The flow of a fluid may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability portion of a subterranean formation by use of particulates comprising dicarboxylic acid, ester or an anhydride of the formula:

The success of well treatment operations often depends on optimizing placement of fluids downhole. This is especially the case for fluids used in acid stimulation, hydraulic fracturing, sand control, well clean-out and well completion operations. It further is true for treatment operations which employ fluid loss pills.
In the past, much interest has focused on methods for improving downhole placement of well treatment fluids used in acid stimulation and hydraulic fracturing operations. Acid simulation of a hydrocarbon producing formation, such as by matrix acidizing, enhances the production of hydrocarbons. In this procedure, acid or an acid-forming material is injected into the formation and the acid reacts with minerals in the formation. As a result, near-wellbore permeability is improved by the opening of channels or wormholes within the formation. In addition to dissolving formation materials, the acid may remove blockages caused by natural or man-made conditions. The procedure is especially prevalent in the treatment of carbonate formations since the reaction products are soluble in the spent acid.
Early attempts at optimizing the placement of acid downhole focused on injection of a simple acidic solution into the wellbore. Such attempts proved to be inefficient as the fluid often reacted or was spent too quickly. Such treatment fluids were therefore incapable of penetrating deep into the formation, thereby limiting their effectiveness to very near-wellbore applications. Thus, where the treated subterranean formation contained sections with varying permeability, the injected acid typically acidized the zone within the formation which had the highest permeability and the highest degree of water saturation. A permeability contrast between areas of high permeability (treated areas) within the formation and areas of low permeability (untreated areas) resulted.
It is necessary that acid placement downhole be optimized to provide uniform distribution of treatment fluid over the zone being treated. Chemical, as well as mechanical, methods have been developed to divert the flow of treatment fluids from the higher permeability and/or water saturated sections of the formation to the lower permeability or oil bearing sections. The difference between chemical and mechanical diversion is that chemical diverting agents achieve diversion by increasing flow resistance inside the created channels, whereas mechanical diversion controls the fluid entry point at the wellbore. Hence chemical diverting agents are often considered to be internal diverting agents compared to external mechanical diversion.
In the past, chemical diversion has been achieved using viscous fluids, foams and gels which reportedly improve acid placement. Though several chemical diverters have emerged over the years, they have each failed to precisely control the flow of the acidizing fluid. One such alternative, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,661 is drawn to the use of a single surfactant system as a gelled acidizing fluid wherein the surfactant gels an acid fluid containing between 3 to 15% HCl solution by volume. Extra energy is often required to pump this already viscous gelled fluid into the well.
Further, N,N,-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) tallow ammonium acetate has been proposed as a gelling agent though the compound exhibits breakdown at higher temperatures as the acid is spent. In addition, since the compound gels too quickly, it is unable to fully penetrate into the formation. In addition, the maximum viscosity of the gelling agent is too low to adequately perform the necessary diverting.
Other proposed alternatives employ crosslinked systems wherein a gel is produced from a polymerization reaction while the fluid is pumped into the formation. A residue is often left in the formation which causes damage to the formation. Such systems are further dependent upon a sensitive chemical reaction since it is desirable that polymerization be delayed during pumping and maximized once the fluid is within the formation. Further, breakers for defragmenting the crosslinked polymer are typically needed to remove such systems from the well.
Other attempts at creating a gelled acidizing fluid have used a multi-surfactant based system. An example of this type of system was described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,546. These systems are often undesirable because they require mixing of two or more compounds at the well site. In addition, the ratio of the components is often dependent on the temperature and the pH of the system. Further, gelling of the system often requires introduction of a chemical trigger.
Further attention has been directed to diverters useful in wells having a bottomhole temperature less than 250° F. Oil-soluble naphthalenes, crushed limestone, sodium tetraborate, oyster shells, gilsonite, perilite and paraformaldehyde have also been reported for use as chemical diverters. While such materials have been shown to be useful in reservoirs having lower bottomhole temperatures (typically less than 175° F.), interest in these compounds has been replaced by rock salt, which is partially soluble in the acid, inexpensive and easier to handle.
Further attention has been focused on the use of aliphatic polyesters, such as polylactic acids. Such products are extremely slow to dissolve at lower temperatures and have not been found to be useful in reservoirs having a bottomhole temperature lower than 250° F.
A need exists therefore for a chemical diverter that does not rely upon crosslinking for gelation and which exhibits high viscosity. Such diverters need to adequately divert incoming fluids and yet allow maximum penetration. In particular, the diverter should be capable of being useful at bottomhole temperatures between 175° F. and 250° F.
It further would be helpful for the diverting agent to have applications in other well treatment operations such as in hydraulic fracturing, sand control, well clean-out and well completion operations.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Well treatment operations using diverting system

Abstract: or an anhydride thereof, wherein R1 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4 or —H; R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of —H and —COO—(R5O)y—R4, provided both R2 and R3 are —COO—(R5O)y—R4 when R1 is —H and further provided only one of R2 or R3 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4 when R1 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4, R4 is —H or a C1-C6 alkyl group, R5 is a C1-C6 alkylene group, and each y is 0 to 5. The dicarboxylic acid, ester or anhydride may further be admixed with an aliphatic polyester having the general formula of repeating units:

Abstract: where n is an integer between 75 and 10,000 and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, acetyl, heteroatoms, and mixtures; thereof.


A method for performing expression-based validation with records in a computer system database, eliminating the need to write programs or scripts. A validation expression can define complex intra-record tests and inter-record tests and may be performed manually against one or more records and have a success or failure indicated for each record in an interface. A validation expression may be placed into one or more groups and performed as a group with the success or failure indicated for each record. A validation expression may be initiated from workflows to implement a business process with system-enforced data integrity. A validation expression may be manually executed or automatically executed when attempting record update to prevent the entry of invalid data and ensure data integrity. A validation expression may also be used to search using the Boolean result of validation expressions.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention described herein pertain to the field of computer systems. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention enable methods for performing expression-based validations on specified records in a computer system database without writing programs, scripts or queries.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known methods for creating and performing expressions in a computer system require complex and error prone expression entry. Wizards exist that help a user construct an expression, however the user must still have extensive programming knowledge in order to effectively create a expression. The user must for example still understand the rules and syntax for creating a properly formed expression. Wizards help to create properly formed expressions, however known wizards are primarily concerned with aiding a user in the formatting nuances associated with complex expressions. Wizards do not allow for validation rules to be defined as expressions, and do not allow for the expressions to be performed manually over selected records and do not show the success or failure of the validation in association with the records themselves. In addition, known expression creation tools do not allow for validations to be grouped, do not allow for validations to be called from workflows, do not allow for the expressions to be automatically performed upon database updates and do not allow for searches to be conducted to find records that match the expression.
For at least the limitations described above there is a need for a method for performing expression-based validation.

Method for performing expression-based validation


The invention provides the suspension device for suspending a cable sleeve or fitting on a support cable. The suspension device includes a strip-shaped securing part which has one end fashioned as a hook and the other end fashioned as a mounting lug for securing to end members of the cable sleeve. Preferably, the securing part is provided with an arrangement to prevent accidental disengagement of the hook from the support cable.

The present invention is directed to a suspension device for suspending a cable fitting or sleeve on a support cable. The suspension device includes a securing part for engaging the support cable and a mounting projection for fastening the device to the cable sleeve or fitting.
German published application 38 05 257 discloses a device for suspending a cable sleeve or fitting on a support cable or wire. The cable sleeve shown in this published application includes two end members with a split sleeve which surrounds the two end members. This cable sleeve is suspended on the support cable by suspension devices which on one end are provided with engagement means that are clamped to the support cable with the assistance of clamp parts and the devices have their other ends engaging corresponding profile or devices of the cable sleeve. A number of mounting steps are required when fixing the suspension device on the support cable and when mounting the cable sleeve on these suspension devices.

Device for suspending a cable sleeve on a support cable


A novel peptide found as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in octopuses, a member of mollusks. The structure and the activities of the peptide have been unraveled. The peptide finds use as a reagent used in the studies of correlations between the structure and the activities of GnRH and the information processing mechanisms of the nervous systems in higher animals. It can also serve as a base compound in the development of pesticides and drugs.

