorative display which will not become too bulky as to disrupt the position of the length of hair held by the twisted elastic band.

Decorative pony tail holder and method of using


An apparatus, a system, an article including a machine-accessible medium, and methods for pricing digital content are disclosed. The digital content pricing apparatus may include a sales computer and a memory used to retain digital content items associated with a base price and one or more option prices, along with a final price related to the base and option prices by a final pricing formula. The method may include selecting a digital content item and at least one configuration option associated with the item, calculating the item price using appropriate adjustment factors, and calculating the final price using a final pricing formula. Pricing information, in the form of prices, adjustment factors, and formulae may be defined in meta-data descriptors included in the digital content.

Networks have now begun to acquire the reputation for stability and security necessary to support increasing levels of consumer purchasing activity. In line with the growth in electronic commerce is the increasing availability of products which include digital content, such as digital music, on-line books, documents, software, and data.
Most of the available digital content products, especially those purchased and distributed electronically, have a fixed configuration, or at best, a fairly limited number of alternatives. Each of the available configurations is built ahead of the time it is needed, with the consumer choosing from a limited list of the offerings at the point of purchase. While it may be possible to build individually-selected configurations on an as-needed basis, such activity tends to use more computing resources than the commonly available "point-and-click" downloading process.
Examples of this set of circumstances abound. CD ROMs are typically supplied in an album configuration, including a fixed number of songs; usually from 10-15. Software packages are configured as an "office", including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, publishing, and other programs, possibly offered in a "Professional" version in addition to the "Basic" version. Various collections of games are bundled into packages. In each case, the potential consumer has either no choice, or a very limited choice of alternatives made available at a fixed price, ultimately resulting in no sale for the distributor, or a purchasing consumer that ends up buying more than he wants or needs.
Limited numbers of product configurations are preferred for several reasons. The chief among these being that inventory costs are less; a distributor needs only to manage a limited number of stock keeping units (SKUs), linked to some number of pricing options. Not only is there overhead associated with each SKU, which is unique to a particular product configuration, but a limited number of SKUs also makes it easier for humans to understand and deal with customer support issues, including software upgrades, for example.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an apparatus, an article including a machine-accessible medium, a system, and a method of configuring and pricing digital content which provides the flexibility desired by consumers, without generating an inordinate amount of unique configuration information which is difficult to assimilate, process, and maintain. Thus, such an apparatus, article, system and method should operate to generate a large number of potential configurations using a minimal starting data set. In addition, it would be desirable to retain configuration information as an integral part of each generated configuration, in order to simplify upgrade and/or additional purchase activity.


A method and system of configuring media units. The method and system may include a bulk configuration file having instructions for configuring the media units. The bulk configuration file include instructions to support configuring media units provided by different vendors or otherwise requiring different configurations. The bulk configuration file may be transmitted to one or more of the media units, such as through a unicast or multicast operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and systems of configuring media units.
2. Background Art
Media providers, such as cable/satellite television, high-speed data, and other servers providers, typically deploy one or more media units to facilitate extending services to their customers. The media units may be transmission related features, such as routers, bridges, hubs, Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTS), network provisioning units (NPUs), conditional access routers (CARs), and the like. The media units may also be customer related or customer premises equipment, such as settop boxes (STBs), cable modems (CMs), computers, digital or personal video recorders (DVRs, PVRs), media terminal adapters (MTAs), outlet digital adapters (ODAs), and the like.
The use of these and other media units may be dependent on the services provided and the features required to support the operation thereof. The media providers face numerous challenges in supporting systems having such features. Cable providers, for example, may be required to support millions of media units. The support thereof may include monitoring performance, troubleshooting problems and/or malfunctions, installation, configurations etc.
One difficultly with supporting the media units in this manner is that the media providers may be faced with configuring media units from different vendors. For example, in the cable environment, a cable service provider may provide services to STBs of a number of different vendors. Configuring such STBs can be problematic, as each STB may operate according to different protocols and/or procedures.

Method and system of configuring media units from different vendors using a single bulk configuration file


A clamp used to create a bond between under floor wiring systems and a common bonding network is disclosed. The clamp includes a mounting bracket, a J-bolt and a split bolt for securing wires to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has a main body with an aperture and a slot. The J-bolt has a first end and a second end. The first end of the J-bolt is attached at the aperture of the mounting bracket and the second end of the J-bolt is positioned within the slot of the mounting bracket. The second end of the J-bolt is removed from the slot to enable the second end of the J-bolt to pivot away from the mounting bracket enabling the J-bolt to engage a floor pedestal.

As data centers become more complicated, the utilization of floor space in the data center has become more critical. As a result, common bonding networks have been installed under raised floors. Raised floors are a cost effective and efficient solution for wire and cable management. In the under floor network a bond must be created between the floor pedestal and the common bonding network. The current bonding clamp typically used in under floor wiring systems includes a U-bolt with two threaded ends. The U-bolts are typically secured to floor pedestals by a clamp and various fasteners. The installation of this current bonding clamp, however, is often difficult and time consuming because the fasteners securing the U-bolt must be individually installed to enable the U-bolt to be installed around the floor pedestal. Additionally, to remove the clamp from the floor pedestal, the fasteners must be individually removed from the U-bolt before the clamp may be removed. Thus, it is desirable to provide a common bonding network clamp that creates a bond between the floor pedestal and the common bonding network and that is cost effective and easy to install.


A method of forming apertured webs is provided comprising the steps of: (a) forming a foraminous member comprising gross foramina and fine foramina wherein the gross foramina define a patterned design superimposed on the fine foramina by means of applying and curing a photosensitive resin onto a foraminous element comprising fine foramina in order to form elevated portions on the fine foramina defining the gross foramina, (b) providing a layer of fibers on said foraminous member; and (c) applying fluid streams to said layer of fibers such that the fibers are randomly entangled in regions interconnected by fibers extending between adjacent entangled regions in a pattern determined by the pattern of the gross foramina of the foraminous member to form an apertured web.

