A medical diagnostic device for measuring an analyte concentration in a sample of a biological fluid includes a capillary flow channel in the device to convey the sample from an inlet to a second region. The flow channel has a capillary dimension in at least one direction. A stop junction in the flow channel has a boundary region that has a dimension that is greater in that direction and forms an angle that points toward the sample inlet.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a medical diagnostic device that includes an element for controlling fluid flow through the device; more particularly, to a device that facilitates fluid flow through a stop junction.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of medical diagnostic procedures involve tests on biological fluids, such as blood, urine, or saliva, to determine an analyte concentration in the fluid. The procedures measure a variety of physical parametersxe2x80x94mechanical, optical, electrical, etc.,xe2x80x94of the biological fluid.
Among the analytes of greatest interest is glucose, and dry phase reagent strips incorporating enzyme-based compositions are used extensively in clinical laboratories, physicians"" offices, hospitals, and homes to test samples of biological fluids for glucose concentration. In fact, reagent strips have become an everyday necessity for many of the nation""s estimated 16 people with diabetes. Since diabetes can cause dangerous anomalies in blood chemistry, it can contribute to vision loss, kidney failure, and other serious medical consequences. To minimize the risk of these consequences, most people with diabetes must test themselves periodically, then adjust their glucose concentration accordingly, for instance, through diet, exercise, and/or insulin injections. Some patients must test their blood glucose concentration as often as four times or more daily.
One type of glucose measurement system operates electrochemically, detecting the oxidation of blood glucose on a dry reagent strip. The reagent generally includes an enzyme, such as glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase, and a redox mediator, such as ferrocene or ferricyanide. This type of measurement system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,125, issued on Sep. 23, 1980, to Nakamura et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,382, issued on Oct. 8, 1985, to Higgins et al., incorporated herein by reference.
Hodges et al., WO 9718464 A1, published on May 22, 1997, discloses an electrochemical device for measuring blood glucose that includes two metallized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layers sandwiching an adhesive-coated PET intermediate layer. The metallized layers constitute first and second electrodes, and a cutout in the adhesive-coated layer defines an electrochemical cell. The cell contains the reagent that reacts with the glucose in a blood sample. The device is elongated, and the sample is introduced at an inlet on one of the long sides.
The electrochemical devices for measuring blood glucose that are described in the patents cited above, as well as other medical diagnostic devices used for measuring analyte concentrations or characteristics of biological fluids, generally share a need to transport the fluid from a sample inlet to one or more other sections of the device. Typically, a sample flows through capillary channels between two spaced-apart surfaces. A number of patents, discussed below, disclose medical diagnostic devices and include descriptions of various methods to control the flow of the sample.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,083, issued on Mar. 3, 1981, to Columbus, discloses a device that includes a sample inlet configured to facilitate movement of a drop of fluid sample into the device, by causing a compound meniscus to form on the drop. (See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,817, issued on Dec. 7, 1999 to Crismore et al.)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,451, issued on Jan. 17, 1984 to Columbus, discloses a multi-zone fluidic device that has pressure-actuatable means for controlling the flow of fluid between the zones. His device makes use of pressure balances on a liquid meniscus at the interface between a first zone and a second zone that has a different cross section. When both the first and second zones are at atmospheric pressure, surface tension creates a back pressure that stops the liquid meniscus from proceeding from the first zone to the second. The configuration of this interface or xe2x80x9cstop junctionxe2x80x9d is such that the liquid flows into the second zone only upon application of an externally generated pressure to the liquid in the first zone that is sufficient to push the meniscus into the second zone.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,129, issued on Sept. 19, 1989 to Gibbons et al., discloses that the back pressure in a stop junction can be overcome by hydrostatic pressure on the liquid in the first zone, for example by having a column of fluid in the first zone.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,866, issued on Jul. 27, 1993 to Shartle et al., discloses a fluidic device with multiple stop junctions in which the surface tension-induced back pressure at the stop junction is augmented; for example, by trapping and compressing gas in the second zone. The compressed gas can then be vented before applying additional hydrostatic pressure to the first zone to cause fluid to flow into the second zone. By varying the back pressure of multiple stop junctions in parallel, xe2x80x9crupture junctionsxe2x80x9d can be formed, having lower maximum back pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,603, issued on Dec. 5, 1995 to Schembri (see also U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,041), discloses using centrifugal force to overcome the back pressure in a stop junction. When flow stops, the first zone is at atmospheric pressure plus a centrifugally generated pressure that is less than the pressure required to overcome the back pressure. The second zone is at atmospheric pressure. To resume flow, additional centrifugal pressure is applied to the first zone, overcoming the meniscus back pressure. The second zone remains at atmospheric pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,307, issued on Dec. 14, 1999, to Naka et al., published on Oct. 29, 1997, discloses a device and method for analyzing a sample that includes drawing the sample into the device by suction, then reacting the sample with a reagent in an analytical section. Analysis is done by optical or electrochemical means. In alternate embodiments, there are multiple analytical sections and/or a bypass channel. The flow among these sections is balanced without using stop junctions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,695, issued on Dec. 23, 1997 to Yassinzadeh et al., discloses an apparatus for collecting and manipulating a biological fluid that.uses a xe2x80x9cthermal pressure chamberxe2x80x9d to provide the driving force for moving the sample through the apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,404, issued on Apr. 7, 1998, to Yassinzadeh et al., discloses a method for determining the coagulation time of a blood sample that involves causing an end of the sample to oscillate within a passageway. The oscillating motion is caused by alternately increasing and decreasing the pressure on the sample.
None of the references discussed above suggest a device in which a flow channel has a stop junction that is angular in the flow direction.
This invention provides a medical diagnostic device for measuring an analyte concentration in a biological fluid. The device comprises a capillary flow channel within the device, in fluid communication with a sample inlet, the flow channel
a) adapted for conveying a sample of the biological fluid in a first direction, from a first region, proximate to the sample inlet, to a second region, distal to the sample inlet, the first region having a capillary dimension in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and
b) having a stop junction, comprising a boundary region that
i) separates the first and second regions,
ii) has a predetermined dimension in the second direction that is greater than the capillary dimension, and
iii) forms an angle that points toward the first region.
Note that in the present specification and the figures, capillaries are shown bounded by parallel plates. In that case, the xe2x80x9csecond directionxe2x80x9d, which has the capillary dimension, is uniquely determined. Alternatively, capillaries of the invention could be cylindrical. In that case, the second direction is radial, in a planar circle, or disk, that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow.
Devices of the present invention provide, in a flow channel of the device, a stop junction that is angular in the flow direction. Such a stop junction can be designed with readily-controlled break-through pressure.

Capillary flow control in a medical diagnostic device


This invention relates to Natural Killer (NK) cell populations, to methods of producing the same and therapeutic applications thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to the expansion of NK cells by increasing the expression of specific transcription factors associated with NK cell production.

There has been an increase in interest in Natural Killer (NK) cells as they are cytotoxic against cancerous, pathogen-infected and otherwise damaged cells. NK cells are innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), specifically large granular cytotoxic lymphocytes that bridge the innate and the adaptive arms of the immune response. They make up 10-15% of circulating lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. NK cells also exhibit the highest level of cytotoxic activity within the immune system. Therefore, altered NK cell functionality or numbers impact the functioning of the immune system against infection and cancer. For example, a large scale study in Japan has shown that reduced levels of NK cells in a cohort of people aged over 40 is associated with a significantly higher incidence of cancer.
Similarly to B cells and T cells, these NK cells are derived from Common Lymphoid Progenitor (CLP) cells that in turn come from Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs). However, NK cells are different from B and T cells as they lack specific cell surface antigen receptors. Due to this, NK cells may kill cancerous and pathogen-infected cells without prior sensitisation, making them part of the innate immune response. They also have a critical role in tumour immunosurveillance by directly influencing the adaptive immune response.
Activation of NK cells triggers them to release perforin and cytoplasmic granules containing granzymes. Perforin polymerises to form pores on target cells in the presence of Ca2+. Granzymes may enter these pores into target cells, causing DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. NK cells may also secrete cytokines, which trigger the action of other immune cells in the adaptive arm of the immunity.
Due to the importance of NK cells in immune response against pathogen infection and cancer cells, multiple clinical trials have tested the efficacy of NK cells in adoptive transfer protocols. In adoptive transfer, NK cells isolated from the blood of donors are expanded ex vivo and matured into healthy and functional NK cells prior to transfusion into recipients. However, to be effective it is crucial that NK cell donors are be screened for their KIR genotype, where the donor must have the appropriate KIR allelic polymorphism to the recipient to allow recognition of target cells for destruction. In any event, studies have found that the expanded products have lower clinical success rate than expected, with less ability to kill cancerous or infected cells. Thus, there are significant barriers to the current adoptive transfer protocols.
An alternative therapeutic approach is to increase the number of endogenous NK cells. One method is the administration of cytokines that are essential for NK cell development. Administration of IL-2 and IL-15 was predicted to enhance NK cell development. IL-2 promotes the proliferation and cytotoxicity of NK cells, whereas IL-15 promotes the development and expansion of NK cells. However, in in vivo studies, the cytokines were found only stimulate a minimal expansion of NK cells with reduced half-life, even at a very high dose. Further, administered cytokines often leads to systemic toxicity due to inappropriate activation of immune responses and the induction of NK cell apoptosis.
Thus, using conventional methods and techniques, producing large numbers of NK cells is difficult, and producing fully functional NK cells with high cytotoxicity is even harder. There is currently no drug available that selectively increases NK cell numbers. Therefore, there is a need to develop new methods of NK cell production; both ex vivo to produce large numbers of functional NK cells for therapeutic and research use; and in vivo.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A control system for monitoring a pressure vessel includes a pressure sensor coupled to a first pressure vessel component. The system also includes a level sensor coupled to a second pressure vessel component. The system additionally includes at least one computing device including at least one input channel configured to receive data from the pressure sensor and the level sensor and a processor coupled to the at least one input channel. The processor is programmed to populate a level and pressure dynamics model associated with the pressure vessel with data received from the pressure sensor and the level sensor, the processor further programmed to be capable of controlling operation of the pressure vessel based on the level and pressure dynamics model.