Invertebrates have a complex endocrine system that has developed along with their nervous system. In invertebrates, various endogenous peptides are known that serve as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators or neurohormones.
Mollusks generally have a simpler nervous system as compared to higher animals. Their nervous systems therefore serve as a useful tool in studying the mechanisms of information processing. Any knowledge obtained at cellular level about the information processing mechanisms of mollusks is considered generally applicable to the information processing mechanisms of nervous systems of higher animals For this reason, a significant amount of effort has been made to find neurotransmitters of mollusks.
For example, an endogenous neuropeptide obtained from mussel is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 1-221392. A novel peptide isolated from ganglia of Achatina fulica is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 2-286696. This peptide includes a D-amino acid and is found to function as an endogenous neurotransmitter. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 6-56890 discloses a neuropeptide isolated from ganglia of a Hungarian snail.
Aside from those described above, various other neuropeptides have been isolated from mollusks and have been identified. Examples include Ala-Pro-Gly-Trp-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 17), myomodulin-CARP, small cardioactive peptide (SCP), buccalin, and Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 18) (FMRF-amide)(M. Kobayashi and Y. Muneoka, Zool. Sci., 7, 801 (1990); Y. Muneoka and M. Kobayashi, Experimentia 48, 448 (1992); Youjiro. Muneoka, Journal of Pesticide Science 18, 5191 (1993); Y. Muneoka, T. Takahashi, M. Kobayashi, "Perspective in Comparative Endocrinology", National Research Council of Canada, 1994, p109; A. Di Cosmo and C. Di Cristo, J. Comp. Neurol., 398, 1-12 (1998)).
Mollusks form one of the largest families of invertebrates. Of different species of mollusks, octopuses belong to a group called Cephalopoda. The animals have highly developed brains and far more advanced motor and sensory functions than other members of mollusks. The neurosecretory system of octopuses has been extensively studied. In 1956, Boycott and Young discovered that cutting the optic tract of the animal results in enlarged optic glands and development of gonads. Later, the Wells showed that the gland secretes a gonadotropic hormone (M. J. Wells and J. Wells, J. Exp. Biol., 36, 1-33 (1959)). It turned out that the hormone is a protein hormone and affects the growth of germ cells, the maturation of gonad-related organs, and the synthesis of yolk protein. The hormone is also involved in parenting behaviors of octopuses after their laying eggs (Atlas of endocrine organs, Japan Society for Comparative Endocrinology. ed., Kodansha).
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was first isolated in 1971 by Schally et al., from the porcine hypothalamus and was then discovered as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). Its structure was also determined. Since then GnRHs have been studied by many researchers. To date, many GnRHs have been found in different vertebrates such as mammals, birds, and salmon. Also, some suggest that many invertebrates include tissues and substances that are immunoreactive to GnRH (A. Di Cosmo and C. Di Cristo, J. Comp. Neurol., 398, 1-12 (1998)).
It has been shown that, in mammals, GnRHs are secreted from hypothalamus and act on the pituitary gland to cause the release of gonadotropic hormones. These GnRHs are each a decapeptide.
In octopuses, however, the structure of the gonadotropic hormone has yet to be determined although it is known, as described above, that the gonadotropins are secreted from their optic glands. Moreover, no GnRH has yet been isolated from octopuses, nor has its structure been determined.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to identify, and determine the structure of, a novel GnRH of octopuses. It is another objective of the present invention to understand the activities of the GnRH, the structure of which is determined according to the present invention, both in octopuses and in other invertebrates and vertebrates.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a novel peptide that can serve as a useful reagent in studying correlations between the structure and the activities of GnRH and in studying the information processing mechanisms of nervous systems in higher animals. A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a novel peptide that can be used as a base compound in the development of pesticides and drugs.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to identify a precursor polypeptide of the GnRH and a gene encoding the precursor for the purpose of expanding our knowledge about evolution of animals. It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a method for producing the GnRH.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, precursor peptides thereof and genes encoding the same

Abstract: The peptide has the GnRH activity and has the following amino acid sequence (I):<Glu-Zaa-Zaa-His-Zaa-Ser-Zaa-Zaa-Zaa-Zaa-Pro-Gly-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 7)   (I)wherein <Glu represents pyroglutamic acid and Zaa represents any amino acid. Specifically, the peptide has the following amino acid sequence (1):<Glu-Asn-Tyr-His-Phe-Ser-Asn-Gly-Trp-His-Pro-Gly-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 1)   (1)wherein <Glu represents pyroglutamic acid.


A test probe insertion-retrieval tool for pressure vessels and flowlines which includes a generally elongated body, a fixture at one end of the body to secure the body to a pressure vessel or a flowline fitting, including an insulated test probe socket mounted on a rod which passes through the end of the elongated body and guidingly and sealingly through a chamber above the end. There is further provided a piston mounted on the rod in the chamber, allowing a flow of pressurized fluid tapped from the lower chamber through connected tubing to force the piston rod and connected insulated test probe socket into the pressure vessel or flowline. Further, there is provided a system of flow ports for allowing fluid under pressure to flow in relation to the piston so as to allow the piston to return to the up position so that the probe may be removed from the rod for evaluation.

1. Field of the Invention
The apparatus of the present invention relates to devices for inserting and removing probes from the interior of a pipeline or a vessel while under pressure. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved corrosion coupon holder for inserting and removing a coupon from the interior of a pipeline or vessel while under pressure through the use of pressurized fluid flow for inserting and retracting the probe from the pipeline or vessel in place of manual manipulation.
2. General Background of the Invention
In the technology of the integrity of pipelines and vessels, there has developed a technique whereby a probe such as a coupon is inserted into the fluid which is contained within the vessel or pipeline, and is kept in place over a period of time, the coupon being of a material which is similar to the material of the interior or pipeline or vessel, so that one may inspect the coupon in order to determine the extent of corrosion that may be taking place within the pipeline or vessel. In the current state of the art, such a coupon is usually inserted into the vessel via a body which is secured to the vessel or pipeline wall and a probe which is mounted on the end of a rod. The rod is then manually inserted through a threadable member or the like into the pipeline or vessel in a sealed condition, so that the fluid within the vessel makes contact with the probe or coupon. In such a device, in the current state of the art, it is often difficult and perhaps unsafe to manually manipulate the probe at the end of the tube member down into the vessel while the vessel is under pressure. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a coupon or probe holder which can be easily and quickly inserted into the flow space of a flow line or vessel, which is safer and less time consuming.


Systems and methods are provided for determining a request to validate data, the request specifying validation criteria; generating a graph for validating the data, the graph including at least one node-based connected component that evaluates the data, the node-based connected component being constructed to represent the validation criteria; validating the data using the generated graph, wherein the data being validated is evaluated by the node-based connected component; and providing information describing the validated data.

Under conventional approaches, various types of data can be validated for myriad purposes. The data validation process typically involves applying validation rules to data. These validation rules can be used to ensure the data complies with various requirements. For example, data may be validated to ensure the data corresponds to an expected data type. Often, conventional approaches may not provide the features needed to sufficiently validate data. For example, conventional approaches may not be able to validate data using complex validation expressions. In another example, conventional approaches may not support nested validation of data.


The invention relates to a wave power assembly having a hull and a linear electric generator. The rotor of the generator is connected with the hull. The stator thereof is arranged to be anchored at a sea/lake bottom. According to an embodiment of the invention, the rotor is mounted in the cross direction by means of rolling elements. These are arranged between rolling surfaces on the rotor and support surfaces of a support means. The rolling elements are arranged to roll against the rolling surfaces and the support surfaces. The invention also relates to a wave power plant built up from wave power assemblies according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the wave power assembly and a method for generating electric energy.

