A process for producing a plasma display panel, involving the formation of a predetermined pattern for a plasma display panel, including an electrode pattern and a barrier for defining a discharge space, said process comprising the steps of:. forming a predetermined pattern-forming material layer on a substrate; PA1 forming a mask pattern, comprising a main component of the material layer, on the pattern-forming material layer: PA1 etching the pattern-forming material layer with the mask pattern formed thereon, thereby patterning the pattern-forming material layer; and PA1 then firing the pattern-forming material layer with the mask pattern provided thereon and the mask layer, thereby integrating the pattern-forming material layer and at least part of the mask layer with each other.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a plasma display panel (PDP).
According to the production process of the present invention, a pattern of a barrier for defining a discharge space, an electrode, a resistor, a dielectric layer or the like can be easily and uniformly formed by sandblasting. The plasma display panel according to the present invention is excellent in uniformity of in-plane brightness by virtue of a high-definition, uniform barrier structure. Further, since the barrier layer is colored, it is possible to improve the contrast and to improve the luminescence brightness of the phosphor.
PDP generally comprises: two opposed glass substrates; a pair of electrodes systematically arranged in the glass substrates; and a gas (mainly neon, xenon or the like) sealed therebetween. A voltage is applied across the electrodes to produce discharge within minute cells around the electrodes to emit light from each cell, thereby displaying information. In particular, systematically arranged cells are selectively subjected to discharge luminescence in order to display information.
Such PDPs are classified into two types, a direct current type (DC type) PDP, wherein electrodes are exposed to a discharge space, and an alternating current type (AC type) wherein electrodes are covered with an insulating layer. Each of these types is further classified into a refresh drive system and a memory drive system according to display functions and drive systems.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are a diagram showing a general construction of AC type PDP.
This AC type PDP is a plane discharge type PDP having a three electrode structure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the AC type PDP, and FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of the AC type PDP in a plane parallel to a barrier. In these drawings, a glass substrate 12 as a front plate is shown separately from a glass substrate 11 as a back plate. As shown in the drawings, the glass substrates 12 and 11 are provided parallel and opposite to each other, and a barrier 8 stands on and is fixed to the front surface side of the glass substrate 11. This barrier 8 serves to hold the glass substrate 11 and the glass substrate 12 while leaving a given space between these substrates. Display electrodes X comprised of an electrode 14 of a transparent conductive layer and a bus electrode 15, which overlaps with the electrode 14, are provided in parallel to each other on the back surface side of the glass substrate 12, and a dielectric layer 16, covering the display electrodes X, and an MgO layer 17 are further provided.
On the other hand, on the front surface side of the glass substrate 11 are provided address electrodes Y orthogonal to the display electrodes X and a dielectric layer covering the address electrodes. Further, barriers 8 in a stripe form are provided parallel to each other or one another on the address electrodes Y, and a phosphor layer 19 having a predetermined luminescent color is provided so as to cover the wall surface of the barrier 8 and the bottom of the cell.
Each barrier is disposed between adjacent two electrodes Y so as to divide the discharge space in the line direction for each luminescent region.
In this AC type PDP, a predetermined voltage is applied, from an alternating current source, across the composite electrodes on the glass substrate 12 as the front plate to create an electric field, producing discharge within each cell as a display element defined by the glass substrate 12, the glass substrate 11 as the back plate, and the barrier 8. Ultraviolet light produced by the discharge permits the phosphor layer 19 to emit light, and light transmitted through the glass substrate 12 is viewed by an observer.
A conventional method for the formation of a barrier for PDP comprises conducting, once or a plurality of time, the step of printing a barrier-forming material on a substrate so as to correspond to the shape of a barrier pattern and drying the print to obtain a desired height.
Another conventional method for the formation of a barrier for PDP comprises the steps of: coating a barrier-forming material on the whole surface of a substrate; patterning a resist, possessing sandblasting resistance, in a predetermined form on the coating; performing sandblasting to remove areas not protected by the resist; and then separating and removing the resist (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 58438/1992).
Pattern formation by screen printing raises the following various problems. Firstly, stretching of a screen used in the printing is unavoidable, and, hence, misregistration between the screen and the electrode is likely to occur. Secondly, since a screen is used in the plate, distortion of the pattern is likely to occur, making it difficult to form a fine pattern. Thirdly, the barrier-forming material is travelled toward the backside of the screen plate, requiring wiping each time and the like. This makes it difficult to automate the pattern formation. Fourthly, the dimension of the finest pattern which can be formed by the screen printing is about 100 .mu.m in width, and the shape of the pattern is such that the ratio of the half-value width to the bottom width (half-value width/bottom width) is about 0.5. Therefore, a large bottom area is necessary for forming a pattern having a large height, posing a problem that no definite pattern can be formed.
The term "half-value width" used herein refers to the width of a stripe pattern or the like in the position of the half of the height of the stripe pattern (barrier) or the like.
In order to avoid the above problem, a method not relying on the screen printing is considered wherein a low-melting glass paste as a barrier-forming material is coated all over the surface of a glass substrate so as to uniformly cover the glass substrate to form a layer which is then partially cut out with the aid of sandblast. This method is called "sandblasting."
In this case, uniform coating of the glass paste followed by firing at such a temperature that the glass frit is completely fused, renders the cutting remarkably difficult. On the other hand, when firing is performed at such a temperature that the resin component is burned off and the fusing of the glass does not occur, the cutting rate is so high that control of the cutting is difficult. In this case, therefore, cutting of the coating in a paste state before firing is advantageous. In the case of cutting of a glass paste before firing, selection of the content and kind of the binder so as to provide a high cutting rate results in deteriorated adhesion between the cutting mask of a photosensitive resist material and the glass paste layer and, hence, creates separation of the cutting mask, making it impossible to form a barrier having a contemplated shape. On the other hand, selection of the content and kind of the binder so as to provide high adhesion results in separation of the glass paste material together with the cutting mask at the time of separation and removal of the cutting mask after the cutting due to good adhesion between the cutting mask and the glass paste layer, posing a problem that the shape of the top of the barrier is broken.
In the above method using a cutting mask, a dry film, for example, is used as the resist. In this case, a process involving the step of application of a dry film, the step of exposure, the step of development, the step of blasting, and the step of separation of the dry film is necessary. This process is long and troublesome.
The present invention has been made with a view to solving the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a plasma display panel which enables a high-definition, large plasma display panel having a pattern possessing a uniform shape to be produced in a simple and efficient manner.
Further, in the present invention, the use of different colors for respective layers constituting the barrier results in enhanced brightness and improved contrast of the display.

Process for producing plasma display panel


The present invention relates to L-aspartyl-D-.alpha.-aminoalkanoyl-(S)-N-.alpha.-alkylbenzyl amides that are useful as artificial sweetener compounds. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions containing L-aspartyl-D-.alpha.-aminobutyric acid-(S)-.alpha.-ethylbenzyl amide and L-aspartyl-D-valine-(S)-.alpha.-ethylbenzyl amide as artificial sweetener compounds having very high sweetness potency.

L-aspartyl-D-alanine-N-alkyl amides, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,925, are known to be useful as artificial sweeteners: ##STR1## In the series of compounds described by the above structure, the most potent material reported was the L-aspartyl-D-alanine amide of (+/-) t-butyl-cyclopropyl methylamine (R.sub.1 =R.sub.2 =R.sub.3 =CH.sub.3, n=0; wherein the sweetness potency (SP) was reported to be 1200 times sucrose.) It was furthermore emphasized that the nature of R in the above structure was important for sweetness potency, with R=CH.sub.3 (D-alanine) being especially preferred. In the typical case of the L-aspartyl-D-alanine amides having the structure, ##STR2## the sweetness potency decreases as R is increased, that is, for R=methyl, SP=1200, for R=ethyl, SP=500, and for R=isopropyl, SP=110.
Zeng et al., J. Agric. Food Chem. 39, 782-85 (1991), disclose L-aspartyl-D-alanine-N-phenyl amides wherein the benzene ring may have methyl-substituents: ##STR3## These compounds may be described as aniline amides of L-aspartyl-D-alanine. The individual members of this family of aniline amides were disclosed to have a sweetness potency that was at most 75 times that of sucrose except for the highly substituted 2,6-dimethylaniline amide which was disclosed to have a sweetness potency 500 times the sweetness of sucrose. In addition to the relatively low sweetness potency of most of the individual members of this aniline-based series of compounds, these compounds have a potential for toxicity that is known for aniline derivatives.
In addition, Ariyoshi, Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan, 57, 3197 (1984), discloses a series of L-aspartyl-D-alanyl-.alpha.-amino acid esters and L-aspartyl-D-valinyl-.alpha.-amino acid esters that are tasteless, bitter or of sweetness potency less than 50 times sucrose.