The field of the invention relates generally to control systems for pressure vessels, and more particularly, to a method and system for calibrating a transient model for use in controlling a pressure vessel.
Pressure vessels are widely used in various power plants and related industries. The design principle uses the difference in density between cooler water in the downcomer and the steam/water mixture in the riser to drive the steam/water mixture through the tubes. The pressure vessel drum separates steam from water. Water enters the riser tube, is heated, and undergoes a transition from a single-phase liquid to a mixture of saturated liquid and steam. As heat input increases, the proportion of steam vapor in the riser tube increases.
A high-priority challenge to the control engineer is the ability to control the water level in the drum very precisely. When the water level gets too high, it can result in water carryover into the superheater or turbine, potentially causing damage or outages in the turbine or pressure vessel. A level that is too low can expose the water tubes to high heat input, causing them to crack or break. A pressure vessel trip interlock is supposed to prevent these types of damage, but pressure vessel trips can take considerable time to clear, during which the expensive production equipment is often forced to sit idle.
As a result, several methods of control systems have been designed to model the physics of the pressure vessel and therefore to give the control engineer the key determinants to understand the dynamics of the vessel. Based on such control systems, the control engineer can determine the water level and pressure of the system. A prevailing model is the Astrom-Bell 5-states drum model.
This model captures the key properties of pressure vessels over a wide operating range. The model also pays particular attention to modeling the pressure vessel drum water level dynamics. As stated above, this is a crucial consideration. The model consists of five state variables—the total water volume, the drum pressure, the steam quality at the riser exit, the steam volume below water level, and the downcomer exit flow rate.
Most known control systems adapting the Astrom-Bell 5-states model for pressure vessels use an initial pressure and level reading for the pressure vessel and then generate a calibrated model based upon the state variables above.
These systems are prone to inaccuracy because the parameters affecting level and pressure used are held as constants. In practice, if the physics captured by the model is inadequate or the physical system behavior changes from degradation because of tube fouling or scaling, these values may change and require a re-evaluation of the model to accurately predict level and pressure dynamics. In the absence of such re-evaluation, the system may become inadequately controlled.
Inadequate pressure vessel control can have significant practical consequences. It can result in increased maintenance costs, downtime, and potential damage to the pressure vessel.

Method and system for use in controlling a pressure vessel


A semiconductor structure, a resistive random access memory unit structure, and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure includes an insulating structure, a stop layer, a metal oxide layer, a resistance structure, and an electrode material layer. The insulating structure has a via, and the stop layer is formed in the via. The metal oxide layer is formed on the stop layer. The resistance structure is formed at a bottom of an outer wall of the metal oxide layer. The electrode material layer is formed on the metal oxide layer.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates in general to a semiconductor structure, a resistive random access memory unit structure, and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor structure, and more particularly to a semiconductor structure having excellent characteristics, a resistive random access memory unit structure, and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the development of semiconductor technology, various semiconductor elements are invented. For example, memories, transistors, and diodes are widely used in various types of electronic devices.
In the development of memory technology, researchers have been trying to make a variety of types of developments and improvements, and resistive memory is one of the types. Therefore, researchers have been working on providing resistive memories of which the resistance values can be nicely controlled for achieving excellent characteristics.

Semiconductor structure, resistive random access memory unit structure, and manufacturing method of the semiconductor structure


Cosmetic, notably anti-sun/sunscreen compositions having improved comfort after application onto keratin materials, e.g., human skin, contain at least one system for screening out UV radiation, and also contain:                (a) at least one insoluble organic UV-screening agent, and        (b) at least one hydroxyalkylurea compound of formula (I):

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sunscreen compositions comprising, formulated into a cosmetically acceptable carrier, at least one system for screening out UV radiation, and containing:                (a) at least one insoluble organic UV-screening agent,        (b) at least one specific hydroxyalkylurea compound.
This invention also relates to the formulation of a hydroxyalkylurea compound of specific formula into a composition in the form of an emulsion, comprising at least one water-soluble UV-screening agent, for improving the comfort after application, in particular the softness to the touch.
2. Description of Background and/or Related and/or Prior Art
It is well known that light radiation with wavelength of from 280 nm to 400 nm permits tanning of the human epidermis and that rays with wavelengths of from 280 to 320 nm, which are known as UV-B rays, cause skin burns and erythema that can harm the development of a natural tan; this UV-B radiation should therefore be screened out.
It is also known that UV-A rays, with wavelengths of from 320 to 400 nm, which cause tanning of the skin, are liable to induce an impairment in the skin, especially in the case of sensitive skin or skin that is continually exposed to solar radiation. UV-A rays in particular bring about a loss of elasticity of the skin and the appearance of wrinkles, leading to premature aging. They promote the triggering of the erythemal reaction or amplify this reaction in certain individuals and may even be the cause of phototoxic or photoallergic reactions. It is therefore desirable also to screen out UV-A radiation.
UV-A and UV-B rays should therefore be screened out, and cosmetic compositions for protecting the human epidermis containing UV-A- and UV-B-screening agents currently exist.
These anti-sun compositions are quite often in the form of an emulsion, of oil-in-water type (i.e., a cosmetically and/or dermatologically acceptable carrier consisting of a continuous aqueous dispersing phase and of a discontinuous fatty dispersed phase), or of water-in-oil type (aqueous phase dispersed in a continuous fatty phase), which contains, in varying concentrations, one or more conventional lipophilic organic screening agents and/or conventional hydrophilic organic screening agents capable of selectively absorbing the harmful UV radiation, these screening agents (and the amounts thereof) being selected as a function of the desired sun protection factor, the sun protection factor (SPF) being expressed mathematically as the ratio of the dose of UV radiation required to reach the erythema-forming threshold with the UV-screening agent to the dose of the UV radiation required to reach the erythema-forming threshold without the UV-screening agent. In such emulsions, the hydrophilic screening agents are present in the aqueous phase and the lipophilic screening agents are present in the fatty phase.
The UV-screening agents most commonly used are organic and soluble in oils or in aqueous media; they generally have, within their structure, a chromophore group linked to a solubilizing group, which is generally a fatty chain in the case of liposoluble UV-screening agents or else a carboxylic or sulfonic acid group in the case of water-soluble UV-screening agents.
The prior art describes micronized insoluble organic UV-screening agents with a mean particle size ranging from 10 nm to 2 μm, which have the advantage of being more effective than their soluble homologues comprising the same chromophore group to an equivalent degree. UV-screening agents of this type are in particular described in EP-746,305 and EP-8-405,395. However, certain anti-sun formulations containing this type of screening agent have a tendency, after application, to make the skin rough.
Another difficulty lies in the fact that anti-sun emulsions based on insoluble UV-screening agents, after application to the skin, produce an uneven, nonhomogeneous, or even coarse, distribution of the insoluble UV-screening agents on the skin, which may be harmful to the quality of the desired overall protective effect. This poor distribution that is observed at the surface of the skin is often linked to the fact that, in terms of the emulsion, there is a substantial lack of homogeneity after application.

Sunscreen compositions comprising insoluble organic UV-screening agents and hydroxyalkylurea compounds

Abstract: in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl radical or a C2-C6 hydroxyalkyl radical containing from 1 to 5 hydroxyl groups, at least one of the radicals R1-R4 representing a hydroxyalkyl group, or salt, solvate or isomer thereof, formulated into (c) a topically applicable, cosmetically acceptable carrier therefor.


A rotary displacement machine includes a casing having a circular cylindrical internal surface and a rotor disposed in the chamber mounted to orbit about a chamber axis, with the rotor having a circular cylindrical external surface. A vane member is mounted on the casing and pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to the chamber axis. The vane member has a passage way communicating between the exterior of the casing and the operating chamber. A linkage connects the vane member to the rotor so as to keep a tip face of the vane member in sealing contact with an external surface of the rotor.