Wave motions in the sea and large lakes are a potential energy source which till now is very little utilized. The available wave energy depends on the wave height and is naturally different for different locations. The average wave energy during a year is dependent on the different wind conditions, which are highly influenced by the distance of the location from the nearest coast. Measurements have, among other things, been made in the North Sea. At a measuring point approx. 100 km to the west of the coast of Jutland where the depth was approx. 50 m, measurings of the wave height have been made.
In order to utilize the energy that is available by the motions of the sea waves, different types of wave power assemblies for the generation of electric power have been proposed. However, these have not succeeded to successfully compete with conventional electric power production. Wave power plants realized hitherto have in the main been test plants or used for local energy supply to navigation buoys. In order for commercial electricity production to be feasible, and thereby give access to the large energy reserve available in the motions of the sea waves, it is not only required that the setting out of the assemblies is carried out in suitably located places. It is also necessary that the assembly is reliable, has high efficiency as well as low manufacturing and operating costs.
Among the feasible principles of the conversion of wave motion energy to electric energy, a linear generator should in that connection to the largest extent meet these requirements.
The vertical motions of the hull caused by the wave motions can thereby directly be transferred to a reciprocating motion of the rotor of the generator. A linear generator may be made very robust and simple and by it being anchored at the bottom, it becomes solidly unaffectable by streams in the water. The only movable part of the generator will be the reciprocating rotor. By the few movable parts thereof and the simple constructive build-up thereof, the assembly becomes very reliable.
By, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,653, a wave power assembly is previously known, which is based on the linear generator principle. Hence, the specification describes a generator anchored at the bottom, which generator produces electric energy from the wave motions of the sea surface. A generator coil is connected to a hull so that the coil moves up and down with the wave motions. A magnetic field acts on the coil when it moves so that an electromagnetic force is generated in the same. The magnetic field is such that it provides a uniform field having a single magnetic orientation along the length of stroke of the entire coil. The generator comprises a base plate on bottom of the sea that carries the magnetic core in which the coil moves.
Furthermore, a wave power assembly provided with a linear electric generator is previously known by U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,485. The rotor thereof consists of a number of permanent magnets and the winding of the generator is arranged in the surrounding stator.
Further, in PCT/SE02/02405, a wave power assembly is disclosed having a linear generator in which the rotor is permanent magnetic and the stator comprises winding forming a plurality of poles distributed in the direction of motion of the rotor.
It is important that the guiding of linear motion of the rotor in relation to the stator is exact and reliable so that the size of the gap between the rotor and stator is retained at an exact value. The gap is in the size of 1-5 mm, preferably about 2 mm. Since a generator of the type in question may be fairly large, insufficient precision in the guiding entails that the size of the gap risks deviating substantially from the predetermined one. This entails asymmetry of the occurring magnetic forces, which results in harmful asymmetric forces on the rotor with the risk of operational disturbances as well as breakdown. Also the electromagnetic transformation of energy is effected negatively by erroneous gap size.
Therefore, great demands are made that the rotor is well mounted in the cross direction, simultaneously great demands are made on the service life of the bearing mounting. An assembly of the kind in question is calculated to be in operation during a time of 30 years or more. Usual ball bearings normally have a service life that is considerably shorter than this. Exchange of bearings is very expensive since frequently the generator is located far out on the sea and at a large depth.
The object of the present invention is, against this background, that for a wave power assembly of the kind in question a bearing mounting of the rotor is provided which overcomes the problems mentioned and which accordingly is simple and reliable and which has a long service life.


The GPS position or other short information related to a wireless telephone is encapsulated in a tagged protocol such as XML and sent using short message service (SMS) to peers or Internet servers, which can parse the tagged messages and extract, e.g., position information for display on a map.

The present invention recognizes that short message service (SMS) including so-called concatenated SMS can be conveniently used by people to send text messages to each other using their wireless telephones. As understood herein, the SMS band can also be advantageously used as an interface between two or more functional devices.
As further understood herein, however, to facilitate automatic extraction of the information at the receiving end, it would be advantageous to encapsulate it in a tagged protocol such as extensible markup language (XML) so that a computer can automatically extract and recognize the information.

System and method for using SMS and tagged message to send position and travel information to server and/or to peers


A fluid infusion system as described herein includes a number of local “body network” devices, such as an infusion pump, a handheld monitor or controller, a physiological sensor, and a bedside or hospital monitor. The body network devices can be configured to support communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between one another. In addition, the body network devices can be configured to support networked communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between the body network devices and “external” devices, systems, or communication networks. The networked medical devices are configured to support a variety of wireless data communication protocols for efficient communication of data within the medical device network. In addition, the wireless medical devices may be configured to support a number of dynamically adjustable wireless data communication modes to react to current operating conditions, application-specific data content, or other criteria.

Portable medical devices having wireless data communication capabilities are becoming increasingly popular, especially for patients that have conditions that must be monitored on a continuous or frequent basis. For example, diabetics are usually required to modify and monitor their daily lifestyle to keep their body in balance, in particular, their blood glucose ("BG") levels. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes and some individuals with Type 2 diabetes use insulin to control their BG levels. To do so, diabetics routinely keep strict schedules, including ingesting timely nutritious meals, partaking in exercise, monitoring BG levels daily, and adjusting and administering insulin dosages accordingly. Diabetics may utilize wireless medical devices that are deployed in a network environment in a manner that facilitates data communication between two or more separate devices.
The prior art includes a number of insulin pump systems that are designed to deliver accurate and measured doses of insulin via infusion sets (an infusion set delivers the insulin through a small diameter tube that terminates at a cannula inserted under the patient's skin). In lieu of a syringe, the patient can simply activate the insulin pump to administer an insulin bolus as needed, for example, in response to the patient's current BG level. A patient can measure his BG level using a BG measurement device, such as a test strip meter, a continuous glucose measurement system, or the like. BG measurement devices use various methods to measure the BG level of a patient, such as a sample of the patient's blood, a sensor in contact with a bodily fluid, an optical sensor, an enzymatic sensor, or a fluorescent sensor. When the BG measurement device has generated a BG measurement, the measurement is displayed on the BG measurement device. A continuous glucose monitoring system can monitor the patient's BG level in real time.
Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring devices may also be configured to communicate with remote control devices, monitoring or display devices, BG meters, and other devices associated with such an infusion system. Individual devices within conventional infusion systems may be configured to support a limited amount of wired or wireless data communication to support the operation of the infusion system. For example, a continuous glucose monitoring sensor may include a wireless radio frequency ("RF") transmitter that communicates with a BG monitor device within the infusion system. As another example, the infusion system may include a handheld remote control that communicates with the infusion pump device using wireless techniques. Conventional infusion systems, however, operate in a somewhat isolated and local manner in that the routing of control signals, monitoring signals, patient status information, physiologic data, alerts, activation instructions, programming signals, and other data communication generally occurs within the limited short range and local operating environment of the infusion system itself. Moreover, many conventional infusion systems do not take advantage of certain protocols that facilitate efficient and effective wireless data communication between devices arranged in a network.

Subnetwork synchronization and variable transmit synchronization techniques for a wireless medical device network


A release coating suitable for on bowed rolls, press rolls, and other machine elements comprises an adhesive layer and a release layer. The adhesive layer includes an acrylated monomer, an acrylated urethane, and a diacrylated aromatic monomer. The release layer includes these three components and an acrylated polysiloxane. With these components, the release coating has superior release properties as well as good abrasion resistance and hardness.

Covered rolls are used in demanding industrial environments in which they are subjected to high dynamic loads and temperatures. Covered rolls can be used not only for transporting material under process, which is often in the form of a travelling web, but also for processing the web itself into a finished product.
A bowed roll is a specific variety of industrial roll used to correct web distortion and similar problems by distributing lateral tension evenly across a travelling web. For example, bowed rolls can be used to spread out or expand the travelling web for the purposes of maintaining width, eliminating wrinkles, eliminating baggy centers or slack edges. Bowed rolls can also be used to control felts by maintaining their width, openness and seams, and to eliminate interleaving of individual slit webs on winders.
A press roll is another type of industrial roll which is typically employed in nip presses. Press rolls process the travelling web by compressing the web at the nip between the rolls. Typically, this is done to remove liquids from the web (such as in dewatering presses), or to eliminate high and low spots in a finished product (such as in finish nip presses).
Bowed rolls and press rolls often include elastomeric sleeves or compliant elastomeric covers, particularly when they are employed in processes in which a web under process is coated with surface enhancing materials that are tacky. As a result, these materials are susceptible to transferring from the web to the surface of the roll, which can result in the degradation of the surfaces of the roll and the web. As such, it is desirable to have such rolls coated with a material that it is self-cleaning (i.e., it can release material that would otherwise tend to adhere to it).
At present, industrial rolls having release surfaces are treated with epoxies, urethanes, PTFE polymers, silicones or waxes. Epoxies and urethanes have desirable abrasion resistance properties, but typically lack the desired high release properties and low coefficients of friction. PTFE polymers and silicones have high release properties and low coefficients of friction, but generally lack high abrasion resistance qualities. Waxes and silicone polish coatings typically lack durability.