L-aspartyl-D-.alpha.-aminoalkanoyl-(S)-N-alpha-alkylbenzyl amides useful as artificial sweeteners


A road vehicle actuated energy device for use in a path of a vehicle includes an actuator for transverse disposal in a cavity of a road across the path of the vehicle, wherein the actuator includes a bent member having a first end and a second end and when so disposed in the road the first end moves between a first position above the road and a second position below the first position, a rotatable drive shaft, a one-way clutch ring operably connected to the second end of the bent member wherein the one-way clutch ring has an inner opening configured to receive the drive shaft therethrough and engage the drive shaft in a manner to cause one-way rotation thereof when the first end is moved from the first position to the second position and freely releases the drive shaft when moving from the second position to the first position and an energy generator operably connected to the drive shaft in a manner to generate energy upon rotation of the drive shaft.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to capturing otherwise wasted energy to perform usable work and energy conservation. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved system for generating power from the movement of vehicles over a roadway.
2. Related Art
There exist numerous prior devices which have attempted to harness the potential energy contained in moving vehicles. Typically, these devices convert the potential energy into kinetic energy for providing useful work by means of pneumatic and/or mechanical means which can be used to run a generator. To date, such systems have failed to be adopted into current roadways. It is contemplated that such systems lack necessary durability, efficiency or both and hence have met resistance in adopting the same.
Nevertheless, there remains an ever increasing need to conserve energy, particularly in countries where automobiles are the primary mode of transportation. Wherever there is a consistent moving stream of traffic, such as highways, toll booths, tunnels, bridges, etc., there remains a significant amount of unused energy which can be tapped to offset current energy demands. Accordingly, the present invention improves upon the art in providing an efficient and low maintenance road vehicle actuated energy device.


A compound connector that comprises two types of I/O connectors, one of which I/O connectors may be a smart connector for use with an external electronic system. The compound connector has a first storage space for receiving a first type of I/O electronic package which includes contacts positioned on its edge. The compound connector has a second storage space for receiving a second type of I/O electronic package which includes contacts positioned on one of its major surfaces.

The memory card connector has become indispensable equipment for a portable, or even a desktop computer due to the large amount of various I/O packages that the memory connector is able to work with, such as those as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,920, 5,499,925, 5,492,481, 5,368,493, 5,795,190, 5,791,920, 5,871,365, and 6,036,513.
The memory card connector is advantageous in its detachable feature with a memory card, and provides various I/O packages or hardware connections to the portable or desktop computers. However, it has not been able to work with I/O packages that are equipped with contacts on one of two major surfaces of the packages, such as a smart card or a memory stick.
Recent developments in the computer industry signal a large movement towards worldwide web applications and the use of electronic money. They have made smart card applications essential in computer applications that involve electronic money transactions. The information stored in the IC chips of smart cards can further serve as identification means for identifying the persons using the smart card and for identifying the persons over the worldwide web.
Though smart cards have been widely use in the commercial transactions that involve "real money," difficulties still exist in using smart cards in computer applications due the lack of compatible hardware.
Further, though various ejecting mechanisms have been developed in the past, for use with the memory cards, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,813, 5,536,180, 5,368,498, 6,030,238, and 5,778,521, they are not appropriate for working with I/O packages that are relatively thin.

Compound connector for two different types of electronic packages


A method of fabricating a MEMS switch having a free moving inductive element within in micro-cavity guided by at least one inductive coil. The switch consists of an upper inductive coil at one end of a micro-cavity; optionally, a lower inductive coil; and a free-moving inductive element preferably made of magnetic material. The coils are provided with an inner permalloy core. Switching is achieved by passing a current through the upper coil, inducing a magnetic field unto the inductive element. The magnetic field attracts the free-moving inductive element upwards, shorting two open conductive wires, closing the switch. When the current flow stops or is reversed, the free-moving magnetic element drops back by gravity to the bottom of the micro-cavity and the conductive wires open. When the chip is not mounted with the correct orientation, the lower coil pulls the free-moving inductive element back at its original position.

The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) device having a switching mechanism that is based on induced a magnetic force and a method of fabricating such a device.
MEM switches are superior to conventional transistor devices in view of their low insertion loss and excellent on/off electrical characteristics. Switches of this kind are finding their way into an increasing number of applications, particularly in the high frequency arena.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,223 to Pond described a MEM switch that reduces the power loss in energy conversion equipment, wherein MEM devices switch AC to AC converters, AC to DC converters, DC to AC converters, matrix converters, motor controllers, resonant motor controllers and other similar devices.
Known in the art are MEM switches that are designed using a variety of configurations which are well adapted to perform optimally in many different applications.
For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,667,245 to Chow et al. describes a cantilever type MEM switch illustrated in FIG. 18, consisting of: 1) upper plate 71; (2) lower plate 74; (3) lower contact 19; (4) upper contact 29; (5) interconnect plug 27 and (6) cantilever 72. When current flows between upper plate 71 and lower plate 74, an electrostatic force is established, attracting upper plate 71 and bending cantilever 72 downwards toward 14, making contact between two contact points 19 and 29.
Another configuration uses a torsion beam, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,779 B2 to Volant et al., of common assignee. The perpendicular torsion micro-electro-mechanical switch, illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, respectively show a side view and a top-down view thereof. It depicts a switch consisting of five key elements; 1) movable contact 20; (2) stationary contact 30; (3) stationary first control electrode 40; (4) flexible second control electrodes 50 and 50A; and (5) torsion beam 60. Electrodes 40 and 50 are attracted to each other when a DC voltage is applied therebetween, causing torsion beam 60 to bend. Since the movable contact 20 is attached to torsion beam 60, it will, likewise, move downward, making contact to the stationary contact 30.
In yet another configuration, a micro-electromechanical inductive coupling force switch is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,542 B2, of common assignee, and illustratively shown in FIG. 20. The MEM device consists of at least five elements: 1) movable coil assembly 10; (2) moveable inductor coils 20 and 30 rotating around pivot pin 75; (3) stationary coils 40 and 50; (4) comb drives 8 and 9; and (5) conductors coupled to the moveable inductor coils 20 and 30. The coupling force of the coils (20 and 40, 30 and 50 can either be negligible or very strong depending on the position of the assembly which is adjusted by comb drives 8 and 9). In its fully coupled condition, current flowing into coil 40 induces a current into inductor coil 20. Since inductor coils 20 and 30 are interconnected, the same current will flow to 30, which in turn induces a current in stationary coil 50.
A further configuration, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,452,124 B1 to York et al., shows a capacitive membrane MEM device illustrated in FIG. 21. Therein, a MEM switch is shown consisting of four basic elements: 1) upper metal electrode 102; (2) lower metal electrode 104; (3) insulator membrane 108; and (4) metal cap 110. When a DC voltage potential is applied between 102 and 104, electrode 102 bends downward and makes contact with metal cap 110, closing the switch.
Magnetic coupling providing an angular displacement for actuating micro-mirrors is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,431 B2 to Pan et al. This assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 22A and 22B, respectively showing a perspective view and a side view thereof. It consists of three basic elements: 1) reflection mirror 44; (2) orientation mirror 43; and (3) permalloy material 441 and 431. When current passes through actuator 46, the two permalloy elements induce a magnetic field, creating a repulsing force and bending the mirrors away from the substrate. Both the reflection mirror 44 and the orientation mirror 43 are supported by way of 42a onto a glass or silicon substrate 41.
Other related patents include:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,478 to Yi et al. which describes a micro-electro-mechanical system that uses magnetic actuation by way of at least two hinged flaps, each having a different amount of permalloy or other magnetic material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,898 to Judy et al. describes a magnetic micro-actuator having a cantilever element supported by at least one mechanical attachment that makes it possible to change the orientation of the element and of at least one layer of magnetically active material placed on one or more regions of the cantilever.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,653B2 to Wu et al. describes a micro-switch assembly involving a plurality of latching mechanisms.
Still missing and needed in the industry is a low cost, highly reliable MEM switch that is compatible with CMOS fabrication techniques but which dispenses with the need for large open cavities which are difficult to cover, and even harder to properly planarize. There is a further need in the industry that this MEM switch be hinge free, i.e., devoid of mechanical moving parts in order to achieve durable and reliable switching.

Method of forming a micro-electromechanical (MEMS) switch

International Business Machines Corporation


A single crystal pulling apparatus of the Czochralski method type wherein the cylindrical heater is supported not only by the two existing electrodes which are vertically shiftable but also by one or more vertical shafts, which may be electrodes or electrically insulated dummy electrodes; the vertical shafts are capable of shifting vertically in synchronism with the existing two electrodes, and are arranged in a manner such that the existing two electrodes and the vertical shafts are at regular intervals along the bottom circumference of the cylindrical heater.

The present invention relates to a single crystal pulling apparatus for growing and pulling up a single crystal based on the Czochralski method, and more particularly the invention relates to an improved single crystal pulling apparatus of the kind wherein the heater is adapted to shift vertically.
A single crystal pulling apparatus which adopts the CZ (Czochralski) method consists mainly of a main chamber wherein the single crystal is grown and a pull chamber. In the main chamber are provided such elements as a crucible for containing the polycrystal substance (a raw material such as silicon) to be single-crystallized, a cylindrical heater surrounding the crucible, and a cylindrical thermal insulator (heat shield) surrounding the heater. Beneath the main chamber are provided mechanisms for rotating the crucible about a vertical crucible shaft, on which the crucible is fixedly mounted, to control the uniformity of the heat flux in the molten polycrystal substance during the crystal growing operation. Installed above the main chamber is a towering structure of the pull chamber which is an upright, substantially cylindrical enclosure. An isolation valve is provided between the main chamber and the pull chamber. The single crystal ingot which is grown and raised high in the main chamber is brought up into the pull chamber.
The polycrystal substance charged in the crucible is melted down by the heater to turn into a polycrystal molten liquid, and in this liquid is dipped a seed crystal fixed at the lower end of a pull means such as a wire, and the desired single crystal grows from the seed crystal as the pull means is rotated and drawn up at predetermined rates together with the seed crystal.
In such a conventional single crystal pulling apparatus, if the crucible were held and kept at the original altitude, the surface level of the molten liquid in the crucible would gradually shift downwards relative to the heater as well as the crucible wall with the growth of the single crystal, which results in an undesirable change in the heating condition to which the solid/liquid interface between the grown crystal and the molten liquid is subjected.
Therefore, with the view to maintaining the altitude of the surface level of the molten crystal the crucible shaft is adapted to vertically shift and thereby displace the crucible such that the downward displacement of the melt level (solid-liquid interface) is always compensated for by the measured rise of the crucible; in particular, the crucible is raised at a predetermined rate by means of a drive means.
However, in the conventional single crystal pulling apparatus, the heater is stationary so that when the liquid level shifts downwards relative to the crucible wall and the crucible is lifted, the positional relationship between the heater, the crucible wall and the solid-liquid interface changes, whereby the thermal effects of the heater on the solid-liquid interface changes and this typically results in lowering of the oxygen concentration in the growing single crystal. Thus, in a single crystal ingot grown in a conventional single crystal pulling apparatus, the oxygen concentration distribution in the ingot tends to be such that the closer to the bottom of the ingot the lower the oxygen concentration.
In order to solve this problem, an improved single crystal pulling apparatus was proposed wherein the heater is adapted to shift vertically and this vertical shifting of the heater is controlled to correspond the rise of the crucible.