More particularly, the invention relates to a machine comprising a casing, an orbiting rotor, and a vane member.
The present invention provides a rotary positive displacement machine comprising:
a casing having a circular cylindrical internal surface delimiting an operating chamber,
a rotor in the operating chamber, the rotor being mounted so as to orbit about a chamber axis which is the axis of the said internal surface, the rotor having a circular cylindrical external surface, the chamber axis passing through the rotor, a generatrix of the external surface being adjacent to the said internal surface, and a diametrically opposite generatrix being spaced from the said internal surface;
a vane member mounted on the casing and being pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to the chamber axis, the vane member being accommodated in a fluid inlet/outlet aperture in the casing, the vane member having a passageway communicating between the exterior of the casing and the operating chamber, the vane member having an arcuate face which is coaxial with the said pivot axis and which has a length substantially equal to that of the rotor, the vane member having end faces extending from the respective lateral ends of the arcuate face towards the pivot axis, and the vane member having a tip face adjacent the rotor, the said faces being sealing faces with respect to corresponding surfaces of the casing aperture and the rotor; and
a linkage which connects the vane member to the rotor so as to keep the tip face of the vane member in sealing contact with the external surface of the rotor, the linkage being connected to the vane member by an articulation having an articulation axis such that a plane containing the articulation axis and the axis of the said external surface passes through the region of sealing contact.


A clutch device is described comprising a first clutch element, a second clutch element that is disposed in a coaxial manner in relation to the first clutch element, a first engagement means, a second engagement provided for engaging with the first engagement in a positively interlocking manner for transmitting a torque between the first clutch element and the second clutch element, and a spring biasing the first engagement element and the second engagement element in a circumferential direction against each other. The spring comprises a leg spring with a ring part and two legs, wherein the ring part is disposed in a substantially coaxial relation to the first and second clutch parts and the legs extend in a radially outward direction.

The invention relates to a clutch device comprising a first clutch element, a second clutch element that is disposed in a coaxial manner in relation to the first clutch element, a first engagement means, a second engagement means provided for engaging with the first engagement means in a positively interlocking manner for transmitting a torque between the first clutch element and the second clutch element, and a spring means biasing the first engagement means and the second engagement means in a circumferential direction against each other.
Such a clutch device is for instance used in motor vehicles for connecting the combustion engine with the transmission of the motor vehicle. It is common that such clutch elements comprise a plurality of engagement elements as for instance claws of a claw coupling or in the form of teeth of splined connection. By means of the spring means biasing the clutch elements in a circumferential direction with respect to each other, undesired noise should be avoided that can otherwise be created by the oscillation excitement from the combustion engine and the clutch device (for example a clacking noise resulting from the back and forth movement within the range of play between the teeth). At the same time, the clutch device needs to allow an axial shifting for minimizing axial forces in direction of the motor and the transmission.
For example, from the German patent application DE 19623287 A1 a clutch is known wherein the first engagement element in the form of a projection comprises a gap separating this projection from a projection part that is formed as a stiff part and at least one projection element having predetermined elastic properties. This projection engages with a complementary depression forming the second engagement element of the clutch element, wherein the elastic projection and the depression are biased with respect to each other in circumferential direction. Since the available space for the connection between a motor and a transmission in a motor vehicle is a very limited, this solution is not appropriate in view of the torque that is to be transmitted and in view of the keeping assembly simple.


The invention relates to an apparatus, designed and adapted for machine processing of decapitated and at least substantially gutted fish, transported tail-first in transport direction T on a transport path, comprising a conveying means which conveys the fish along the transport path and a cutting device for removing the flesh from the flank bones of the bone structure of a fish after cutting free the ventral and dorsal spokes, wherein the cutting device comprises a pair of circular knives which can be driven so as to rotate about a point of rotation D and which are arranged on opposite sides of the transport path and are designed to be adjustable relative to the position of the fish and thus to the bone structure, which is characterized in that each circular knife is allocated a means that is designed and configured to hold down at least some of the flank bones during the removal process of the flesh from the bone structure. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method.

Technical Field
The invention relates to an apparatus, designed and adapted for machine processing of decapitated and at least substantially gutted fish, transported tail-first in transport direction T on a transport path, comprising a conveying means which conveys the fish along the transport path and a cutting device for removing the flesh from the flank bones of the bone structure of a fish after cutting free the ventral and dorsal spokes, wherein the cutting device comprises a pair of circular knives which can be driven so as to rotate about a point of rotation D and which are arranged on opposite sides of the transport path and are designed to be adjustable relative to the position of the fish and thus to the bone structure.
State of the Art
The invention further relates to a method for machine processing of decapitated and at least substantially gutted fish in which the ventral spokes and dorsal spokes are already cut free, comprising the steps: Transporting the fish tail-first in transport direction T along a transport path by a conveying means, and removing the flesh from the flank bones of the bone structure of the fish by a cutting device, by inserting into the fish, on either side of the fish between the flank bones and the flesh to be removed, one rotating circular knife of the cutting device in each case above the flank bones up to the backbone of the bone structure.

Device and method for machine processing of beheaded and at least substantially gutted fish, transported tail-first in transport direction T on a transport path

Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH + Co. KG


A combination lock includes a female member, a number disc, a plurality of activate rings, a plurality of cushions, a plurality of toothed rings, a housing and a male member. The number disc, the activate rings, the cushions and the toothed rings are sequentially inserted on a cylinder of the female member and with the exception of the number disc, are contained in the housing. Then the number disc is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise, with the snap means of the number disc moving a first snap means of a first toothed ring and the second snap means of the first toothed ring moving a first snap means of a second toothed ring and so on. Such aligns the notches of all activate rings to form a passageway corresponding to the slot of the cylinder for insert of a rod with teeth of the male member. The lock is locked and unlocked by rotating only the number disc.

This invention relates to a combination lock. Particularly, the present invention has a number disc for setting a code of several digits for locking and unlocking.
A small light lock is generally used with a chain for preventing a bicycle or motorcycle from being stolen. Nowadays, combination locks are widely used for this purpose, to avoid embarrassment of losing a key or breaking a key in the key hole, and for convenience of use.
A conventional combination lock, shown in FIG. 11, includes a male member 10, and a female member 20. The male member 10 has a long rod 101 and plurality of teeth 102 formed on the rod 101. The female member 20 has a cylinder 201, and several number discs 202 and spring discs 203 are secured by a C-shaped locking ring 204 positioned in an annular groove 205 of the female member 20. After the number discs 202 and the spring discs 203 are assembled with he female member 20, a central keyway-shaped passageway is formed for the rod 101 with the teeth 102 of the male member 10 to be received therein.
In the case where the conventional combination lock is to be locked, the number discs 202 are rotated to the preset number used to unlock the lock, so that the center passageway is formed in the female member 20 and the male member 10 can extend into the cylinder 201 of the female member 20. After that, the number discs 202 are rotated to any number, except that used for unlocking, to lock the male member in the female member and make it impossible to be pulled out. If the number lock is to be unlocked, the number discs 202 are rotated to the preset number to establish the unlocking position.
However, the conventional combination lock includes many sets of number discs representing a large portion of the cost of the lock, the total cost of the lock thereby being high. In addition, the number discs have a rather large dimension, making the whole lock less handy to use.


A method and apparatus are described for determining the amount of canting necessary to correct the ski boot-ski interface to compensate for inherent misalignment between a skier's lower leg and the bottom of the sole of his or her boots. The skier's foot is secured in the boot, and the boot is secured on a platform freely rotatable about a longitudinal centerline axis. A rod also freely rotatable about the same axis is centered with respect to the knee by a knee clamp attached to the rod. A pointer affixed to the rod is used to accurately determine the angle between the rod and platform on a scale extending from the boot platform. This angle is then used to guide the placement of shims or the employment of other means to effect the desired orientation of the knee, and consequently the lower leg, relative to the ski, for optimum control.

In snow skiing, turns are initiated and sustained by applying pressure to the longitudinal edges of both skis. It is generally understood that turning is much easier if the skier has a slightly "knock-kneed" posture, with the skier's lower legs between about one and two degrees inside vertical when the skis are horizontal. In this position, somewhat more than half of the skier's weight is placed on the inside edges of the skis.
In general, the rigid state-of-the-art ski boots, and the ski bindings by which the boots are releasably secured to the skis, fix the angle of the skier's lower legs in the plane transverse to the direction of elongation of the skis with respect to the upper suface of the skis (hereinafter, the "cant angle"). The cant angle obtained varies substantially with respect to the inherent physiognomy of the individual skier and the design of the particular ski boot.
It is known that adjustment of the cant angle to obtain the preferred "inside-edge" weight distribution is desirable in order to provide optimum control and consequently skill and enjoyment. As noted, the optimal cant angle is only concidentally obtained when a skier selects a new pair of boots; accordingly, the art recognizes that the fit of ski boots with respect to the skis is preferably customized in order to obtain the ideal cant angle.
A number of methods exist for adjusting the the cant angle between the upper surface of the ski and the skier's lower leg. These include the placement of wedge-shaped or spaced asymmetrical shims under the ski bindings, employment of interchangeable boot soles providing various cant angles between the boots and ski bindings, modification of the boots, and adjustable cuffs incorporated into certain boot designs. However, unless the cant angle itself can be precisely determined, one must follow a time-consuming tedious trial and error approach to boot fitting using any of these techniques.
In the past, shimming requirements have been crudely estimated by dropping a plumb line from a vertical mark formed on the skier's knee to the front edge of the boot, followed by repetitively varying the thickness of shims placed between the boot and ski until the plumb line came within a prescribed distance from the boot centerline.
An apparatus for indicating the cant angle provided to a given skier wearing a particular pair of boots is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,015 to Neumann. The Neumann apparatus comprises an elongate flat base plate supported to allow tilting about the longitudinal axis and having a wand extending upward from the forward end of the base plate, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The wand is also pivoted about an axis perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the ski, allowing the skier to assume various degrees of knee bend. A knee clamp comprising opposed knee-engaging plates simultaneously drawn toward one another by rotation of a lead screw having oppositely-threaded portions may be provided to ensure centering of the wand on the skier's knee.
In use of the Neumann apparatus, the skier stands in skiing posture on the plate with the toe of the boot centered against the base of the wand. The misalignment between the skier's lower leg and the wand approximates the cant angle between the boot sole plane and the lower leg. Correction is then to be made on a trial-and-error basis, either by modifying the boot itself, or by adding various shims, until alignment of the wand and knee indicates that the desired alignment has been achieved. That is, Neumann provides no scale or other instrument whereby the amount of the appropriate correction to be made can be determined directly; accordingly, use of the Neumann device, involving repetitive steps of the skier's putting on the boot, having a measurement made, removing the boot, modifying the boot or shims, and repeating these steps, would be rather time-consuming and awkward.
Furthermore, while Neumann's provision of the knee clamp having opposed, cooperatively-moved knee-engaging plates does provide a degree of accuracy in locating the center of the knee, as this clamp is fixed to the wand the skier will tend to distort his or her natural posture in order to fit the knee into the clamp.
An instrument providing a direct measurement of the skier's "natural" cant angle would be much more useful in provision of the appropriate correction. In a field where the skier's performance and enjoyment of the sport is directly impacted by variations in cant angle of as little as one-half degree, the imprecision of this and other prior art approaches to cant angle measurement and correction fails to meet the needs of modern competitive and recreational skiers.


The liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the first substrate and including a plurality of transparent electrodes and a plurality of reflective electrodes formed on portions of the transparent electrodes, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a plurality of organic insulator patterns formed in regions corresponding to the reflective electrodes. The planar shape of the organic insulator patterns for adjusting cell gaps of the liquid crystal display in the transmissive regions and the reflective regions may be adjusted such that the liquid crystals formed using drop injection may be dispersed rapidly and a uniformly to maintain uniform cell gap and prevent staining of the display.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transflective liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal (LC) layer interposed between two panels that are provided with field-generating electrodes. The LCD displays images by applying voltages to the field-generating electrodes to generate an electric field in the LC layer that determines orientations of LC molecules in the LC layer to adjust polarization of incident light. The light having adjusted polarization is either intercepted or allowed to pass by a polarizing film, thereby displaying images.
The liquid crystal displays are categorized as non-emissive displays, and in that respect, they do not produce any form of light. Accordingly, the LCDs utilize artificial light emitted from lamps of a backlight unit separately provided, or ambient light, as a light source. Depending on the light sources employed by the LCD, LCDs are classified as a transmissive LCD or a reflective LCD. The light source of the transmissive LCD is a backlight, and the light source of the reflective LCD is external light. The reflective type of LCD is usually applied to a small or mid-size display device. A transflective LCD has been under development. The transflective LCD uses both a backlight and external light as light sources depending on circumstances, and are usually applied to small or mid-size display devices.
The transflective LCD includes a transmissive region and a reflective region in each pixel. In the transmissive region, internal light emitted from the rear of the LCD passes through the liquid crystal layer toward front of the LCD to display images, while exterior light supplied through the front of the LCD successively passes through the LC layer and is then reflected by the reflective electrodes, and again passes through the LC layer to display images in the reflective region.
While light passes through an LC layer only once in the transmissive region, light passes through the LC layer twice in the reflective region. Due to these characteristics, difference of color tone between the transmissive region and the reflective region may occur.
To solve this problem, the LC layer may be formed to have two different thicknesses (cell gaps) between the transmissive regions and the reflective regions. For example, a plurality of organic insulator patterns are formed in the reflective regions such that cell gaps of the transmissive regions have twice the thickness as those of the reflective regions.
Manufacturing processes for a liquid crystal display are classified into a display panel manufacturing process, an alignment process, a liquid crystal cell process of filling liquid crystals between two display panels opposite each other, and a module process of attaching a driver IC, mounting back light, etc.
In the liquid crystal cell process, vacuum injection or drop injection fills the cells with liquid crystal.
With vacuum injection, a sealant with a liquid crystal inlet hole is printed around a substrate of one of two display panels. The substrates of two display panels are then aligned and assembled with each other through a hot press process with the thermal-hardening sealant. The assembled panels are put into a vacuum vessel such that the liquid crystal inlet hole of the sealer is dipped into liquid crystal. In this way, the liquid crystal is injected between two panels. Finally, the liquid crystal inlet hole is sealed such that the injected liquid crystal is contained.
With drop injection, a seal is formed around a substrate of one of two display panels in the shape of a closed curve, and then a liquid crystal is dropped onto the substrate. The substrates of two display panels are aligned, and assembled with each other by way of the seal. Finally, the seal is hardened.
As described above, the vacuum injection includes many processes such as forming a seal, aligning and assembling two display panels, putting the two display panels into a vacuum vessel, dipping into the liquid crystals, sealing the liquid crystal inlet hole, etc., such that manufacturing time and cost are increased. Accordingly, drop injection may be more economical than the vacuum injection.
However, in the transflective liquid crystal display, the organic insulator patterns formed in the reflective regions cause a height difference between regions having the organic insulator patterns and the other regions, and therefore the dripped liquid crystal in drop injection may move slowly and non-uniformly. Accordingly, the non-uniform dispersion of the liquid crystals may cause a non-uniform cell gap and vapor in liquid crystals and the liquid crystal display may appear to be stained.

Transflective liquid crystal and manufacturing method thereof


A remote controller has an ID signal generating means for generating a unique identifying signal that is exclusive to a particular set of the remote controller and an electronic appliance. The electronic appliance has storage means for storing the ID signal. In response to an instruction through entry means, the remote controller transmits the unique ID signal from the ID signal generating means, and the electronic appliance receives the unique ID signal and stores it in its storage means.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electronic appliance system, an electronic appliance and a remote controller for controlling the electronic appliance.
2. Related Art
Most of recent electronic appliances including television sets, VTRs, and so forth, are equipped with a remote controller and can be controlled from distant locations. With an increase of electronic appliances that can be controlled by remote controllers, it may happen that a plurality of electronic appliances using the same code system are put in near places, which may cause a remote controller for an electronic appliance to unexpectedly activate other electronic appliances using the same code simultaneously. Especially for camera-integral VTRs each equipped with a remote controller, there is a high possibility that some persons use camera-integral VTRs of the same type in near areas. It is a serious problem that a remote controller handled by a user to control his own camera-integral VTR may happen to operate VTRs of others.
There is a proposal to add a unique ID signal that is exclusive to a particular set of a remote controller and an electronic appliance so that the remote controller can control only the electronic appliance that has the same ID signal.
In order to add an ID signal for exclusively identifying combination of a remote controller and an electronic appliance, both the remote controller and the electronic appliance must be assigned with the same ID. A conventional way was to register a certain ID in the electronic appliance and register the corresponding ID in the remote controller. However, registration of ID in both the electronic appliance and the remote controller is a troublesome task.

Electronic appliance system, electronic appliance and remote controller


A radiation shielding material that is lighter and has lower installation restrictions than conventional methods, and that exhibits excellent shielding efficiency against radiation in the high energy region. The radiation shielding material comprises a complex containing a fibrous nanocarbon material, a primary radiation shielding particle, and a binder, wherein the fibrous nanocarbon material and the primary radiation shielding particle are dispersed in the binder.

Establishing a method for storing waste contaminated by radioactive substances generated from nuclear power plants, a method for storing soil or the like generated at the Fukushima nuclear accident following the Great East Japan Earthquake, or a method for reducing outside radiation leakage is a recent significant problem. In the science technology field, the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex is expected to be a series of proton accelerators and experimental facilities where frontier research is conducted for particle physics, nuclear physics, material science, life science, nuclear technology, etc. Radiation influence is also a problem in the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. Further, various radiation treatments have been performed in the medical field, and human exposure of radiation from radiation treatment facilities or systems becomes a problem.
Thus, radiation influences are major issues and problems in various fields. However, although radiation exposure to human bodies is a serious problem due to the very high energy and wide range of energy of radioactive rays, including X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, and neutron rays, a solution therefor is considered to be extremely difficult.
A currently discussed radiological countermeasure is a method in which metal, such as lead, tungsten, and iron is processed into plates or blocks, and used as a radiation shielding material, thus protecting human bodies and environments from radioactive rays. Further, a method using a material other than the aforementioned radiation shielding materials has also been considered in which concrete is used for blocking a radiation source, or a concrete wall or container is used for storing a radiation source, thereby avoiding external radiation contamination.
Patent Literature (PTL) 1 discloses a radiation shielding sheet obtained by laminating a layer containing barium sulfate and a thermoplastic resin on a fiber fabric, and the sheet can shield radiation generated from radiation substances. PTL 2 discloses a radiation shielding material obtained by mixing precipitated barium sulfate with a binder formed of an unsaturated polyester resin. Further, for the purpose of providing a lightweight radiation shielding material that is capable of efficiently shielding radiation and is easy to handle, PTL 3 discloses a radiation shielding material using a nanocarbon material.