The present invention relates to methods of producing nonwoven fabrics generally, and more specifically to improved methods of producing apertured webs having a patterned design by means of a hydroentanglement process.
A variety of methods for producing apertured webs are known in the art. According to some methods air or liquid streams are employed to deposit fibers on a web surrounding solid protuberances which are used create apertures in the fibrous web. Kalwaites, U.S. Pat. No. 2,862,251 relates to hydroentanglement methods for production of nonwoven products wherein the application of fluid forces rearranges a layer of fibrous material, such as a web of fibers into a foraminous unitary nonwoven fabric structure comprising spaced, interconnected packed fibrous portions of the starting material, and openings arranged in a predetermined pattern which are separated by the interconnected packed portions. Specifically, a layer of fibrous material such rayon or cotton fibers is positioned between rigid means defining spaced apertures arranged in a pattern such as an apertured plate and tensioned flexible means defining foramina smaller than the apertures such as a fine woven screen. According to one embodiment, the impingement of fluid projected from fluid jets through the apertured plate onto the fibrous layer displaces the fibers laterally away from the apertures to form an apertured nonwoven fabric having apertures corresponding with the apertures of the apertured plate.
Griswold, U.S. Pat. No. 3,025,585 discloses hydroentanglement processes wherein a layer of irregularly arranged fibers is placed upon the free ends of a group of tapered projections arranged in a predetermined pattern upon a permeable backing member with interconnected fiber accumulating spaces between them. Streams of water are then directed against the layer and the fibers are deflected to produce a nonwoven fabric having apertures corresponding to the tapered projections. According to some embodiments of this invention, the tapered projections are attached to a permeable screen. According to other embodiments a single wire of a woven wire screen forms tapered projections as it passes over and under successive cross wires. Variations upon these embodiments utilizing woven screens are widely used in hydroentanglement procedures for use in production of nonwovens.
Evans, U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,706 discloses a nonwoven fabric having a pattern of apertures produced by a hydroentanglement process wherein fibers are deposited on an apertured patterning member such as a fine-wire screen or perforated plate and liquid is jetted at high pressure onto the fibrous layer to entangle the fibers in a pattern determined by the supporting member. The patent further discloses use of patterning members having apertures of random location, size and/or shape for production of non-woven fabrics which do not have regular patterns. Such patterning members are prepared by bonding grains of sand of varying sizes and shapes together so as to leave apertures between the grains. The patent further discloses treating a screen with resin to provide an arrangement of raised lines, filled holes or partially-filled holes, which may be non-repeating for a considerable distance or completely random.
Disclosures of other types of hydroentanglement processes include those of Gilmore et al., European Patent Application Publication No. 418,493 which relates to a nonwoven fabric which is produced by directing high velocity jet streams of water onto a web of fibers using a perforated drum as an aperturing member. The drum can be a cylinder having predetermined diameter and length with a repeating pattern of projections and a plurality of perforations for drainage. The projections are configured such that apertures may be formed in the web of fibers with high efficiency and the nonwoven fabric may be readily peeled off.
Phillips et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,158 disclose an irregularly patterned nonwoven fabric. According to the method of producing the fabric, a fibrous web is caused to be displaced out of registry with the forming member between fluid impacts by hydroentanglement jets.
Despite the variety of hydroentanglement processes known to the art the processes are typically limited in one manner or another such as by cost, poor bonding, lack of aperture clarity, process reliability (e.g., reliable removal of web from the belt without damaging the web) and the like. Methods for production of hydroentanglement fiber webs involving metal rollers with projections as impingement substrates are limited in that the projections must be tapered thus limiting the size/spacing combinations possible. Moreover, certain complex apertured nonwoven designs may be impractical given current machining capabilities. Hydroentanglement processes making use of conventional woven screens are limited by both the patterns and surface topography of the woven filaments. Because the raised "knuckles" on woven screens are not sharply defined the definition of the resulting apertures is similarly and further degraded. In addition, the utility of conventional filament and filament-type screens is limited with respect to the patterns which can be generated. Specifically, when using woven filament screens, aperture size, distance between apertures and total open area of the apertures are dependent variables. This is because thicker filaments or wires result in increased aperture size, but also result in increased distance between individual apertures and a net decrease in aperture area in the resulting nonwoven web.
Accordingly, there remains a desire in the art for efficient methods of producing apertured nonwoven materials characterized by improved flexibility in aperture patterning including increased aperture size and area. Apertured webs characterized by the combination of large, closely-spaced, well-defined, uniformly sized (as a result of being formed on projections having solid elevated portions characterized by a periphery steeply sloped relative to the surface of the foraminous element and further characterized by a distinct upper edge as distinguished from being formed on a highly tapered projection such as formed by the "knuckles" of woven screens) apertures would prove useful as topsheets in absorbent articles in providing for rapid fluid transfer of materials such as runny bowel movements. Runny bowel movement leakage in baby diapers represents a specific problem in the baby diaper art. The problem is particularly significant in the smaller sizes. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for improved methods of producing apertured webs by means of hydroentanglement processes.
Of interest to the present invention are the disclosures of Johnson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,345, Smurkoski et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,522 and Trokhan, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,528,239 and 5,245,025 which disclose methods for making foraminous members, the foramina of which form a preselected pattern. The Johnson patent generally discloses taking a foraminous element such as a screen and using photosensitive resins to construct about and in the foraminous element a solid, polymeric framework which delineates the preselected pattern of gross foramina. Specifically, the method comprises supplying three solid, usually planar, usually continuous materials; a foraminous element such as a woven screen; a backing film such as a thermoplastic sheet; and a mask provided with transparent and opaque regions, the opaque regions of which define the desired, preselected pattern of gross foramina. A fourth material is a liquid photosensitive resin which cures under the influence of light of a particular activating wavelength to form a relatively insoluble, relatively durable, polymeric solid. A coating of the liquid photosensitive resin is applied to the foraminous element, the mask is juxtaposed in contacting relation with the surface of the liquid photosensitive resin and the resin is exposed through the mask to light of an activating wavelength. Curing, as evidenced by solidification of the resin, is induced in those regions of the coating which are exposed to the activating light. Following exposure to light, the backing film and the mask are stripped away from the composite comprising the foraminous element and the resin. Finally, the uncured, still liquid photosensitive resin is removed from the composite by washing leaving behind the desired foraminous member the gross foramina of which define the desired preselected pattern. The Johnson patent discloses that the foraminous member produced by the process of the invention may be used in the production of an improved paper web utilizing a Fourdinier Wire paper making apparatus such that the paper making fibers in the embryonic paper web are deflected into the gross foramina of the foraminous member and the resulting paper web is a continuous web characterized by a plurality of protuberances. Of interest is the disclosure in FIG. 4 of the Johnson patent of a "negative" foraminous pattern defined by discontinuous cured resin forms. The short cellulose fibers used in papermaking react very differently than long synthetic fibers typically used in hydroentangling to produce nonwoven fabrics. Synthetic fibers such as those used in nonwoven fabrics tend to spring upwardly or away from the surface of foraminous elements following hydroentangling. Short cellulose fibers in paper production, such as those used in the Johnson patent, instead exhibit a wet collapse which means that the cellulose fibers generally do not spring upwardly as much as synthetic fibers after being formed into a web. Because synthetic fibers generally do not exhibit such a wet collapse, synthetic fibers typically do not lie as flat between projections after hydroentangling as papermaking fibers lay after settling from the slurry.
Also, whereas fibers for hydroentangling are hit with streams of fluid to form a nonwoven fabric, the cellulose fibers used for papermaking are suspended in a slurry that settles to form a web. The cellulose fibers are not hit with streams of water during paper web formation. Further, nonwoven fabrics are produced from fiber batts or mats that are laid upon the foraminous element prior to hydroentangling. In contrast, the fibers used in papermaking are in a slurry prior to contacting a foraminous element. Trokhan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,239, for example, discloses deposition of a fiber slurry onto a foraminous element.