A rotatable electrical connector provides a tangle free electrical connection between a cable modular male plug and a modular female jack of a device. The connector includes a male subassembly with a modular plug secured to a printed circuit board. A female subassembly includes a modular jack secured to another printed circuit board. At least one multi-pin block is secured to one of the printed circuit boards. The multi-pin block has a plurality of resilient electrically conducting elements which contact traces on each of the printed circuit boards. An axle rotatably connects the male and female subassemblies which may be enclosed in a housing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rotatable electrical connector. In particular, the invention relates to a rotatable electrical connector which provides an electrical connection between a cable having a modular male plug and a device having a modular female jack so as to avoid tangling of the cable. The invention further relates to rotatable electrical connectors for providing an electrical connection between a plurality of modular male plugs or a plurality of female jacks.
2. The Prior Art
Rotatable electrical connector devices are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,082,448 and 4,932,882 to Kang; U.S. Pat. No. 1,098,501 to Holdaway et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 1,174,379 to Bacon; U.S. Pat. No. 2,288,259 to Gladulich; U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,010 to Parnello; U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,796 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,337 to Engelmore; U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,798 to Blazowich; U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,591 to Gallo et al.; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,673,228 and 4,764,121 to Ditzig relate to rotatable connectors for use with telephone handsets and the like.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,381 to Smal relates to a twist prevention device for the electrical connection of appliances such as curling tongs, electric shavers and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 2,134,355 to Caldwell and U.S. Pat. No. 2,898,572 to Shinn relate to swivelling electrical connectors for connection to a wall outlet or socket. U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,632 to Galles relates to a rotatable support table having slip ring conductors for providing power to a business machine supported on the table as it is rotated. U.S. Pat. No. 2,721,822 to Pritkin relates to a method for producing printed circuits with crossover connections.


A dialysis machine which monitors the pressure of blood entering and leaving a patient's body using several sensors (37, 39) and adapts the pressure of a dialysate solution feed to compensate for compliances in the dialysate fluid flow path. As a consequence, better flow balance is maintained throughout dialysis treatment leading to a more uniform removal of waste materials from the blood.

Dialysis is a treatment which replaces the renal function of removing excess fluid and waste products, such as potassium and urea, from blood. The treatment is either employed when renal function has deteriorated to an extent that uremic syndrome becomes a threat to the body's physiology (acute renal failure) or, when a longstanding renal condition impairs the performance of the kidneys (chronic renal failure).
There are two major types of dialysis, namely haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
In peritoneal dialysis treatment, a dialysate solution is run through a tube into the peritoneal cavity. The fluid is left in the cavity for a period of time in order to absorb the waste products, and is subsequently removed through the tube for disposal.
It is common for patients in the early stages of treatment for a longstanding renal condition to be treated by peritoneal dialysis before progressing to haemodialysis at a later stage.
In haemodialysis, the patient's blood is removed from the body by an arterial line, is treated by the dialysis machine, and is then returned to the body by a venous line. The machine passes the blood through a dialyser containing tubes formed from a semi permeable membrane. On the exterior of the semi permeable membrane is a dialysate solution with the blood passing down the interior. The semi permeable membrane filters the waste products and excess fluid from the blood into the dialysate solution. The membrane allows the waste and a controlled volume of fluid to permeate into the dialysate whilst preventing the loss of larger more desirable molecules, like blood cells and certain proteins and polypeptides.
The action of dialysis across the membrane is achieved primarily by a combination of diffusion (the migration of molecules by random motion from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration), and convection (solute movement that results from bulk movement of solvent, usually in response to differences in hydrostatic pressure).
Fluid removal (otherwise known as ultrafiltration) is achieved by reducing the hydrostatic pressure of the dialysate side of the membrane, or increasing the hydrostatic pressure on the blood side, thereby causing free water to move across the membrane along the pressure gradient.
However in order to achieve accurate flow balance (the matching of dialysate flow into and out of the dialyser) it is imperative to ensure that the machine can operate in a state in which the volume of dialysate pumped into the dialyser is the same as the volume pumped out. If this balance is not maintained then fluid from the dialysate may enter the blood or fluid from the blood may be drawn into the dialysate. If the balance of flow into and out of the dialyser is not accurately controlled unacceptable levels of mass transfer to or from the patient may occur.
However, no two pumps are likely to pump exactly the same volume and consequently the use of a designated upstream pump and a volumetrically matched downstream pump can introduce error into the flow balance system due to the manufacturing tolerances of the two pumps. Again, these tolerances may potentially lead to unacceptable levels of mass transfer to or from the patient.
It is known to swap the upstream and downstream pumps over a number of pump cycles in order to balance out any tolerance error in the manufactured volume of the pumps. This is effective at balancing the pumped volume, but does not address any imbalance caused by the valves that control fluid flow between the pumps, the dialyser and the patient. Any system implementing a switching of the pumps upstream and downstream of the dialyser requires the use of two inlet valves and two outlet valves per pump in order that the pumps may be swapped. These valves cannot be readily switched in a similar manner to the pumps, and since no two valves are the same, volumetric inaccuracy is inevitably introduced into the system by virtue of the manufacturing tolerances in the valve and connection between the valve and the pump.
Furthermore in a system using a mechanically or pneumatically operated flexible film to operate the pumps and valves the variation in membrane position upon actuation leads to inaccuracies in the volume of fluid displaced during the actuation of the valve.
A solution to this problem is to use check valves which do not displace any liquid during operation.
However, whilst this is practical in a conventional, fixed installation machine, it is not possible to implement such valves in a disposable system where the walls and valves of the fluid pathway are not fully constrained to give a constant fixed volume.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a haemodialysis device which at least mitigates some of the problems described above.


A door system used in a doorway of a pressurizable compartment of a high temperature structure, having a screw for compressing the door and a thrust collar providing clearance between the thrust collar and a bearing member during decompression of the door such that in the event the pressurizable compartment is pressurized, the pressure is relieved through the doorway while the door remains in contact with the doorway. The screw includes a shoulder, and the thrust collar is carried on the screw between the shoulder and the bearing member. The collar is configured to bear against the bearing member and the shoulder upon compression of the door. A debris guard covers and protects the screw during advancement and retraction of the screw, and a door frame is provided having weld slots for facilitating welding of the door frame to the high temperature structure.

This invention relates generally to a door system, and in particular, to a door system suitable for use for high temperature applications such as boilers, flues, bag houses, precipitators, scrubbers, and the like.
To gain access to compartments inside of boilers or other high temperature-type structures for inspection, repair, maintenance, such structures usually includes one or more access openings with doors. One such door is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,043, issued to Jon Emsbo, entitled "High Temperature Application Door Installation." This door is configured for a gas-tight sealing engagement with an access opening in a high temperature environment, and includes an outer door panel, and an inner door assembly with an inner door plate having one or more transversely extending yokes mounted thereon.
Each yoke is pivotally attached at one end from one side of the door frame by hinges, and cooperates with a latch pin locking arrangement at the opposite end, which is used to maintain the door in a closed position. A handle is provided which, upon being turned, forces the inner door plate and yoke apart, and this reaction between the yoke and its associated mounting hinges and latch pin causes the inner door plate, which includes a peripherally-mounted sealing gasket, to be pressed firmly into engagement with the door frame, thereby sealing the door opening.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,574,973 and 4,685,586, both issued to Lewis, et al., also disclose doors for high temperature applications.


The fixing device includes a rotary member for contacting the unfixed toner image, a pressure member for forming the nip portion by contacting the rotary member, and a cover for covering the rotary member with a space between the rotary member and the cover. In a cross section of the fixing device, the cross section being orthogonal to a generatrix direction of the rotary member, the shortest distance (H) between the nip portion and a farthest surface portion of the rotary member farthest away from a surface portion forming the nip portion of the rotary member, the maximum width (W) of the rotary member in the conveyance direction of the recording member, and an area (S) of the space in a range of the maximum width W in the cross section satisfy with a relationship of S/W≧0.7×H.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing device provided in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a fixing device provided in a copying machine or a laser beam printer includes a heating rotary member and performs thermal fixing processing of a toner image with heat from the heating rotary member. There has been known a toner having wax added thereto so as to impart effects such as the adjustment of glossiness of an image and dispersibility of a pigment to the toner and so as to suppress a fixing offset (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H08-184992).
However, when a toner image is subjected to thermal fixing processing, the wax liquefies and partially remains on the heating rotary member, and gasifies by receiving heat continuously. The gasified wax becomes ultra-fine particles (UFPs) with a diameter of 0.1 micrometer or less and may float in the surrounding space through a surrounding air current in some cases.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing device capable of decreasing the release amount of the UFPs generated from the heating rotary member.