An organic electroluminescent panel includes several sub-pixels. The sub-pixels include at least one first electrode; at least one shadow wall formed at the periphery of the first electrode; at least one first common layer formed on the first electrode; several emission layers independently formed on the first common layer; at least one second common layer formed on the emission layers; and at least one second electrode formed on the second common layer. During the fabricating process, the first, second, and third color evaporation sources are provided independently for forming the first, second, and third color emission layers on the corresponding region of first electrode. The tilt directions of three color evaporation sources and the evaporation angles between the evaporation source and the substrate surface are determined according to the positions and heights of the shadow walls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to an organic electroluminescent panel and, more particularly, to a pixel structure of an organic electroluminescent panel and a method for fabricating the same for reducing cost and increasing the panel quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
Compared with other flat panel display technologies, organic electroluminescent panels have many preferred advantages such as self-luminescence, high brightness, wide viewing angle, high contrast, low power consumption, high speed response, widely temperature operating range, high luminescence efficiency, and simple fabrication.
The conventional organic electroluminescent device has a multi-layer structure mainly including an organic emission layer between an anode and a cathode for generating electroluminescence. A hole injection layer and a hole transport layer are formed between the organic emission layer and the anode. An electron transport layer is formed between the organic emission layer and the cathode. Generally, an organic electroluminescent panel is constituted of red light (R), green light (G), and blue light (B) sub-pixels. A pixel includes at least one red light sub-pixel, one green light sub-pixel, and one blue light sub-pixel. Generally, the arrangement of the RGB sub-pixels of the organic electroluminescent panel continues using the arrangement of the RGB sub-pixels of the liquid crystal display panel. The common arrangement of the RGB sub-pixels includes stripe arrangement, mosaic arrangement, and delta arrangement (triangle arrangement), and the stripe arrangement is the most commonly used. Because the RGB sub-pixels for full-color OLED display are usually fabricated by shadow mask evaporation, there are many disadvantages in the fabrication process. The disadvantages include:
1. Higher cost: All kinds of equipments such as mask fabrication, a precise alignment system, a mask chamber, a mask cleaning system, and mask inspection equipment are needed for the fabrication process. These equipments increase the manufacturing cost for even more than one hundred million New Taiwan Dollars.
2. Lower yield: In the mask alignment process due to misalignment of the mask, particle adhesion, or pressing damage decreases the yield of the panel.
3. Lower resolution of the panel: The opening of each mask is usually adaptive to correspond to the evaporation area of one sub-pixel. Thus, the area of the opening of the mask determines the resolution of the organic electroluminescent panel, and the resolution of the conventional full-color panel is limited to the process capability. The resolution of the conventional panel adopting the shadow mask process is approximately between 120 and 150 ppi (pixel per inch) and is usually not more than 180 ppi.
4. Lower production flexibility: Fabricating the shadow mask generally needs about 6 weeks, and only one pattern is allowed to be formed on one shadow mask to prevent non-uniform tension. Thus, the shadow mask fabrication has only limited flexibility.
Many manufacture companies provide mask-free organic electroluminescent panels (for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,869 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,996). However, these conventional technologies have some common disadvantages. That is, the original RGB device structure of the organic electroluminescent device needs to be changed to accommodate to the mask-free full-color panels. Additionally, the different emission layers overlap with each other in the fabricated device structure, or emission materials with different-color light are mixed in an emission layer. For example, a blue emission layer overlaps over a red emission layer in U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,869, and a blue emission material is mixed in a red emission layer in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,996. As a result, mixing light phenomenon may occur in the emission layer or in the device structure.
Therefore, it is very important to fabricate a mask-free organic electroluminescent panel without changing the original fabricating method of the RGB device structure and to fabricate the mask-free organic electroluminescent panel with low cost, high light purity and no light mixture.

Organic electroluminescence panel and method for fabricating the same


A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a plurality of pixel electrodes in a plurality of lower pixel portions, respectively, and each of the pixel electrodes includes a plurality of lower openings spaced apart from each other. The second substrate includes a common electrode including a plurality of upper openings spaced apart from each other in a plurality of upper pixel portions corresponding to the lower pixel portions, respectively. The upper openings are connected to each other between adjacent upper pixel portions in a first direction. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and second substrates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display panel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display panel capable of improving image display quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display ("LCD") device that is one of flat panel display devices, includes an LCD panel and a backlight assembly. The LCD panel displays images using a light transmittance of liquid crystals. The backlight assembly is disposed under the LCD panel to supply the LCD panel with light.
The LCD panel includes an array substrate, a color filter substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The array substrate includes a plurality of thin film transistors. The color filter substrate includes a plurality of color filters. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate.
The array substrate includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of pixels. The gate lines cross the gate lines. The pixels are defined by the gate and data lines. Each of the thin film transistor and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor are formed in each of the pixels. The pixel electrodes formed in the pixels are spaced apart from each other and are arranged in a matrix shape.
In order to minimize interference between adjacent pixel electrodes, the array substrate includes a black matrix between the adjacent pixel electrodes. However, the black matrix decreases opening ratio of the pixels.
The liquid crystal layer of the LCD panel includes a twist nematic ("TN") mode, an in plane switching ("IPS") mode, a vertical alignment ("VA") mode, etc. The liquid crystal layer of the VA mode has rapid response speed, and has been widely used. In order to increase a viewing angle of the LCD panel having the VA mode, a patterned vertical alignment ("PVA") mode, a multi-domain vertical alignment ("MV"A) mode, etc., have been devised.
The LCD panel having the PVA mode or the MVA mode includes a plurality of pixels. A thin film transistor and a pixel electrode are formed in each of the pixels. In order to increase the viewing angle of the LCD panel, each of the pixels is divided into a plurality of domains. However, when the pixel electrodes on the pixels having the domains are spaced apart from each other, the opening ratio of the display panel is decreased.


A suction valve for an axial piston compressor has a leaf spring fixed at one end, which spring at one end is fixed with a fixed portion between valve plate and cylinder block, at its other end covers over the suction valve opening with a closure portion and has an intermediate portion connecting these portions. The intermediate portion is located substantially outside the cylinder cross-section. A stop for the suction valve leaf spring is arranged in the region of the cylinder wall facing the fixed portion. This produces an optimum filling of the cylinder and thus an improvement in the efficiency of the compressor, as is especially desirable for refrigeration compressors.

The invention relates to a suction valve for an axial piston compressor, the cylinder block of which is covered over by a valve plate that has suction valve and discharge valve openings, having a leaf spring with one end fixed, which spring at one end is fixed with a fixed portion between valve plate and cylinder block, at its other end covers over the suction valve opening with a closure portion and has an intermediate portion connecting these portions, and also co-operates with a stop on the cylinder block as the suction valve opens.
In a known suction valve of that kind (U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,287), the fixed portion of the leaf spring with one end fixed is located close to the cylinder. The closure portion is located at the other end of the spring and co-operates with the stop. The intermediate portion therefore extends over a substantial part of the diameter of the cylinder.
When the suction valve is open and gas is to be sucked into the cylinder, the leaf spring is bent downwards. The flow of gas is here diverted from the suction valve opening to the cylinder wall. On contact with the cylinder wall the gas is heated and expands. The flow resistance and the heating reduce the amount of gas that is able to flow into the cylinder during the suction stroke of the compressor.

Suction valve for an axial piston compressor


A device for installing one end of a string on a string musical instrument. A track on the body of the instrument has a first depression for receiving the bridge of the instrument for that string. The bridge has a string raising saddle on it, which can be adjusted in height and can be adjusted parallel to the length of the string. The installed end of the string extends past the saddle to a slide supported in a second depression on the track. A bolt on the slide receives a nut supported at the track to adjust displacement of the slide between a position where the supported string is at highest pitch and a position to which the slide can shift for the string to be at lowest pitch. A pivotable eccentric lever has two cam surfaces on it at different distances from the pivot axis of the lever. The different high and low pitch levels of the string are established by the different pivot positions of the lever cooperating with the displacement slide. Displacement range is adjustable. The individual device of the invention and particularly its track is narrow enough that a respective device or track may be positioned on the instrument for each of the strings with the devices next to each other.

The present invention relates to a device employed for inserting strings at one end of a stringed instrument, especially a guitar.
Each string of a stringed instrument, especially a guitar, has one end which is usually secured to the side of the head or peg head by a tuning mechanism and has another end which is inserted into a holding notch toward the end of the instrument body away from the head. Between its two ends, the string extends over the saddle of a bridge. The bridge lifts the string off the fingerboard and transmits its vibrations to a resonator, especially a sounding board. The tension on each string is adjusted with the tuning mechanism to tune the instrument before it is played.
Bridge-saddle units that can be adjusted in height and in their position along the instrument body have been developed which enable varying the height distance between the fingerboard and the strings and ensure proper acoustic equalization meaning octaval purity. Such components are usually mounted on a common base. Also known are combination mechanisms that involve a string holder. That end of each string on which there is a securing ball is inserted into the holder. Such devices are generally intended to accommodate several strings. Any need for more strings than the traditional number can only be accommodated with specially constructed devices of the type. Another drawback to such devices is that the adjustable bridges are unstable. As a result, the vibrations, especially of lightly tensioned strings, are accordingly suppressed and the strings change their sound.
Devices have been developed that enable tuning the strings with a tuning mechanism before the instrument is played and also that enable temporarily and rapidly varying the string pitch while the instrument is being played. These devices vary the tension of the string over a prescribed range for varying its pitch. Examples include pedal operated guitars, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,387. A lever and rod make it possible to vary the pitch of a string or strings while the instrument is being played by adjusting the ensemble of the bridge and the string holder to attain what is called a Hawaiian effect. A device that operates on a similar principle with electric guitars is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,417, for example.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,086 and German Patent 3 626 168 describe devices for varying the pitch of strings between two definite thresholds, specifically by way of a tuning mechanism mounted on the head of the instrument. German Patent 3 843 533, on the other hand, describes a device that can simultaneously tune and vary the pitch of several strings and that is mounted in the vicinity of the bridge. The major drawbacks to these devices are that they are mechanically complicated and accordingly expensive to manufacture, that they are not universally applicable, and that stable pitches cannot be ensured within the given range.