Method of producing apertured fabric using fluid streams


A separating system for detaching containers from a thermoformed plastic web including a first row of containers. The system includes a stamp plate and a cutting plate. The stamp plate includes a first row of stamps associated with a first set of containers from the first row of containers and a second row of stamps associated with a second set of containers from the first row of containers. The cutting plate includes a first row of cutting openings associated with the first set of containers and a second row of cutting openings associated with the second set of containers.

In order to package a product, generally by using a thermoforming machine, containers are thermoformed on a plastic web, filled by a product, sealed by a covering foil, and finally, separated from each other by a cutting apparatus. Generally, cutting apparatuses have container-shaped stamps with a similar number and a similar arrangement to those of containers. Cutting apparatuses also have a cutting plate for separating all containers in one cutting cycle of a cutting apparatus. As there may be a space between peripheral edges of adjacent containers, a large amount of plastic waste may be produced during separating containers utilizing these cutting apparatuses. In some cutting apparatuses, only longitudinal strips between straight edges of adjacent containers may be omitted by cutting and star-shaped wastes and transverse strips between adjacent containers may still remain as waste and, consequently, reduction of waste to the highest extent may not be possible.
In some other approaches, a space between containers on a web in both longitudinal and transverse direction may be omitted. Rounded corners of containers are created by die cutting of star-shaped wastes between the containers and straight sides of containers are separated by knives. For every common edge of adjacent containers, one knife may be used. These knives may penetrate through a thickness of a web along common borders to separate containers from each other. In another approach, after cutting star-shaped wastes between rounded corners of containers, instead of separating containers from common borders with knives, containers may be cut alternately with stamps and then may be detached from a plastic web.
On the other hand, in all these approaches, containers are generally separated from each other utilizing several tools and there may be a maladjustment between these tools and, therefore, peripheral edges of the containers may not be smooth. There is, therefore, a need for a separating system to detach containers from a plastic web that reduces waste of a used plastic web as much as possible while providing smooth peripheral edges for containers.

Separating system for detaching containers from a plastic web


A method for etching features in a stack below a patterned mask in an etch chamber is provided. The stack is cooled with a coolant with a coolant temperature below −20° C. An etch gas is flowed into the etch chamber. A plasma is generated from the etch gas. Features are selectively etched into the stack with respect to the patterned mask.

The disclosure relates to a method of forming semiconductor devices on a semiconductor wafer.
For example, in forming semiconductor devices, etch layers may be etched to form memory holes or lines or other semiconductor features. Some semiconductor devices may be formed by etching a single stack of silicon dioxide (SiO), for example, to form a capacitor in dynamic access random memory (DRAM). Other semiconductor devices may be formed by etching stacks of bilayers of alternating silicon dioxide (oxide) and silicon nitride (nitride) (ONON), or alternating silicon dioxide and polysilicon. Such stacks may be used in memory applications and three dimensional "not and" gates (3D NAND). The background description provided herein is for the purposes of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. These stacks tend to require relatively high aspect ratio (HAR) etching of the dielectrics. For high aspect ratio etches, examples of desired etch characteristics are high etch selectivity to the mask (such as an amorphous carbon mask), low sidewall etching with straight profiles, and high etch rate at the etch front. 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.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Plasma etching chemistries of high aspect ratio features in dielectrics


The present invention encompasses IL-12p40 binding proteins, particularly antibodies that bind human interleukin-12 (hIL-12) and/or human IL-23 (hIL-23). Specifically, the invention relates to antibodies that are chimeric, CDR grafted and humanized antibodies. Preferred antibodies have high affinity for hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 and neutralize h IL-12 and/or hIL-23 activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Method of making and method of using the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 and for inhibiting hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 activity is detrimental.