An image forming apparatus including: a transfer component including a transfer roller configured to transfer an image; a holding mechanism supported by a cover, configured to hold the transfer component; a lever rotatably between a first position and a second position, configured to pressurize the transfer component to press the transfer roller against an image carrier when the lever is at the first position; and an engagement portion supported by the cover, configured to engage with the lever to move the lever to the first position while the cover is closed, to engage with the lever to move the lever to the second position while the cover is opened, and to disengage from the lever to be separated from a space through which the lever is capable of passing when the lever is positioned at a third position between the first position and the second position.

An image forming apparatus that transfers an image formed on an intermediate transfer medium to a sheet using a transfer unit is known. In the image forming apparatus, an intermediate transfer medium is provided in an apparatus main body, and the transfer unit is provided in a cover unit that is openable and closable and provided in the apparatus main body. A pressurization mechanism that pressurizes the transfer unit against the intermediate transfer medium when the cover unit is closed is provided in the apparatus main body. The pressurization mechanism includes: a lever unit that is rotatable and supported in the apparatus main body; and a pressurization unit that is supported in a lever. An engagement portion that engages with the lever unit to rotate the lever is provided in the cover unit. When the cover unit is closed, the pressurization unit held in the lever is rotated and pressed against the pressurization unit, and the pressurization unit pressurizes the transfer unit against the intermediate transfer medium. When the cover unit is opened, the lever rotated by the engagement portion may collide against another portion of the engagement portion due to excessive force such that collision noise is generated.


Method and system for engineering with sequence libraries are provided. A first set of engineering data is defined for a first engineering project to generate a first sequence library for the first engineering project, independently of one or more lower level engineering projects for configuring one or more field control systems. The sequence library assignment process is to assign the first sequence library to the one or more lower level engineering projects simultaneously to generate one or more first assigned sequence libraries for the one or more lower level engineering projects for configuring the one or more field control systems. The parallel configuration process is to perform a parallel configuration process which configures the first sequence library for the first engineering project, while assigning the first sequence library to another one or more lower level engineering projects.

[Overall of Module-Based Engineering]
In an industrial plant, a module-based engineering is useful for automation design. In general, servers of automation engineering systems centrally manage database of engineering data, which makes design information available for expanding, modifying, or maintaining the plant control system, and saves unnecessary manpower for fixing inconsistency between the design information and actual information stored in the plant control system. The module-based engineering refers to an engineering method to design control applications and alarms by transforming control logic and design information into modules and then combining the modules in the server of the automation engineering system. The modules, which may generally consist of independent software components such as customer information and know-hows gathered from the past design pattern experiences, may also include control logics, alarm attributes, and design information.
In related art, users can define sequence libraries for respective field control stations in system view of an automation engineering system. Users define a sequence library for each field control station separately. In the related art, the process for defining the sequence libraries in the system view of the automation engineering system is not part of a series of module-based engineering processes in automation design by an automation engineering system. In the related art, the automation engineering system is not configured to perform the engineering of sequence libraries or to define sequence libraries. The sequence libraries have three different types, SEBOL, Sequential Function Chart (SFC) and Unit Procedure.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the automation engineering system with sequence libraries defined by a system view of the automation engineering system in related art. In FIG. 1, the automation engineering system in related art is configured to allow users to define a sequence library for each field control station separately and store a respective sequence library for each field control station separately. Users must define a lot of sequence libraries for a lot of field control stations separately. The automation engineering system in related art is not configured to allow centralized definition and management of sequence libraries. In some cases, it is necessary to reuse sequence libraries among field control stations. In order to reuse the sequence libraries among the field control systems, there needs to perform manual, non-automation, duplication process or import/export process to sequence library builders from one field control system to another field control system. Under the system view, engineering of the sequence libraries is performed either by importing sequence library files from a database, which stores reusable sequence library files, into any field control system or by creating and modifying sequence libraries using a respective builder such as, a SEBOL builder, a Sequential Function Chart (SFC) builder or a Unit Procedure builder under each field control station which belongs to an engineering project which has a varied number of field control systems in accordance with the project complexity and different engineering requirements of engineering projects. This limits the usability and reusability of module engineering data of the automation design system.
Further, the automation engineering system in related art is not configured to perform any central management for sequence libraries. Thus, the automation engineering system in related art needs to separately update sequence libraries in a plurality of field control stations and manage those sequence libraries through manual operation, i.e. editing of sequence libraries in the corresponding editor for each field control system one by one. By way of an example, for one sequence library created, which has been assigned to multiple field control systems, when performing update process, it is still required for users to modify and update an assigned sequence library under each field control system, which is tedious and error-prone. Since sequence libraries are excluded in the module engineering of the automation design system, user must do engineering in both the engineering tool of the automation engineering system and System View in order to complete the engineering of each field control system which requires the sequence libraries. Similarly, additional steps and complexity are incurred when exporting and importing engineering data of field control stations because those engineering data for both the engineering tool of the automation engineering system and system view, field control stations must be restored together due to the needs of manual import and export of sequence libraries, in order to re-use the exported engineering data of the sequence libraries of field control stations. This further limits the usability and reusability of module engineering data of the automation design system.

System and method for module engineering with sequence libraries


A transmitter (604) of a TDMA cellular telephone (600) includes power control circuitry (100) comprised of variable gain stage (104), mixer (106), bandpass filter (109), RF amplifier (110), and directional coupler (112) in a forward path, and two detectors (116 and 117), four A/D converters (118, 119, 121 and 123), digital controller (120), and D/A converter (126) in a feedback path. In operation, the variable gain stage (104) is responsive to a gain control signal AOCCNT (128) for adjusting a modulated IF signal, which is then mixed in mixer (106) with an RF reference signal to produce the transmit RF signal. The temperature and supply voltage are sampled by controller (120) at the beginning of each time slot. Adjustments in the gain control signal (128) dictated by the sampled temperature and supply voltage are made by controller (120) in each time slot prior to keying the RF amplifier (110). The transmit RF signal is amplified by the RF amplifier (110) to produce the transmit output signal which is coupled by the directional coupler (112) and transmit filter (618) to an antenna (620) for transmission. The forward power and reverse power of the transmit output signal are sampled by controller (120) at the end of each time slot. The sampled forward power is used by controller (120) in calculating the value of the gain control signal for the next time slot. If the sampled reverse power or supply voltage exceed respective maximum values, the RF amplifier (110) is dekeyed by controller (120).

The present invention is generally related to radiotelephones, and more particularly to a power control circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) transmitter operating in a continuous mode or a time-division multiple-access (TDMA) mode, that may be advantageously used in dual-mode digital/analog cellular telephones.
Analog cellular telephones currently are continuously transmitting during a telephone call. RF transmitters of such analog cellular telephones are frequency modulated with voice signals and continuously operated at one of eight different power levels depending the quality of the RF signal received therefrom by the cellular system base station. The output power of such RF transmitters are maintained at the desired power level by conventional automatic output power control circuitry, such as, for example, the circuitry shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,155.
However, such conventional output power control circuitry is inadequate for TDMA cellular systems where it is necessary to rapidly pulse the RF transmitter on for 6.67 milliseconds and off 13.33 milliseconds every 20 milliseconds. Furthermore, it is also necessary that the RF transmitter output follow the envelope of the modulation, which has frequency components in excess of 12.15 KHz. These problems may be solved in part by output power control circuitry employing variable attenuators which attenuate the RF input to the transmitter power amplifier. An example of such output power control circuitry employing a variable attenuator is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,440. However, when such output power control circuitry is operated with a linear power amplifier at cellular transmitter frequencies ranging from 824 MHz to 849 MHz, output power can not be accurately maintained initially and dynamically due to resulting performance degradations, such as power amplifier saturation caused by temperature or supply voltage variations, inaccurate initial power levels caused by temperature, and incorrect power levels caused by antenna loading variations. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for improved power control circuitry for precisely maintaining initially and dynamically the RF output signal from a TDMA RF signal transmitter at one of a plurality of power levels selected by the level control signals over temperature variations, supply voltage variations, and antenna loading variations.

Power control circuitry for a TDMA radio frequency transmitter


An insensitive combined cycle missile propulsion system includes a solid fuel contained within a first section of the missile, a liquid oxidizer contained within a second section of the missile and a solid oxidizer contained within a third section of said missile. A first conduit has a first valve communicating the fuel and the oxidizer and a second conduit, spatially removed from the first conduit, has a second valve communicating the fuel and the oxidizer. An inlet system for delivering atmospheric oxygen for combustion with the fuel rich gases generated within the missile and a nozzle exhausts combustion products that result from combustion of the fuel, the liquid and solid oxidizers, and air.

