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Use of lh in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation |
The invention provides a new use for LH, and analogues having LH-activity for aiding folliculogenesis in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), in which the LH or an analogue thereof is administered during a priming period lasting from day 1 to about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. |
1. A method of inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a human patient, comprising administering luteinising hormone (LH) or an analogue thereof during a priming period lasting from day 1 to about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medicament is administered in the absence of administration of exogenous FSH in the priming period. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medicament is administered at a dosage of about 20-400 IU LH/day, about 100-200 IU LH/day or about 150 IU LH/day. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the priming period lasts from day 1 to day 3 of the stimulatory phase. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the priming period lasts from day 1 to day 2 of the stimulatory phase. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medication is to be administered as a single dose on day 1 of the stimulatory phase. 7. (Cancelled) 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the LH is rhLH. 9. A method for inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a human patient, comprising administering human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or an analogue thereof, during a priming period lasting from day 1 to about day 4 of the stimulatory phase of COH. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the hCG or an analogue thereof is administered in the absence of administration of exogenous FSH in the priming period. 11. A pharmaceutical composition for enhancing folliculogenesis comprising LH or an analogue thereof, at a daily dose of 20-400 IU LH, to be administered from day 1 to about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. 12. A method for determining the response of a patient to FSH in COH, the method comprising the steps of: (A) measuring androgen concentration in the patient to yield a basal value A1; (B) administering LH at about 20 to about 400 IU to the patient; (C) measuring androgen concentration in the patient at least once after administering LH, about 6 or more hours after administering LH, to yield a value A2; (D) classifying the patient as a poor, sub-optimal or good responder on the basis of the change in androgen levels. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the amount of LH that is administered in step (B) is about 150 IU. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein in step (C) the androgen concentration is measured several times over a period of 24 hours. 15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the androgen that is measured is androstenedione. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein a good responder is a patient showing an increase in serum androstenedione levels after 24 hours of about 2 nmol/L or more. 17. A method for determining the response of a patient to FSH in COH, the method comprising the steps of: (A) measuring estrogen concentration in the patient to yield a basal value E1; (B) administering LH at about 20 to about 400 IU to the patient; (C) administering FSH at about 5 to about 300 IU to the patient, at least about 6 hours after administering LH; (D) measuring estrogen concentration in the patient, at least about 12 hours after administering FSH, to yield the value E2; (E) classifying the patient as a poor, sub-optimal or good responder on the basis of the change in estrogen levels (E2-E1). 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the amount of LH that is administered in step (B) is about 150 IU. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the amount of FSH that is administered in step (C) is about 150 IU. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the estrogen concentration is measured several times over a period of 24 hours. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the estrogen that is measured is estradiol. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein a good responder is a patient showing an increase in serum estradiol levels after 24 hours of about 5 pmol/L or more. 23. A kit for the induction of folliculogenesis in a human patient, the kit comprising one to five daily doses of 20-400 IU of LH, or an equivalent dose of an analogue thereof, and about six or more daily doses of FSH, or an analogue thereof. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Numerous infertile patients undergo ovulation induction procedures every year. Up until two decades ago ovulation induction was used solely for the treatment of anovulatory infertility; however, the introduction of assisted reproduction technology (ART) has expanded the use of these procedures to eumenorrheic women, with the goal of achieving multiple folliculogenesis. For assisted reproduction techniques (ART), such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or IVF in conjunction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) and embryo transfer (ET), oocytes are collected from a female patient immediately prior to ovulation. The oocytes are fertilised in vitro, the resulting embryos are evaluated, and selected for implantation. Fertilisation will not occur for every oocyte, and not every fertilised oocyte will develop into a viable embryo. Furthermore, implantation may fail to occur. Because of the many possibilities for an unsuccessful outcome, and the relatively invasive nature of oocyte collection, it is desirable to maximise the number of oocytes collected. For this reason, ART is typically carried out using controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) to increase the number of oocytes 1 . Standard regimens 2 for COH include a down-regulation phase in which endogenous luteinising hormone (LH) is down-regulated by administration