The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composition comprising a gold (111) chlorite-cyanide coordination compound, a composition comprising the gold (111) compound obtainable by this process, as well as the afore-mentioned composition for use in therapy, more particularly for use in the treatment of cancer.

The invention concerns water-soluble, intelligent gold (III) complexes, methods of producing water-soluble, intelligent gold (III) complexes and their use.
Gold has been used in pharmacology and cosmetics since ancient times. Today still using gold preparations is recommended in infectious, rheumatic and venereal diseases, psoriasis, vitiligo, diabetes, collagenosis, angina, epilepsy and neoplasms. Due to its antibacterial, antimycotic and antiviral properties, gold supports the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions, as well as accelerates healing of wounds and burns. Gold also supports functioning of many systems, including the nervous system, as it improves brain function.
Over 70 thousand patents present methods for detection, diagnosis and elimination of neoplastic cells, but none of them is universally effective, and presently we can distinguish over 100 types of cancer.
The researchers from an institute in Cambridge (England) have already identified 475 mutations associated with neoplasms, which translates to approximately 50 thousand different neoplastic diseases. Laboratories and scientific institutions worldwide have researched and patented or implemented in the treatment of neoplasms numerous compounds containing platinum-group metals, gold and other metals. Presently, over 80 various compounds from the platinum group alone are registered, with cisplatin and its derivatives being the most popular and frequently used in chemotherapy.
In 1965, Barnett Rosenberg unexpectedly discovered antineoplastic properties of cisplatin (diamminedichloroplatinum II), which was the first preparation in the group of coordination compounds of divalent platinum (II). On 19 Dec. 1978, following years of studies, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registered cisplatin as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of genitourinary neoplasms.
Due to this discovery, the interest in coordination compounds of platinum (II) and other transient metals increased.
Presently, approximately 70% of all chemotherapy cases involve antineoplastic therapies with the use of platinum, and one of the medicinal products containing platinum (II) is Cisplatin-"Ebewe". According to the information from the manufacturer, the product is indicated in a multi-drug chemotherapy of advanced neoplasms: lung carcinoma, bladder carcinoma, cervical cancer, testicular cancer and ovarian cancer (stages III and IV), as well as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (palliative treatment). Its mechanism of action consists in cross-linking within and between the DNA particles, which prevents synthesis of the nucleic acid, inhibits cell division (cytostatic effect), and results in the death of the neoplastic cell. The growth and development of the neoplasm is thus inhibited. Cisplatin is recommended at concentrations of 50 to 120 mg/m2 of the body surface area, at 3- or 4-week interval, or 15 to 20 mg/m2 daily, at 3- or 4-week intervals. Average human body surface area is 1.7 m2, which means that the above cisplatin doses should be multiplied by 1.7. Therefore, a maximum daily dose per kilogram of body weight is almost 3 mg. Cisplatin stability in body fluids is low, and the drug is quickly hydrolysed in blood and lymph.
Other preparations based on platinum combined with amino acids, enzymes or peptides are also known, and their mode of action is similar to that of cisplatin. Cisplatin-based products are highly toxic and associated with adverse reactions, including vomiting, inhibited bone marrow formation, immunosuppression, cytopenias, pain and fatigue. Other effects include general exhaustion of the organism, mucositis, alopecia or dermal complications.
The group of gold-containing anticancer drugs is considerably larger than that of platinum-containing products. It includes primarily medications with Au0 metallic gold (of zero valence), according to the particle size also referred to as colloidal gold (nanoparticle gold), with particle size between a few and a few hundred nanometers.
Presently, there are a few dozen patents and patent applications regarding different gold (I) compounds which, according to description, could be used for the treatment of neoplastic diseases and other conditions.
In the analysis of the effectiveness of these compounds not only the particle size, but also the stability of gold (I) compounds in blood should be considered. Contrary to colloidal gold, many gold (I) compounds are soluble in water, which theoretically guarantees their unlimited solubility in the blood and lymph, associated with their unlimited access with blood to the neoplastic cells. However, there are reports of cases where after injection of gold (I) salt only 1-10% of the injected dose reached the target sites, i.e. the neoplasms, while accumulation in other areas was increased. This is a consequence of a relatively low stability of these compounds in specific environments such as blood, lymph or other body fluids. Due to various factors, the compounds were quickly reduced to metallic gold.
Presented below are patents and patent applications describing the use and production of numerous gold (III) compounds—complexes, which are more stable than gold (I).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,847 presents gold (III) complexes having a formula AuLX3, where Au represents gold, L is a nitrogen-containing ligand such as an aliphatic amine, an aromatic amine or a heterocyclic amine and X is a chloride. These compounds are useful in the treatment of neoplasms. Gold (III) complexes have been demonstrated to be useful as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiparasitic products.
Another patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,495) presents gold (III) complexes of mono-L-aspartyl chlorine e6, or monoglutamyl chlorine e6 or their pharmacologically acceptable salts. The gold (III) complexes are used in the treatment of neoplastic diseases, and in detection and treatment of arteriosclerosis. A method of gold (III) complex production was also presented.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,632,827 presents organic phosphine gold (III) complexes which, administered in therapeutically effective quantities, treat neoplastic and viral diseases, in both in vitro and in vivo studies.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,481,496 demonstrates the use of gold (III) complexes with oligopeptides functionalised with sulfur atoms as antineoplastic agents. Gold (III) complexes of the [Au(III)X2pdtc)] type, containing dithiocarbamato groups are promising antineoplastic drugs, as their toxicity is much lower than that of cisplatin. The description also presented the methods of preparation of the gold (III) complexes with dithiocarbamato ligands and peptides. The shortcoming associated with the preparation of the complexes is the need to use a strongly toxic carbon disulfide (CS2), which requires complicated methods of separation and cleansing.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,530,659 presents a pharmaceutical composition used for the treatment of cancer, involving cyclomethylated carbenes whose central atom is gold (III) or platinum (II). The composition demonstrates an antineoplastic effect, including apoptosis of the neoplastic cells, and exerts a limited toxic effect on human cells.
Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 8,563,712, presents a method of cancer treatment through histone deacetylase inhibition, which consists in administration of therapeutically effective quantities of Au(III) in an aromatic complex having the formula presented in the picture, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,828,984 describes composition and synthesis of Au(III)-HNC organic complexes for the treatment of cancer, or thiol fluorescent detection. Presented in the patent are also methods of cancer (tumour) treatment and prophylaxis, as necessary, by the administration of Au(III)-NHC complexes, which demonstrate antineoplastic effects: neoplastic cell death due to inhibited proliferation and growth of the tumour in vivo. A serious disadvantage of this invention is the use of strongly toxic CF3SO3− anions.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,885,611 (B1) presentation revealed cytotoxic gold (III) compounds, that is complexes of the type [diaminocyclohexane)AuCl2]Cl derived from sodium tetrachloroaurate (III) dihydrate NaAuCl4.2H2O. Specifically, the cytotoxic compounds are gold complexes of isomers of (1,2-diaminocyclohexane) AuCl3. In order to treat cancer cells in a patient, such as prostate cancer or gastric cancer, an effective amount of the isomer of 1,2-(diaminocyclohexane)AuCl3 is administered at a concentration ranging between about 10 μM and 20 μM (micromoles).
U.S. Pat. No. 9,023,370 presents organic complexes containing heterocyclic O, N and S atoms with gold, silver or platinum nanoparticles, administered in effective amounts by intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection to mammals, including humans:
U.S. Pat. No. 9,346,832 presents organic gold (III) complexes for the treatment of cancer. It also describes the methods of preparing aliphatic diamine with heterocyclic aldehydes with Schiff base, followed by condensation with tetrahaloaurate (III) quaternary salts. The synthesis of organic gold (III) complexes has many stages, and involves toxic and inflammable solvents.
In U.S. Pat. No. 9,487,542, the gold (III) complexes with mixed diaminocyclohexane and ethylenediamine ligands or their derivatives are presented. The complexes may exist in both cis- and trans-configurations. The patent also presents pharmaceutical compositions containing gold (III), the methods of synthesis, cancer treatment and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, as well as inducing cancer cell apoptosis. The mixed gold (III) complexes or pharmaceutically acceptable salts are administered at a concentration of 5-50 μM (micromoles) of Au(III).
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,585,861 and 9,481,693, the gold (III) complexes with mixed diaminocyclohexane and 1,3-propylenediamine ligands or their derivatives are presented. The patent presents the methods of synthesis, cancer treatment and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, as well as inducing cancer cell apoptosis. The mixed gold (III) complexes or pharmaceutically acceptable salts are administered at a dose of 0.05-200 mg/kg per body weight of the mammal.
Another patent presentation, U.S. Pat. No. 9,657,035, described a method of cancer treatment involving administration of effective quantities of at least one gold (III) complex with diaminocyclohexane or its derivatives. Gold (III) complexes are represented by formula I, II and III, where the molar ratio of diaminocyclohexane to Au(III) is 2:1. These cation gold (III) complexes are administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable counter ion (anion) in the amount of 1-100 mg/kg.
Patent application EP 0195147 demonstrates a novel class of aminegold (III) complexes in which the nitrogen-containing ligand is an alkylamine, an arylamine or a heterocyclic amine. The above aminegold (III) complexes are useful in the treatment of neoplasms in mammals. The active substance is administered in the amount of 2-480 mg/kg, and it can also be used as a therapeutic agent.
Patent EP 2502627 presents an anti-cancer agent selected from the group of quinoxaline phosphine complexes containing atoms of transition metal, i.e. gold, copper or silver. This new preparation demonstrates a higher antineoplastic activity than previously used cisplatin combined with taxol.
In patent description CA 1,255,673, Au(III) complexes comprise of nitrogen containing ligand and chloride or bromide. Such gold (III) complex is an active neoplasm-treating ingredient. The amine ligand is a heterocyclic compound selected from the group of pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine and imidazole. These heterocyclic gold (III) complexes may be administered orally or parenterally in the treatment of malignant neoplasms.
Patent application WO 2010062846 disclosed new aromatic gold (III) complexes, the methods of their synthesis and use. The new complexes were demonstrated to be very stable, which enables using them in the treatment of neoplastic cells. The presentation also provides examples of using these compounds for the inhibition of neoplastic cell growth, and examples of therapeutically effective doses.
Patent application WO 2012157128 presents gold (III) complexes with optically active amides, nonane-1,6-diamine and picoline acid. The complexes demonstrate strong antineoplastic properties, even in small doses. A considerable disadvantage of this invention consists in a very complicated synthesis, involving toxic and inflammable solvents.
Patent application WO 2013005170 presents modulators based on gold (I) and/or gold (III), which selectively bind to the proteins of transmembrane aquaglyceroporins AQP cells. The selective inhibition of AQP channels is accomplished by compounds tetracoordinated to gold (III) complexes. The invention discloses the uses thereof in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and chemical reagents for diagnostics, treatment, prophylaxis and prevention of conditions associated with aquaglyceroporin AQP functions, especially in the treatment of cancer.
Patent application US 2015125550 presents a method of inhibiting the growth of lung cancer cells or glioma (brain tumour) cells by administration of effective quantities of the antineoplastic agent selected from the group comprising 2,9-di-sec-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline; (2,9-di-sec-butyl-1,10-phenanthro line)AuCl3; (2-mono-n-butyl-phenanthroline)AuCl3 and their combinations. Additionally, an anti-cancer platinum-based compound is administered, preferably cisplatin.
Patent application US 2015182489 presents the method of treatment of breast, ovarian, prostate or gastric cancer by the administration of effective quantities of antineoplastic drug. The drug contains monomeric gold (III) in a complex with ethylenediamine in a molar ratio of 1:1, having the formula [Au(en)Cl2]Cl. This gold (III) complex is administered at a dose of 32.3 mg/kg or less daily for 14 days.
The most recent US 2017157261 patent application discloses conjugates, compositions and methods that include or use one or more gold (III) porphyrin complex. The preferred conjugates are gold (III) porphyrin-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) compounds. Disclosed are the methods for the treatment of cancer comprising administering to a human a therapeutically effective amount of gold (III) porphyrin-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) conjugates. The conjugates can be in the form of nanostructures formed by self-assembly of the gold (III) porphyrin-PEG conjugates, or nanocomposites formed by encapsulation of other therapeutic agents by the nanostructures of gold (III) porphyrin-PEG conjugates.
From Chinese patent CN 102268003 presentation we learn about asymmetrical gold (III) porphyrins as antineoplastic agents, and the methods of their preparation. Asymmetrical porphyrins are obtained as a result of reaction between pyrrole and various aromatic aldehydes, followed by a reaction with gold (III) salts. The newly synthesised gold (III) complexes demonstrate an improved ability to inhibit the development of neoplastic cells compared to the usually applied cisplatin.
The Chinese CN 102368027 application presents gold (III) complexes with aromatic or aliphatic picoline acid amides, which demonstrate antineoplastic activity and can be used for the treatment of neoplasms.