1. Field
This invention relates to a propulsion system for a missile. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for separating and controlling oxidizer and fuel in an insensitive missile propulsion system, thereby enabling efficient operation in each one of the multiple modes of operation utilized by the missile during a flight.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional rocket propulsion systems to propel missiles have performance limitations imposed by a number of factors including a requirement to transport a required amount of oxidizer. For a given take-off mass this results in shorter range powered flights or reduced payloads relative to systems like ramjets and scramjets which obtain the oxidizer from atmospheric air. Ramjet and scramjet engines have their own limitations; including inadequate thrust at low speeds thereby requiring a rocket or turbine booster of significant mass to accelerate the missile to ramjet takeover speed. Further, since the oxidizer for the ramjet comes from the atmosphere, the ramjet fuel flow must be controlled during flight to maintain the proper fuel to oxidizer ratio which may vary greatly over the flight duration.
Variable cycle engines that transition from a rocket propulsion system at launch and relatively low speeds to a ramjet propulsion system at higher speeds are known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,651,523 and 5,224,344, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,523 discloses a dual cycle engine having a solid propellant with an aft end shaped to form a nozzle. As the propellant burns, the missile is propelled by rocket thrust. Burning of the propellant allows forwardly positioned air covers to slide rearward enabling compressed air to be delivered to a combustion chamber initiating ramjet operation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,344 discloses a rocket chamber replacing the ramjet pilot of a Dual Combustion Ramjet (DCR) engine. A mixture of liquid fuel and oxidizer combusted within the rocket engine initially propels the missile by rocket propulsion. As the speed increases, compressed air is delivered to the ramjet combustor through inlet passages and additional fuel is provided to the rocket engine delivering a fuel-rich exhaust to the combustor. Combustion of the fuel-rich exhaust heats and expands the compressed air enabling ramjet operation.
Most missiles today employ solid rocket propellants that contain an intimate mixture of fuel and oxidizer chemicals which when ignited produce a highly energetic stream of gas used effectively for propulsion. Liquid bi-propellant rocket systems separate the fuel and oxidizer until injected into the rocket motor but have a risk of leakage and fire if the tanks are breached by accident or enemy action. Accidental ignition of these propellant(s) can cause severe hazards for the user of the weapon. These hazards include explosion, fire or even uncommanded flight of the missile. The US Defense Department is demanding missile propulsion systems that are insensitive to accidental ignition that may occur during handling or at any time prior to the planned launch of the weapon. Systems that have reduced hazards are referred to as Insensitive Munitions or IM.
Hybrid engines having a solid component and a liquid component are one type of IM. When the fuel is liquid and the oxidizer solid, the engine is referred to as a reverse hybrid engine. One reverse hybrid engine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,826, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The patent discloses an engine having the liquid fuel separated from a solid oxidizer by an electrically actuated mechanical valve.
There remains a need for an effective variable cycle engine capable of utilizing insensitive munitions for propulsion.


The invention relates to a process for removing contaminants from contaminated soil with the aid of a stripping gas. In the process a biologically active layer is present in or on the soil. The process comprises the following steps: a) there is created in the soil a medium whose resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil, b) the stripping gas is injected in the soil at the depth of and/or beneath the contaminant, c) the contaminants are volatized with the stripping gas, whereupon the stripping gas with the contaminants largely flows to the biologically active layer via the medium whose resistance is lower than the surrounding soil.

A process for removing contaminants from soil with the aid of a stripping gas is known from EP 0 429 137 whereby the stripping gas is injected into the soil at the depth of and/or beneath the contaminant so that the contaminant is volatized with the stripping gas and the stripping gas rises along with the contaminant to the surface above the contaminated soil. During the ascent, the stripping gas with the contaminant passes through a biologically active layer present in or on the soil.
A drawback of the known process is that the stripping gas with the contaminant does not always rise to the location where the biologically active layer is present or where a biologically active layer can be applied. EP 0429 137 describes that spreading of the stripping gas with contaminants can be prevented by providing barriers such as a water screen. Another process is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,489 wherein the stripping gas can be directed to some extent by providing a pneumatic screen and that the stripping gas can be prevented from spreading in random directions however this does not present a solution in situations where it is not possible to install a barrier along the full circumference of the contaminated area. Such a situation occurs where for example the soil to be remediated forms part of a larger contaminated area (for example if the contaminated soil extends over plots of land owned by different proprietors and not all plots are to be remediated at the same time), or if an impervious layer extending over a large area is present above the area to be cleaned up.
A further drawback of the known process is that in many cases it is not possible to apply the biologically active layer above the contaminant, for example if an impervious layer extending over a large area is present in or above the contaminated area.
The object of the invention is to provide a process for removing contaminants from soil that does not have, or virtually does not have, the aforementioned drawback.
This object is achieved by the process according to the invention. The process according to the invention is a process for removing contaminants from contaminated soil with the aid of a stripping gas and with a biologically active layer being present in or on the soil, which process comprises the following steps:                (a) creating in the soil a medium whose resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil,        (b) injecting the stripping gas in the soil at the depth of and/or beneath the contaminants,        (c) volatizing the contaminants with the stripping gas,whereupon the stripping gas with the contaminants largely flows to the biologically active layer via the medium whose resistance is lower than that of the surrounding soil.
The contaminant is converted within the biologically active layer, also sometimes referred to as the biological layer, or biolayer. In the context of the present invention, biologically active layer means a layer containing biologically active material. Biologically active material means a material that contains microorganisms whereby a contaminant can be decomposed or converted. The biologically active layer may be applied either continuously or discontinuously. With discontinuously is meant that the biologically active layer is applied discretely, i.e. in the form of discrete parts, together forming the biologically active layer. In one embodiment the biologically active layer is applied discontinuously. An example of a discontinuous layer is one comprising multiple trenches and/or holes, which trenches and/or holes may be the same or different in terms of shape and dimensions. The combination of number, length, width and depth of the trenches will normally be so chosen that an optimum process is established.
In the process according to the invention there is created in the soil a medium whose resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil. In the context of the present invention, the term soil includes an impervious layer, if present. Such impervious layer may be located in the contaminated soil, in the soil but above the contaminated soil or at or on the ground surface.
An advantage of the present process according to the invention is that the stripping gas with contaminants can be directed towards the place where a biological layer is present and/or where there is biological material even if it is not or not exactly located above the contaminated soil.
Another advantage of the process according to the invention is that contaminants at great depths can also be removed in situ. In the known processes whereby contaminants are converted in situ in a biologically active layer the stripping gas will, for remediation at great depth, need to rise to the surface through a thick layer of soil. Since the resistance increases with the thickness of the layer of soil, only little stripping gas will rise to the surface. If little stripping gas flows through the biologically active layer per unit time, the remediation will proceed only slowly. This problem cannot readily be resolved by injecting the stripping gas at a higher pressure because the soil may crack at high pressures and the stripping gas may rise through the cracks as a result of which contact with the biologically active layer and with the contaminant is not or not adequately established for satisfactorily converting the contaminants in the stripping gas.
Yet another advantage of the process according to the invention is that the stripping gas with contaminants does not or virtually does not come into contact with the soil between the contaminated soil and the biologically active layer. Contaminants can thus be prevented from remaining behind in soil layers that at commencement of the remediation process were free from the contaminants to be removed or that contained such contaminants in such concentration as not to require treatment.
Another advantage of the process according to the invention is that a discontinuous biologically active layer with a relatively small overall surface area suffices to clean up the contaminated soil, because the stripping gas with the contaminant is directed towards the biologically active layer as a result of the application of a medium whose resistance is lower than that of the surrounding area. Thus, it is no longer necessary to apply a biologically active layer extending over a wide area. A discontinuous layer is relatively easy to apply. In an embodiment of the process according to the invention one or more pipes are installed, which pipes are gas pervious and contain the biologically active material.
In an embodiment of the process according to the invention the process is characterized in that the medium whose resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil is created between an area to be remediated, i.e. the contaminated soil, or part of the contaminated soil to be treated, and a biologically active layer not directly bordering thereon so as to create a short cut for the stripping gas comprising the volatilized contaminants. The medium will preferably be applied in a straight line between the area to be remediated and the biologically active layer. However, it is also possible to introduce one or more bends in the medium. The biologically active layer will usually be located on or directly at the ground surface whilst the contaminated soil is located directly underneath at greater depth, but this is no longer necessary in the process according to the invention because the stripping gas with the contaminants will flow to the biologically active layer via the medium whose resistance is lower than that of the surrounding soil.
A medium whose resistance is lower than the surrounding soil can be created in various ways. In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention the process is characterized in that the medium of which the resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil is created by targeted drying of certain areas in the soil. Thus, it is possible for example to dry out layer by layer to increasingly great depths the soil located beneath a biologically active layer with the aid of a gas that is injected at the desired depth until the whole soil column located above the contaminated soil has adequately dried and to subsequently clean up the underlying contaminated soil by injecting the stripping gas therein. The soil has adequately dried out when the resistance is so low that all or virtually all the stripping gas with the volatized contaminants rises through the dried soil to the biologically active layer. The drying of the soil is preferably carried out with the same gas as the gas that is used as stripping gas and may also be effected with the aid of injection lances that may also be utilized for injecting the stripping gas.
Air is preferably used as stripping gas. In the process according to the invention, the stripping gas is preferably injected at a pressure of at least 1.3 bar, the stripping gas is more preferably injected at a pressure higher than 2 bar in order for the soil to dry more rapidly. The stripping gas is usually injected at a pressure not higher than 8 bar.
The use of air that is injected at increased pressure decreases the relative air humidity and accelerates the drying process.
In an embodiment of the process according to the invention the process is characterized in that the medium whose resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil is created by installing at least one hollow pipe, which may or may not be completely or partly filled with material that presents a lower resistance to the stripping gas than the surrounding soil such as for example sand, gravel or biologically active material. By installing a pipe between the contaminated soil and the biologically active layer there is created a medium with very low air resistance. The stripping gas will preferably flow through the hollow pipe to the biologically active layer. One or more pipes may be installed depending on the extent and shape of the contaminated area, and the pipes may vary in length and diameter. The parts of the pipe that are located in the contaminated soil or in the biolayer may also be provided with perforations.
In an embodiment the process according to the invention is characterized in that the medium whose resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil is formed by creating a space, for example by drilling at least one hole and optionally filling that hole completely or partly with material that presents a lower resistance to the stripping gas than the surrounding soil such as for example sand, gravel or biologically active material. The upper end of the hole is preferably sealed gastight so that the stripping gas with the contaminants can only rise to the surface via the biologically active layer. However, it is also possible to apply biologically active material in the space so that the space is admittedly not sealed gas-tight but the stripping gas with the contaminants will for the most part flow through the biologically active layer before it reaches the surface.
In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the material that is present in the medium whose resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil also contains biologically active material.
In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention a medium with a low resistance is applied in an impermeable layer at the ground surface in such a way that the gas with the contaminants can flow through the impermeable layer to the biologically active layer. By creating a medium whose resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil under the impermeable layer the stripping gas will have a different flow pattern and hence, will allow remediation of contaminated soil in areas where without the placement of a medium whose resistance is lower than the resistance of the surrounding soil such remediation would not be achieved. Normal practice will be not to create a single medium with reduced resistance in an impervious layer but to reduce the resistance in a number of locations. In an embodiment of the process according to the invention one or more pipes, also known as injection lances, are installed in a gas impermeable layer, which pipes are gas permeable and contain the biologically active material. With such pipes a medium with reduced resistance is created and at the same time a discontinuous, biologically active layer is applied. Pipes wherein the two functions, that of reduction of resistance and biological activity, are combined are henceforth referred to as pre-loaded filters. Besides biologically active material the pipes may also contain activated carbon.