Stacked magnetic cores that can achieve high density with a small footprint, as well as methods of fabricating and using the same, are provided. A stacked magnetic core can be fabricated by depositing nanomagnetic films with control in composition and nanostructure via a continuous electroplating process. The magnetic films are interspersed with thin adhesive films (that can be insulating) in an automated roll-to-roll process. That is, the magnetic films and adhesive films are disposed in an alternating fashion. The adhesive films can keep the magnetic films completely electrically isolated from each other, while also adhering adjacent magnetic films to each other.

Magnetic power components have a total addressable market of over $20 billion. They impact the progress in the multi-trillion dollar electronics industry because power delivery and efficiency limits the performance of future electronic systems. A key to advancing this massive market is the development of magnetic components with high power density and efficiency that can be fabricated with scalable processes at low cost.

Methods of fabricating stacked magnetic cores having small footprints

THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES


Azo compounds of the 2-(4-amino)phenyldiazinecarboximidamide type and 2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide type, a process for their synthesis, their use for dyeing keratin fibers, dye compositions containing them, and dyeing processes.

The present invention relates to novel azo compounds of the 2-(4-amino)phenyidiazinecarboximidamide type, to a process for their synthesis, to their use for dyeing keratin fibers, to dye compositions containing them and to dyeing processes using them.
It is well known that hair dye compositions use either oxidation dyes or direct dyes. The former dyes lead to shades with better covering power and better staying power, but they have the disadvantage of not being entirely harmless and of requiring an oxidation which is generally accompanied by appreciable degradation of the keratin fibers. In addition, their staying power and their affinity for the hair usually entails the appearance of the phenomenon of demarcation between dyed ends and half-lengths and undyed roots.
These problems do not arise in the case of direct dyes. The use of direct dyes has the further advantage over oxidation dye precursors of reducing the potential risks of allergy.
Among the direct dyes most commonly used are nitrobenzene derivatives. However, these nitrobenzene dyes do not sufficiently withstand repeated washing. To overcome this flaw, attempts have been made to replace nitrobenzene dyes with aminoanthraquinone dyes or azo dyes. It has already been proposed, in particular in patent application FR-A-2,570,946, to use the azo dye of the following formula:
i.e. 4-amino-2xe2x80x2-methyl-4xe2x80x2-[N,N-bis(b-hydroxyethyl)amino]phenylazobenzene.
However, the use of this compound to dye the hair does not yield entirely satisfactory results, in particular, regarding the intensity of the colourings obtained.
The inventors have thus sought other azo dyes which have good solubility in a medium suitable for dyeing, such as water, water/alcohol mixtures and more generally common dye supports and which give, on keratin fibers, dyes with good resistance properties with respect to the various attacking factors to which keratin fibers may be subjected, and in particular with respect to washing, light, bad weather and perspiration.
Thus, following these investigations, the inventors have discovered azo compounds of the 2-(4-amino)phenyidiazinecarboximidamide type of formula (I) defined below.
This discovery forms the basis of the present invention.
The present invention is thus novel azo compounds of formula (I) below, and acid addition salts thereof:
in which:
R1 and R2, independently of each other, represent a hydrogen atom; a C1-C6 alkyl radical; a 5- or 6-membered cycloalkyl radical; a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring; a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring substituted with a C1-C6 alkyl radical, a halogen atom, an amino radical, a hydroxyl radical or a C1-C6 alkoxy radical; or R1 and R2 form, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a 4- to 8-membered heterocycle, said heterocycle containing one or more hetero atoms chosen from sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen;
R3 and R4, independently of each other, represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl radical, a C1-C6 monohydroxyalkyl radical or a C2-C5 polyhydroxyalkyl radical; and
A is a 5- to 6-membered aromatic ring which can be interrupted by one or more hetero atoms chosen from sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen, or fused to another 5- to 6-membered aromatic ring.
When used to dye keratin fibers, the compounds of formula (I) in accordance with the invention have good solubility in water, in water/alcohol mixtures and more generally in common dye supports, and give colourings in a very intense coppery-orange shade which are particularly resistant to the various treatments to which the fibers may be subjected, such as washing, light, bad weather and perspiration. The coppery-orange colourings obtained using the compounds of formula (I) in accordance with the invention are, in particular, more intense than those obtained under the same conditions with 4-amino-2xe2x80x2-methyl-4xe2x80x2-[N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(b-hydroxyethyl)amino]phenylazobenzene mentioned above.
In formula (I) above, the alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl and polyhydroxyalkyl radicals may be linear or branched.
Among the C1-C6 alkyl radicals of the compounds of formula (I) above, preferred alkyl radicals are: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, n-hexyl and isohexyl radicals.
Among the C1-C6 monohydroxyalkyl radicals, preferred monohydroxyl radicals are: hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and hydroxybutyl radicals.
Among the C2-C6 polyhydroxyalkyl radicals, preferred polyhydroxylalkyl radicals are: dihydroxyethyl, dihydroxypropyl, trihydroxypropyl and dihydroxybutyl radicals.
Among the cycloalkyl radicals which can be represented by the radicals R1 and R2, preferred cycloalkyl radicals are: cyclohexyl and cyclopentyl.
Among the aromatic rings which can be represented by the radicals R1 and R2, preferred aromatic rings are, for example, phenyl rings; phenyl rings substituted with a C1-C6 alkyl radical, a halogen atom or an amino, hydroxyl or C1-C6 alkoxy radical; benzyl, pyrimidine, pyridazine and benzimidazole rings.
Among the heterocycles which can be formed by the radicals R1 and R2 together, preferred heterocycles are: imidazole, benzotriazole, benzimidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine and morpholine rings.
Among the rings which can be represented by the aromatic ring A, preferred rings are, for example, 6-membered rings such as phenyl, pyrimidine and pyridine rings, and 5-membered rings such as pyrrole and pyrazole rings.
The radicals R1, R2, R3 and R4, independently of each other, preferably represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical.
Among the compounds of formula (I), mention may be made in particular of:
2-(4-amino)phenyldiazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-dimethyl-2-(4-amino )phenyldiazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-diethyl-2-(4-amino)phenyldiazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-diisopropyl-2-(4-amino)phenyldiazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-dibutyl-2-(4-amino)phenyldiazinecarboximidamide,
2-(5-amino)-2-pyridyldiazinecarboximidamide,
and the acid addition salts thereof.
The compounds of formula (I) in accordance with the invention can readily be obtained, according to methods well known in the state of the art, which comprise, in a first step, carrying out, in a solvent medium, a reduction reaction on a compound of formula (III) below:
in which A, R1 and R2 can take the same meanings as those indicated above for the compounds of formula (I), to give a compound of 2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide type of formula (II) below:
in which A, R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the same meanings as those indicated above for the compounds of formula (I), which product, in a second step, is oxidized, in a solvent medium, to give the corresponding compound of formula (I).
According to a variant of this synthetic process, and when, in the compounds of formula (I), at least one of the radicals R3 and R4 is other than a hydrogen atom, the process then includes an intermediate step of substituting the amine according to the known standard methods.
When the synthesis is complete, the compounds of formula (I) in accordance with the invention can, where appropriate, be recovered by methods which are well known in the state of the art, such as crystallization or distillation.
The solvent(s) used in steps 1 and 2 above is (are) preferably chosen from water, C1-C4 alkanols such as methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, and mixtures thereof.
The reduction reaction used in the first step is preferably a catalytic hydrogenation, the catalyst being, for example, palladium on charcoal.
The oxidizing agents which can be used in the second step are preferably chosen from sodium iodate, sodium periodate, atmospheric oxygen, magnesium phthalate monoperoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of metal salts such as, for example, manganese diacetate, potassium ferricyanide, silver oxide and ferric chloride.
The pH of the synthetic medium used in the first and second steps is not a critical factor, and preferably ranges from approximately 4 to 10. It can be adjusted using basifying or acidifying agents which are well known in the state of the art.
The temperature of the reactions carried out in steps 1 and 2 generally ranges from approximately 0 to 60xc2x0 C.
Another aspect of the invention is the use of the compounds of formula (I) in accordance with the invention as dyes for dyeing keratin fibers, and in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair.