Patent CN 103385851 description presents injectable drugs for cancer patients. The composition contains bis-[2,3-bis (tert-butyl methyl phosphonate) quinoxaline] gold (III) chloride. Moreover, the composition contains a pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant. The weight ratio between the complex and the surfactant is 1:1-50.
Patent CN 103547269 description presents quinoxaline phosphine complexes with a transition metal atom selected from the group: gold, copper and silver, in combination with cyclodextrin compounds. The new complexes demonstrate a good solubility and high antineoplastic activity. Their shortcomings include complicated synthesis and toxic reagents.
In most cases, the above organic gold (III) complexes are very poorly soluble in water. It is well known that all cells, including the neoplastic cells, are nourished by the ingredients in blood, and approximately 90% of blood is water, as well as 83% of lungs, 79% of kidneys, 88% of brain, 73% of heart and 71% of liver is water. Therefore, good active substance used in systemic therapy should demonstrate a very good solubility and stability in water, especially in blood and lymph.
Solubility of the active substance in water is of great importance in the treatment of neoplastic diseases. Neoplastic cells may disperse through blood and/or the lymphatic system to local lymph nodes and to distant sites, creating metastases, i.e. secondary tumours developing in organs and tissues often considerably distant from the primary tumour site. Secondary tumours are very difficult to treat, as they can quickly infiltrate numerous tissues and organs, making simultaneous treatment difficult, and often impossible. Metastases frequently occur even several years after a seemingly successful chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical removal of the primary tumour.
The dominant features which should characterise a good antineoplastic preparation include: possibly high therapeutic effectiveness, possibly low toxicity, solubility in water, stability and the active substance molecule smaller than 1 nanometre (nm).
Polish patent application PL 411432 presented water-soluble, intelligent gold (III) complexes, methods of their preparation and their use as an independent agent or an ingredient of a pharmaceutical product in a therapeutically justified quantity, and using any route of administration in neoplastic diseases. The cyanide complexes of, preferably, gold (III) mono-, di-ions are obtained in a aqueous or hydro-alcoholic solution in a reaction between cyanide and monovalent alkaline metal in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 1:6.
The gold (III) complexes described in PL 411432 are durable and additionally stabilised with chloride dioxide, but do not possess certain important properties described below. As it is commonly known, neoplastic cells ferment glucose to lactic acid that acidifies mammalian organism and thus hinders the process of combating neoplastic cells by immune cells such as lymphocytes and the so-called natural killer cells (NK). Moreover, lactic acid works like biological scissors—it dissolves cellular membranes of neighbouring healthy cells. The organism defends itself against decreasing pH through buffering reactions, which consist in making use of calcium and magnesium ions contained in bones, which it later sends to acidic neoplastic cells. This is evidenced by in vivo study results conducted on animals. They have shown occurrence of calcium and magnesium deposits in places where neoplastic tumours had been before the therapy. In the case when these ions are not delivered with the applied active substance they are shifted to the area of the neoplastic tumour from bones. This can put a serious strain on the skeletal system, as it is significantly weakened in terms of structure (osteoporosis), which is characterised by progressive loss of bone mass, weakening of bone spacious structure, and consequently higher vulnerability to fracture, including spinal damage.
Polish patent application PL 225149 broadly discusses soluble in water, stable gold (III) complexes and the method of their preparation and use for production of dietary supplements or ingredients of dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, or ingredients in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The chloride complexes of gold (III) mono-ions and poly-ions are stabilised with chlorine dioxide.
The chloride complex obtained in accordance with the aforementioned patent is not very durable, especially in the environment of mammalian body fluids. It is captured by thiol-containing amino acids and various nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds almost immediately. Therefore, the complexes are not suitable for intravenous, intra-muscular or subcutaneous injections, which is a major drawback in common use.
Similarly, cyanide gold complex (III), presented in patent application PL412005, is not very durable either. It is not stabilised with chloride dioxide and therefore it is prone to reduction by glutathione (GSH) or other thiol-containing amino acids, which is represented in the following reaction[Au(CN)4−]+2GSH[Au(CN)2]−+2HCN+2GSSG
With reference to the above mentioned size of the active molecule, it should be noted that the fine structure of the gold-containing active substance is very important, as it optimises its effectiveness in reaching the tumour. Therefore, fragmentation of the cluster structure which is often formed by the gold molecules is beneficial, as well as the resulting reduction of the size of gold molecules to under 1 nanometre, and preferably to gold (III) mono-ions or di-ions.
Patent DE 3920144 presents in detail the method of obtaining stable, orbitally rearranged monoatomic elements selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, copper, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium. According to the description, the transformed monoatomic metals can be used in forming catalysts for ceramics, fire-resistant and corrosion resistant materials. Moreover, they demonstrate specific properties, such as high-temperature super-conductivity and the ability to produce energy. This extensive patent description presents the methods (chemical and electrochemical) of obtaining orbitally rearranged, monoatomic gold from large gold clusters from Au2Cl6 to Au33Cl99.
According to the authors of this solution, such activity, consisting in transforming elements to mono-ions, particularly in the case of gold mono-ions, is very important, as it increases the therapeutic effectiveness of the fragmented gold. The diameter of colloidal gold molecules, compared to the diameter of sodium and potassium channels and/or the diameter of openings in cellular membranes and mitochondria, is very large. It is from a few to a few hundred nanometers. Such disproportion prevents easy access of gold molecules (Au0) in blood to neoplastic cells, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of the antineoplastic therapy. The size of colloidal gold molecules results from its tendency to form clusters, that is polymolecular structures composed of joined atoms. Gold clusters contain from several to several dozen atoms of metal, and the metal-metal (Au—Au) distances are identical as in the original, metallic form: they demonstrate a crystallographic structure and have free electrons, as in native gold, and the clusters are so large that they do not pass through the cell membranes of microorganisms or mammals.
Gold clusters form specific cages, whose structure resembles fullerenes. However, most of them are in the shape of pyramid, prism, cone, or take shapes of other three-dimensional structures. Regardless of the structure, the clusters are so large that they do not pass through the cellular and mitochondrial membranes of microorganisms of mammals. For instance, if a cluster is formed from 20 gold atoms with a radius of 0.144 nm each, in the extreme case it will reach the size of 6 nanometers (assuming that it creates a linear structure).
According to studies, over 50% of metallic gold Au0 in the form of large clusters is excreted from the organism in unchanged form within 24 hours from administration, 25-30% is excreted in the next 24 hours, and the remaining part is accumulated in the liver, kidneys and spleen, without the expected therapeutic effect. The studies also demonstrated that injecting empty gold nanoshells (carriers of the active substance) of 20-40 nm results in only 1-10% of the injected dose reaching the target site, that is the neoplasm, while the molecules accumulate in other sites, such as the liver or spleen. In order to improve the gold nanoparticle distribution to the tumour, they were modified in various manners, including combination with antibodies, hormone analogues, macrophages or silicon compounds. There are also gold nanoparticles combined with biologically active peptides and ribonucleic acids (RNA). However, the procedures only slightly improved the effectiveness of penetration into the tumour, as they did not significantly affect the molecule size, and did not reduce the tendency for cluster forming.
On the basis of the above data, it may be concluded that the effectiveness of antineoplastic therapy is closely related to the size of gold molecules and their ability to penetrate into the neoplastic cell.
Referring again to the quoted patent description DE 3920144, to reduce the size of gold clusters, they are repeatedly dissolved in hydrochloric acid with at least a 20 molar excess of sodium chloride in order to break the metal-to-metal binding.
In example 1, activity 8, a solution of monoatomic gold (I) salt NaAuCl2.H2O is obtained, with solution pH of approximately 1.0. The monoatomic gold (I) is unstable in time, and in particular it is not resistant to solar light, which causes its rapid disintegration.3Au+1→2Au0+Au+3
The authors of this invention for years have been conducting intensive research on the methods of producing water-soluble, stable in time, resistant to reduction and solar light gold (III) complexes, easily absorbed by the human organism. Meeting all these conditions required a chemical structure different from the ones presently used and described in the patent literature.
Stability of the substance in various pH environments had to be its primary characteristic. This parameter is necessary for the substance to play its function in the treatment of humans. It is well-known that different pH levels are found in the human organism: from 0.5 to 2 (gastric juice), to 6.3 (saliva), 7.3-7.45 (blood), 7.5-8.8 (bile, pancreatic enzymes). Solubility of the complex compound in all these environments is particularly important if we intend to administer it orally, intravenously of intramuscularly. It is also very important when the treated organ, being the target of systemic drug application, is characterised by a specific pH.
Stability in time and resistance to the solar light are also important. As is known, medicinal products should preferably demonstrate a shelf life of at least 24 months, preferably, however, 36 months. Implementation of the above goals will enable to create a product which can be easily stored, kept in strategic stocks, or used in different climatic conditions. It is also important to make the preparation resistant to reductive factors which may occur in the organism. Due to absence of such stability, many products which were highly effective in laboratory conditions lost all their properties in body fluids following intravenous injection of oral administration. This is illustrated by the example of TAUREDON®, a drug containing aurothiomalate sodium (Na2AuSC4H3O4) as the active substance, used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The drug loses its properties if the iron concentration in the organism is elevated, or if it is in contact with thioaminoacids, ingredients of a protein found in mammalian cells.
The authors of the invention also decided to introduce cyanide groups (—CN) in order to improve the solubility of the complex. They are included in the structure of the invented compound, and their presence is an important characteristic of the compound. As using this function group, often associated with the potent poison potassium cyanide (KCN), may be unexpected, the common presence of this group in food or medicinal products should be demonstrated, and the scope of its harmful effect on living organisms, and the human organism in particular, should be clearly specified.
Common salt (NaCl) is an example of the widespread use of the cyanide group (—CN) in food products. According to many publications, its consumption is necessary for the proper function of the organism. The widely available common salt contains an anticaking agent. Most frequently it is one of the food additives: E 535—sodium ferrocyanide; E 536—potassium ferrocyanide; E 538—calcium ferrocyanide.
The European and Polish standards determine the level of E 536—potassium ferrocyanide in common salt as 20 mg/kg, and in the sea salt as 57 mg/kg. The maximum daily intake of common salt is 75 g, and the average daily intake is 15 g. Consumption of 15 gram of common salt means an intake of 0.3 mg of potassium ferrocyanide, that is approximately 0.13 mg of cyanide. In relation to hydrogen cyanide (HCN), this is the maximum daily dose of the gold (III) complex produced according to this invention, and administered in advanced neoplastic disease. In many cases the dose will be several or several dozen times lower.
The cyanide compounds are used not only as food additives, but also as ingredients of medicinal products. One of them is Antidotum Thalii-Heyl, a drug for radioactive thallium poisoning. Its active substance is iron (III) hexacyanoferrate (II) (Prussian blue) CAS: 14038-43-8. This drug was approved for use in 2003 by FDA—United States Food and Drug Agency. Oral dose of this drug is very high: for children aged 2-12 years of age it is 1 g 3 times a day, and for children over 12 years of age and adults it is 3 g 3 times a day. Continuation of treatment for at least 30 days is recommended. The 9 g of Prussian blue corresponds to a daily intake of over 5,000 mg of hydrogen cyanide (HCN).
Patent PL 225149 disclosed a very simple and safe method of obtaining chlorine (IV) dioxide in a reaction in an aqueous solution of chloroauric (III) acid with sodium chlorite (III) in the presence of at least 20 moles of sodium chloride, conducted even at room temperature.
In this chemical transformation (disproportionation) one atom of trivalent chlorine is reduced to hydrochloric acid (Cl-1), while four atoms of trivalent chlorine are oxidised to chlorine (IV) dioxide. The reaction of preparing water-soluble, stable gold (III) complexes with chlorine (IV) dioxide is presented in the formula below:4HAuCl4+5NaClO2+nNaCl→4NaAuCl4ClO2+(n+1)NaCl+2H2O
The disclosed complex of gold (III) and chlorine dioxide in sodium chloride (I) solution unexpectedly proved to be very stable during long periods of storage, even in transparent packaging and exposed to the solar light, as well as resistant to freezing and defrosting.
As a result of long tests and studies, it appeared that very fine, mono-ion gold (I) can be easily oxidised with chlorite (III) to favourable gold (III) ions, which may be effectively stabilised with chlorine (IV) dioxide, and subsequently, in the presence of chlorine (IV) dioxide, they may react with a divalent alkaline earth metal cyanide in a proper molar ratio. The alkaline earth metals from the II group of the periodic table of elements include beryllium, strontium, barium and radium, as well as magnesium and calcium, favourably harmless for people and other mammals.
A detailed analysis of the data regarding the quantities of gold acceptable for the human organism for therapeutic purposes, and the toxicity of the cyanide group (CN) stabilised with chlorine dioxide (ClO2) inspired the authors of this invention to create water-soluble, intelligent gold (III) complexes whose therapeutic properties have been confirmed in experimental studies.