Process for removing contaminants from contaminated soil


An anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody that is specific against the N-glycolyl residues of gangliosides, particularly those expressed by cancer cells. The monoclonal antibody is useful as an immunomodulator for cancer treatment. Specifically, the anti-Id monoclonal antibody of the present invention is capable of inducing a predominant anti-idiotypic response in xenogeneic models. The anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody also exerts a protective effect against malignant tumors in animals.

The present invention relates generally to anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies and their use as immunomodulators. More particularly, the present invention involves a murine monoclonal antibody which was developed against a murine monoclonal antibody reactive with N-glycolyl containing gangliosides and with antigens expressed in cancer cells; and its inhibitory effect on tumor growth.
One of the strategies for the treatment of cancer has been the use of active immunotherapy, a treatment modality that has the objective of activating the natural potential of the immune system of the host against the tumor.
Since Niels Jerne proposed his idiotypic network theory in 1974 (Jerne, N. K. 1974. Ann. Inimunol. 125C, 373-389), new possibilities have emerged in the study of effective therapies against cancer. Jerne""s theory presented, for the first time, the immune system as a network of antibodies which can interact with each other and with a large number of natural epitopes, through their variable regions or idiotypes. (Id,) This complex set of idiotype-anti-idiotype interactions operate to regulate immune responses to antigens. Those antibodies made in response to the original antigen, which are typically referred to as Ab1, themselves become antigens and elicit the production of a second set of antibodies, which are typically referred to as anti-idiotype antibodies or Ab2, which may also be regulated by other antibodies that are typically referred as anti-anti-idiotype or Ab3.
The original theory of Jerne continues to be reviewed. It has been reported that the result of the interaction of Ab2 with lymphocytes bearing Ab1 does not necessarily suppress the immune response, but it may also stimulate the immune response. Moreover, Jerne limited his theory to B lymphocytes and antibodies, but it is now clear that T cells play an important role in the regulation of the immune response through the idiotypes of T cell receptors (Teitelbaum, D. et al, 1984 J. Immunol 132, 1282-1285, Zanetti, M, et al. (1986) J. Immunol. 137, 3140-3196; Powell, J. et al. (1988) 140, 3266-3272; Baskin, J.G. et al. (1990) J. Immunol. 145, 202-208; Furuyama, A. et al. (1992) Anticancer Res. 12, 27-32; Raychaudhuri, S. et al. J. Immunol. 131, 271-278; Raychaudhuri et al. (1987) J. Immunol. 139, 3902-3910, Durrant et al. (1994) Cancer Res. 54, 4837-4840).
An idiotype is immunologically defined by reactivity with more than one anti-idiotype that recognizes an idiotypic determinant or idiotope within a given idiotype. Thus, as a particular Ab1 expresses multiple idiotopes, when this Ab1 was administered to syngeneic animals, a heterogeneous population of idiotypic antibodies is obtained.
Classification of the anti-idiotype antibodies focuses on their binding within the antigen-binding site or to some other region of the idiotype. If the binding of the Ab2 with the Ab1 is inhibited by the relevant antigen and if the Ab2 is also capable of inducing an antibody response of the same specificity as the Ab1, it mimics the natural antigen and is classified as Ab2xcex2; this type of Ab2 is referred to as internal image anti-idiotype and can act as a surrogate antigen. Anti-idiotypes that are not inhibited by antigen are designated Ab2xcex1. Ab2xcex1. react with Ab1 idiotopes which are not structurally related with the antigen-binding site. In 1984 Bona and Kxc3x6hler proposed a third type of anti-idiotype antibodies (Ab2xcex3), which are inhibited by antigen because of steric interference, this type of anti-idiotype reacts with idiotopes structurally associated with the antigen-binding site, but they do not mimic the antigenic epitope recognized by the Ab1 (Bona and Kxc3x6hler (1984) Anti-idiotypic antibodies and internal image, in Monoclonal and anti-idiotypic antibodies: Probes for receptor structure and function, Venter J.C., Frasser, C.M., Lindstrom, J. (Eds.) N.Y., Alan R. Liss, pp 141-149, 1984).
Based on Jerne""s theory, two main approaches have been developed in the development of vaccines to a large number of antigens, including tumor-associated antigens. The first approach is based on the presentation of epitopes in a different molecular environment, using Ab2 xcex2. Vaccines containing this type of anti-idiotype antibodies have been able to induce protective responses against viruses, bacteria, and parasites (Kennedy et al. (1986) 232, 220-223; 1047; McNamara et al. (1985) Science 226, 1325-1326). Ab2xcex2 have also been used to induce immune responses to tumor-associated antigens and positive results have been obtained in animal models and in clinical trials (Raychauhuri et al. (1986) J. Immunol. 137, 1743-1749; Raychauhuri et al. (1987) J. Immunol. 139, 3902-3910; Bhattacharya-Chatterjee et al. (1987) J. Immunol. 139, 1354-1360; Bhattacharya-Chatterjee et al. (1988) J. Immunol. 141, 1398-1403; Herlyn, D. et al. (1989) Intern. Rev. Immunol. 4, 347-357; Chen, Z-J et al. Cell Imm. Immunother. Cancer (1990) 351-359; Herlyn, D. et al. (1991) In Vivo 5, 615-624; Furuya et al. (1992) Anticancer Res. 12, 27-32; Mittelman, A. et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 89, 466-470; Durrant, L. G. et al. (1994) Cancer Res. 54, 4837-4840; Mittelman, A. et al. (1994) Cancer Res. 54, 415-421; Schmitt, H. et al. (1994) Hybridoma 13, 389-396; Chakrobarty, M. et al. (1995) J. Immunother. 18, 95-103; Chakrobarty, M. et al. (1995) Cancer Res. 55, 1525-1530; Foon, K. A. et al. (1995) Clin. Cancer Res. 1, 1205-1294; Herlyn, D, et al. (1995) Hybridoma 14, 159-166; Sclebusch, H. et al. (1995) Hybridoma 14, 167-174; Herlyn, D. et al. (1996) Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 43, 65-76). Nevertheless, it has been demonstrated that the xcex2 character of an Ab2 is not enough to predict the biological effect that could induce the Ab2 (Raychauhuri et al. (1986) J. Immunol. 137, 1743-1749; Raychauhuri et al. (1987) J. Immunol 139, 231-278; Maruyama et al. (1996) Int. J. Cancer 65, 547-553).
The second approach is based on network manipulation through regulatory idiotopes that do not bind to antigens, but involucrate idiotopes shared with other antibodies or T cells. Evidence that these anti-idiotype antibodies are also able to produce immune responses and protective effects has been accumulated (Paul, W. E. and Bona, C. (1982) Immunology Today 3, 230-234; McNamara M. K. et al. (1985) Science 226, 1325-1326; Kohler y cols (1992) Proc. 8th Inter. Cong. Immunol. Budapest, pp. 619).
Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids that contain sialic acid and are expressed in the majority of mammalian cell membranes. Although these antigens are present in normal tissues, they can be found in larger quantities and expressed in a different organization and conformation on the surface of malignant cells (Hakomori, S. (1985), Cancer Res. 45, 2405-2415; Miraldi, F. (1989) Seminars in Nuclear Medicine XIX, 282-294; Hamilton et al. (1993) Int. J. Cancer 53, 1-81).
Although gangliosides are useful targets for immune responses, their immunogenicity is extremely poor, due to their carbohydrate nature and their self-antigen condition (Livingston, P. et al, (1995) Seminars in Cancer Biology 6, 357-366).
The N-glycolyl variant of sialic acid is expressed in normal tissues of most mammals, but it is very difficult to detect it in normal human tissues (Watarai, S. et al. (1995) J. Biochem. 117, 1062-1069. On the other hand, the presence of these antigens has been reported in colon cancer, melanoma, retinoblastoma and breast cancer, among others (Higachi, H. et al. (1984) Jpn. J. Cancer Res. (Gann) 75, 1025-1029; Higachi, H. et al. (1985) Cancer Res. 45, 3796-3802; Hirabayashi, I. et al. (1987) Jpn. J. Cancer Res. (Gann) 78, 1614-1620, Higachi, H. et al. (1980) Jpn. J. Cancer Res. (Gann) 79, 952-956, Miyake, M. et al. (1990) Cancer 65, 499-505; Devine, P. L. et al. (1991) Cancer Res. 51,5826-5306; Vxc3xa1zquez, A. M. et al. (1995) Hybridoma 14,551-556; Marquina, G. et al. (1996) Cancer Res. 56, 5165-5171).
Immunization with vaccines which contain gangliosides has resulted in the prolonged survival of melanoma patients who developed anti-ganglioside antibodies (Livingston, P. et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 2911-2915, Livingston, P. et al. (1989) Cancer Res. 49, 7045-7050; Livingston, P. (1995) Immunological Reviews 145, 147-166). Nevertheless, the problems of the antigens, together with their poor immunogenicity, have made the use of idiotypic antibodies an attractive alternative for active immunotherapy in this antigenic model.
A murine anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody (4C10) was generated against a human IgM monoclonal antibody (L612) that recognizes GM3 on human melanoma. Sera of mice immunized with this anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody coupled with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) reacted strongly with an antigen-positive melanoma cell line and with purified GM3, which suggested that this anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody which carries the internal image of GM3 (Ab2xcex2) may be an effective tool for active specific immunotherapy in patients with melanoma (Yamamoto, S. et al. (1990) J. Natl. Cancer. Inst. 82, 1757-1760; Irie, R. F. U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,146). The VL and VH from this anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody have been cloned, sequenced and expressed as a chimeric mouse/human IgG1 antibody (Hastings, A. et al. (1992) Cancer Res. 52, 1681-1686).
Also, an alpha-type anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody that is useful in immunodiagnostic procedures was generated against the human monoclonal antibody 1612 (Irie, R. F., U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,146).
The monoclonal antibody BEC-2, a murine anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody raised against a mouse monoclonal antibody recognizing the GD3 ganglioside (mAbR24), can mimic GD3 and induce antibodies against this ganglioside despite expression of GD3 on normal rabbit tissue (Chapman, P. B. and Houghton, A. N. (1991) J. Clin. Invest. 88, 186-192), The results of a pilot study showed that BEC-2 plus BCG adjuvant significantly increased the survival of patients with small cell lung cancer (Scrip Magazine (1996) pp. 56-59; 33rd American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting (1997)).
The immunization of rats with a murine monoclonal antibody specific against GD2 (3F8) generated anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies which, when tested as immunogens in mice, could stimulate antibodies that reacted with ganglioside GD3. It was suggested that these anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies might be useful in vaccine construction (Cheung, N-K. V. et al. (1993) Int. J. Cancer 54, 499-505).
Also, a human anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody was generated using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a patient that was treated with the murine monoclonal antibody 14G2 specific against GD2. The immunization of rabbits with this human anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody induced anti-GD2 antibodies and a DTH response to antigen-positive tumor cells. It was suggested that this antibody could potentially be used as a human anti-idiotype vaccine in patients with malignant melanoma (Saleh, M. N. et al. (1993) J. Immunol 151, 3390-3398).
As is apparent from this background, until now, no anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody has been generated against monoclonal antibodies which recognize N-glycolyl containing-gangliosides. Moreover, no non-beta anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies in ganglioside models have been described which have an anti-tumoral effect, rather, all previous works claim antigen-surrogate anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies.
The present invention relates generally to anti-idiotypic or anti-idiotype (anti-Id) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and their use as immunomodulators for cancer treatment. More particularly, the present invention involves a murine anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody which was developed against a murine monoclonal antibody that reacts with N-glycolyl containing gangliosides and with antigens expressed in cancer cells.
In accordance with the present invention, the invention provides a new anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody capable of inducing a predominant anti-idiotypic response in xenogenetic models and to exert a protective effect in mice or other animal species bearing malignant tumors.
More specifically, the invention includes a murine anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody raised against a murine anti-N-glycolyl containing-gangliosides antibody.
Preferably, the murine anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody is one wherein the murine anti-Nlycolyl monoclonal antibody used as an immunogen is a monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma deposited under the accession number ECACC 94113026. This murine anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody preferably induces a predominant anti-idiotypic response in xenogeneic animals and also exerts a protective effect against tumors. This murine anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody is preferably the gamma-type immunoglobulin herein more specifically identified as 1E10, which is deposited under the accession number ECACC 97112901.
The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions which contain a pharmaceutically effective amount of the inventive anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody, together with a carrier selected from the group of carriers consisting of diluents, adjuvants, and transporting molecules. Such a pharmaceutical composition may be useful in the treatment of malignant neoplasias.

Anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies, their use in the active immunotherapy of malignant tumors, and compositions including the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies


To reduce interference to an own receiver of a relay node due to concurrent transmission/reception processing in a Un radio bearer and in a Uu radio bearer when the relay node RN is handed over from a radio base station DeNB#1 to a radio base station DeNB#2. A mobile communication method includes a process A, in the handover procedure, of notifying the radio base station DeNB#2, by the relay node RN, of “Un subframe pattern #1” indicating a pattern of a Un subframe #1 and “RN subframe config req” indicating whether it is necessary to set a Un subframe #2 in a radio bearer #2 between the radio base station DeNB#2 and the relay node RN.

In a mobile communication system of an LTE-Advanced system, which is a succeeding communication system of a long term evolution (LTE) system, a "relay node RN" provided with a similar function to a radio base station DeNB (Donor eNB) can be connected between a mobile station UE and the radio base station DeNB.
Such a mobile communication system of an LTE-Advanced system is configured such that an E-UTRAN radio access bearer (E-RAB) is set between the mobile station UE and a core node (CN), a Uu radio bearer is set between the mobile station UE and the relay node RN, a Un radio bearer is set between the relay node RN and the radio base station DeNB, and an S1 bearer is set between the radio base station DeNB and the code node CN.

Mobile communication method, relay node, and wireless base station


A nuclear reactor includes guide tubes; and vessel head penetrations each comprising a tubular adapter fixed in one of the openings and defining an inner passage. Each vessel head penetration also includes a tubular sleeve engaged in the inner passage and axially extending in line with one of the guide tubes. Each sleeve is suspended by an upper axial sleeve end lying on an upper range on the corresponding adapter. A lower axial end of the sleeve projects axially into the vessel beyond the adapter and is separated from an upper axial end of the corresponding guide tube by an axial gap having an axial height of less than 50 millimeters.

A nuclear reactor may include:                a vessel having a substantially vertical central axis, the vessel including a vessel head having a plurality of openings;        a core, positioned inside the vessel;        guide tubes, positioned inside the vessel;        a plurality of members controlling the reactivity of the core, axially movable inside the guide tubes;        vessel head penetrations, each comprising a tubular adapter fixed in one of the openings and defining an inner passage, each vessel head penetration further comprising a tubular sleeve engaged in the inner passage and axially extending in line with one of the guide tubes;        control rods, secured to control members and each extending through one of the sleeves;        drive mechanisms of the control members, located outside the vessel, each mechanism being configured to drive one of the rods axially.
Each sleeve can be suspended by an upper axial sleeve end, which rests on an upper step arranged on the corresponding adapter.
Because each sleeve is free relative to the corresponding tubular adapter, wear of the tubular sleeve and/or the adapter can occur, due to the relative movement between these two elements.

Nuclear reactor, guide tube support, and corresponding maintenance method


A basic L-amino acid and an acidic L-amino acid may be concurrently produced by either culturing a basic L-amino acid-producing bacteria under conditions for producing an acidic L-amino acid or mix-culturing a basic L-amino acid-producing bacteria and an acidic L-amino acid-producing bacteria.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for concurrent fermentation of a basic amino acid and an acidic amino acid, which comprises culturing a basic L-amino acid-producing bacteria under conditions for producing an acidic L-amino acid or mix-culturing a basic L-amino acid-producing bacteria and acidic L-amino acid-producing bacteria.
2. Discussion of the Background
Simultaneous production of a basic L-amino acid and an acidic L-amino acid by fermentation is unknown heretofore. It has only been known to accumulate any one of a basic L-amino acid and an acidic L-amino acid in a medium. In this case, when two or more amino acids were recognized in a medium, amino acids other than the desired one were present in such a trace amount (several tens of mg/dl) as by-products.
In other words, a method for simultaneously producing a basic L-amino acid and an acidic L-amino acid in a commercially acceptable accumulation amount by fermentation is as yet unknown, though such a method is expected to be advantageous.
Advantages achieved by concurrent production of a basic L-amino acid and an acidic L-amino acid by fermentation involve possible reduction of the amounts of ionic components in a medium, which results in the prevention of an increase of osmosis during incubation thereby improving fermentation productivity (improve the rate of forming amino acids), reduction and saving of medium components, simplified treatment of fermentation broth (operation for isolating amino acids), reduction in the amount of waste liquid after isolating and obtaining amino acids from the fermentation broth, etc. In particular, reduction in the amount of waste liquid is an advantage which cannot be overlooked at this point of time when keen attention is being currently paid to environmental preservation.