of a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist followed by a stimulatory phase in which follicular development (folliculogenesis) is induced by daily administration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), usually at about 150-225 IU/day. Other molecules having FSH activity may also be used. Alternatively stimulation is started with FSH after spontaneous or induced menstruation, followed by administration of a GnRH-antagonist (typically starting around day six of the stimulatory phase). When there are at least 3 follicles>16 mm (one of 18 mm), a single bolus of hCG (5-10,000 IU) is given to mimic the natural LH surge and trigger ovulation. Oocyte recovery is timed for 36-38 hours after the hCG injection. The rationale for the use of GnRH analogues, e.g. agonists or antagonists, in this context is the prevention of an untimely LH surge which can cause premature ovulation and follicle luteinisation 3 . It has consistently been found that long GnRH agonist regimens (i.e., those started in the midluteal phase of the cycle preceding ovulation induction, or before) are associated with easier patient scheduling, greater follicle yield, and overall better clinical results. 4 The use of antagonists is relatively new to the clinic, but it is expected to yield similar benefits, with the advantage of a shorter dosing period. The prolonged administration of GnRH agonists or the administration of GnRH antagonists results in profound suppression of endogenous LH throughout the cycle, in the case of an agonist, or late in the stimulatory phase, with an antagonist. This situation, while not incompatible with follicle development, does not mimic the natural cycle. In the natural cycle, LH levels show a gradual increase several days before the large peak at midcycle. Many groups have investigated the importance of LH during the stimulatory phase of COH and ovulation induction regimens. As is well known and recognised in the art, techniques or methods of ovulation induction ( 01 ) are distinct from methods of COH, although both may involve the administration of FSH. Filicori et al. has investigated the role of low doses of hCG, as a surrogate for LH, in folliculogenesis and ovulation induction 5 . hCG was given (50 IU hCG/day), starting synchronously with FSH administration. This regimen was continued on a daily basis until ovulation was triggered with a bolus of hCG. The numbers of small (<10 mm), medium (10-14 mm) and large (>14 mm) follicles were comparable between a group receiving hCG and a control group receiving FSH alone, however, the cumulative dose of FSH and the duration of FSH stimulation were reduced in the hCG treated group. WO 00/67778 (Applied Research Systems) proposes the use of LH during the stimulatory phase. In one study, patients were administered FSH and LH in the early stimulatory phase, and then either both FSH and LH or just LH during the late stimulatory phase. In another study, patients were administered FSH alone in the early stimulatory phase and then LH in the late stimulatory phase. It was suggested that LH in the late stimulatory phase is responsible for atresia of non-dominant follicles. The regimen is proposed to encourage the development of a single dominant follicle. The administration of rhLH (75 and 225 IU/day) for supporting rhFSH-induced follicular development in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadal women is reported by the European Recombinant Human LH Study Group to promote estradiol secretion, enhance the effect of FSH on follicular growth, and permit the successful luteinisation of follicles when exposed to hCG, as compared to a regimen of FSH alone 6 . The LH was administered starting on the same day as FSH stimulation, and was continued until hCG administration to trigger ovulation. Sullivan et al. report that LH late in the stimulatory phase sustains follicular estradiol production when FSH is withdrawn 7 . Sills et al. report a study in which patients suffering from infertility of various types were treated with either FSH or FSH and 75 IU rhLH throughout the stimulatory phase. The authors conclude that the addition of exogenous LH throughout ovulation induction does not materially alter cycle performances. Ben-Amor et al. 9 and Werlin et al. 10 have examined the effect of administering rhLH during the second half of the follicular phase in normally ovulatory patients with a long down regulation regimen, and Williams et al. 11 have studied the effect of administering different doses of r-hLH during the whole FSH stimulation. No substantial clinical benefits were reported in these patient groups. In COH regimens using FSH, some patients (“poor responders”) fail to respond to the initial doses of FSH, and the treatment cycle may be abandoned, and a new cycle started with a higher initial dose of FSH. Other groups of patients require repeated cycles because they fail to become pregnant even though oocyte recovery is successful. If repeat cycles are necessary, there may be adverse physical and emotional effects on the patient. Each repeat cycle entails a tremendous disruption in the life of the infertile couple. It would be desirable to have a method that would permit the same or improved follicular response to COH using decreased FSH doses or decreased dosing periods. It would also be desirable to have a diagnostic test which could determine which patients may be poor or sub-optimal responders, and which patients may respond on a decreased FSH dose. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the invention to provide an improved regimen for COH. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for providing multiple follicles for multiple oocyte recovery for ART. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for determining which patients may show a good, poor or sub-optimal response to FSH in COH. In a first aspect, the invention provides the use of luteinising hormone (LH) or an analogue thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a human patient, wherein the medicament is to be administered from day 1 to at or about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. Viewed alternatively, the invention provides the use of luteinising hormone (LH) or an analogue thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a human patient, wherein the medicament is to be administered during a priming period lasting from day 1 to at or about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. In a second aspect, the invention provides the use of luteinising hormone (LH) or an analogue thereof, for inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a human patient, wherein the LH is to be administered from day 1 to at or about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. Viewed alternatively, the invention provides the use of luteinising hormone (LH) or an analogue thereof, for inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a human patient, wherein the LH is to be administered during a priming period lasting from day 1 to at or about day 4 of the stimulatory phase of COH. In a third aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising LH or an analogue thereof, at a daily dose of 20-400 IU LH, to be administered from day 1 to at or about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. Preferably the medicament or pharmaceutical composition (comprising LH or an analogue thereof) is to be administered from day 1 to day 4, preferably from day 1 to day 3 or most preferably from day 1 to day 2 of the stimulatory phase. Single daily doses of medicament or pharmaceutical compositions may be administered. Alternatively the medicament or pharmaceutical composition may be administered as a single dose on day 1 of the stimulatory phase. Preferably the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are designed for use in the methods and uses of the invention. In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a kit for the induction of folliculogenesis in a human patient, the kit comprising one to five daily doses of 20-400 IU of LH, or an equivalent dose of an analogue thereof, and at or about six or more daily doses of FSH, or an analogue thereof. Thus, the kits of the invention may comprise or consist of one, two, three, four or five daily doses of LH, or an analogue thereof, and at or about six or more daily doses of FSH, or an analogue thereof. Appropriate daily doses of LH and FSH are described elsewhere herein. Preferred kits may comprise two, three or four daily doses of at or about 150 IU of LH or 225 IU of LH and eight to twelve daily doses of at or about 150 IU FSH. Preferably the kits of the invention are designed for use in the methods and uses of the invention. In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a method for determining the response of a patient to FSH in COH, the method comprising the steps: (A) measuring androgen concentration in the patient to yield a basal value A 1 ; (B) administering LH at about 20 to about 400 IU to the patient; (C) measuring androgen concentration in the patient at least once after administering LH, at or about 6 or more hours, or preferably at or about 12 or more hours, after administering LH, to yield a value A 2 ; (D) classifying the patient as a poor, sub-optimal or good responder on the basis of the change in androgen levels. Alternatively, as will be described in more detail below, in step (C) of the above method androgen levels/concentrations may be monitored/measured at least once over a period of time after the LH administration, and one or more of these measurements of androgen levels may be taken within the first six hours after the administration of LH, e.g. after 1 hour, and then subsequent measurements may be taken at one or more later time points, to yield a value A 2 . Generally the measurements are taken over a period of 24 hours after LH administration. In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a method for determining the response of a patient to FSH in COH, the method comprising the steps: (A) measuring oestrogen concentration in the patient to yield a basal value E 1 ; (B) administering LH at about 20 to about 400 IU, to the patient; (C) administering FSH at about 5 to about 300 IU to the patient, at or about 6 or more hours, or preferably at or about 12 or more hours, more preferably at or about 24 or more hours after administering LH; (D) measuring oestrogen concentration in the patient, at or about 12 or more hours after administering FSH, to yield the value E 2 ; (E) classifying the patient as a poor, sub-optimal or good responder on the basis of the change in oestrogen levels (E 2 -E 1 ). Alternatively as will be described in more detail below, in step (D) of the above method oestrogen levels/concentrations may be monitored/measured at least one over a period of time after the FSH administration, and one or more of these measurements of oestrogen levels may be taken within the first twelve hours after the administration of FSH, e.g. after 6 hours, and then subsequent measurements may be taken at one or more later time points, to yield a value E 2 . In all the above described methods for determination, the measurements of oestrogen and androgen levels are preferably carried out in vitro on a sample taken from an appropriate patient. A further aspect of the invention provides LH or an analogue thereof for inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a human patient, wherein the LH, or an analogue thereof is to be administered from day 1 to at or about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. A further aspect of the invention provides LH or an analogue thereof for inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a human patient, wherein the LH, or an analogue thereof, is to be administered during a priming period lasting from day 1 to at or about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. In a yet further aspect, the present invention provides a method of inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a patient, which method comprises the administration of LH or an analogue thereof to the patient, wherein said administration is carried out from day 1 to at or about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of inducing multiple folliculogenesis in a patient, which method comprises the administration of LH or an analogue thereof to the patient, wherein said administration is carried out during a priming period lasting from day 1 to at or about day 4 of the stimulatory phase in COH. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Annular centrifugal extractor with embedded stirring rotor |