Water-soluble gold (III) complexes, methods of producing water-soluble gold (III) complexes and their use


A computer system providing a universal architecture includes a processor card connected to a system bus of a host computer system. The processor card is adapted for insertion into a slot of the computer system and houses a processor and a bus bridge conversion device. The processor operates according to a signaling protocol which is different than the signaling protocol of the computer system bus. The bus conversion device converts the signaling protocol of the system bus to the signaling protocol of the processor, and vice-versa. The bus conversion device includes logic for bus arbitration conversion, bus lock conversion, and cache coherency control. Logic is also included that converts incoming and outgoing requests so that the card may properly transact with other agents coupled to the bus.

The development of ever more advanced microprocessors and associated bus architectures continues at a rapid pace. For example, Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., recently introduced their latest processor, the Pentium.RTM.Pro at a time when the market demand for the previous generation Pentium.RTM. processor was still expanding. The Pentium.RTM.Pro processor offers a great boost in performance over the previous generation Pentium.RTM. processor and it introduces a new high-performance, pipelined system bus architecture.
A dilemma arises for computer system developers who wish to design systems based on the latest bus architecture, but who still wish to accommodate processor designs based upon previous generation processors, or processors having alternate bus architectures. For instance, many system designers would like to design their computer systems so as to be compatible with Intel's new Pentium.RTM.Pro bus--to take advantage of state-of-the-art features--but who still must meet the current market demand for compatibility with the Pentium.RTM. processor architecture. This generally means that the system processor must have the same pinout and/or operate in accordance with the bus architecture designed for the Pentium.RTM. processor.
Unfortunately, the bus signaling protocol of the Pentium.RTM.Pro processor differs significantly from the bus signaling protocol of the Pentium.RTM. processor. As a result, system developers have been left with the unsavory choice of either maintaining compatibility with mainstream processor designs--while foregoing the advantages associated with a state-of-the-art bus architecture--or, designing their system in accordance with the signaling protocol of the advanced bus architecture of the Pentium.RTM.Pro processor--at the expense of reduced market acceptability due to the broader customer base for Pentium.RTM. processor-based systems. Therefore, what is needed, is a computer system architecture which is adapted for use with a variety of processor types, with each processor type potentially employing an alternate bus architecture.
As will be seen, the present invention overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art by providing a universal computer architecture that includes a processor subsystem (or module) coupled to a host through a standardized computer bus interface. The invention offers compatibility with a wide variety of processor types while obviating the need to modify basic system architecture. The present invention advantageously allows a previous generation processor (e.g., a Pentium.RTM. processor) to transfer information to/from other agents coupled to the high-performance (i.e., Pentium.RTM.Pro processor) system bus in a seamless manner.