Use of sunscreen combinations which comprise, as essential constituent, 2-(4-alkoxyanilinomethylene)malonic dialkyl esters as photostable UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations

Use of sunscreen combinations which comprise, as essential constituent, 2-(4-alkoxyanilinomethylene)malonic dialkyl esters as photostable UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations
The invention relates to the use of sunscreen combinations which comprise, as essential constituent, the 2-(4-alkoxyanilinomethylene)malonic dialkyl esters which absorb in the UV-A region, and at least one further sunscreen which absorbs in the UV-A region, UV-B region or in both regions, chosen from a group defined in detail below as photostable UV filter combination in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for protecting the human epidermis or human hair against UV radiation, specifically in the range from 320 to 400 nm.
The sunscreens employed in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations have the task of preventing, or at least diminishing the consequences of, harmful effects of sunlight on the human skin. However, these sunscreens also serve to protect other ingredients from decomposition or degradation by UV radiation. In hair cosmetic formulations the aim is to reduce damage to the keratin fibers by UV rays.
The sunlight reaching the surface of the earth contains proportions of UV-B radiation (280 to 320 nm) and UV-A radiation ( greater than 320 nm), which are directly adjacent to the visible light region. The effect on the human skin is manifested, particularly in the case of UV-B radiation, by sunburn. Accordingly, the industry offers a relatively large number of substances which absorb UV-B radiation and thus prevent sunburn.
Dermatological investigations have now shown that UV-A radiation is also perfectly capable of causing skin damage and allergies by, for example, damaging the keratin or elastin. This reduces the elasticity and water storage capacity of the skin, i.e. the skin becomes less supple and tends to form wrinkles. The noticeably high incidence of skin cancer in regions where the sun""s radiation is strong shows that damage to the genetic information in the cells is evidently also caused by sunlight, specifically by UV-A radiation. All these findings would therefore suggest the need to develop efficient filter substances for the UV-A region.
There is a growing demand for sunscreens for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations which can be used in particular as UV-A filters and whose absorption maxima ought therefore to be in the range from about 320 to 380 nm. In order to achieve the required effect using the minimum amount, sunscreens of this type ought additionally to have a high specific absorbance. Sunscreens for cosmetic products must also meet a large number of other requirements, for example good solubility in cosmetic oils, high stability of the emulsions produced with them, toxicological acceptability, and low intrinsic odor and low intrinsic color.
Another requirement which sunscreens must meet is adequate photostability. However, this is only inadequately ensured, if at all, with the UV-A-absorbing sunscreens hitherto available.
French Patent No. 2 440 933 describes 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4xe2x80x2-methoxydibenzoylmethane as a UV-A filter. It is proposed to combine this specific UV-A filter, which is sold by GIVAUDAN under the name xe2x80x9cPARSOL 1789xe2x80x9d, with various UV-B filters in order to absorb all UV rays having a wavelength from 280 to 380 nm.
However, this UV-A filter does not have sufficient photochemical stability, when used alone or in combination with UV-B filters, to ensure sustained protection of the skin during sunbathing for prolonged periods, which means that repeated applications at regular and short intervals are required if effective protection of the skin from all UV rays is desired.
For this reason, EP-A-0 514 491 discloses the stabilization of the insufficiently photostable UV-A filters by adding 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylic esters which themselves act as filters in the UV-B region.
It has furthermore already been proposed in EP-A-0 251 398 and EP-A-0 416 837 to combine chromophores absorbing UV-A radiation and UV-B radiation into one molecule using a linker. This has the disadvantage that firstly a free combination of UV-A and UV-B filters in the cosmetic preparation is no longer possible, and that difficulties in the chemical linkage of the chromophores allow only certain combinations.
It is an object of the present invention to propose sunscreens for cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes which absorb in the UV-A region with high absorbance, which are photostable, have low intrinsic color, i.e. a sharp band structure, and are soluble in oil or water depending on the substituent.
We have found that this object can be achieved advantageously by certain sunscreen combinations.
Accordingly, this object is achieved according to the invention by the use of sunscreen combinations comprising a
A) compound absorbing essentially in the UV-A region and
B) further compounds absorbing in the UV-A region, in the UV-B region and over both regions,
xe2x80x83where the constituent absorbing in the UV-A region consists of
A) effective amounts of at least one of the compounds of the formula I
xe2x80x83in which the substituents R1 to R3, independently of one another, are C1-C8-alkyl and the constituent
B) comprises effective amounts of one or more compounds chosen from the group consisting of
Ba) hydroxybenzophenones of the formula II
xe2x80x83in which the substituents, independently of one another, have the following meanings:
R4 and R5
are hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl, C3-C10-cycloalkyl, where the substituents R4 and R5 may, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, form a 5- or 6-membered ring and
R6 hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl, C3-C10-cycloalkyl;
Bb) diarylbutadienes of the formula III
xe2x80x83in which the substituents R7 and R8, independently of one another, may be hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl or C3-C10-cycloalkyl,
Bc) the compound of the formula IV
Bd) the compound of the formula V
Be) the compound of the formula VI
Bf) the compound of the formula VII
Bg) an organosiloxane benzalmalonate of the formula VIIIa
xe2x80x83in which
V1xe2x80x2 is the group
V1 is a methyl group or V1xe2x80x2, or of the formula VIIIb
xe2x80x83in which V2xe2x80x2 is the group of the structure
V2 is a methyl group or V2xe2x80x2
or mixtures of compounds of the formulae VIIIa and VIIIb,
where t is a value up to 100 and u is a value up to 20, with the proviso that u=0 when V1=V1xe2x80x2 and/or V2=V2xe2x80x2, and u is a value from 1 to 20 when V1=CH3 and/or V2=CH3,
Bh) the compound of the formula IX
Bi) the compound of the formula X
Bj) the compound of the formula XI
xe2x80x83in which X is hydrogen, sodium, potassium, ammonium or triethanolammonium,
Bk) the compound of the formula XII
xe2x80x83as photostable UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for protecting human skin or human hair against UV rays, in particular against natural solar rays, optionally together with further compounds which absorb in the UV region and which are known per se for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.
Alkyl radicals R1 to R3 in compound I which may be mentioned are branched or unbranched C1-C8-alkyl chains, preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, n-heptyl or n-octyl. Preferred radicals for R1 to R3 are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and 1-methylethyl.
Alkyl radicals R4, R5 and R6 in compound II which may be mentioned are branched or unbranched C1-C12-alkyl chains, preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl or 2-thylhexyl.
Particularly preferred alkyl radicals which may be mentioned for R4, R5 and R6 are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 2-ethylhexyl.
Alkyl radicals R7 and R8 in compound III which may be mentioned are branched or unbranched C1-C12-alkyl chains, preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl or 2-ethylhexyl.
Particularly preferred alkyl radicals which may be mentioned for R7 and R8 are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 2-ethylhexyl.
Cycloalkyl radicals which may be mentioned for R4 to R8 in formulae II and III are preferably branched or unbranched C3-C10-cycloalkyl chains, such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, 1-methylcyclopropyl, 1-ethylcyclopropyl, 1-propylcyclopropyl, 1-butylcyclopropyl, 1-pentylcyclopropyl, 1-methyl-1-butylcyclopropyl, 1,2-dimethylcyclopropyl, 1-methyl-2-ethylcyclopropyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl or cyclodecyl.
Particularly preferred cycloalkyl radicals for R4 to R8 which may be mentioned are C3-C6-cycloalkyl radicals, very particularly preferably cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.
The sunscreen combination of the compounds (A) and (B) can be used alone or in combination with further compounds which absorb in the UV region, although at least effective amounts of the compounds (A) and (B) should be present in the sunscreen preparations. Effective amounts of the compounds (A) and of the compounds (B) is generally to be understood as meaning in each case at least 0.1% by weight, in each case based on the cosmetic preparation.
In the sunscreen combinations according to invention, the amount of compounds which absorb in the UV-B region usually predominates. Accordingly, the content of the compound (A) which absorbs in the UV-A region is generally 5 to 50% by weight, preferably 10 to 25% by weight, in each case based on a sunscreen combination of (A) and (B).
The sunscreen combinations are characterized by their high photostability, and the preparations prepared with the sunscreen combinations are characterized by their pleasant feel on the skin. The sun protection factors achieved with the combinations are considerably higher than the additive values of the individual UV filters. Even the UV-A protection performance of the sunscreen combinations according to the inventionxe2x80x94with regard to the critical wavelength, the PPD value (persistent pigment darkening), the IPD value (immediate pigment darkening), and the UVA/UVB ratioxe2x80x94is higher than that which can be achieved by the known UV filters according to the prior art.
The compound of the formula I is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,170 as a constituent of cosmetic preparations. Moreover, in column 3 of said patent, lines 5 to 27, it is mentioned that it is possible to use the compound group to which the compound of the formula I belongs together with known ultraviolet absorbers. However, from this information it was not possible to conclude that particularly advantageous combinations can be obtained with certain selected UV absorbers.
The compounds (B) are all known and are characterized in more detail below:
Ba) The compound of the formula II is known from EP-A-1 046 391.
Bb) The compound of the formula III is known from EP-A-0 916335.
Bc) The compound of the formula IV has the CAS No. 88122-99-0 and is sold under the trade name Uvinul(copyright) T150 (BASF).
Bd) The compound of the formula V has the CAS No. 187393-00-6.
Be) The compound of the formula VI has the CAS No. 103597-45-1 and is sold under the trade name Tinosorb(copyright) M (CIBA).
Bf) The compound of the formula VII has the CAS No. 155633-54-8 and is known under the trade name Mexoryl(copyright) XL (CHIMEX).
Bg) The compounds or mixtures of compounds of the formula VIII are known from EP-A 0920859. Of the compounds of the formulae VIIIa and/or VIIIb, those with the CAS numbers 208391-15-5, 208391-15-5D, 177955-90-7, 177955-90-7 D and 177995-90-7DP are particularly suitable.
Bh) The compound of the formula IX has the CAS No. 154702-15-5 and is sold under the trade name Uvasorb(copyright) HEB (BV Sigma).
Bi) The compound of the formula X has the CAS No. 6197-30-4 and is sold under the trade name Uvinul(copyright) N539 (BASF).