The intermediate compounds of formula (II) above can also be used as dyes, and in particular as auto-oxidizing dyes (i.e. dyes which do not require the use of an oxidizing agent in order to give a colouring) for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair.
Among the compounds of formula (II), preferred compounds are:
2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-dimethyl-2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-diethyl-2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-diisopropyl-2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-dibutyl-2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
2-(5-amino)-2-pyridylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
and the acid addition salts thereof.
Certain compounds of formula (II) above are novel per se and, in this respect, constitute another aspect of the invention. These novel compounds, and the acid addition salts thereof, correspond to formula (IIxe2x80x2) below:
in which A, R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the same meanings as those indicated above for the compounds of formula (I), with the proviso that at least one of the radicals R1, R2, R3 and R4 is other than a hydrogen atom.
2-(4-Amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide (compound of formula (IIxe2x80x2) in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 simultaneously represent a hydrogen atom) is mentioned in an article by Petersen S. et al. (Angew. Chem., 67(1955), pages 217-231) with regard to quinone-based fungicides.
Among the compounds of formula (IIxe2x80x2) in accordance with the invention, preferred compounds are:
N,N-dimethyl-2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-diethyl-2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-diisopropyl-2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
N,N-dibutyl-2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
2-(5-amino)-2-pyridylhydrazinecarboximidamide,
and the acid addition salts thereof.
Yet another aspect of the invention is a composition for dyeing keratin fibers, and in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, that comprises, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one compound of formula (I) in accordance with the invention and/or at least one compound of formula (II) in accordance with the invention.
The compound(s) of formula (I) and/or the compound(s) of formula (II) preferably represent(s) from 0.0005 to 12% by weight approximately relative to the total weight of the dye composition, and even more preferably from 0.005 to 6% by weight approximately relative to this weight.
The medium suitable for dyeing, such as water, water/alcohol mixtures and more generally common dye supports generally comprises water or a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent to dissolve any compounds which are not sufficiently water-soluble. Preferred organic solvents are, for example, C1-C4 lower alkanols, such as ethanol and isopropanol; glycerol; glycols and glycol ethers such as 2-butoxyethanol, propylene glycol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and monomethyl ether, as well as aromatic alcohols such as benzylalcohol or phenoxyethanol, similar products and mixtures thereof.
The solvents can be present in proportions preferably ranging from 1 to 40% by weight approximately relative to the total weight of the dye composition, and even more preferably from 5 to 30% by weight approximately.
The pH of the dye composition in accordance with the invention generally ranges from approximately 3 to 12, and preferably approximately from 5 to 11. It can be adjusted to the desired value using acidifying or basifying agents usually used to dye keratin fibers.
Preferred acidifying agents include, for example, inorganic or organic acids such as hydrochloric acid, orthophosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and lactic acid, and sulfonic acids.
Preferred basifying agents are, for example, aqueous ammonia, alkaline carbonates, alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamines and derivatives thereof, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the compounds of formula (IV) below:
in which W is a propylene residue optionally substituted with a hydroxyl radical or a C1-C6 alkyl radical; R5, R6, R7 and R8, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl radical or a C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl radical.
The dye composition in accordance with the invention can also contain various adjuvants conventionally used in hairdye compositions, such as anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants or mixtures thereof, anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers or mixtures thereof, inorganic or organic thickeners, antioxidants, penetration agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, buffers, dispersing agents, conditioners such as, for example, modified or unmodified, volatile or non-volatile silicones, film-forming agents, ceramides, preserving agents and opacifiers.
Needless to say, a person skilled in the art can select optional complementary compounds such that the advantageous properties intrinsically associated with the dye composition in accordance with the invention are not, or are not substantially, adversely affected by the addition(s) envisaged.
The dye composition according to the invention can be in various forms, such as in the form of liquids, creams or gels or in any other form which is suitable for dyeing keratin fibers, and in particular human hair.
In particular, to facilitate the oxidation of the compounds of formula (II) in accordance with the invention, when oxidizing agents are present in the dye composition or when the composition contains at least one oxidation dye precursor, the said composition can also contain one or more oxidizing agents. These oxidizing agents can be chosen, in particular, from hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, alkali metal bromates, persalts such as perborates and persulfates, and enzymes such as peroxidases and two-electron oxidoreductases. It is particularly preferred to use hydrogen peroxide or enzymes.
As has been mentioned above, the dye composition in accordance with the invention can also contain one or more oxidation dye precursors, i.e. one or more oxidation bases and/or one or more couplers. The oxidation bases can be chosen in particular from para-phenylenediamines, para-aminophenols, orthophenylenediamines and heterocyclic bases such as, for example, pyridine derivatives, pyrimidine derivatives, pyrazole derivatives and pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives. The couplers can be chosen in particular from meta-phenylenediamines, meta-aminophenols, meta-diphenols, heterocyclic couplers such as, for example, indole derivatives, indoline derivatives, benzimidazole derivatives, benzomorpholine derivatives, sesamol derivatives and pyridine, pyrimidine and pyrazole derivatives, and the acid addition salts thereof.
When present, the oxidation base(s) preferably represent(s) from 0.0005 to 12% by weight approximately relative to the total weight of the dye composition in accordance with the invention, and even more preferably from 0.005 to 8% by weight approximately relative to this weight.
When they are present, the coupler(s) preferably represent(s) from 0.0001 to 10% by weight approximately relative to the total weight of the ready-to-use dye composition, and even more preferably from 0.005 to 8% by weight approximately relative to this weight.
The dye composition according to the invention can also contain one or more direct dyes which can be chosen in particular from azo dyes other than those of the invention, anthraquinones and nitro derivatives of the benzene series, in particular in order to modify the shades or to enrich them with glints.
In general, the acid addition salts which can be used in the context of the dye compositions of the invention (compounds of formulae (I), (II) and (IIxe2x80x2), additional oxidation bases and couplers) are chosen in particular from the hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulfates, citrates, succinates, tartrates, lactates and acetates.
Another aspect of the invention is a process for dyeing keratin fibers, and in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair using the dye composition as defined above.
According to this process, at least one dye composition as defined above is applied to the fibers for a period which is sufficient to develop the desired colouring, after which the fibers are rinsed, optionally washed with shampoo, rinsed again and dried.
The time required to develop the colouring on the keratin fibers preferably ranges from 3 to 60 minutes and even more precisely from 5 to 40 minutes.
According to one specific embodiment of the invention, and when the dye composition in accordance with the invention contains at least one compound of formula (II) and at least one oxidizing agent, the process includes a preliminary step which comprises separately storing, on the one hand, a composition (A) comprising, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one compound, such as formula (II) as defined above, and, on the other hand, a composition (B) containing, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one oxidizing agent, and then in mixing them together at the time of use, before applying this mixture to the keratin fibers.
Another subject of the invention is a multi-compartment dyeing device or xe2x80x9ckitxe2x80x9d or any other multi-compartment packaging system, a first compartment of which contains composition (A) as defined above and a second compartment of which contains composition (B) as defined above. These devices can be equipped with a means for delivering the desired mixture onto the hair, such as the devices described in patent FR-2,586,913, the disclosure of which is specifically incorporated by reference herein.
The examples which follow are intended to illustrate the invention without, however, limiting its scope.