Computer system providing a universal architecture adaptive to a variety of processor types and bus protocols


A submersible rotary switch protects against moisture contamination and includes a housing containing an actuating mechanism and an oppositely disposed contact device confined in a contact compartment statically sealed by a flexible boot. A driver disposed between the compartments connects the actuating mechanism to the contact device to effect rotational translation therebetween.

Rotary switches are often utilized for selectively establishing one or more electrical connections by turning a dial, key or knob. The knob, in turn, connects to a contact mechanism disposed in a contact compartment and responsive to rotation of the knob to move an electrical contact relative to fixed contacts.
One of the more common examples of an economical rotary switch includes a typical engine starter responsive to rotation of a keyed cylinder to complete a start circuit. The keyed cylinder provides a measure of security in selectively enabling only those persons entrusted with the corresponding key to rotate the switch elements and actuate the start circuit. The starter is typically disposed within the interior of a vehicle, thus shielded from extreme environmental conditions.
Although the implementation of a rotary switch in the confines of an automobile interior minimally exposes the contact compartment to moisture, keyed conventional switches utilized in more extreme environments associated with watercraft, snowmobiles and construction equipment are prone to malfunction due to contamination and excessive oxidation of the contacts. The contamination often arises in such vehicles because the keyway formed in the cylinder and the annular space around the key cylinder provide undesirable moisture paths leading indirectly to the switch contacts.
With the ever-increasing popularity of environmentally exposed vehicles, those skilled in the art have explored different starter switch designs to satisfy customer concerns regarding reliability and security. One proposal includes providing a relatively inexpensive rotary dynamic seal, such as an O-ring, around the key cylinder or around a circular element of a contact rotor to minimize water entry. Other economical dynamic seal designs have implemented a "boot nut" in which a flat rubber washer, having a slit to allow entry of the key, is mounted forward of the keyhole. The rubber element rotates as the key turns to provide some measure of protection.
While such proposals are somewhat beneficial for limited exposure to the elements, continuous exposure, such as through complete submersion of a personal watercraft, typically overwhelms the limited sealing capability due to the keyway moisture path. Over time, the sliding motion of the rotating shaft relative to the dynamic seal generally causes the seal to deform and fatigue, substantially compromising the effectiveness of the seal. As a result, many manufacturers implement starters without keyed mechanisms, thereby increasing the risk of theft of the vehicle.
A related proposal for addressing the problem with relatively expensive static seals involves hermetically sealing the contacts from the outside environment with a static seal. Static seals in contrast to dynamic seals, remain fixed in an unchanging orientation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,831 illustrates a hermetically sealed switch for storing for long periods of time. The switch includes a metallic housing separated into two airtight compartments by a flexible metallic diaphragm welded to the interior radial surface of the housing. The center of the diaphragm is welded around the periphery of a narrow metallic actuator to maintain the seal. Bounding each end of the housing are respective rotors formed with respective grooves for engaging the respective ends of the actuator. The top rotor comprises a manual selector for activating the switch. The bottom rotor includes a contact disposed opposite a contact plate that mounts a plurality of connection elements.
Operation of the hermetic switch involves rotating the selector knob to correspondingly pivot the actuator and translate the knob movement to the contact rotor. As the contact rotor turns, the contact either makes or breaks circuits with the fixed contacts. While the relatively flexible nature of the metallic diaphragm realizes a static airtight seal between the two compartments, the design anticipates a one-shot actuation for military applications.
While the hermetic switch is beneficial for its intended purposes, the metallic nature of the sealing components, coupled with the required welding steps necessary to effect airtight sealing causes the design to be undesirable from a cost standpoint for non-airtight sealing applications. Moreover, the metal to metal welds between the diaphragm and metallic housing are subject to embrittlement after substantial use, resulting in component fatigue and loss of sealing capability.
Therefore, those skilled in the art have recognized the need for an economical rotary switch for use in extreme environments and capable of preventing moisture from contaminating a contact compartment and maintaining a high level of reliability throughout many actuations over a substantial period of time. The need also exists for such a switch to allow a measure of vehicle security through keyed access. The submersible switch of the present invention satisfies these needs.


The object of the present invention is to screen and identify a novel antimicrobial protein which can inhibit the growth of plant pathogenic microorganisms at a relatively low concentration such as Pyricularia oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani causative of two major diseases causing damage to rice crops and, further, to clone the gene of this protein. According to the present invention, an antimicrobial protein which can be obtained from a fraction of an aqueous extract of Lyophyllum shimeji precipitated by the ammonium sulfate precipitation method, has an antimicrobial activity at least against Rhizoctonia solani or Pyricularia oryzae, and shows the presence of components of about 70 kDa and/or about 65 kDa in molecular weight in the SDS-PAGE method. A gene encoding this protein and a method of using the same are provided.

Lytic enzymes such as chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase are known as plant proteins having antifungal or antimicrobial activity against plant pathogenic microorganisms. In vitro experiments have shown that while these types of enzymes will exert their effect if employed alone (Schlumbaum et al. (1986), Nature 324, pp. 365–367; Broglie et al. (1991), Science 254, pp. 1194–1197), if a combination of two or more such enzymes is employed, an enhanced effect can generally be obtained (Mauch et al. (1988), Plant Physiol. 88, pp. 936–942; Sela-Buurlage et al. (1993), Plant Physiol. 101, pp. 857–863). If used to inhibit fungal growth, it is known that these lytic enzymes are required to be used at a concentration of from about several ten to several hundred μg/ml when used alone, or about several μg/ml per enzyme when used in combination. However, so far as the present inventors are aware, none of these lytic enzymes has been demonstrated to exert any antimicrobial effect against Pyricularia oryzae which causes extensive damage to rice crops.
Antifungal peptides (AFP) of low molecular weight exemplified by defensin, also have antimicrobial activity and, among them, it is reported that Ca-AMP1 (Japanese domestic announcement No. 505048/96) and CB-1 (Oita et al. (1996), Biosci. Biotech. Biochem. 60, pp. 481–483) show antimicrobial activity against both Pyricularia oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani. While Rs-AFP1 and Ar-AFP2 (Terras et al. 1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267, pp. 15301–15309), and Ace-AMP1 (Japanese domestic announcement No. 501424/97) show antimicrobial activity against Pyricularia oryzae. These low-molecular weight peptides inhibit 50% of the growth of plant pathogenic microorganisms including the ones mentioned above at a concentration of several μg/ml.
Also, attempts have been made to isolate lytic enzyme genes or low-molecular weight antimicrobial peptide genes and transfer these genes into plants to thereby construct plants tolerant to injury from disease (Broglie et al. (1991), Science 254, pp. 1194–1197; Zhu et al. (1994), Bio/Technology 12, pp. 807–812; Lin et al. (1995), Bio/Technology 13, pp. 686–691; Terras et al. (1995), The Plant Cell 7, pp. 573–588). However hardly any plants to which tolerance at a practically acceptable level is imparted have hitherto been obtained. One reason for this is considered to be that the transferred genes are expressed at a low level only. However, a more fundamental reason is considered to be that antimicrobial proteins per se reported so far have poor antimicrobial activity. Consequently, it has been desired to identify and utilize an antimicrobial protein which is superior in antimicrobial activity to those of the prior art.

Corporate Juridical Person Society for Techno-Innovation of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries


The present invention is directed to a nozzle for an injection molding machine. The nozzle includes a body defining a melt channel. A heater is connected to the nozzle body. A heat distributor is also connected to the nozzle body. The heat distributor is formed of a conductive material for distributing heat from the heater along the nozzle body.

Molding machines include hot runner nozzles that define a melt channel for passing molten material to a desired location such as a mold cavity. It is important that the molten material be kept at a desired temperature to ensure that it flows and cures properly. Typically, hot runner nozzles are heated with a resistance heater that is wound about the outer surface of the nozzle body. A thermocouple is disposed within the nozzle body to sense the body temperature and the resistance heater is operated by a control system to maintain the body at a desired temperature.
A problem with such conventional nozzles is that the temperature within the nozzle varies over the length of the nozzle body. Usually, the ends of the nozzle tend to be much cooler than the middle portion of the nozzle due to heat loses occurring at the ends. As a result, it is difficult to maintain the melt within the melt channel at a constant desired temperature. This is problematic in particular for molten materials that are sensitive to minor changes in temperature. If the temperature is increased too much then the melt will burn in the middle portion of the nozzle, and if the temperature is decreased to avoid burning then the melt might have flow problems or other problems that will effect its ability to cure properly within the mold cavities.
There is a need for an apparatus to heat the melt channel within a nozzle body to a desired temperature that remains relatively constant over the length of the nozzle.