Method for concurrent fermentation of basic amino acid and acidic amino acid


In situ treatment of contaminated groundwater includes identifying a site contaminated with a pollutant susceptible to degradation by in situ, sulfate-reducing microorganisms. An amount of sulfate needed to support metabolization of the contaminants is estimated. The estimated amount of sulfate is applied to the site. In various alternatives of embodiments of the invention, the sulfate may be applied is a dry state or as a solution with water. The sulfate concentration in solution is in excess of 1000 ppm and may be as high as a near-saturation concentration.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a method of in situ remediation of contaminated groundwater. More particularly, this invention pertains to a method of in situ remediation of contaminated groundwater by stimulating the bio-degradation of contaminants by sulfate-reducing microorganisms.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The severity and extent of groundwater contamination are well known environmental challenges. One source of such contamination is hydrocarbon contamination of groundwater from petroleum-based spills or leakages. For example, underground storage tanks, above ground storage tanks, pipelines and the like may leak petroleum-based contaminants into the soil and associated groundwater. Similarly, surface spills of such contaminants can migrate into groundwater.
There are many suggested methods and techniques for treating contaminated soil or groundwater. Examples of these are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,830,695; 6,805,518; 6,502,633; 6,497,534; 6,474,908; 6,457,905; 6,336,772; 6,276,871; 5,833,855; 5,759,402 and 5,525,008.
Recently, much attention has focused on in situ remediation by anaerobic (oxygen-lean or oxygen-free) bioremediation of contaminants by sulfate-reducing microorganisms. Such microorganisms are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,855.
Only recently has scientific literature reported on exploiting in situ sulfate-reducing microorganisms to treat hydrocarbon-contaminated groundwater. For example, Anderson et al., "Anaerobic Bioremediation of Benzene under Sulfate-Reducing Conditions in a Petroleum-Contaminated Aquifer", Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 34, No. 11, pages 2261–2266 (2000) purports to be the first field study demonstrating stimulation of anaerobic benzene degradation in a petroleum-contaminated aquifer. That study suggests the addition of sulfate stimulated the activity of benzene-degrading, sulfate-reducing microorganisms.
One study suggests there may be only a few petroleum-related compounds that anaerobic microbial communities cannot degrade. The study states the capacity for self-purification of hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments may be greater than previously recognized. Coates, et al., "Oxidation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons under Sulfate-Reducing Conditions", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 62, No. 3, pages 1099–1191 (1996). In 2001, microbial mineralization of MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) was first reported under sulfate-reducing conditions. Bradley et al., "Effect of Redox Conditions on MTBE Biodegradation in Surface Water Sediments", Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 35, No. 23, pages 4643–4647 (2001).
While the application of sulfate to contaminated groundwater is promising and has received considerable scientific consideration, Applicant has concluded the effective use of this technology has been burdened by erroneous assumptions limiting the effective use of sulfate application to contaminated groundwater. Specifically, the environmental industry, scientific community and relevant government authorities have accepted as dogma that sulfate solutions as applied to contaminated sites should be limited to a sulfate concentration of not more than 250 parts per million (ppm).
The applied concentration limitation limits the efficacy and cost efficiency of this treatment. This limitation requires an enormous amount of solution be prepared and applied in order to treat a contaminated site. The enormity of the required solution drastically impacts the economic feasibility of sulfate application for in situ bioremediation of contaminated groundwater, and the technical feasibility of applying the solution into the subsurface through the use of wells. The enormous amounts of solution must be prepared, transported, and applied over a long period of time. Each of these processes significantly adds to the cost of in situ remediation.
Applicant has concluded that the recognized application concentration limits are unnecessary constraints on the effective application of sulfate to contaminated groundwater sites.
A summary for the basis of the concentration limitation can be found in the scientific literature. See, e.g., Cunningham, et al. "Enhanced In Situ Bioremediation of BTEX-Contaminated Groundwater by Combined Injection of Nitrate and Sulfate", Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 35, No. 8, pages 1663–1670 (2001). The Cunningham, et al., paper explains the rationale for the 250 ppm sulfate concentration limitation as well as describing techniques for applying sulfate solutions to contaminated groundwater through wells and techniques for monitoring the effects of a treatment.
The Cunningham, et al., paper is measuring BTEX concentrations in contaminated groundwater. BTEX is an acronym for gasoline constituents (i.e., benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylene) found as contaminants in groundwater.
Table 1 of the Cunningham, et al., paper (p. 1664) notes that sulfate (SO42−) is applied in an aqueous solution having a sulfate concentration not in excess of 250 ppm. Two reasons are given for the concentration limitation. First, the authors cite scientific literature that toluene degradation is inhibited if sulfide is produced. Second, the authors cite the United States government's secondary drinking water standard for maximum tolerable sulfate concentration for drinking water at 250 ppm. While water is not toxic at this concentration, the taste of the water can be adversely affected.
These factors have affected the environmental industry to limit sulfate applications to use sulfate solutions applied at a concentration of 250 ppm. Further, these constraints have been adopted by regulatory bodies within the United States.
The application of these constraints have significantly and adversely affected the beneficial effects of sulfate treatment programs. In order to be effective, an enormous volume of sulfate solution must be applied. Such solution can be applied directly on the surface of the contaminated site, through preexisting or specially drilled wells or in percolating tubes laid out in a grid or other pattern in trenches excavated at the site.
When a large volume of sulfate solution is required, the cost of preparing, transporting, and applying the sulfate solution can be prohibitive. Such a large volume of solution requires a very long application period. A rapid application of such a large volume of solution can result in surface runoff or it can flush contaminants out of the plume and simply cause the contaminants to migrate to another location without degrading the contaminants.
Applicant believes the scientific rationale for the constraints of 250 ppm is flawed notwithstanding the respected credentials of the advocates of such constraints. For example, even though the United States government and the various state regulatory bodies have adopted the 250 ppm standard to avoid unpleasant taste in drinking water, such standards are believed by Applicant to ignore that the sulfates do in fact break down in nature and the beneficial action of the sulfate-reducing microorganisms in contaminated soils and groundwater prevent the migration of sulfates into drinking water.
Further, it is Applicant's belief that, notwithstanding the concerns expressed in Cunningham, et al., supra, excess sulfide production and inhibition of toluene degradation do not occur in situ. Excess sulfide production has occurred in laboratory conditions but not significantly in situ where dissolved iron is present in the groundwater. In the absence of such dissolved iron, the sulfide combines with hydrogen to form hydrogen sulfide, which has an obnoxious odor. But with dissolved iron in the groundwater (as is typical), the sulfide combines with the dissolved iron as a harmless precipitate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating contaminated groundwater with sulfates in a manner uninhibited by the doctrines and dogma of the prior art.

In situ remediation of contaminated groundwater


A computer system trains a neural network on an instance segmentation task by casting the problem as one of mapping each pixel to a probability distribution over arbitrary instance labels. This simplifies both the training and inference problems, because the formulation is end-to-end trainable and requires no post-processing to extract maximum a posteriori estimates of the instance labels.

"Instance segmentation" refers to the task of decomposing an image into regions corresponding to individual objects in the image. Instance segmentation can be posed as a labeling problem where each pixel in an image must be mapped to one or many of a multitude of labels, each of which corresponds to an individual object in the scene. Instance segmentation is distinguished from semantic segmentation, a related task, in that instance segmentation maps different labels to different instances of a single class of object (e.g., two coffee cups in an image would have different labels), whereas semantic segmentation classifies pixels into different categories of objects (e.g., two coffee cups would receive the same label).
Various techniques for performing instance segmentation are well-known. For example, some existing instance segmentation algorithms use neural networks. Examples of neural network-based approaches to instance segmentation include those which employ proposal-based methods (such as Mask-RCNN, described in "Mass R-CNN," Kaiming He et al., available online at https://arxiv.org/abs/1703.06870) and those which train a neural network to map the image into an embedding space. (Examples of embedding space approaches include, for example, "Semantic Instance Segmentation via Deep Metric Learning" (available online at https://arxiv.org/pdf/1703.10277.pdf), "Semantic Instance Segmentation with a Discriminative Loss Function" (available online at https://arxiv.org/pdf/1708.02551.pdf), "Recurrent Pixel Embedding for Instance Grouping" (available online at http://openaccess.thecvf.com/content_cvpr_2018/papers/Kong_Recurrent_Pixel_Embedding_CVPS_2018_paper.pdf), and "Semi-convolutional Operators for Instance Segmentation" (available online at https://arxiv.org/pdf/1807.10712.pdf).
Proposal-based methods suffer from increased complexity due to their multistage nature, as well as due to ambiguities in the task for the second stage in cases in which a bounding box contains multiple instances which have roughly the same extents. Pixels mapped to an embedding space must later be clustered into instances, which is computationally expensive and difficult to train end-to-end, especially for high-dimensional embedding spaces required for images with many instances.
What is needed, therefore, are improved techniques for performing instance segmentation.

Instance segmentation by instance label factorization