Human interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine with a unique structure and pleiotropic effects (Kobayashi, et al. (1989) J Exp Med 170:827-845; Seder, et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 90:10188-10192, Ling, et al. (1995) J Exp Med 154:116-127; Podlaski, et al. (1992) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 294:230-237). IL-12 plays a critical role in the pathology associated with several diseases involving immune and inflammatory responses. A review of IL-12, its biological activities, and its role in disease can be found in Trinchieri, G. (2003) Nat. Rev. Immun. 3:133-146. Structurally, IL-12 is a heterodimeric protein (referred to as the "p70 protein") comprising a 35 kDa subunit (p35) and a 40 kDa subunit (p40) which are linked together by a disulfide bridge. The heterodimeric protein is produced primarily by antigen-presenting cells such as monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. These cell types also secrete an excess of the p40 subunit relative to p70 subunit. The p40 and p35 subunits are genetically unrelated and neither has been reported to possess biological activity, although the p40 homodimer may function as an IL-12 antagonist.
Functionally, IL-12 plays a central role in regulating the balance between antigen-specific T helper type 1 (Th1) and type 2 (Th2) lymphocytes. The Th1 and Th2 cells govern the initiation and progression of autoimmune disorders, and IL-12 is critical in the regulation of Th1-lymphocyte differentiation and maturation. Cytokines released by the Th1 cells are inflammatory and include interferon gamma (IFN-γ), IL-2, and lymphotoxin (LT). Th2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 to facilitate humoral immunity, allergic reactions, and immunosuppression. Consistent with the preponderance of Th1 responses in autoimmune diseases and the proinflammatory activities of IFN-γ, IL-12 may play a major role in the pathology associated with many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), psoriasis (PS) and Crohn's disease (CD).
Human patients with MS have demonstrated an increase in IL-12 expression as documented by p40 mRNA levels in acute MS plaques (Windhagen et al., (1995) J Exp. Med. 182:1985-1996). In addition, ex vivo stimulation of antigen-presenting cells with CD40L expressing T cells from MS patients resulted in increased IL-12 production compared with control T cells, consistent with the observation that CD40/CD40L interactions are potent inducers of IL-12. Elevated levels of IL-12 p70 have been detected in the synovia of RA patients compared with healthy controls (Morita et al. (1998) Arth. and Rheumat. 41:306-314). Cytokine messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression profile in the RA synovia identified predominantly Th1 cytokines (Bucht et al. (1996) Clin. Exp. Immunol. 103:347-367). IL-12 also appears to play a critical role in the pathology associated with Crohn's disease. Increased expression of INF-γ and IL-12 has been observed in the intestinal mucosa of patients with this disease (Fais et al. (1994) J Interferon Res. 14:235-238; Parronchi et al. (1997) Am. J. Path. 150:823-832; Monteleone et al. (1997) Gastroent. 112:1169-1178, and Berrebi et al. (1998) Am. J Path 152:667-672). The cytokine secretion profile of T cells from the lamina propria of CD patients is characteristic of a predominantly Th1 response, including greatly elevated IFN-γ levels (Fuss, et al. (1996) J Immunol. 157:1261-1270). Moreover, colon tissue sections from CD patients show an abundance of IL-12 expressing macrophages and IFN-γ expressing T cells (Parronchi et al (1997) Am. J. Path. 150:823-832).
IL-23 is also a heterodimeric cytokine and belongs to a family of five such heterodimeric cytokines including IL-12 and IL-27 (Trinchieri et al., (2003) Immunity 19:641-644). IL-23 shares the identical p40 subunit as IL-12, but it is associated with a p19 subunit via a disulphide-linkage. The p19 subunit is structurally related to IL-6, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and the p35 subunit of IL-12. IL-23 is produced by similar cell types as IL-12, and its receptor is expressed on T cells, NK cells, and phagocytic and dendritic hematopoietic cells. IL-23 mediates signaling by binding to a heterodimeric receptor, comprised of IL-23R and IL-12beta1. The IL-12beta1 subunit is shared by the IL-12 receptor, which is composed of IL-12beta1 and IL-12beta2. IL-23 does share overlapping functions with IL-12 (by inducing IFN-γ production, Th1 cell differentiation and activating the antigen-presenting functions of dendritic cells) however it selectively induces proliferation of memory T cells (Oppmann et al. (2000) Immunity 13:715-725, Parham, et al. (2002) J. Immunol. 168:5699-5708).
The role of IL-23 in autoimmune inflammation has been dissected in part through studies with p19 knockout mice (Murphy et al. J Exp Med 198:1951-1957; Cua et al. (2003) Nature 421:744-748). Studies have demonstrated that IL-23 modulates immune response to infection (see, e.g., Pirhonen, et al. (2002) J. Immunol. 169:5673-5678; Broberg, et al. (2002) J. Interferon Cytokine Res. 22:641-651; Elkins, et al. (2002) Infection Immunity 70:1936-1948; Cooper, et al. (2002) J. Immunol. 168:1322-1327). IL-23 is thought to play a role in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (Langrish et. al. (2004) Immunological Reviews 202: 96-105).
Due to the role of human IL-12 in a variety of human disorders, therapeutic strategies have been designed to inhibit or counteract IL-12 activity. In particular, antibodies that bind to, and neutralize, IL-12 have been sought as a means to inhibit IL-12 activity. Some of the earliest antibodies were murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), secreted by hybridomas prepared from lymphocytes of mice immunized with IL-12 (see e.g., Strober et al., PCT Publication No. WO 97/15327; Gately et al., WO9937682 A2; Neurath et al., J Exp. Med 182:1281-1290 (1995); Duchmarm et al., J Immunol. 26:934-938 (1996)). These murine IL-12 antibodies are limited for their use in vivo due to problems associated with administration of mouse antibodies to humans, such as short serum half life, an inability to trigger certain human effector functions and elicitation of an unwanted immune response against the mouse antibody in a human (the "human anti-mouse antibody" (HAMA) reaction).
One approach to overcome the problem problems associated with use of fully murine antibodies in humans is to generate fully human antibodies such as those disclosed in Salfeld et al., PCT publication No. WO 00/56772 A1. Other approaches to overcome the problems associated with use of fully murine antibodies in humans have involved genetically engineering the antibodies to be more "human-like." For example, chimeric antibodies, in which the variable regions of the antibody chains are murine-derived and the constant regions of the antibody chains are human-derived, have been prepared (Junghans, et al. (1990) Cancer Res. 50:1495-1502; Brown et al. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88:2663-2667; Kettleborough et al. (1991) Prot. Engineer. 4:773-783). Such chimeric antibodies to IL-12 are also disclosed in Peritt et al. PCT publication No. WO2002097048A2. However, because these chimeric antibodies still retain murine variable chain sequences, they still may elicit an unwanted immune reaction, the human anti-chimeric antibody (HACA) reaction especially when administered for prolonged periods.
There is a need in the art for improved antibodies capable of binding the p40 subunit of IL-12 (IL-12p40). Preferably the antibodies bind IL-12 and/or IL-23. Preferably the antibodies are capable of neutralizing IL-12 and/or IL-23. The present invention provides a novel family of binding proteins, CDR grafted antibodies, humanized antibodies, and fragments thereof, capable binding IL-12p40, binding with high affinity, and binding and neutralizing IL-12 and/or IL-23.


A color filter substrate includes: an insulating transparent substrate; a color filter layer provided on the insulating transparent substrate, including a plurality of colored layers and constituting an in-screen display region; and an in-screen frame region defined around the in-screen display region. A light-blocking layer is provided in the in-screen frame region to cover the insulating transparent substrate. A first spacer part and a second spacer part are formed in the in-screen frame region and the in-screen display region, respectively, and are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the insulating transparent substrate. The sum of the height of the first spacer part and the thickness of the light-blocking layer is substantially equal to the sum of the height of the second spacer part and the thickness of the color filter layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color filter substrate for use in a color liquid crystal display apparatus and a display apparatus using the color filter substrate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Liquid crystal display apparatuses have features such as small size, small thickness, low power-consumption and light weight, and therefore are widely used in various electronic equipment. In particular, active matrix liquid crystal display apparatuses including switching elements are widely adopted in office automation equipment such as personal computers, AV equipment such as television sets and portable information equipment such as cellular phones. In addition, in recent years, the size of liquid crystal display apparatus has rapidly increased and display quality of the apparatus such as definition, pixel effective area ratio (i.e., aperture ratio), viewing angle and color purity has been rapidly improved.
The liquid crystal display apparatus includes an active matrix substrate and a color filter substrate opposing to each other and also includes a liquid crystal layer sandwiched and held between these substrates.
The thickness of this liquid crystal layer is called a cell gap or a cell thickness and is defined in such a manner that plastic beads with a given size are sprayed onto the active matrix substrate or the color filter substrate and the plastic beads are sandwiched and held as spacers between the substrates.
In this method of spraying spacers, plastic beads are generally sprayed by airflow, so that the locations of the plastic beads cannot be identified. Accordingly, beads spacers distributed at random locations in a pixel cause scattering or transmission of light, so that the problem of degradation of display quality arises in the liquid crystal display apparatus.
In each of the active matrix substrate and the color filter substrate constituting the liquid crystal display apparatus, an in-screen display region in which a large number of pixels as minimum units of an image and an in-screen frame region located around the periphery of the in-screen display region are defined.
The liquid crystal display apparatus is mounted on a casing or a frame having an opening. The in-screen display region and the in-screen frame region are located in the opening and a portion surrounding the opening, respectively.
In the in-screen display region of the active matrix substrate, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of source lines are arranged to be orthogonal to each other and a switching element is provided at each intersection between the gate lines and the source lines. A pixel electrode constituting a pixel is provided in each region surrounded with a pair of gate lines and a pair of source lines.
In the in-screen frame region of the active matrix substrate, extended lines of the gate lines and the source lines in the in-screen display region and auxiliary lines for defect correction or inspection are arranged. A light-blocking layer is provided on the entire in-screen frame region.
The in-screen frame region is not directly related to image display and includes a light-blocking layer for blocking light from a backlight or the like that is necessary for image display in the in-screen display region. If the light-blocking layer is made of a photosensitive resin, this layer needs to be thick in order to enhance the light-blocking property. In addition, in the case of mounting the liquid crystal display apparatus on a casing or a frame, the light-blocking layer in the in-screen frame region coincides with the portion surrounding the opening thereof, so that the light-blocking layer needs to be wide in consideration of a mounting margin.
Accordingly, if this light-blocking layer is provided in the in-screen frame region, a level difference occurs between the in-screen display region and the in-screen frame region, so that the cell thickness differs between these regions. This difference in the cell thickness causes a phase difference (retardation) in display light near the boundary between the in-screen display region and the in-screen frame region, so that color irregularities due to variation of a color tone might be perceived.
In view of this, to identify the locations of spacers and to suppress color irregularities occurring near the boundary between the in-screen display region and the in-screen frame region, a method of providing columnar spacers made of, for example, a resin on a color filter substrate was proposed.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-114809, a technique of providing dummy spacers in the outside of an effective screen is disclosed. However, no preferable configuration and locations of the dummy spacers are specifically described.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-82909, columns are formed on a peripheral portion of a substrate coated with a seal member so as to obtain the function of controlling a gap between the substrate and an opposed substrate (a color filter substrate.) However, no specific configuration of the columns is described.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-100221, a technique of forming spacers with a uniform thickness by utilizing a dry-film laminating process during formation of a color filter is disclosed.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-51266, a technique of providing spacers in an in-screen display region, an in-screen frame region and a non-display region at the outer periphery of the in-screen frame region is disclosed. However, no thickness relationship among the spacers is specifically described.