The invention relates to a grip for a musical instrument, particularly a band instrument which may be used in a group performance. A component of every musical performance, especially a group performance by a group such as by a marching band or drum and bugle corps, is the visual component. In the case of a horn, a visually attractive visual component would be a selective spinning or rotating motion provided by the performer, using a grip attached to the horn for allowing support of said horn in a single hand. The grip further provides an ergonomic means for gripping the horn in either one or both hands.

A component of every musical performance, especially a group performance by a group such as by a marching band or drum and bugle corps, is the visual component. Excitement and interest can be generated by additional motion within the group, which typically is provided by a non-playing member such as a drum major or majorette, or a baton performer.
Some instrument players within the group provide a visual component to the performance through the playing of the instrument. The cymbal player, for example, may use broad arm movements to visually accentuate the sound of the instrument. The drum player, such as the tymbale, snare drum, or bass drum player may also use broad arm movements to generate a level of interest in the observer and to provide a level of excitement to the performance.
For the most part, the wind players, hand and arm motions have been limited due to the nature of the instrument. For instruments such as trumpets, bugles and other valve horns, motions are generally limited to those involved with raising and lowering the instrument, prior and subsequent to their playing. The other motions permissible occur during actual playing of the instrument, which can include an exaggerated beat to the music tempo, a circular motion, or other such motion as desired.
In the case of the trumpet or bugle, it has been known to provide a visually exciting component during a non-playing mode. This technique consists of use of an existing ring found on many such horns, engaged by a finger of the user's left hand. So held, a horn may be rotated in a manner similar to a baton, thereby providing some visual interest to the observer. However, this is an ergonomically difficult technique, and its use has been limited due to the risk to the user and the instrument.


A method for prioritized data transmission to a common transmission medium from a plurality of interface modules coupled to it, for interfacing at least one input bitstream with said common transmission medium, whereby access is arbitrated on the basis of a module priority of each interface module, is such that, for at least one interface module, the module priority is dependent on at least one connection parameter associated to packets of said at least one input bitstream. An arrangement for performing this method is described as well as several variant implementations of the method and the arrangement.

The present invention relates to a method for prioritised data transmission to a common transmission medium of a plurality of interface modules coupled to it, and interfacing at least one input bitstream with the common transmission medium, each interface module of the plurality having a module priority on the basis of which access to said common transmission medium is arbitrated during a grant cycle. The invention also relates to a data transmission arrangement including a plurality of interface modules, for interfacing at least one input bitstream with a common transmission medium, each interface module including at least one storage queue adapted to store packets of the at least one input bitstream prior to accessing the common transmission medium, the each interface module having a respective module priority on the basis of which access to the common transmission medium is arbitrated during a grant cycle, and which is determined by an interface module priority means included in the each interface module.
A data transmission arrangement for performing such a method is already known in the art, e.g. from the Published European patent application, publication number EP 0584405 A1, entitled: xe2x80x9cData transmission system and interface module and priority generation means included thereinxe2x80x9d. Therein, a data transmission system or arrangement, including a plurality of interface modules, interfacing a plurality of input bitstreams with a common transmission medium, is described, wherein each interface module includes storage means, each including storage registers or storage queues, adapted to store packets of said input bitstreams prior to accessing said common transmission medium. Each of the interface modules described in the prior art document additionally includes packet priority determining means adapted for generating, for each of the packets stored in said storage means, a packet priority as a function of its storage time in said storage means and of at least one packet characterising parameter. Each interface module of the prior art data transmission arrangement is further granted access to the common transmission medium, based on an interface module priority, which is itself determined from the individual packet priority values associated to the individual packets stored within this interface module.
In case the input bitstream consists of an ATM input bitstream, the prior art method and arrangement does however not provide for prioritised access between different ATM service categories, to which individual packets of this bitstream are associated. Indeed, in the prior art method and arrangement, the interface module priority on the basis of which the prioritised access is granted, and determined from the packet priority of the packets of the bitstreams, is merely dependent upon the storage time of these packets in the storage queue, and upon at least one packet characterising parameter. Some examples of such a packet characterising parameter are referenced in the prior art document as being the packetising delay during the packetising process in the packetising means, described in the prior art document, or as related to the type of information contained in the packets, for example to make a distinction between data and voice. No reference is however made to a connection parameter. Since the ATM service category is however determined by a combination of both Quality of Service parameters such as cell delay variation, cell transfer delay and cell loss ratio, and traffic parameters such as peak cell rate, sustainable cell rate maximum burst size, and minimum cell rate, all of which are not parameters inherently characterising the packet itself, but characterising the connection associated to part of the input bitstream of which the packet forms part, the referenced prior art method is not adapted for providing access amongst a number of competing ATM service category bitstreams, entering at least one interface module, to the common transmission medium.
An object of the present invention is thus to provide a method and data transmission arrangement for realising prioritised data transmission between different ATM service categories.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by letting at least one interface module priority to be dependent upon at least one connection parameter.
Such an object is achieved by a method for prioritised data transmission to a common transmission medium of a plurality of interface modules coupled to it, and interfacing at least one input bitstream with the common transmission medium, each interface module of the plurality having a module priority on the basis of which access to the common transmission medium is arbitrated during a grant cycle, wherein for at least one interface module amongst the plurality, the module priority is dependent on at least one connection parameter associated to packets of the at least one input bitstream.
This object is also achieved by a data transmission arrangement including a plurality of interface modules, for interfacing at least one input bitstream with a common transmission medium, each interface module including at least one storage queue adapted to store packets of the at least one input bitstream, prior to accessing the common transmission medium, each interface module having a respective module priority on the basis of which access to the common transmission medium is arbitrated during a grant cycle, and which is determined by an interface module priority means included in the each interface module, wherein, for at least one interface module amongst the plurality, the module priority is dependent on at least one connection parameter associated to the packets of the at least one input bitstream.
Indeed, since the value of one or a combination of the values of these connection parameters is directly related to a specific ATM service category, and since the interface module priority is now determined by at least one of these connection parameters, the access arbitration, based on interface module priorities is now adapted to differentiate between different ATM service categories.
An additional characteristic feature of the present invention is that said method further includes a first step of routing at least part of the packets of the at least one input bitstream into at least one storage queue of the at least one interface module, based on the values of the at least one connection parameter, whereby each distinct storage queue amongst the at least one storage queue corresponds to a distinct predetermined combination of values of the at least one connection parameter, whereby for the each distinct storage queue, a distinct queue priority associated to the each distinct storage queue is determined, from which the interface module priority of the at least one interface module is further determined and that said data transmission arrangement is further adapted where the data transmission arrangement further includes routing means, adapted to route at least part of the packets of the at least one input bitstream towards the at least one storage queue included in the at least one interface module, based on the value of the at least one connection parameter, whereby each distinct storage queue amongst the at least one storage queue of the at least one interface module corresponds to a distinct predetermined combination of values of the at least one connection parameter, and is further associated to a distinct queue priority determining means included in the at least one interface module and being adapted to calculate a distinct queue priority associated to each distinct storage queue, whereby the interface module priority means of the at least one interface module is further adapted to determine the interface module priority from each of the distinct queue priorities associated to the each distinct storage queue of the at least one interface module.
As a result of this, by associating specific storage queues to specific ATM service categories, as is obtained by the correspondence of each storage queue to a distinct predetermined combination of values of said at least one connection parameter, and by determining a distinct queue priority per specific storage queue from which the interface module priority is determined, a simple implementation of the above mentioned principle is obtained.
A further characteristic feature of the present invention in case the at least one storage queue consists of one storage queue the interface module priority corresponds to the queue priority associated to the one storage queue; and wherein the data transmission apparatus has a corresponding apparatus feature.
Thereby, in case the interface modules only include one storage queue, the obtained queue priorities directly correspond to the interface module priorities. In this special case each interface module in fact only receives data associated to one specific ATM service category, as will be explained more into detail in a further paragraph.
Still another characteristic feature of the present invention for the each distinct storage queue, the distinct queue priority is selected from a distinct predetermined set of values; and wherein the data transmission apparatus has a corresponding apparatus feature.
In this way, priority differentiation amongst the different ATM service categories is obtained by selecting the queue priorities associated to these different ATM service categories, from distinct predetermined sets of values.
Yet a further characteristic feature of the present invention is the distinct predetermined sets of values, related to the distinct storage queues are non-overlapping; and wherein the data transmission apparatus has a corresponding apparatus feature.
By letting these distinct predetermined sets of values to be non-overlapping sets, the aforementioned differentiation is even more pronounced. In addition, the connection admission control function, although not being subject of this present invention, but being an essential part of the network of which this data transmission arrangement of the present invention forms part, is seriously simplified.
Another characteristic feature of the present invention is for at least one specific storage queue amongst the at least one storage queue, the queue priority associated to the at least one specific storage queue, is adapted at predetermined instances; and wherein the data transmission apparatus has a corresponding apparatus feature.
Thereby, by adapting the priority of a particular storage queue at predetermined instances, the possibility of guaranteeing a minimum cell rate is foreseen. This is especially valuable for these specific ATM service classes for which no total bit rate is specified, such as the available bit rate category. By, at predetermined instances temporarily increasing the associated queue priority, leading to an increased probability of gaining the access, yet a minimum transmission of cells of this service category is provided.
Yet a further characteristic feature of the present invention is the predetermined instances are related to the at least one specific storage queue; and wherein the data transmission apparatus has a corresponding apparatus feature.
In this way a further differentiation, but now between these specific ATM service classes for which the total bit rate is not specified such as for instance the available bit rate and the unspecified bit rate class, is provided, enabling to favour some of these categories with respect to others.
Yet another characteristic feature of the present invention is the predetermined instances are further related to a predetermined amount of calls to be transmitted from the at least one specific storage queue; and wherein the data transmission apparatus has a corresponding apparatus feature.
Thereby, by further relating the predetermined instances at which the priority of the specific ATM service categories is adapted, to predetermined amounts of cells to be transmitted from the associated storage queue, yet a fine tuning of the minimum guaranteed cell rate in these categories is provided. This results in even a more versatile method and arrangement.
Still a further characteristic feature of the present invention is the respective queue priority associated to the at least one specific storage queue, is alternatively selected, at the predetermined instances from at least two predetermined sets of values, each of which is related to the at least one respective storage queue; and wherein the data transmission apparatus has a corresponding apparatus feature.
In this way, a simple, low cost, implementation of the temporary varying priority for these specific ATM service categories is obtained.
Still another characteristic feature of the present invention is for the at least one specific storage queue, the at least two predetermined sets of values are non-overlapping; and wherein the data transmission apparatus has a corresponding apparatus feature.
As a result, a clear and marked differentiation between the temporarily varying priority values of these specific ATM service categories is obtained. By further combining this with the principle described in claims 5 and 18, all priority values related to all distinct ATM service categories, are distinctly marked.
Yet another characteristic feature of the present invention is for the method being applicable to a first interface module and a second interface module of the plurality, each respectively including a first, respectively a second, distinct storage queue with an associated first, respectively second, distinct queue priority, with the first distinct storage queue and the second distinct storage queue being related to the same predetermined combination of values of the at least one connection parameter, the first distinct queue priority and the second distinct queue priority are adaptable after each grant cycle; and wherein the data transmission apparatus has a corresponding apparatus feature.
This feature is especially important for guaranteeing fairness amongst identical ATM service categories, but attributed to packets entering and stored in different interface modules. By letting the priorities of the associated queues, to be adaptable after each grant cycle, fairness amongst the different competing interface modules is now obtained.
In this way, a simple method for implementing this fairness amongst different interface modules, is realised.