An annular centrifugal extractor with an immersed agitation rotor. The liquid-liquid centrifugal extractor including an emulsion chamber and a settling chamber, aligned because of the addition of a section of axis to the rotor, which allows flow and operation to be regularized, especially by allowing the dimensions of the chambers to be selected more freely. |
1-12. (Canceled). 13. A centrifugal extractor of two fluid phases, comprising: a central rotor rotating about an axis of rotation and comprising a bowl, a stator, a settling chamber in the bowl of the rotor, and an emulsion chamber between the rotor and the stator, the emulsion and settling chambers communicating between them and the emulsion chamber being placed under the settling chamber, wherein the emulsion and settling chambers are aligned in succession on the axis of rotation of the rotor, the rotor comprising a section of axis delimiting the emulsion chamber. 14. The extractor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the stator and the rotor are composed of separably assembled portions, the rotor comprising a first portion comprising a peripheral wall of the settling chamber and a second portion comprising the section of axis. 15. The extractor as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second portion of the rotor comprises a base of the bowl attached to the first portion, and radii joining the base to the section of axis. 16. The extractor as claimed in claim 14, wherein the stator comprises first and second superposed portions, the first superposed portion being hollowed out of a cavity for the bowl and the second superposed portion being hollowed out from a cavity delimiting an external wall of the emulsion chamber. 17. The extractor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the settling chamber has a greater radius than the emulsion chamber. 18. The extractor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the emulsion chamber communicates with inlet and retention channels of phases extending substantially vertically to a side of the emulsion chamber and leading by lower ends to a lower end of the emulsion chamber. 19. The extractor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the section of axis of the rotor has a radius increase, on a portion extending into the settling chamber, going towards the emulsion chamber, the portion having a greater radius than an opening radius of a portion of the bowl, by which a light fluid phase discharges outside the settling chamber. 20. The extractor as claimed in claim 13, wherein intermediate chambers of phases, located downstream of the settling chamber and limited by annular outlets, communicate with one another. 21. The extractor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the section of axis extends into the settling chamber and comprises blades. 22. The extractor as claimed in claim 13, further comprising gathering rings of phases downstream of the settling chamber and that have a base inclined towards outlet orifices of the separator. 23. The extractor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bowl comprises a mobile discharge portion of a light phase outside the settling chamber. 24. The extractor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the stator comprises an annular lip contributing to delimit the emulsion chamber and extending into the bowl. |
Vivaldi antenna |
There is provided a directional, wideband, planar antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement is a class of Vivaldi aerial constructed as a plurality of conductive layers disposed on at least one substrate layer. The conductive layers are arranged to form a flared notch. The flared notch widens from a closed end to an open end. Instead of conforming to a simple exponential flare-shape, the inventive flared notch is arranged to conform to a hybrid curve. The hybrid curve comprises a plurality of self-similar curve sections. As the flare widens, each successive curve section is scaled up by a scaling factor and joined at its wider end with a neighbouring curve section. The antenna arrangement thereby becomes operable over a far wider frequency range than the conventional Vivaldi aerial. The hybrid flared notch can also be implemented in antipodal and balanced antipodal Vivaldi aerials. |
1. A planar antenna arrangement for emitting electromagnetic waves in an endfire direction, the antenna arrangement comprising: a plurality of conductive layers; and at least one substrate layer, wherein the conductive layers are arranged to form a notch, the notch having a closed end and an open end and the endfire direction being the direction from the closed end to the open end, wherein each conductive layer comprises at least one conductive wing, each conductive wing bounding the notch at an inner edge, and wherein the inner edge of each conductive wing is arranged to conform to a hybrid curve, the hybrid curve comprising a plurality of curve sections. 2. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hybrid curve is monotonically increasing in the endfire direction. 3. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of the curve sections is a section of an exponential curve. 4. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the curve sections are self-similar. 5. An antenna arrangement according to claim 4, wherein every self-similar curve section conforms to a corresponding curve formula, the curve formula corresponding to adjacent curve sections differing by a fundamental scaling factor; and wherein the self-similar curve sections increase in scale as the notch widens towards the open end, whereby each curve section disposed closer to the open end of the notch is scaled up by the fundamental scaling factor from each adjacent curve section disposed closer to the closed end of the notch. 6. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hybrid curve comprises a first curve section and a second curve section, one end of the first curve section being disposed at the closed end of the notch, the remaining end of the first curve section meeting with one end of the second curve section at a first node and the second curve section having the same curved form as the first curve section. 7. An antenna arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the hybrid curve comprises a further curve section, said further curve section meeting the remaining end of the second curve section at a further node and having the same curved form as the first and second curve sections. 8. An antenna arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the hybrid curve comprises yet further curve sections, the or each of said further curve sections meeting a remaining end of each respective preceding curve section at yet further nodes and having the same curved form as the first and second curve sections. 9. An antenna arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the or each of said nodes is blended to eliminate discontinuities. 10. An antenna arrangement according to claim 6, wherein each successive curve section is longer in the endfire direction than each respective preceding curve section. 11. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the conductive layers are fed by a microstrip transmission line. 12. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layers are fed by a twinline. 13. An antenna arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the antenna is an antipodal antenna. 14. An antenna arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the antenna is a balanced antipodal antenna. 15. An antenna arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the trailing edge of each conductive wing is arranged to conform to a further hybrid curve. 16. (Cancelled) |
Use of a natural-oil byproduct as a reduced-emissions energy source |
A natural-oil byproduct, which can be produced as a “still bottoms” byproduct of a distillation of a feed composition including an animal fat and/or vegetable oil, is used as an energy source. The natural-oil byproduct can comprise unhydrolyzed fat/oil and free fatty acids; and its emissions upon burning have substantially reduced pollutant concentrations relative to other fuels. When used as an energy source, the natural-oil byproduct can be burned alone or in combination with a traditional fuel, such as number 2 or number 6 oil or coal. |
1. A clean-emissions method for generating energy comprising the steps of: vaporizing a high-grade fatty-acid composition via distillation from a feed composition including an animal fat, a vegetable oil, or a combination thereof, leaving a non-vaporized natural-oil byproduct; determining the ratio of the natural-oil byproduct to another fuel that will produce an emission of at least one pollutant chosen from nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter at a level at which a benefit is provided under a pollution-emission regulation established by a regulatory agency; burning the natural-oil byproduct to release energy in a furnace in which the natural-oil byproduct is substituted for the other fuel to produce a natural-oil-byproduct-to-other-fuel ratio at least as great as the determined ratio, wherein emission of the pollutant would be above this level and access to the benefit precluded if a sufficient amount of the other fuel alone were burned in the furnace to release the same amount of energy; and harnessing energy released by burning the natural-oil byproduct to drive a process. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the natural-oil byproduct to the other fuel that will produce emitted pollutant concentrations within established limits is determined, and at least that proportion of natural-oil byproduct is burned in combination with the other fuel. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the natural-oil byproduct is substituted in part, but not entirely for a fuel from the following group: distillate number 2 fuel oil, residual number 6 fuel oil, and coal. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of hydrolyzing the feed composition to remove glycerine before distillation. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the natural-oil byproduct comprises free fatty acid and unhydrolyzed fat/oil. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the natural-oil byproduct further comprises unsaponifiable impurities and oxidized, polymerized fatty materials. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the natural-oil byproduct comprises about 20% to about 50% by weight free fatty acid and from about 20% to about 70% by weight unhydrolyzed fat/oil. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the natural-oil byproduct further comprises about 2% to about 5% by weight unsaponifiable impurities and about 2% to about 7% by weight oxidized, polymerized fatty materials. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the natural-oil byproduct is substantially free of sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the feed composition comprises at least one of the following: coconut oil, soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, tallow and animal greases. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the distilled, high-grade fatty-acid composition comprises at least about 90% of the distillation feed material by weight fatty acid. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the furnace is in a boiler. 