Color filter substrate and display apparatus using the same


A method of spreading granular fertilizer includes driving a small framed truck over an electronically mapped area that is in need of granular fertilizer. As the small framed truck is driven over the mapped area, a GP S sensor is read to determine the location of the small framed truck on the mapped area. An electronic control determines the application rate of granular fertilizer needed to the left of the truck and the application rate of granular fertilizer needed to the right of the truck in relation to the location of the truck on the mapped area. The method includes dispensing left and right amounts of granular fertilizer from a hopper carried on the truck, with the left and right amounts being separately dispensed at rates determined in the determining step. Apparatus to carry out the method is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to improved spreaders for fertilizer for the fairways of golf courses. Golf course fairways are usually planted in grass, which require considerable attention and care to maintain its vigorous growing condition. One of the main forms for care is the application of fertilizer to maintain a growing habit and attractive green color. Golf course fairways are the distinct growing area, often bounded by golf course roughs and having within them the putting greens which receive even more care than the fairways. The attention directed towards the green is not the same as that for the more expansive areas known as the fairways. Although as a general matter, fairways are desirably fertilized, the application of the fertilizer is preferably not uniform. In particular, environmental regulations indicate that excessive fertilizations are to be avoided to avoid run off to streams, so there are constraints on how much fertilizer should be applied. In addition, excess applications to areas where fertilizer is not desired leads to a waste of the expense of the fertilizer.
The fertilizer application industry for the past decade or so has used GPS guidance to correlate where to apply fertilizer in a growing field, particularly for agricultural applications, and the technology for determining the location of a spreader by GPS is reasonably well developed in order to allow the spreader to know with usable precision where it is in an agricultural field. Indeed, it is known to use GPS positioning to accurately turn on and off the individual applicators of a liquid application fertilizer on golf courses. In those instances, nozzles on booms extended from the sides of a moving vehicle are each individually controlled to turn on and off as required for the location over which they are located.
However, it is not known to have accurate application of granular fertilizer on golf courses in accordance with GPS readings.

Dual chain fertilizer spreader for golf courses


The present invention provides a novel human phosphorylase kinase gamma subunit (HPHKG) and the polynucleotide which identifies and encodes HPHKG. The invention provides for expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding HPHKG. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing purified HPHKG or antisense molecules to HPHKG for the treatment of diseases associated with expression of HPHKG. The invention also includes diagnostic compositions containing the polynucleotide, fragments or the complement thereof, which hybridize with the genomic sequence or the transcript of polynucleotides encoding HPHKG or anti-HPHKG antibodies which specifically bind to HPHKG, and the use of such compositions for diagnosis of disease.

The bipolymer glycogen is the major storage form of glucose as an energy source in the body. Regulation of the enzyme, glycogen phosphorylase (GP), modulates the catabolic breakdown of glycogen in various tissues and in distinct stages of cell development by mobilizing glucose reserves for ATP energy production. GP is under a complex set of controls that prevent glycogen breakdown except when ATP is needed. The breakdown of glycogen involves substrates, intermediates, cofactors, activators, inhibitors, enzymatic interconversions and hormonal interactions. When blood glucose is low, GP is activated and causes muscle and liver glycogen to be broken down to yield glucose. The rate of glucose mobilization by this system is regulated by a cascade of kinase reactions initiated by epinephrine and an increase of calcium ions in the cytosol. Glucose produced from glycogen in muscle cells is oxidized quickly to CO.sub.2 yielding ATP as a source of energy for muscle contraction. Glucose generated from liver glycogen is secreted into the blood where it serves as an energy source for many body tissues that do not store energy reserves, such as the brain.
Glycogen phosphorylase exists in active (phosphorylase a) and inactive (phosphorylase b) forms, the ratio of which is controlled by the rate of interconversion between the different forms and affects the rate of conversion of glycogen into glucose. Activation occurs through the phosphorylation of GP at specific serine residues by the enzyme, phosphorylase kinase (Phk), a Ca.sup.2+ dependent enzyme. The activity of GP (hence the catabolic breakdown of glycogen) therefore depends upon its phosphorylation by Phk.
Glycogen phosphorylase, and its activation through phosphorylase kinase (Phk), is situated at a strategically important point between the fuel reservoir, glycogen, and the glycolytic pathways that provide glucose as fuel for various cellular activities underlying tissue maintenance and development. Heritable deficiencies in Phk underlie a remarkably heterogeneous group of glycogen utilization disorders in humans. At least ten different forms of Phk deficiency have been described (Schneider A et al (993) Nature Gene 5: 381-385).
Phk is one of the largest and most complex of the known protein kinases. The enzyme has a quaternary structure based upon 4 subunits: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Phosphorylase kinase exists in an active phosphorylated form and an inactive dephosphorylated form. The regulatory alpha and beta subunits are phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The delta subunit is calmodulin and mediates regulation by Ca.sup.2+. The binding of Ca.sup.2+ to the delta subunit activates the complex, which is maximally active if at least the alpha subunit is phosphorylated. The N-terminal region of the gamma subunit contains the catalytic protein kinase domain, within approximately residues 1-300, while the C-terminal region (approximately residues 300-385) contains two of the important calmodulin-binding domains required to activate the protein complex (Huang C Y, et al(1995) J Biol Chem 270(13): 7183-7188). Within this subunit, residues Glu(E)111 and Glu(E) 154 are purported to be important for substrate binding (Huang et al, supra) and residues Asn(N) 155, Asp(D) 168, Phe(F)169, and Gly(G) 170 are important for catalytic activity (Huang C Y et al (1994)Biochem 33(19:5877-83). Mutations affecting different subunits, especially the catalytic gamma subunit, are expected to contribute to genetic heterogeneity (Wehner M et al (1994) Hum Mol Genet 3(11):1983-87). Two isoforms, each encoded by separate genes, are currently known for the gamma subunit in muscle and testis (Calalb MB et al(1992) J Biol Chem 267:1455-63).
Phosphorylase kinase deficiency has significant potential for genetic heterogeneity, since the enzyme is composed of four non-identical subunits. Inborn genetic errors affecting glycogen breakdown, namely deficiencies of phosphorylase kinase (Phk), have been reviewed (Moses SW (1990) J Inherit Metab Dis 13(4):452-65). Moreover, deficiency of glycogen catabolic functions have been frequently reported in families as well as in reports of different enzyme defects among siblings. Mutations affecting different subunits and isoforms of Phk are expected to contribute to this genetic heterogeneity (Wehner M et al, supra).
Muscle glycogenosis caused by Phk deficiency leads to exercise intolerance, weakness and muscular atrophy. Hepatic Phk deficiency is also associated with certain hepatic diseases characterized by hypoglycemia and hepatomegaly. Severe muscular (myopathic) forms of Phk deficiency have been reported which start in infancy, as well as a late onset form, and are characterized by exercise intolerance and muscle cramps. Another autosomal recessively inherited variant in which both liver and muscle enzymes were affected has been described separately in two families (Lederer 3 et al (1980) Biochem Biophys Res Commun 92:169-174; Basnan N et al (1981) Pediatr Res 15:299). Experts have frequently suggested that genes which are responsible for these conditions, as well as ones for enzyme replacement therapy, should be sought (Wehner M et al (1995) Hum Genet 96(5):616-618)
No primary therapy for the Phk enzyme deficiency is presently available in any of the glycogenoses. The main therapeutic efforts are dietary in nature. Patients with enzyme deficiencies have in their early years limited fasting tolerances. These characteristics of hypoglycemia are addressed with frequent feedings, nocturnal gastric infusions of glucose and uncooked cornstarches. High protein diets have also been advocated but have not been shown to prevent the course of disease, especially in infantile forms. Most infantile cases are lethal within two years (Moses SW (1990) J Inherit Metab Dis 13(4):452-65).
It is therefore clear that there continues to be a significant longfelt need for agents which are useful for the detection, treatment, and correction of pathophysiological conditions caused by aberrant forms of the Phk and by deficiencies in Phk activity.