Method for prioritised data transmission and data transmission arrangement


A hydraulic circuit for construction equipment is provided, which supplements hydraulic fluid of a hydraulic pump for a cooling fan and hydraulic fluid of a main hydraulic pump and uses the supplemented hydraulic fluid as a hydraulic source of a RCV in order to supply signal pressure to a control valve that controls the driving of a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic circuit includes first to third hydraulic pumps, a first control valve installed in a flow path of the first flow path, a second control valve installed in a flow path of the second hydraulic flow path, a hydraulic motor connected to the third hydraulic pump, a cooling fan connected to the hydraulic motor, a first shuttle valve having an input portion connected to the first hydraulic pump and the third hydraulic pump, a second shuttle valve having an input portion connected to the second hydraulic pump and the third hydraulic pump, and a pilot pressure generation device installed in a pilot flow path connected to the output portions of the first and second shuttle valves and shifted to supply the hydraulic fluid having a relatively high pressure among the hydraulic fluids of the first to third hydraulic pumps to the first and second control valves as pilot signal pressure.

One hydraulic circuit in the related art for a construction machine as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes first and second variable displacement hydraulic pumps 2 and 3 and third and fourth fixed displacement hydraulic pumps 4 and 15 connected to an engine 1; a first control valve 5 installed in a flow path of the first variable displacement hydraulic pump 2 and shifted to control hydraulic fluid supplied to hydraulic actuators that drive a boom, a bucket, and a traveling device in response to pilot signal pressure supplied from the fourth hydraulic pump 15; a second control valve 5a installed in a flow path of the second variable displacement hydraulic pump 3 and shifted to control hydraulic fluid supplied to hydraulic actuators that drive a swing device, an arm, and the traveling device in response to the pilot signal pressure supplied from the fourth hydraulic pump 15; a hydraulic motor 9 connected to the third fixed displacement hydraulic pump 4; a cooling fan 10 connected to the hydraulic motor 9 and rotated to discharge cooling wind to an oil cooler 11 to lower temperature of the hydraulic fluid that is drained to a hydraulic tank T through a return flow path 16; a temperature sensor 13 detecting the temperature of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic tank T; an electric relief valve 12 installed in a discharge flow path 17 of the third hydraulic pump 4 to control hydraulic pressure that drives the hydraulic motor 9 so as to variably control a rotating speed of the cooling fan 10; and a controller 14 controlling the hydraulic pressure that drives the hydraulic motor by varying the set pressure of the hydraulic motor 9 by varying set pressure of the electric relief valve 12 according to a detection signal from the temperature sensor 13.
Here, the detailed description and illustration of spools of the first and second control valves 5 and 5a, which are shifted to control the hydraulic fluid supplied from the first and second hydraulic pumps 2 and 3 to the hydraulic actuators in response to pilot signal pressure that is supplied from the fourth hydraulic pump 15 through shifting of a pilot pressure generation device 6, are omitted.
In the drawing, the reference numeral "8" denotes a relief valve installed in a pilot flow path 18 of the fourth hydraulic pump 15 to drain the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic tank T when a load that exceeds pressure set in the fourth hydraulic pump 15 occurs.
Accordingly, by shifting the spools of the first and second control valves 5 and 5a through the shifting of the pilot pressure generation device 6, a working device such as a boom is driven by the hydraulic fluid that is supplied from the first hydraulic pump 2 to the hydraulic actuator, and the swing device is driven by the hydraulic fluid that is supplied from the second hydraulic pump 3 to the hydraulic actuator.
The hydraulic motor 9 is driven by the hydraulic fluid that is supplied from the third hydraulic pump 4 to the discharge flow path 17, and the cooling fan 10 is rotated by the driving of the hydraulic motor 9 to lower the temperature of the hydraulic fluid that returns to the hydraulic tank T through the oil cooler 11 installed in the return flow path 16.
The wind speed of the cooling wind that is discharged from the cooling fan 10 to the oil cooler 11 is in proportion to the rotating speed of the cooling fan 10, and if the rotating speed of the cooling fan 10 is increased, the load pressure of the hydraulic motor 9 is also increased.
In this case, the load pressure of the hydraulic motor 9 is controlled by the electric relief valve 12. That is, if the load pressure of the hydraulic fluid that is supplied from the third hydraulic pump 4 to the hydraulic motor 9 exceeds the set pressure of the electric relief valve 12, the hydraulic fluid having the excessive pressure is drained to the hydraulic tank T through the electric relief valve 12. Accordingly, the rotating speed of the cooling fan 10 can be controlled by the set pressure of the electric relief valve 12.
In the case of driving the working device such as the boom, the temperature of the hydraulic fluid, which returns from the hydraulic actuator having an increased temperature to the hydraulic tank T, is lowered by the cooling wind that is discharged through the cooling fan 10 while the hydraulic fluid passes through the oil cooler 11 installed in the return flow path 16.
That is, a detection signal, which corresponds to the temperature value of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic tank T that is detected by the temperature sensor 13, is input to the controller 14, and the controller 14 varies the set pressure by transmitting the control signal to the electric relief valve 12 so as to keep the set temperature of the hydraulic fluid.
For example, if the temperature of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic tank T exceeds the set temperature, the set pressure of the electric relief valve 12 is increased to heighten the hydraulic pressure that drives the hydraulic motor 9. Accordingly, the rotating speed of the cooling fan 10 is increased to increase the cooling capacity of the oil cooler 11.
In the hydraulic circuit in the related art for a construction machine illustrated in FIG. 1, the fourth fixed displacement hydraulic pump 15 (that is, the pilot pump) fixedly discharges a constant flow rate in accordance with the rotation of the engine 1. The hydraulic fluid that is discharged from the fourth hydraulic pump 15 is instantaneously used as the pilot signal pressure that shifts the spools of the first and second control valves 5 and 5a when the pilot pressure generation device 6 is shifted.
On the other hand, if the load that exceeds the set pressure occurs in the pilot flow path 18, the hydraulic fluid that is discharged from the fourth hydraulic pump 15 is drained to the hydraulic tank T through the relief valve 8, and this causes a power loss to occur.
That is, the lower loss is as follows.Power loss=(set pressure of the relief valve 8)×(discharge flow rate that is drained to the hydraulic tank T)
Further, since the fourth hydraulic pump 15 is separately connected to the engine 1, the structure of the hydraulic circuit becomes complicated to cause the increase of the production cost.
Another hydraulic circuit in the related art for a construction machine as illustrated in FIG. 2 includes first and second variable displacement hydraulic pumps 2 and 3 and a third fixed displacement hydraulic pump 4 connected to an engine 1; a first control valve 5 installed in a flow path of the first variable displacement hydraulic pump 2 and shifted to control hydraulic fluid supplied to hydraulic actuators that drive a boom, a bucket, and a traveling device in response to pilot signal pressure supplied from the third hydraulic pump 4; a second control valve 5a installed in a flow path of the second variable displacement hydraulic pump 3 and shifted to control hydraulic fluid supplied to hydraulic actuators that drive a swing device, an arm, and the traveling device in response to the pilot signal pressure supplied from the third hydraulic pump 4; a hydraulic motor 9 connected to the third fixed displacement hydraulic pump 4; a cooling fan 10 connected to the hydraulic motor 9 and rotated to discharge cooling wind to an oil cooler 11 installed in a return flow path 16 of the first and second hydraulic pumps 2 and 3 to cool the hydraulic fluid that returns to a hydraulic tank T; a temperature sensor 13 detecting the temperature of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic tank T; an electric relief valve 12 installed in a discharge flow path 17 of the third hydraulic pump 4 to control hydraulic pressure that drives the hydraulic motor 9 so as to variably control a rotating speed of the cooling fan 10; a controller 14 controlling the hydraulic pressure that drives the hydraulic motor by varying the set pressure of the hydraulic motor 9 by varying set pressure of the electric relief valve 12 according to a detection signal from the temperature sensor 13; a pilot pressure generation device 6 installed in a pilot flow path 18 connected as a branch to a flow path of the third hydraulic pump 4 and shifted to supply pilot signal pressure to the first and second control valves 5 and 5a; a pressure reducing valve 7 installed in the pilot flow path 18 to supply the hydraulic fluid from the third hydraulic pump 4 to the pilot pressure generation device 6 by a set pressure of a valve spring 7b, and shifted to drain the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic tank T if a load that exceeds the set pressure of the valve spring 7b occurs in the pilot pressure generation device 6; and a relief valve 8 installed in the pilot flow path 18 between the pressure reducing valve 7 and the pilot pressure generation device 6.
Since the pilot flow path 18 is connected as a branch to the discharge flow path 17 of the third hydraulic pump 4 for the cooling fan 10 and the pressure reduction valve 7 is installed in the pilot flow path 18, a separate fixed displacement hydraulic pump is not used, and thus a power loss can be minimized.
On the other hand, in the case of operating the pilot pressure generation device 6 that uses the hydraulic fluid from the third hydraulic pump 4 for the cooling fan 10 (see a curve "a" in FIG. 3), the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid of the third hydraulic pump 4 that is supplied to the hydraulic motor 9 is instantaneously reduced. Due to this, the revolution of the cooling fan 10 is abruptly reduced (for example, 1109 RPM→407.5 RPM) (see a curve "b" in FIG. 3), and thus the cooling effect is lowered.
Further, since the revolution of the cooling fan 10 is repeatedly changed between high RPM and low RPM depending on the operation of the pilot pressure generation device 6, noise (mechanical sound generated due to the irregular revolution of the cooling fan 10) occurs. Due to the irregular noise that occurs due to the change of the revolution of the cooling fan 10, an operator is unable to perform the operation smoothly.