Bj) The compound of the formula XI has the CAS No. 180898-37-7 (Haarmann and Reimer).
Bk) The compound of the formula XII has the CAS No. 131-55-5 and is sold under the trade name Uvinul(copyright) D50 (BASF).
In the sunscreen combinations to be used according to the invention, it is possible for not only individual compounds (Ba) to (Bk) to be present, but also mixtures of two or more of these compounds.
The present invention further provides cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations which have 0.1 to 40% by weight, preferably 1 to 25% by weight, based on the total amount of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparation, of a sunscreen combination comprising a
A) compound absorbing essentially in the UV-A region and
B) further compounds absorbing in the UV-A region, in the UV-B region and over both regions,
xe2x80x83where the constituent absorbing in the UV-A region consists of
A) effective amounts of the compound of the formula I
xe2x80x83and the constituent
B) comprises effective amounts of one or more compounds chosen from the group consisting of
Ba) hydroxybenzophenone of the formula IIa
Bb) diarylbutadiene of the formula IIIa
Bc) the compound of the formula IV
Bd) the compound of the formula V
Be) the compound of the formula VI
Bf) the compound of the formula VII
Bg) an organosiloxane benzalmalonate of the formula VIIIa
xe2x80x83in which
V1xe2x80x2 is the group
V1 is a methyl group or V1xe2x80x2, or of the formula VIIIb
xe2x80x83in which V2xe2x80x2 is the group of the structure
V2 is a methyl group or V2xe2x80x2
or mixtures of compounds of the formulae VIIIa and VIIIb,
where t is a value up to 100 and u is a value up to 20, with the proviso that u=0 when V1=V1xe2x80x2 and/or V2=V2xe2x80x2, and u is a value from 1 to 20 when V1=CH3 and/or V2=CH3,
Bh) the compound of the formula IX
Bi) the compound of the formula X
Bj) the compound of the formula XI
xe2x80x83in which X is hydrogen, sodium, potassium, ammonium or triethanolammonium,
Bk) the compound of the formula XII
optionally together with further compounds which absorb in the UV-A-region and UV-B-region and which are known per se for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations, where the UV-A-absorbing compounds are usually used in a lesser amount than the UV-B-absorbing compounds.
The sunscreen-containing cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations are, as a rule, based on a carrier which comprises at least one oil phase. However, preparations based solely on water are also possible if compounds having hydrophilic substituents are used. Accordingly, oils, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, creams and pastes, lip-protection stick compositions or non-greasy gels are suitable.
Suitable emulsions are inter alia also O/W macroemulsions, O/W microemulsions or O/W/O emulsions containing the compound of the formula I in dispersed form, the emulsions being obtainable by phase inversion technology, as in DE-A-197 26 121. Here, the particle size of the compound of the formula I is chosen such that it is 3 xcexcm or less, preferably 1 xcexcm or less than the average particle size.
Conventional cosmetic auxiliaries which may be suitable as additives are, for example, coemulsifiers, fats and waxes, stabilizers, thickeners, biogenic active substances, film formers, fragrances, dyes, pearlizing agents, preservatives, pigments, electrolytes (e.g. magnesium sulfate) and pH regulators. Suitable and preferred coemulsifiers are known W/O and also O/W emulsifiers such as polyglycerol esters, sorbitan esters or partially esterified glycerides. Typical examples of fats are glycerides; waxes which may be mentioned are, inter alia, beeswax, paraffin wax or microwaxes, possibly combined with hydrophilic waxes. Stabilizers which can be employed are metal salts of fatty acids such as, for example, magnesium stearate, aluminum stearate and/or zinc stearate. Examples of suitable thickeners are crosslinked polyacrylic acids and derivatives thereof, polysaccharides, in particular xanthan gum, guar guar, agar agar, alginates and tyloses, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose, also fatty alcohols, monoglycerides and fatty acids, polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Examples of biogenic active ingredients are plant extracts, protein hydrolysates and vitamin complexes. Examples of customary film formers are hydrocolloids such as chitosan, microcrystalline chitosan or quaternized chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymers, polymers of the acrylic acid series, quaternary cellulose derivatives and similar compounds. Examples of suitable preservatives are formaldehyde solution, p-hydroxybenzoate or sorbic acid. Examples of suitable pearlizing agents are glycol distearic esters such as ethylene glycol distearate, but also fatty acids and fatty acid monoglycol esters. Dyes which can be used are the substances suitable and approved for cosmetic purposes, as listed, for example, in the publication xe2x80x9cKosmetische Fxc3xa4rbemittelxe2x80x9d [Cosmetic Colorants] from the Farbstoffkommission der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft [Dyes commission of the German Research Society], published by Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, 1984. These dyes are normally used in a concentration of from 0.001 to 0.1% by weight, based on the total mixture.
An additional content of antioxidants is generally preferred. Thus, it is possible to use as favorable antioxidants all antioxidants which are customary or suitable for cosmetic and/or dermatological applications.
The antioxidants are advantageously chosen from the group consisting of amino acids (e.g. glycine, histidine, tyrosine, tryptophan) and derivatives thereof, imidazoles (e.g. urocanic acid) and derivatives thereof, peptides such as D,L-carnosine, D-carnosine, L-carnosine and derivatives thereof (e.g. anserine), carotenoids, carotenes (e.g. xcex2-carotene, lycopene) and derivatives thereof, chlorogenic acid and derivatives thereof, lipoic acid and derivatives thereof (e.g. dihydrolipoic acid), aurothioglucose, propylthiouracil and other thiols (e.g. thioredoxin, glutathione, cysteine, cystine, cystamine and the glycosyl, N-acetyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, amyl, butyl, and lauryl, palmitoyl, oleyl, xcex3-linoleyl, cholesteryl and glyceryl esters thereof) and salts thereof, dilauryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, thiodipropionic acid and derivatives thereof (esters, ethers, peptides, lipids, nucleotides, nucleosides and salts), and sulfoximine compounds (e.g. buthionine sulfoximines, homocysteine sulfoximines, buthionine sulfones, penta-, hexa-, heptathionine sulfoximine) in very low tolerated doses (e.g. pmol to xcexcmmol/kg), and also (metal) chelating agents (e.g. xcex1-hydroxy fatty acids, palmitic acid, phytic acid, lactoferrin), xcex1-hydroxy acids (e.g. citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid), humic acid, bile acid, bile extracts, bilirubin, biliverdin, EDTA and derivatives thereof, unsaturated fatty acids and derivatives thereof (e.g. xcex3-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid), folic acid and derivatives thereof, ubiquinone and ubiquinol and derivatives thereof, vitamin C and derivatives thereof (e.g. ascorbyl palmitate, Mg ascorbylphosphate, ascorbylacetate), tocopherol and derivatives (e.g. vitamin E acetate, tocotrienol), vitamin A and derivatives (vitamin A palmitate), and coniferyl benzoate of benzoin resin, rutinic acid and derivatives thereof, xcex1-glycosylrutin, ferulic acid, furfurylideneglucitol, carnosine, butylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, nordihydroguaiacic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, trihydroxybutyrophenone, uric acid and derivatives thereof, mannose and derivatives thereof, zinc and derivatives thereof (e.g. ZnO, ZnSO4), selenium and derivatives thereof (e.g. selenomethionine), stilbenes and derivatives thereof (e.g. stilbene oxide, trans-stilbene oxide).
The amount of the abovementioned antioxidants (one or more compounds) in the preparations is preferably from 0.001 to 30% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.05 to 20% by weight, in particular from 1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the preparation.
If vitamin E and/or derivatives thereof are used as the antioxidant(s), it is advantageous to choose their particular concentration from the range 0.001 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.
If vitamin A and/or derivatives thereof, or carotenoids are the antioxidant(s), it is advantageous to choose their particular concentration from the range 0.001 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.
Customary oil components in cosmetics are, for example, paraffin oil, glyceryl stearate, isopropyl myristate, diisopropyl adipate, cetylstearyl 2-ethylhexanoate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, vaseline, caprylic/capric triglycerides, microcrystalline wax, lanolin and stearic acid.
The total amount of auxiliaries and additives can be from 1 to 80% by weight, preferably from 6 to 40% by weight, and the nonaqueous fraction (xe2x80x9cactive substancexe2x80x9d) can be from 20 to 80% by weight, preferably from 30 to 70% by weight, based on the compositions. The compositions can be prepared in a manner known per se, i.e. for example by hot, cold, hot-hot/cold or PIT emulsification. This is a purely mechanical process; no chemical reaction takes place.
Such sunscreen preparations can accordingly be in liquid, paste or solid form, for example as water-in-oil creams, oil-in-water creams and lotions, aerosol foam creams, gels, oils, marking pencils, powders, sprays or alcoholic-aqueous lotions.
Finally, it is also possible to co-use further substances which absorb in the UV region and are known per se provided they are stable in the overall system of the combination of UV filters to be used according to the invention.
Suitable UV filter substances which can be additionally used with the sunscreen combinations to be used according to the invention are any UV-A and UV-B filter substances. Examples which may be mentioned are:
In addition, the cosmetic and dermatological preparations according to the invention can advantageously comprise further inorganic pigments based on metal oxides and/or other metal compounds which are insoluble or virtually insoluble in water, in particular the oxides of iron (e.g. Fe2O3), zirconium (ZrO2), silicon (SiO2), manganese (e.g. MnO), aluminum (Al2O3), cerium (e.g. Ce2O3), mixed oxides of the corresponding metals, and admixtures of such oxides.
For the purposes of the present invention, it is particularly advantageous, but not obligatory, for the inorganic pigments to be present in hydrophobic form, i.e. to have been surface-treated to repel water. This surface treatment can involve providing the pigments with a thin hydrophobic layer in a manner known per se, as described in DE-A-33 14 742.
To protect human hair against UV rays, the sunscreen combinations to be used according to the invention can be incorporated into shampoos, lotions, gels, hairsprays, aerosol foam creams or emulsions in concentrations of from 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably from 1 to 7% by weight. The respective formulations can be used, inter alia, for washing, coloring and for styling the hair.
The sunscreen combinations to be used according to the invention are readily soluble in cosmetic oils and can be easily incorporated into cosmetic formulations. The emulsions prepared with the novel sunscreen combinations are in particular characterized by their high stability, the sunscreen combinations themselves by their high photostability, and the preparations prepared with the sunscreen combinations by their pleasant feel on the skin.
The UV filter action of the sunscreen combinations to be used according to the invention can also be utilized for stabilizing active ingredients and auxiliaries in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.