Antibody to novel human phosphorylase kinase gamma subunit


Optical interferometric techniques and systems for fabricating fiber Bragg gratings in photosensitive optical fibers by using an acousto-optic element to generate and control the radiation pattern with a high resolution. The radiation pattern may be programmable in that different radiation patterns may be produced by controlling the acousto-optic element.

This application relates to Bragg gratings in optical waveguides, and more specifically, to fabrication of such Bragg gratings.
A Bragg grating may be formed in a waveguide such as an optical fiber or a dielectric waveguide by producing a periodic spatial pattern along the waveguide. In a fiber Bragg grating, for example, the product of the effective refractive index, n, of the fiber and the spatial period, xcex9, of the spatial pattern, i.e., the grating parameter, may be either a constant everywhere along the fiber or a monotonic function of the position along the fiber. A spectral component at a wavelength xcex in an input optical wave to the fiber grating, when satisfying the Bragg resonance condition, xcex=2nxcex9, at one location of the fiber Bragg grating, interacts with the grating and is reflected back. Spectral components that do not satisfy the Bragg resonance condition at any location in the fiber grating transmit through the fiber grating.
The periodic spatial pattern may be a spatial modulation of either or both of the amplitude and the phase of the refractive index of the fiber core. In one implementation, the fiber core may be made photosensitive by implanting a photosensitive material in the fiber core. Hence, exposing the fiber core to a desired radiation pattern may be performed to imprint the desired spatial pattern in the fiber core. The desired radiation pattern may be formed by interference of two coherent radiation beams. The two beams may be generated by, e.g., using either a fixed phase mask or an holographic interferometer.
The present disclosure includes optical interferometric techniques and systems for fabricating waveguide Bragg gratings in photosensitive waveguides such as optical fibers by using an acousto-optic element to generate and control the radiation pattern. A high resolution in the spatial features of the spatial pattern may be achieved by operating and controlling the acousto-optic element. The radiation pattern may be programmable in that different radiation patterns may be produced by controlling the acousto-optic element. A scanning mechanism is provided to spatially scan the fiber relative to the interference pattern so that different sections of the fiber are exposed to form grating patterns which may change with position along the fiber.
One embodiment of the writing system uses two intercepting acoustic waves to produce an acoustic interference pattern to diffract a CW or pulsed input optical beam into two separate but mutually coherent diffraction beams to produce the desired radiation pattern. In another embodiment, a single acoustic wave is used to diffract a pulsed input optical beam to produce the desired radiation pattern.

Grating writing systems based on an acousto-optic element


A substantially rectangular vehicle moveable on four casters located in the four corners underneath the vehicle. The front or rear pair of casters can be locked or unlocked electronically by a single individual propelling the vehicle from one end to facilitate movement over irregular surfaces or narrow passages.

Many vehicles in common use are equipped with freely rotating casters to provide ease and flexibility of movement. Wheel chairs and shopping carts are examples with such casters in front and fixed wheels in back which can only roll forward or backward. Hospital gurneys and hand carts generally employ freely rotating casters in all four corners of the vehicle. The fixed wheels, that is wheels which roll about a horizontal but don't rotate about a vertical axis, employed in shopping carts and wheel chairs enable the user to maintain better control when moving forward and backward or turning, the most important movements for those types of vehicles. Hospital gurneys and hand carts on the other hand must also be capable of moving sideways. Such additional flexibility of movement does however make it more difficult to steer the vehicle through narrow openings (such as doorways) or uneven surfaces (such as gaps in the floor leading into an elevator or raised obstacles like door jambs in doorways), especially when the vehicle is being propelled by a single person. The problem is most acute when the vehicle, such as a gurney, is longer than it is wide. Any off-center force applied by a single person pushing such a vehicle with four freely rotating casters from the rear will make it difficult to control the movement of the vehicle, especially of the front end.
Some hospital gurneys employ means for inhibiting rotation about a vertical axis by adding frictional resistance on all four casters to achieve better control but this has the disadvantages of greater complexity in construction and increased force to turn the gurney. Other gurneys employ a fifth locked wheel in the center underneath the gurney which can be lowered from a normally raised position to contact the floor and thereby resist turning. That arrangement is only useful when straight forward and backward movement is desired but only to the limited extent that one centered wheel can control movement. Other vehicles provide means for locking and unlocking all four casters individually or collectively, sometimes locking the casters in more than one position. Such increased capability is even more complex to construct and operate.
The present invention minimizes the foregoing difficulties by locking the casters on the front or rear end of the vehicle but also providing means for unlocking normally locked casters to permit movement in any direction when desired or locking unlocked casters to facilitate straight forward or backward movement. For example, free swiveling is desirable when attempting to parallel park a gurney between the furniture or equipment positioned against the wall of a hospital room. Free swiveling on all four caster is not desirable when attempting to steer the gurney from one end through narrow openings. Similar situations are encountered by other manually operated vehicles with freely rotating casters such as carts used to transport light cargo through narrow openings over uneven surfaces in cluttered factories, warehouses or offices. The present invention attempts to address this problem in a simpler and more cost effective manner than increasing frictional resistance to rotation on all four casters, adding a fifth wheel or providing means for locking or unlocking all four wheels.