Hydraulic circuit for construction equipment


A PWM signal to DC voltage converting unit includes at least a switch section adapted to provide an on/off function; a driving section electrically connected to the switch section for driving the switch section to provide the on/off function; a first voltage stabilizing section electrically connected to the switch section for generating a voltage; a bridging section electrically connected to the first voltage stabilizing section for keeping the first voltage stabilizing section in one-direction transmission; a second voltage stabilizing section electrically connected to the bridging section for generating a voltage; and an electricity-storing section electrically connected to the second voltage stabilizing section, such that power transmitted by the first and the second voltage stabilizing section may be charged to or discharged from the electricity-storing element. By controlling a duty cycle of an input PWM signal, the output voltage can be adjusted.

Any kind of electric or electronic device or element, either a signal-generating source or a load, needs power supply to work normally. However, each device or element requires different voltage. Please refer to FIG. 1 that shows a prior art. When a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal is in a duty cycle, it charges a capacitor C via a resistance R; and when the PWM signal is in a non-duty cycle, the capacitor C discharges until the PWM signal is Hi (that is, in the duty cycle) again. The capacitor C is then charged again. Therefore, generally speaking, an output voltage in the prior art shown in FIG. 1 is substantially constant.
However, in practical applications, the above-described prior art often fails to provide different voltages according to actual need. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the disadvantage in the prior art.

Pulse-width-modulated signal to direct-current voltage converting unit


A centrifugal fan type cooling module includes a centrifugal fan and a radiator. The centrifugal fan provides a fan rotor with fan blades and an axial shaft and a fan stator set with an axial core, an upper cover and a frame. The fan blades extend straight forward radially with the outer end of each fan blade has an enlarged curve end part and the rest part of the respective fan blade has a width shorter than the axial shaft. The frame encloses and fits with the top of the radiator and the axial shaft is rotationally joined to the axial core such that a hollow space is formed between the radiator and the fan rotor. Heat from an electronic component is transmited to the radiator and removed outward quickly in all directions by way of upward suction force of the centrifugal fan instead of contacting other electronic members directly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a centrifugal fan type cooing module and particularly to a specific centrifugal fan attached to a radiator with which the air flow with heat is sucked upward and removed toward all directions instead of contacting any other electronic members disposed beside the heat generating electronic component.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Due to the electronic component providing faster running speed and micro design of the size thereof, a great deal of heat generated by the running electronic component has become a puzzle subject. If the heat is unable to be removed successfully, it may lead to the electronic component running abnormally and, even more, it may seriously result in the computer being shut down to affect the operation capability thereof. In order to remove the heat effectively, a heat dissipation component such as a radiator or a cooling fan frequently is added to the electronic component to help heat removal.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a conventional cooling module is composed of a cooling fan 11 and a radiator 12. The cooling fan 11 is an axial flow type fan and mounted to the radiator 12. The radiator 12 is tightly attached to the electronic component 13. Once the cooling fan 11 is powered on, the air flow generated by the cooling fan is blown downward to the radiator 12 and the electronic component 13 to carry the heat generated by the electronic component 13 outward. Part of the heat, which has transmitted to the radiator and is supposed to be removed by the cooling fan, unavoidably accompanies the blown downward air flow to contact with the electronic component 13 arid the moving downward heat is contrary to the principle of the heat being moving toward low temperature from high temperature. As a result, the efficiency of heat dissipation is always low and unable to be promoted effectively.


An absorbent article especially adapted for users ranging from walking infants to adults in a pre-dominantly lying-down position, comprises cushioning means in at least the back waist region of the article. A liquid barrier is located between the cushioning means and the absorbent core to prevent liquids from migrating into the cushioning means. In one embodiment, the average basis capacity of the absorbent core is highest in the back half section of the core.

In the absorbent product technology, many attempts have been made to optimise the absorbent capacity and efficiency of absorbent cores by providing regions of increased or diminished basis weight and density in such cores. Also, it has been attempted to reduce leakage by providing barrier structures to the absorbent products to reduce liquid migration towards and beyond the perimeter of the absorbent product.
From EP-A-052 413 it is known that for absorbent products, leakage of liquids along the waist edge can be prevented by providing a barrier sheet located between the topsheet and the backsheet and the waist ends of an absorbent article. The barrier sheet overlies the core at a waist end and prevent liquids from being squeezed out of the transverse edges of the core.
From EP-A-376 022 (Robertson) a unitary waistcap-waist band is known, wherein a unitary piece of elastomeric material extends from the perimeter of the absorbent product towards the core. The single piece of elastomeric material provides a waist elastic as well as a stand-up barrier overlying the topsheet at the waist end of the core.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,278 (Lawson) an absorbent article is known comprising an elasticated stand-up barrier cuff in the leg areas.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,454 (Dragoo) an absorbent article is known comprising an elasticated stand-up barrier cuff that is connected with a proximal edge to the absorbent article, and is located adjacent a gasketing cuff. A liquid-pervious topsheet terminates inboard of the proximal edge of the barrier cuff. Seal means are located along the proximal edge to prevent wicking of liquids underneath the barrier cuff.
From EP-B-0 304 631 it is known to coat and seal lateral portions of a liquid-permeable topsheet with a hot-melt adhesive to prevent lateral leakage of liquids.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,022 (Lash) an absorbent structure is disclosed which has a lower storage layer and an upper acquisition/distribution layer comprising chemically stiffened cellulose fibers and absorbent gelling material. The upper acquisition/distribution layer is of larger surface area than the underlying storage layer. The lower storage layer is formed of an insert, which is placed relative to the upper acquisition/distribution layer such that about 75% of the absorbent gelling material in the lower layer is found in the front two-thirds section of the absorbent structure, and at least 55% of the total amount of absorbent gelling material is found in the front half section.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,915 (Hasse) an absorbent product is disclosed having a core comprising hydrophilic fibers and absorbent gelling material, the core having an area of higher average density and basis weight than the end portions of the core. The area of higher average density and basis weight is located near the center or the front of the absorbent product.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735 (Alemany) an absorbent core is disclosed having a storage zone and an acquisition region of lower average density and basis weight than the storage zone. The core comprises a mixture of hydrophilic fibers and absorbent gelling particles. The acquisition region is located towards the front of the absorbent core.
In European patent no EP-B-0 330 675, it is disclosed to introduce absorbent gelling material into specific locations of a horizontal, or x-y plane of an absorbent core using pulsed powder spray guns.
In International patent application no's WO 91/11163 and WO 91/11165, a dual layer core is disclosed comprising a lower storage layer and an upper fluid acquisition/distribution layer comprising chemically stiffened cellulose fibers, the upper layer being substantially free of absorbent gelling material. The area of the acquisition/distribution layer is between 25% and 100% of the area of the lower storage layer, and is preferably of elongated shape. For adult incontinence products, the acquisition/distribution layer is generally located in the front two thirds of the absorbent article, relative to the backsheet.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,660 (Dawn), an absorbent article is disclosed in which a layer consisting of absorbent gelling material underlies a fibrous layer. The layer of absorbent gelling material can be in the form of particles, fibers or a film.
In International patent application WO 91/04724, a diaper core is disclosed which linearly tapers from a relatively narrow crotch section to a relatively wide back section.
EP-A-0 532 035 discloses an absorbent article especially adapted for newborn babies, having cushion barriers to prevent leakage and reduce redmarking of the very sensitive skin.
It has been found by the applicant that in absorbent products which are intended for use by walking infants or adults in a primarily lying-down position, the combination of a wet structure and a relatively high pressure on certain parts of the anatomy, contributes to development of skin complaints. The majority of adults suffering from a severe incontinence are elderly women, for which leakage in this position is relatively frequent compared to other users.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent product which provides reduced leakage when used in a lying down position.
It is another object of the invention to provide an absorbent article that is especially adapted for users ranging from walking infants to adults, when confined to a predominantly lying down position.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such an absorbent article which especially reduces leakage among woman users when confined to a predominantly lying down position.
It is still another object of the invention to provide an absorbent structure especially adapted for users ranging from walking infants to adults, which product maintains improved dryness in the lying-down position of the user and in which the negative effects of pressure build-up on specific parts of the anatomy are reduced.