Azo compounds, use in dyeing, compositions containing them and dyeing processes


A hematopoetic factor called “colony stimulating factor” (CSF) is capable of synergizing the attracting capabilities of chemokines and of inducing the accumulation and/or activation in vitro and in vivo of key components of inflammatory responses. Various types of agents that inhibit or otherwise hinder the production, release or activity of CSF could be used therapeutically in the treatment of ischemia and other inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune disease, and various chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Colony stimulating factors (CSFs) stimulate the differentiation and/or proliferation of bone marrow cells. CSFs in both human and murine systems have been identified and distinguished according to their activities involving two of the three main classes of leukocytes, namely granulocytes and monocytes. For example, granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF) and macrophage-CSF (M-CSF) stimulate the in vitro formation of neutrophilic granulocyte and macrophage colonies, respectively, while granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) has broader activities and stimulates the formation of both macrophage, neutrophilic, and eosinophilic granulocyte colonies. These CSFs act via their respective receptors, namely G-CSFR, M-CSFR, and GM-CSFR. G-CSR is expressed on multipotential hematopoietic progenitor cells and cells of myeloid lineage, and is important for regulation of granulopoiesis.
Evidence of the role G-CSF and G-CSFR play in inflammation includes the discovery that G-CSF is frequently found elevated in serum of and at inflammatory sites in patients with infections. The undetectable normal circulating levels of G-CSF (≦10 pM) increase in inflammatory conditions to a range of from 100 to 2000 pM. Further, transgenic mice with neutrophils expressing chimeric receptors with extra-cellular G-CSFR and intra-cellular erythropoietin receptor appear to retain their normal hematopoietic function but no longer respond to chemotactic signals. Also, the chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) fails to induce chemotaxis of neutrophils from G-CSFR −/− mice (i.e., G-CSFR knockout mice), suggesting a specific role for G-CSFR in neutrophil chemotaxis. However, by itself, G-CSF is a relatively weak chemoattractant.
Additionally, M-CSF, also known as colony stimulating factor-1, has been shown to increase blood and tissue macrophage numbers in several species. For example, it is known that M-CSF is produced within the joint in human rheumatoid arthritis, where it has been shown to cause severe exacerbation of the disease. This is consistent with other studies, wherein M-CSF was found to worsen the disease course of experimental disseminated candidiasis, a disease with many of the characteristics of tumor necrosis factor-mediated pathology. M-CSF was also found to stimulate secretion of urokinase plasminogen activator, which plays a role in proteolytic joint destruction. Recently, cDNA encoding the primary growth and differentiation factor for M-CSF has been isolated, sequenced and expressed, and human recombinant M-CSF is now available for experimental studies.
However, CSFs are not the only cytokines involved in inflammation. Also involved are chemokines, which are chemotactic cytokines that are released by a wide variety of cells to attract macrophages, T cells, eosinophils, basophils, and neutrophils to sites of inflammation. There are two classes of chemokines, the members of each class share an organizing primary sequence motif. Alpha chemokines such as IL-8, neutrophil-activating protein-2 (NAP-2), and melanoma growth stimulatory activity protein (MGSA) are chemotactic primarily for neutrophils, whereas beta chemokines such as RANTES (regulation-upon-activation, normal T expressed and secreted), MIP-1 alpha (macrophage inflammatory protein), MIP-1 beta, MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1), MCP-2, and MCP-3 are chemotactic for monocytes, T-cells, eosinophils, and basophils.
Chemokines bind specific cell-surface receptors belonging to the family of G-protein-coupled seven-transmembrane-domain proteins which are termed "chemokine receptors." Chemokines and chemokine receptors such as, for example, CCR-1, CCR-2, CCR-2a, CCF-2b, CCR-3, CCR-4, CCR-5, CXCR-1, CXCR-2, CXCR-3, and CXCR-4, play a role in inflammation and autoimmune responses by attracting leukocytes, which migrate out of the microvasculature and into the extravascular space in response to chemoattractant molecules. These chemoattractants, which include cytokines and activated complement components, may be released by the patient or they may be released from an invading organism. Once exposed to chemoattractants within the vasculature, the leukocytes become activated and capable of adhering to the endothelium, providing the first step in the development of inflammation. Stimulated neutrophils adhere to the endothelium of the microvasculature in response to a gradient of chemoattractants which direct the cells into the extravascular space toward the source of the chemoattractant.
One chemokine in particular that mediates inflammatory response is IL-8. IL-8 is a cytokine that promotes the recruitment and activation of neutrophil leukocytes and represents one of several endogenous mediators of the acute inflammatory response. In the past it was variously termed neutrophil-activating factor, monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor, IL-8, and neutrophil-activating peptide-1. The term "IL-8" has gained the widest acceptance and will be used herein.
Evidence of the involvement of IL-8 in inflammatory responses includes the observation that neutralizing antibodies to human IL-8 were shown to have a protective effect in inflammatory lung injury in rats.
Further, preliminary nonhuman primate studies have confirmed the activity of IL-8 on hematological parameters. IL-8 was administered by both bolus and continuous infusion to baboons. This resulted in a rapid, transient and severe granulocytopenia followed by granulocytosis that persisted as IL-8 levels remained detectable within the circulation. Histopathological examination revealed a mild to moderate neutrophil margination in the lung, liver and spleen which was of greater severity in animals receiving the continuous infusion of IL-8.
Also, high levels of intravascular IL-8 have been reported in systemic conditions such as septic shock.
Further, it is known that IL-8 binds with a higher affinity to CXCR-1 than to CXCR-2. On the other hand, a primary receptor for MCP-1 is CCR-2, which is expressed predominately on macrophages.
Another chemokine that mediates inflammatopry response is MCP-1. Studies using animal macrophages have demonstrated the pivotal roles of MCP-1 in rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. Unfortunately, work on human macrophages has been hampered by the relative small number of these cells in human blood.
Historically, persons skilled in the pharmaceutical and medical arts have sought to increase levels of CSFs in patients, believing that CSFs provided therapeutic benefits to patients suffering from certain diseases and disorders. We have now unexpectedly discovered that CSFs synergistically enhance the chemoattractant effects of chemokines on recruitment of leukocytes to sites of inflammation. For example, it is shown below that G-CSF synergistically enhances the chemoattractant effects of IL-8 on the recruitment of neutrophils, and M-CSF synergistically enhances the chemoattractant effects of MCP-1 on the recruitment of monocytes. As IL-8 and MCP-1 are key mediators of inflammatory diseases, it would be desirable to identify substances capable of inhibiting the synergistic interactions of CSFs and chemokines for use in the treatment of diseases responsive to this inhibition.
We have now unexpectedly discovered useful methods for determining the ability of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to inhibit a synergistic interaction between a CSF and a chemokine, including a method for rapidly screening large numbers of such compounds. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is a method for screening compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for inhibition of a synergistic interaction between a CSF and a chemokine. All that is needed to practice this embodiment of the present invention is to assay a potential inhibitor of said synergistic interaction according to the methods described below.
Another embodiment of the present invention is an inhibitor of a synergistic interaction between a CSF and a chemokine, which inhibitor is identified using a screening method of the present invention.
Further, another embodiment of the present invention is an inhibitor of a synergistic interaction between a CSF and a chemokine.
Still further, another embodiment of the present invention is a method of treating diseases and disorders responsive to inhibition of a synergistic interaction between a CSF and a chemokine.
Still further, another embodiment of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an inhibitor of a synergistic interaction between a CSF and a chemokine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or excipient.
All that is needed to practice the present invention is to administer from one to six times daily a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, of a synergistic interaction between a CSF and a chemokine to a patient in need thereof for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and diseases responsive to inhibition of a synergistic interaction between a CSF and a chemokine. Determination of proper dosage, pharmaceutically composition, and form of administration of the inhibitor is well within ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical and medical arts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,586 discloses murine-derived hybridoma tumor cell lines and monoclonal anti-Colony Stimulating Factor Subclass Number 1 antibody substances produced by these cell lines. Use of said monoclonal antibody substances, alone or in combination, in immunological procedures for isolation of natural Colony Stimulating Factor Subclass Number 1 and for quantitative detection of colony Stimulating Factor Subclass Number 1 in fluid samples.

Methods of treating inflammation using antibodies to M-CSF


Methods and systems are provided for characterizing interfacial tension (IFT) of reservoir fluids, which involves obtaining fluid property data that represents fluid properties of a reservoir fluid sample measured downhole at reservoir conditions, and inputting the fluid property data to a computational model that determines a value of oil-water IFT of the reservoir fluid sample based on the fluid property data. In embodiments, the fluid property data represents single-phase fluid properties of the reservoir fluid sample, such as fluid density and viscosity of an oil phase of the reservoir fluid sample and fluid density of a water phase of the reservoir fluid sample. In embodiments, the computation model can be based on machine learning or analytics combined with a thermodynamics-based physics model.