Use of sunscreen combinations which comprise, as essential constituent, 2-(4-alkoxyanilinomethylene) malonic dialkyl esters as photostable UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations

Abstract: as photostable UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for protecting human skin and human hair against solar rays.


Techniques for optimizing traffic flows via dynamic routing protocol (DRP) modifications when server virtualization is used with dynamic routing are provided. In one embodiment, a network device can determine that it is part of a system of network devices acting as a virtual router. The network device can then transmit, to a client device, a DRP control packet that includes an interface IP address of the network device and a virtual IP address of the virtual router. In a further embodiment, the client device can receive the DRP control packet and store the interface IP address and the virtual IP address in a routing database. At the time of computing routing entries based on the routing database, the client device can replace, in entries that identify the interface IP address as the next hop, the interface IP address with the virtual IP address.

Currently, when dynamic routing protocols such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS) are used in a network topology that includes switches/routers configured as a Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)/multi-chassis link aggregation group (MC-LAG) cluster, the nodes of the cluster cannot ensure "short-path" forwarding for all incoming data traffic. This means that some data traffic arriving at the nodes from client machines may unnecessarily traverse the inter-chassis link (ICL) between nodes before the traffic is forwarded to its final destination, possibly leading to congestion, traffic loss, and/or increased latency.
FIGS. 1A-1C depict an exemplary network environment 100 and corresponding flows that illustrate this problem. As shown in FIG. 1A, network environment 100 includes three network devices (e.g., switches/routers) 102, 104, and 106 that are part of a first network 106 (e.g., a provider network). Network devices 102, 104, and 106 are referred to herein as "provider edge" (PE) devices. Network environment 100 further includes a group of servers 110, 112, and 114 that are part of a second network 116 (e.g., a network core) connected to first network 106, and a network device (e.g., switch/router) 118 connected to PE devices 102, 104 respectively and a client 120. Network device 118 is referred to herein as a "client edge" (CE) device.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, PE devices 102 and 104 are grouped into an MC-LAG (e.g., Multi-Chassis Trunking, or MCT) cluster 122. Accordingly, there is an inter-chassis link (ICL) 128 between PE devices 102 and 104, as well as a plurality of links (124 and 126) that form a link aggregation group (LAG) between PE devices 102, 104 and CE device 118. For example, link 124 connects CE device 118 to interface IP address 126.96.36.199 and interface MAC address AAAA.AAAA.AAAA of PE device 102, and link 126 connects CE device 118 to interface IP address 220.127.116.11 and interface MAC address BBBB.BBBB.BBBB of PE device 104. In addition, PE devices 102 and 104 are configured/configurable to act in concert as a virtual router via VRRP (or variants thereof, such as VRRPe), such that PE devices 102 and 104 share a common virtual IP address (220.127.116.11) and a common virtual MAC address (CCCC.CCCC.CCCC).
The challenge with the configuration of FIG. 1A occurs when a dynamic routing protocol, or DRP, is implemented across network environment 100 (as shown in FIG. 1B). In a scenario where there is no dynamic routing, CE device 118 will typically store, within its Layer 3 (L3) routing table, the virtual IP address of cluster 122 as the next hop address for all routes leading to network core 116. However, in the scenario of FIG. 1B where dynamic routing is used, CE device 118 learns the individual interface IP addresses of PE devices 102 and 104 via the DRP, rather than the virtual IP address. Since links 124 and 126 are equal cost paths, this means that CE device 118 will store two next hop addresses in its L3 routing table for each destination in network core 116. For instance, in FIG. 1B, L3 routing table 130 includes next hop addresses 184.108.40.206 and 188.8.131.52 (corresponding to PE devices 102 and 104 respectively) for destination server 110 having IP address 220.127.116.11.
The foregoing can lead to the problematic sequence of events shown in FIG. 1C. At step (1) (reference numeral 132) of FIG. 1C, client 120 transmits a data packet destined for server 110 to CE device 118. At step (2) (reference numeral 134), CE device 118 selects, as the next hop for the packet, the interface IP address of PE device 102 (i.e., 220.127.116.11), resolves the interface MAC address for 188.8.131.52 (i.e., AAAA.AAAA.AAAA) via Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), and sets the destination MAC address of the packet to the interface MAC address. However, this does not guarantee that the data packet gets forwarded over link 124 to PE device 102. Instead, because links 124 and 126 are part of a LAG, CE device 118 performs a hash on the headers of the data packet, which happens to select link 126 (rather than link 124). Thus, in this case, the data packet is forwarded over link 126 to PE device 104, even though the destination MAC address included in the packet identifies the interface MAC address of PE device 102 (i.e., AAAA.AAAA.AAAA).
Upon receiving the data packet, PE device 104 determines that the destination MAC address does not correspond to its own interface MAC address and forwards the packet (at Layer 2) over ICL 128 to PE device 102 (step (3), reference numeral 136). PE device 102 then performs a route lookup in its L3 routing table based on the destination IP address in the packet (i.e., 18.104.22.168) and forwards the packet to the next hop in the shortest path to the destination (i.e., PE device 106) (step (4), reference numeral 138).
The issue with the flow shown in FIG. 1C is that the data packet is unnecessarily sent over ICL 128 from PE device 104 to PE device 102, even though PE device 104 is capable of forwarding the data packet directly to next hop 106. This act of transmitting the data packet over ICL 128 can have a number of detrimental effects. For instance, it can congest ICL 128, which reduces the amount of bandwidth available for other types of cluster communication traffic between PE devices 102 and 104. Further, the data packet can incur unnecessarily higher latency due to traversing ICL 128. Yet further, the uplinks from PE devices 102 and 104 to the network core can become congested due to uneven load sharing.