Absorbent article having a cushioning member and a barrier


The invention relates to a portable terminal such as a portable telephone terminal and so forth for effecting communication, information processing and so forth, and to provide the portable terminal and a master slave portable telephone system capable of rendering a transmission and/or reception mode of information to be multi-functional to enhance communication function, thereby enhancing the convenience thereof. The portable terminal comprises an information transmission and/or reception part for effecting transmission and/or reception of information, a radio communication part for effecting communication by radio, and an information processing part for processing information. The portable terminal can effect transmission and/or reception of information relative to another portable terminal by any of a master terminal made up of the information transmission and/or reception part and the information processing part, a slave terminal made up of the information transmission and/or reception part and the radio communication part, and a normal terminal configured by combining the radio communication part with the information processing part via the information transmission and/or reception part.

1. Filed of the Invention
The invention relates to a portable terminal and a portable telephone such as a 3G (third Generation mode telecommunication) terminal and so forth, particularly to a portable terminal and a portable telephone corresponding to various communication systems such a W-CDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access) system and so forth and a master slave portable telephone system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A portable terminal corresponding to a conventional communication system is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the summary of a portable terminal. A portable terminal 2 has a radio part 4 and a control part 6 as a basic configuration. The radio part 4 in the preceding stage is a part for effecting transmission and/or reception of an RF (Radio Frequency) signal while using radio wave serving as a transmission medium, and has an antenna 8, a transmission and/or reception switching part 10, an RF (Radio Frequency) reception part 12, an RF transmission part 14, and a base band part 16. The control part 6 in the subsequent stage has a processing part 18, a microphone 20, a speaker 22, a keyboard 24, a display part 26 and so forth. The processing part 18 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random-Access Memory) and so forth, which execute a key board control, a voice amplification, a display control, an application control and so forth.
According to the portable terminal 2, a base band signal is demodulated from the RF signal received by the RF reception part 12, and a voice signal which is separated from the base band signal at the base band part 16 is reproduced as a voice by the speaker 22 via the processing part 18. Further, an input signal to the keyboard 24 and an input signal to the microphone 20 are converted into the base band signal by the base band part 16 via the processing part 18, and the converted base band signal is modulated at the RF transmission part 14 and is transmitted via the antenna 8 as the RF signal.
With such an arrangement of the portable terminal, the W-CDMA prevails as a future generation portable telephone system serving as a universal common portable telephone system, and a universal standard system of an IMT 2000 (International Mobile Telecommunication-2000), but the basic configuration of the portable terminal of this new communication system is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1. However, the portable telephone system of the new communication system mounts thereon a hardware and a software for realizing a high capacity data communication, a high image quality display, a high grade sound quality, thereby enhancing high-function compared with the portable telephone system of the conventional communication system.
There exists, for example, a patent document such as JP-A 2002-9689 disclosing the portable telephone relating to the W-CDMA.
JP-A 2002-9689 relates to a portable telephone for effecting communication by the W-CDMA system, and it plans to realize a portable telephone capable of more precisely specify a long code even under the influence of phasing.
Meanwhile, the portable terminal of the new communication system such as high-function W-CDMA and so forth is developing in respect of downsizing and low power consumption compared with the portable terminal of the existing communication system. That is, it makes the portable terminal difficult to be downsized and to be low in power consumption because downsizing and low power consumption of core components of the radio part 4 are insufficient and also a high image quality liquid crystal display is used on the display part 26 of the control part 6, and also the number of sound sources and the capacity of the memory increase, and still also signal processing elements are mounted on the portable terminal and so forth. Particularly, since the current consumption for executing high-function processing becomes large, the consumption of secondary cell serving as a power supply is significant, and there is a likelihood that a call standby time or call time becomes short.
In the area having small number of base station of a new communication system, a call condition is rendered unstable in a week electric field zone. For example, an obstruction such as the inside of the house and so forth brings about call obstruction, which causes an inconvenience such as the limitation of a call zone to a local part such as a location at a window of a building and so forth.
Still further, although the downsizing and low power consumption are achieved if the function of the high-function portable terminal is restricted, such a restriction runs counter to the high-function portable terminal, thereby spoiling the meaning for making the transition to the portable terminal of the new communication system.
Although the portable terminal disclosed in JP-A 2002-9689 realizes an excellent function for dealing with the problem for making the transition to the high-function portable terminal, the foregoing problem is not resolved.

Portable terminal, portable telephone and master slave portable telephone system using the portable terminal


A waste water system adapted to receive liquid waste from a septic tank or the like and purify the same.. There is a primary processing section comprising a first processing tank to receive the waste water. This primary section has air operated valve means to cause the operating steps, namely the opening and closing of the inlet and outlets of the tank, aeration of the liquid in the tank, supplying a dose of a treatment liquid into the liquid of the tank, and also causing recirculation of some of the biomass in the tank back to the septic tank. The liquid from the first processing section is transmitted to a second processing section where the liquid is circulated through filters, and also through an ultra-violet heater to cause final purification of the liquid. There is a control system which is responsive to liquid level in the two tanks, and also responsive to air pressure in a compressed air manifold that supplies pressurized air to various valves to control the operation of the system.

a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a waste water treatment system and method, and more particularly to such a system adapted to treat raw sewage from a home or other source. More particularly, this system can be used in combination with a conventional septic tank to process the effluent from the septic tank so that it need not be discharged into a septic field.
b) Background Art
There are many situations which require on-site sewage treatment, and this is usually accomplished by use of a septic tank and a drainfield. In the septic tank, the raw sewage is subjected to anaerobic treatment, after which the raw sewage is discharged into a septic field where the aerobic action causes further reaction with the sewage material to deactivate the objectionable organisms and/or other material.
There are many situations where the soil is not conducive to the use of drainfields in connection with a septic tank, and this often requires constructing what might be termed as an "artificial septic field". In many situations, because of the limitations of space or for other reasons, creating a drainfield environment artificially is not practical. Thus, there have been various attempts to provide treatment apparatus in which the effluent from the septic tank is subjected to aerobic action by recirculating it through filter media and/or additional treatment.
Yet, there is a continuing need to provide such apparatus which is reliable, has the ability to meet the ever increasingly strict environmental standards, and yet be reasonably economical and "user friendly". Also, there is need to have such a system and apparatus where the susceptibility to malfunction can be minimized.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a system and apparatus which has a balance of desirable features so that it is able to reliably treat the sewage with efficiency, in terms of ability to deactivate the objectionable organisms and material, and also with the capability of having a desirable balance of operating features.


An embodiment provides a method for measuring total chlorine in a seawater sample, including: preparing a thiocarbamate-based indicator; introducing the thiocarbamate-based indicator to a seawater sample, wherein the seawater sample contains an amount of total chlorine; adding an additive to the seawater sample, wherein the additive accelerates the reaction rate between the thiocarbamate-based indicator and total chlorine and causes a change in fluorescence of the seawater sample; and measuring the amount of total chlorine in the seawater sample by measuring an intensity of the fluorescence. Other aspects are described and claimed.

This application relates generally to measuring chlorine in aqueous or liquid samples, and, more particularly, to the measurement of chlorine in seawater.
Ensuring water quality is critical in a number of industries such as pharmaceuticals and other manufacturing fields. Additionally, ensuring water quality is critical to the health and well-being of humans, animals, and plants which are reliant on the water for survival. One element that is typically measured is chlorine. Too much chlorine in water can be harmful to humans, animals, and aquatic life. Therefore, detecting the presence and concentration of chlorine in seawater, water, or other liquid solutions is vital.

Method for measuring monochloramine in seawater