The invention relates to a distribution module for converting between symmetric and non-symmetric data transmission paths. Said distribution module comprises a housing in which a transformer is arranged for adjusting impedance, first contacts for connecting at least one non-symmetric data cable, and second contacts for connecting at least one symmetric data cable. The first and second contacts are disposed on opposite faces of the housing. The second contacts are embodied as at least one RJ45 plug-in connector.

The invention relates to a distribution module for converting between symmetrical and asymmetrical data transmission paths.
Such a distribution module has been disclosed, for example, in WO 2004/001962 A2, in which conversion takes place between an asymmetrical coaxial data transmission path and a symmetrical twisted pair of wires. The distribution module, also known as Balun, comprises a housing, in which a transformer is arranged, by means of which impedance matching takes place. The asymmetrical data line has, for example, 75 ohms and the symmetrical data line has 100 or 120 ohms. It is possible with impedance matching to then reduce reflections at the transition point. On the end face, the housing has contacts for the purpose of connecting the coaxial cable and, on the opposite end face, contacts for the purpose of connecting at least one pair of wires.

Distribution module for converting between symmetrical and asymmetrical data transmission paths


A fluid connector with adjustable flow control includes an adapter having a first threaded portion, a sealing surface and an orifice. The fluid connector also includes a valve body having a second threaded portion for engagement with the first threaded portion and a central body passage connected to at least one port. Upon rotation of the valve body relative to the adapter, the port is displaced axially relative to the sealing surface thereby effecting a change in fluid flow through the fluid connector and into or out of the orifice.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fluid connectors and more specifically to fluid connectors having adjustable fluid flow control capability.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hose assemblies are used in various fluid conveying systems and apparatus that require the flow of fluid for operation. Hose assemblies generally include a length of flexible hose and a pair of end fittings that are sealingly secured to the ends of the hose. Such assemblies come in a variety of sizes, such as −16, −20 or the like, which correspond to the dimension of the hose bore. Generally, the larger the hose bore, the greater the volume of fluid a given hose assembly may convey. A mating port in a fluid conveying system or apparatus is typically provided with a fluid connector, such as an adapter, which secures the end fitting to the fluid conveying system or apparatus.
It will be appreciated that certain economic efficiencies may be realized by using a single hose assembly size, regardless of the flow requirements of the mating fluid conveying system or apparatus. For example, manufacturers of fluid conveying systems often purchase a single hose assembly size in bulk to reduce the per-piece price of each hose assembly. While economically efficient, this strategy may be operationally inefficient, since different fluid conveying systems and apparatus may have different fluid flow rate requirements, which may or may not be readily obtainable using a "one size fits all" approach.
The present invention overcomes limitations of the prior art by providing a fluid connector with adjustable flow control capability, which may be used to, among other things, connect a hose assembly to a fluid conveying system or apparatus.

Fluid connector with adjustable flow control


An ultrasonic sealer comprising a hollow shaft (1) having a longitudinal axis (2) and being rotatably arranged in a housing (3) for driven rotation about its longitudinal axis (2). The rotary sealer further comprises a sealing horn (8) arranged coaxially in the hollow shaft (1) and connected to a converter (6) and preferably also a booster (7). The horn (8) is provided with a peripheral sealing area (13) outside an axial end (13) of the hollow shaft (1). The horn (8) is connected to the hollow shaft (1) by means of at least one annular, metallic support (11) extending between an outer face (14) of the horn (8) and an inner face (10) of the hollow shaft (1). The at least one annular support (11) is corrugated in cross section such that at least two grooves and one ridge arranged there between are provided between the inner face (10) of the hollow shaft (1) and the outer face (14) of the horn (8).

Such a rotary sealer is inter alia known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,384 B1.
Typically, in addition to the said one support the horn or the booster connected thereto is provided with a further support arranged a multiple of half a wavelength, e.g. half a wavelength of the applied vibrations, from the said one support and is thus arranged in a point with minimum vibration amplitude in the longitudinal direction. In these points with minimum vibration amplitude in the longitudinal direction, the radial displacement reaches its maximum or is close to reaching its maximum when the horn vibrates.
Furthermore, rotary sealers typically comprise an anvil, e.g. an anvil roller, being rotatable in opposite direction of the horn and having a peripheral face adjacent the sealing face of the sealing horn. The part(s) to be sealed—typically of a thermoplastic material—is/are inserted between the sealing face of the horn and the peripheral face of the anvil roller, sealing being provided due to the vibration of the sealing face of the horns and the pressure exerted between the sealing face and the peripheral face of the anvil roller.
As mentioned, maximum radial movements occur in the points with minimum vibration amplitude. Accordingly, it is vital that the supports are resilient. If the supports are not suitably resilient, a large amount of energy is transferred to the hollow shaft and the housing which otherwise would be utilized in the sealing process. Furthermore, increased mechanical wear arises between the supports, if the supports are not adequately resilient. As a result, the rotary sealer operates unevenly with reduced precision and reduced operating life. Additionally, insufficiently resilient supports cause intense heating of the support areas and may at worst cause the supports to be sealed to the hollow shaft.
For sealing heavy materials or sealing at high velocities, a substantial amount of energy, high amplitude and a comparatively high pressure between the sealing face of the horn and the material to be sealed are required. Known rotary sealers do not allow for sealing under the above operating conditions without large amounts of energy being dissipated in the hollow shaft and the housing resulting in energy loss and a risk of sealing the supports to the hollow shaft.


The present disclosure is in the field of plant breeding and genetics, particularly as it pertains to the genus Glycine. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and compositions for producing a population of soybean plants with enhanced resistance to soybean cyst nematode. The methods use the detection of molecular genetic markers linked to soybean cyst nematode resistance loci to select for plants displaying an enhanced soybean cyst nematode resistance phenotype.

The soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merril (Glycine max or soybean), is one of the major economic crops grown worldwide as a primary source of vegetable oil and protein (Sinclair and Backman, Compendium of Soybean Diseases, 3rd Ed. APS Press, St. Paul, Minn., p. 106 (1989)). The growing demand for low cholesterol and high fiber diets has also increased soybean's importance as a health food.
Soybean yields in the United States are reduced each year by diseases. High yields per hectare are critical to a farmer's profit margin, especially during periods of low prices for soybean. The financial loss caused by soybean diseases is important to rural economies and to the economies of allied industries in urban areas. The effects of these losses are eventually felt throughout the soybean market worldwide. Estimates of loss due to disease in the United States vary from year to year and by disease. From 1999 to 2002, soybean yield loss estimates were in the range of 8 million metric tons to 10 million metric tons in the United States (Wrather et al., Online. Plant Health Progress doi: 10:1094/PHP-2003-0325-01-RV). A recent three-year study done in the United States estimated that soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) caused annual losses of $1.286 billion (128.6 million bushels).
Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, is an obligate parasite identified on soybeans in the United States in 1954 at Castle Hayne, N.C. (Winstead et al., Plant Dis. Rep., 39:9-11 (1955)). Since its discovery, the SCN has been recognized as one of the most destructive pests in soybean. It has been reported in nearly all states in which soybeans are grown, and it causes major production problems in several states, being particularly destructive in the Midwestern states. See generally: Caldwell et al., Agron. J., 52:635-636 (1960); Rao-Arelli and Anand, Crop. Sci., 28:650-652 (1988); Baltazar and Mansur, Soybean Genet. Newsl., 19:120-122 (1992); Concibido et al., Crop Sci. 34:240-246 (1993). For example, sensitive soybean cultivars had 5.7-35.8% lower seed yields than did resistant cultivars on SCN race-3 infested sites in Iowa (Niblack and Norton, Plant Dis., 76:943-948 (1992)). Current methods for managing SCN include crop rotation with non-host crops (typically corn) to reduce SCN population densities, the use of SCN resistant cultivars to maximize yields, and more recently the rotation of the SCN resistant cultivars to minimize adaptation by the SCN population.
SCN accounts for roughly 40% of the total disease in soybean and can result in significant yield losses (up to 90%). Currently, the most cost effective control measures are crop rotation and the use of host plant resistance. While breeders have successfully developed SCN resistant soybean lines, breeding is both difficult and time consuming due to the complex and polygenic nature of resistance. The resistance is often race specific and does not provide stability over time due to changing SCN populations in the field. In addition, many of the resistant soybean varieties carry a significant yield penalty when grown in the absence of SCN.
Shortly after the discovery of SCN in the United States, sources of SCN resistance were identified (Ross and Brim, Plant Dis. Rep., 41:923-924 (1957)). Some lines, such as Peking and Plant Introduction (PI) PI88788, were quickly incorporated into breeding programs. Peking became widely used as a source of resistance due to its lack of agronomically undesirable traits, with Pickett as the first SCN resistant cultivar released (Brim and Ross, Crop Sci., 6:305 (1966)).
Field populations of SCN are genetically variable. In the early 1960s, researchers found that geographically distinct populations of SCN varied in their ability to reproduce on resistant soybean cultivars or plant introductions (PIs). These PIs were soybean relatives from the Orient (China, Japan, and Russia) where soybeans originated. The recognition that certain SCN resistant populations could overcome resistant cultivars led to an extensive screen for additional sources of SCN resistance. Currently there are more than 130 PIs known to have SCN resistance.
Nematologists and soybean breeders proposed calling these variable populations "races" based on a differential host test on cultivars Peking and Pickett, and two soybean plant introductions from Asia PI 88788 and 90763 (Golden et al. "Terminology and identity of infraspecific forms of the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines)" Plant Disease Reporter. 1970; 54:544-546). The cultivar Lee was recommended as the standard susceptible for race determination tests. Classical classifications include 16 races based on all the possible combinations on four differentials (Riggs and Schmitt, "Complete Characterization of the Race Scheme for Heterodera glycines" J Nematol. 1988 July; 20(3):392-5) (see Table 1).
TABLE 1SCN Race classificationRacePickettPekingPI 88788PI 907631−−+−2+++−3−−−−4++++5+−+−6+−−−7−−++8−−−+9++−−10+−−+11−++−12−+−+13−+−−14++−+15+−++16−++++ = Number or females and cysts recovered was 10% or more of the number on Lee 74 cultivar.− = Number of females and cysts recovered was less than 10% of the number on Lee 74 cultivar.
SCN resistance or partial resistance is determined by a comparison of the plant in question with a known SCN sensitive host, Lee 74, according to the method set forth in Schmitt, J. Nematol. 20:392-395 (1988). In the US, SCN race 3 is considered to be the prominent race in the Midwestern soybean producing states while the prevalence of SCN race 1 is increasing. On the eastern seaboard and along areas bordering the Mississippi, SCN race 2 is prevalent. Similar shifts in SCN race prevalence is occurring in other soybean producing regions, including for example, Brazil. Therefore, it is important to develop soybean varieties that confer broad-spectrum SCN race resistance.
More recently, an alternative, the Heterodera glycines (HG) type classification scheme was introduced for characterizing field populations of SCN ("A Revised Classification Scheme for Genetically Diverse Populations of Heterodera glycines." Niblack et al. J Nematol. 2002 December; 34(4):279-88). The HG type classification utilizes seven plant introductions (PIs) as "indicator lines," (Table 2) (Niblack, "Soybean Cyst Nematode Management Reconsidered," Plant Diseases, 89(10):1020-1026 (2005)), meaning that they are a suitable hosts for a given SCN population. A series of indicator numbers is then assigned to the population based upon the observed infection of the host "indicator lines." For example, an SCN race 1 population corresponds to an HG type 2.5.7 population (overcoming PI 88788, PI 209332 and Cloud). An SCN race 2 population corresponds to an HG type 220.127.116.11 (overcoming Peking, PI 88788, PI 209332 and Cloud), while an SCN race 3 population corresponds to an HG type 0 (sometimes an HG type 7, meaning it overcomes (Female index greater than 10%) either none of the indicator lines or just Cloud).
TABLE 2HG type classification of SCN populationsIndicator NumberLine1PI 548402*2PI 88788*3PI 90763*4PI 4376545PI 2093326PI 897227PI 548316 (also known as Cloud)*Introductions corresponding to host cultivars of original SCN race tests listed in Table 1.

Methods for improving plant resistance to soybean cyst nematode and compositions thereof


A method for manufacturing a heating mat for a motor vehicle. The method includes the following steps: providing a heating ply having a deformable structure and two heating elements inserted into the structure, said two heating elements being separated by a deformation area of the structure; stacking the heating ply between an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein at least one of the heating ply and the upper and lower layers includes a thermoformable material; assembling the stack by at least one fastening rod; and thermoforming the stack thus assembled, so as to secure the heating ply and the upper and lower layers into a single piece; and stretching the deformation area in the stacking direction.

Systems for heating motor vehicles by blowing hot air have many drawbacks, such as the slowness, the noise and the difficulty of selectively heating certain areas of the passenger compartment.
It is known, in particular from document FR 2,864,486, to equip the mats of vehicles with integrated heating elements, in order to perform heating from the floor. In particular, it is wise to position the heating elements in locations at the driver's and/or passengers' feet, in order to optimize the effectiveness of the heating.
It is also known to make vehicle mats by thermoforming several layers of materials. The integration of heating elements into a mat made using such a method has several difficulties, in particular keeping said heating elements in appropriate locations during the thermoforming.

Method for manufacturing a heating mat for a motor vehicle