Optimizing traffic flows via dynamic routing protocol modifications when using server virtualization with dynamic routing


A system and method including an injection molding system (e.g., nozzle) having a nozzle body with a heater holding portion that receives a heating device that is releasably secured in the heater holding portion. The nozzle has at least one flat or planar outer surface and can be made from a high wear and high pressure resistant material (e.g., Aermet). A slot of the heater holding portion and the heating device can be of complimentary geometries, such as rectangular shaped, wedge shaped, or any other shape. The heating device can include a holding device having receiving areas. Each receiving area can receive a respective heater that can be removed from the nozzle body. The nozzle body is provided with a clamping mechanism to insure an intimate contact between the heater holding portion and the heater device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to making and using an injection-molding nozzle incorporating, a removable heating device and a heating device clamping mechanism associated therewith.
2. Background Art
Typically, injection-molding nozzles have a nozzle body including a melt channel with a heater element proximate thereto. Heaters in injection nozzles ideally produce a constant or consistent viscosity and speed of a melt stream of moldable material, which produces accurate items that are uniform in appearance. In conventional injection molding systems, when a heater starts to improperly function or fails completely, the entire nozzle might need to be removed from a manifold connection and replaced. Removing and replacing a nozzle requires shutting down a production line for an extended period of time. This increases manufacturing costs because of the expense of having to replace an entire nozzle, the inefficiency of production time, and the cost for labor being idle during removal and replacement of a nozzle.
A first type of heater element can be a "wrap around clamp" heater, such as a tubular heater, film heater, band heater, or a helical coil heater. The wrap around clamp heaters are wrapped around the nozzle body to uniformly heat the melt channel. If these wrap around heaters fail to perform while in operation, an operator must a) remove the heater by sliding it over the nozzle and towards the nozzle tip from the mold side, if there is access from the mold side, or b) remove the entire nozzle if there is no access from the front of the nozzle. Clamp heaters for hot runner nozzles are known, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,392 to Von Buren, U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,497 to Wurstlin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,333 to Schmidt, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,466 to Jenko et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,241 to Rees et al, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Most of the clamp heaters for hot runner application use a heater element attached to a cylindrical heater sleeve that incorporates a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism of the heater makes sure that an intimate contact is created between the heater sleeve and the nozzle body to provide maximum heat transfer and heat efficiency. In most cases either the heater element or the heater sleeve have a longitudinal or an axial cut or a disruption to allow the heater or the sleeve to be squeezed towards the nozzle body under the clamping force.
Another type of heater element is an embedded heater, such as a cast-in heater, cartridge heater, pressed in heater and heat pipe heater, which are located entirely inside (embedded in) the nozzle body proximate to and/or surrounding a melt channel. These embedded heaters tend to provide a desirable heat profile, a desirable heat transfer, and a desirable heat efficiency because they are located in intimate contact within the nozzle body. Embedded heaters tend to be disposed closer to the melt channel than the wrap around removable heaters. However, when the embedded heaters improperly function or fail, an entire nozzle must be replaced.
A third type of heater is related to the flat injection molding nozzles heater, such as cartridge heaters, where the heater is located inside the nozzle and/or coupled to the nozzle on one or two (possibly opposite) sides of the melt channel, usually inside the nozzle body. These heaters are typically used with flat small pitch nozzles and are in most instances located on a single side or opposite sides of the melt channel. These heaters can be clustered into arrays of two or more nozzles and are utilized in areas with very limited space.
For example, German patent application DE 19723374 assigned to Heitec teaches a flat nozzle for small pitch applications having one or two cylindrical cartridge heaters. The Heitec heaters are totally embedded inside the nozzle body, which prevents the heaters from receiving maintenance without removing the nozzles from the system. Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,948 to Gunther that shows a nozzle surrounded by a flat case. The flat case includes one or two embedded cylindrical heater elements. However, the Gunther heaters cannot be removed from the case while keeping the case fully installed on the nozzle. Thus, production must be completely shutdown so that a clearance space can be created between the nozzle and the mold for the removal of the case. Both of the above references are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Some examples of other embedded heaters for injection molding nozzles can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,882,469, 4,899,435, 4,906,360, 4,988,848, 5,052,100, 5,055,028, 5,098,280, 5,136,141, 5,147,663, 5,180,594, all to Trakas, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Therefore, what is needed is a system and method to remove a faulty heater embedded in an injection nozzle, while allowing the nozzle to remain in contact with a manifold. What is also needed is a nozzle that allows for only a heater to be removed and replaced in a relatively short amount of time without requiring shutting down of operations and removal of the entire nozzle. What is also needed is an injection nozzle where a removable heater has an improved clamping function to increase heat transfer efficiency.

Nozzle and method for making a nozzle with a removable and replaceable heating device


Glucose concentration is noninvasively measured by measuring a plurality of absorption values using at least one emitter operating at a corresponding plurality of emission wavelengths through a common optical sample volume and deriving glucose concentration from the absorption measurement values.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not properly produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that converts sugar, starches and other food into energy for the body. The cause of diabetes is unknown, although both genetic and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise are factors in determining disease development.
Approximately 17 million people in the United States, or 6.2% of the population, have diabetes. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the United States. While an estimated 11.1 million people have been diagnosed, approximately 5.9 million people (35%) are unaware of affliction by the disease. (www.diabetes.org/info/diabetesinfo.jsp). Future incidence of diabetes is likely to increase, driven by an aging population, increasing incidence of obesity, and overall population growth.
Estimates for the worldwide incidence of diabetes vary greatly. One pharmaceutical industry research group report estimates approximately 135 million cases of diabetes in the world today, most undiagnosed, a number could rise to 300 million by 2025 (IMS Health, www.ims-global.com).
The three major types of diabetes are Type I, Type II, and gestational diabetes. Type I diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and results from the body's inability to produce insulin, the hormone that enables glucose to enter and fuel cells of the body. An estimated 10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type I diabetes. Type II diabetes is the most common form and results from insulin resistance, the body's failure to properly use insulin, combined with relative insulin deficiency. Approximately 90% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have type II diabetes. Glucose accumulates in the blood rather than entering cells, causing two problems, the immediate energy starvation of cells and long term high blood glucose levels that may permanently damage eyes, kidneys, nerves and/or heart. Pre-diabetes is a condition occurring when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not insufficient to be type II diabetes. An estimated 16 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women, about 135,000 cases yearly in the United States.
Diabetes is often undiagnosed because many symptoms appear relatively harmless. Early detection and treatment can decrease the probability of developing the complications of diabetes.
For the people diagnosed with diabetes, the challenge is to actively and accurately manage diets and exercise programs, while also actively managing blood sugar to maintain glucose levels within an optimal range. The less aggressively blood sugar levels are managed, the higher the risk of development of one or more of the major secondary diseases. Diabetics have extra reason to be mindful of heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes carries an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and complications related to poor circulation. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease and stroke. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among adults aged 21 to 74. Retinopathy develops in nearly all patients with poorly controlled type I diabetes and in more than 60% of patients with type II diabetes (Cefalu, W. T., Weir, G. C. Patient Care. September, 2003, p. 66). Diabetes accounts for 43% of end-stage renal disease. Kidney failure is treated only by dialysis and kidney transplantation to restore the kidney's blood-cleansing function. One common diabetes complication is diabetic neuropathy, damage to the nerves that run throughout the body, connecting the spinal cord to muscles, skin, blood vessels, and other organs. Up to 70% of people with diabetes suffer from mild to severe neuropathy, in many cases resulting in extremity amputations.
Direct medical and indirect expenditures attributable to diabetes are estimated at $132 billion annually. In 2002, direct medical expenditures alone totaled $91.8 billion including $23.2 billion for diabetes care, $24.6 billion for chronic complications resulting from diabetes; and $44.1 billion for excess prevalence of related medical conditions. Indirect expenditures resulting from lost workdays, restricted activity days, mortality, and permanent disability due to diabetes were estimated to total $39.8 billion. The total cost of diabetes treatment at $131.7 billion in 2002 exceeds the total 2002 cost for treating all forms of cancer, an estimated $107 billion. Some estimate that one of four Medicare dollars goes to diabetic healthcare costs.                "Diabetes imposes a substantial cost burden to society and, in particular, to those individuals with diabetes and their families. Eliminating or reducing the health problems caused by diabetes through factors such as better access to preventive care, more widespread diagnosis, more intensive disease management, and the advent of new medical technologies could significantly improve the quality of life for people with diabetes and their families while at the same time potentially reducing national expenditures for health care services and increasing productivity in the U.S. economy." (American Diabetes Association. "Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2002". Diabetes Care 26:917-932, 2003).
Normal blood glucose levels range between 80 and 120 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dl). For a person with diabetes, maintaining glucose levels within range can be difficult. Calories consumed cause blood sugar levels to rise due to the diabetic's inability or impairment in producing insulin. Accordingly, artificial insulin is to be taken via either a syringe, an insulin pump with an implanted catheter, or an oral medication to bring levels back into the target range. Even with vigilant management, blood sugar levels can drop below the optimal range while sleeping. Many diabetics are awakened at least once in the middle of the night to take a blood glucose measurement.
A blood glucose measurement commonly involves usage of a lancet to prick the skin, a test strip to collect the blood sample, and a glucometer to generate a reading. A typical diabetic tests blood glucose levels an estimated six times per day in a painful and costly process that is difficult to discretely execute in public settings. Should the measurement indicate levels are outside of the optimal range, then either insulin or calories are taken for appropriate correction.


A slip sinker includes a nylon tube (12) having a pair of flared ends (14) and (16). A weight (20) is secured to the tube with a pair of partially closed wire loops (22) and (24) disposed at either end of the weight. The weight includes a generally flat surface that extends between the wire loops (22) and (24) and is compressed against the length of the tube in order to securely hold the weight to the tube.

All fishermen know that it is impossible to catch fish unless the bait is located where the fish are. One method of adjusting the depth of a bait or lure is to place a weight on the fishing line.
With traditional fishing equipment, each time a weight has to be changed, the line must be cut, a new weight added, and the line retied. Because time spent adjusting the amount of weight on the line reduces the time that can actually be spent fishing, numerous quick change weighting systems have been developed. However, such systems are typically prone to snagging and can foul the line when casting.
Given the shortcomings in the prior art, there is a need for a quick change fishing weight system that allows a weight to be easily changed while minimizing the likelihood that the weight will become snagged or will foul a line when cast.