Petroleum reservoir fluids can include a hydrocarbon (gas and/or crude oil) phase and water phase (i.e., brine or formation water). Knowledge of the interfacial tension (IFT) between the hydrocarbon phase and water phase of petroleum reservoir fluids can play an important role in the evaluation of reservoir potential and its performance. It is also an important property for dynamic reservoir performance simulation. For liquid hydrocarbons, the oil phase can have different types of surface-active components including naphthenic acids. Naphthenic acids play an important role in controlling the IFT between the oil phase and the water phase in reservoir fluids, but IFT is dominated by the bulk properties of the immiscible fluids, i.e., density and viscosity and the environmental conditions such as temperature.
IFT is an important property between fluids controlling distribution and flow of a fluid of oil and water in porous media, as capillary pressure Pc is linearly dependent on it. If the porous medium is modeled by the cylindrical tube model, fluid distribution at equilibrium is controlled by the capillary pressure Pc, written as:
                     P      c          =                  2                      γ        ow                     cos              θ            r                        Eqn     .                   (      1      )               where Pc is capillary pressure, γow is the IFT between the oil phase and the water phase of the fluid, θ is the wetting angle, and r is the pore throat radius.
Since the capillary pressure Pc determines fluid distribution at equilibrium, one application of IFT is in oil reserve calculations such as saturation height function modeling. The height of the hydrocarbon column is calculated by equating the capillary pressure (Eqn. 1) with buoyancy pressure, ΔρμgH resulting in:
               H     =                  2                      γ        ow                     cos              θ                   rg              (                        ρ         w                -                 ρ         o                      )                              Eqn     .                   (      2      )               where H is the hydrocarbon column height above free water level, g is gravity constant, and ρw and ρo are densities of the water phase and oil phase, respectively.
Fluid flow in the porous media can be determined by the balance between the capillary pressure Pc and a driving force. The driving force can be a displacing viscous force that defines the capillary number Nc, or gravity that the bond number can be estimated. The capillary number Nc is defined as the ratio between viscous and capillary forces. There are many forms of expressions for capillary number Nc expressions, such as the following from Melrose, J. C., Brandner, C. F., 1974 "Role of capillary forces in determining microscopic displacement efficiency for oil recovery by waterflooding," The Journal of Canadian Petroleum, PETSOC-74-04-05-P:
                     N      c          =                                   μ         w                                 V         w                      ϑ                         1               γ        ow                                     Eqn     .                   (      3      )               where Nc is the capillary number, μw is the viscosity of aqueous or displacing phase, Vw is the flow rate of the displacing phase and ϑ is the effective porosity of formation.
From these equations, it is evident that the capillary pressure Pc thus IFT (Eqn. 1) plays an important role in determining initial water saturation (Eqn. 2), residual oil saturation and oil displacement efficiency, i.e., oil recovery (Eqn. 3).
Variations or deviations from actual magnitudes in the order of up to 30% of the estimated IFT can have significant impact on reservoir evaluations (both reserves and recoveries) and therefore on asset economics.
In currently used models, such as those models described in i) Sutton, R. P., 2009 "An Improved Model for Water-Hydrocarbon Surface Tension at Reservoir Conditions," SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, SPE 124968, 1-18; ii) Ling, K.; He, J., 2012 "A New Correlation to Calculate Oil-Water Interfacial Tension," SPE-163328, SPE Kuwait International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition; iii) Firoozabadi, A.; Ramey, H. J., 1988 "Surface tension of water-hydrocarbon systems at reservoir conditions," J. Can. Pet. Technol. 27, 41-48; and iv) Zuo, Y.-X.; Stenby, E. H., 1998 "Prediction of Interfacial Tensions of Reservoir Crude Oil and Gas Condensate Systems," SPE Journal 3(2), 134-145, the value of IFT can be overestimated, which can result in high uncertainties in evaluating reserves and recoveries by up to 25%. See Li, H.; Mahavadi, S. C.; Andersen, S. I., 2014 "Method and apparatus for the analysis of Reservoir Fluids," WO/2016/018229.
Reservoir engineers commonly estimate the IFT between the oil phase and water phase of reservoir fluids and its variation over a reservoir based solely on the hydrocarbon composition of the reservoir fluids reported from standard gas chromatographic analysis given in PVT reports. Crude oils contain thousands of components. Among them, surface-active species, such as carboxylic acids, are of special interest, as they dominate the properties of the oil/water interface. Even in small quantities, they can have a significant effect on the interfacial properties as described in Sauerer, B.; Stukan, M.; Buiting, J.; Abdallah, W.; Andersen, S., 2018 "Dynamic Asphaltene-Stearic Acid Competition at the Oil-Water Interface", Langmuir 34, 5558-5573 and Andersen, S. I.; Mahavadi, S. C.; Chen, J.; Zeng, B. Y.; Zou, F.; Mapolelo, M.; Abdallah, W.; Buiting, J. J., 2016 "Detection and Impact of carboxylic acids at the crude oil-water interface," Energy & Fuels 30 (6), 4475. Thus, the applied correlations, lacking a surface-active component term, are not suitable for crude oil IFT estimation.
To account for the active-species contribution to IFT, US Patent Publ. No. US20200096429A1 to Andersen et al., 2016, describes a method that employs a downhole tool for fluid sampling, analysis, and calculation of IFT based on acid-base IFT contribution. In this method, concentrations of surface-active species are measured using a spectrometer. In PCT Patent Publ. No. WO2016018229A1 to Li et al., 2014, a method is proposed that samples a reservoir fluid and applies an empirical model that relates oil-water IFT of the sample to concentration of at least one organic acid species. This model requires calibration based on the measured oil-water interfacial tension of the sample.
It is, however, a challenging task to estimate the concentration of these surface-active components in the crude oil, especially in downhole estimations, making it challenging to correct for their influence. When crude oil and kerogen mature under temperature and pressure, the in-situ composition changes through cracking and biodegradation, leading to the creation and decomposition of different organic species. In this process, the crude oil viscosity and density, as well as the concentration of surface-active species will undergo changes.
In reservoir modeling, the current approach for IFT estimation is the so-called Sutton equation, which has been implemented in software (e.g. PIPESIM, a Schlumberger software) to characterize multiphase flow of reservoir fluids. The Sutton equation has the form:
                     γ      ow          =                  [                                  1.58                     (                                    ρ             w                        -                         ρ             o                                  )                            +         1.76                         T         r         0.3125                      ]            4                        Eqn     .                   (      4      )               where γow is the IFT between the oil phase and the water phase of the reservoir fluid, ρw, and ρo are density of the water phase and oil phase, respectively, and Tr is reduced temperature or ratio of the critical temperature (Tc) of the oil phase and the temperature (T) of the system.
The critical temperature (Tc) of the oil phase is that temperature above which the oil phase cannot exist as a liquid, no matter how much pressure is applied, a very difficult parameter to obtain even in the laboratory conditions. Note that the Sutton equation is described in Sutton, R. P., 2009 "An Improved Model for Water-Hydrocarbon Surface Tension at Reservoir Conditions," SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, SPE 124968, 1-18.
Several other correlations exist (e.g., based on Parachor number), but an approach where the impact of crude oil components is properly accounted for is currently lacking.

Methods and systems for predicting interfacial tension of reservoir fluids using downhole fluid measurements


A power supply unit comprises a series regulator and a switching DC-DC converter controlled by a PWM signal and connected in parallel with the series regulator, which are switchably enabled by a mode instruction signal depending on the magnitude of a load current. In switching the series regulator and the DC-DC converter, they are simultaneously enabled for a predetermined overlapping time. Further, in changing the operating condition of the DC-DC converter, the width of the PWM signal is shortened to extend the dead time of the DC-DC converter by a predetermined period, thereby suppressing free oscillations and accompanying overshoots that could take place in the power supply unit during switching.

There have been widely used switching DC-DC converters for converting an input voltage into a required output voltage by switching the input voltage.
Although this type of DC-DC converters has fairly large energy consumption of itself, they can provide power efficiently to a rather heavy load since they have high power conversion efficiency. Unfortunately, when the load is light (less than a threshold level), the power consumption rate of themselves is comparatively large that their overall power conversion efficiency is low.
In order to avoid such loss of conversion efficiency when connected to a light load, a DC-DC converter is used along with a series regulator that consumes a little power, in spite of the fact that the series regulator has low power conversion efficiency. Thus, the DC-DC converter is used when the load is heavy, and the series regulator is used when the load is light, thereby improving the overall power consumption efficiency (see for example, Japanese Patent Applications Laid Open 2002-300769 and 2001-211640).
The prior art power supply unit is adapted to selectively operate either one of the DC-DC converter and the series regulator depending on the condition of the load being heavy of light. However, there is a possibility that the switching is not smoothly executed then. Furthermore, a sudden change in the electric power supplied to a smoothing coil and a smoothing capacitor may cause free oscillations and/or an overshoot in the unit. In the worst case, voltage fluctuations can reset other control circuits.

Power supply unit and portable apparatus using the same