13. A clean-emissions method for generating energy comprising the steps of: burning a natural-oil byproduct comprising about 20% to about 40% by weight free fatty acid and from about 20% to about 70% by weight unhydrolyzed fat/oil in a furnace in which the natural-oil byproduct is substituted, in whole or in part, for another type of fuel to release energy, wherein the substitution of the natural-oil byproduct decreases the emission of at least one pollutant chosen from nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter to a level that provides a benefit under a pollution-emission regulation established by a regulatory agency, wherein emission of the pollutant would be above this level and access to the benefit precluded if a sufficient amount of the other type of fuel alone were burned in the furnace to release the same amount of energy; and harnessing energy released by burning the natural-oil byproduct to drive a process. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the natural-oil byproduct is substituted in part, but not entirely, for a fuel from the following group: distillate number 2 fuel oil, residual number 6 fuel oil, and coal. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the substitution of the natural-oil byproduct for the other fuel reduces one or more emitted pollutant concentrations to a level within a limit established by a regulatory agency, wherein burning the other fuel without the natural-oil byproduct to produce the same amount of energy would emit one or more pollutants at a concentration above the established limit. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the ratio of the natural-oil byproduct to the other fuel that will produce emitted pollutant concentrations within established limits is determined, and at least that proportion of natural-oil byproduct is burned in combination with the other fuel. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the natural-oil byproduct further comprises about 2% to about 5% by weight unsaponifiable impurities and about 2% to about 7% by weight oxidized, polymerized fatty materials. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the natural-oil byproduct is substantially free of sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the furnace is in a boiler. 20. The method of claim 13, wherein the natural-oil byproduct is mixed with at least one fuel from the following group before burning: distillate number 2 fuel oil, residual number 6 fuel oil, and coal. 21. A method for making efficient use of a natural-oil byproduct from a distilled feed composition including an animal fat, a vegetable oil, or a combination thereof, the method comprising supplying the natural-oil byproduct to an energy producer who burns the natural-oil byproduct as a substitute, in whole or in part, for another fuel to release energy and who harnesses that energy to drive a process, wherein the energy producer's substitution of the natural-oil byproduct decreases emission of at least one pollutant chosen from nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter to a level that provides a benefit under a pollution-emission regulation established by a regulatory agency, wherein emission of the pollutant would be above this level and access to the benefit precluded if a sufficient amount of the other type of fuel alone were burned in the furnace to release the same amount of energy. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the natural-oil byproduct is substituted in part, but not entirely, for a fuel from the following group: distillate number 2 fuel oil, residual number 6 fuel oil, and coal. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein substitution of the natural-oil byproduct for the other fuel enables the energy producer to produce a desired amount of energy while maintaining emitted pollutant concentrations within a limit established by a regulatory agency, wherein the energy producer would not be able to produce the desired amount of energy if burning just the other fuel without the natural-oil byproduct. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the feed composition is hydrolyzed before distillation. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the natural-oil byproduct comprises free fatty acid and unhydrolyzed fat/oil. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the natural-oil byproduct further comprises unsaponifiable impurities and oxidized, polymerized fatty materials. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the natural-oil byproduct comprises about 20% to about 50% by weight free fatty acid and from about 20% to about 70% by weight unhydrolyzed fat/oil. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the natural-oil byproduct further comprises about 2% to about 5% by weight unsaponifiable impurities and about 2% to about 7% by weight oxidized, polymerized fatty materials. 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the natural-oil byproduct is substantially free of sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds. 30. A clean-emissions method for generating energy comprising the steps of: vaporizing a high-grade fatty-acid composition via distillation from a feed composition including an animal fat, a vegetable oil, or a combination thereof, leaving a non-vaporized natural-oil byproduct that comprises about 20% to about 50% by weight free fatty acid and from about 20% to about 70% by weight unhydrolyzed fat/oil; burning the natural-oil byproduct to release energy; and harnessing energy released by burning the natural-oil byproduct to drive a process. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the natural-oil byproduct further comprises about 2% to about 5% by weight unsaponifiable impurities and about 2% to about 7% by weight oxidized, polymerized fatty materials. 32. The method of claim 30, wherein the natural-oil byproduct is burned in a furnace in which the natural-oil byproduct is substituted, in whole or in part, for another type of fuel, the substitution of the natural-oil byproduct producing a decrease in emission of |
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>The ecological importance of clean air is as evident as our need to breathe. Nevertheless, the demands of an industrialized society and the consequent burning of fuel for energy tends to compromise air quality. Existing fuels that are burned in boiler systems to produce steam for heating and power supply include distillate (number 2) fuel oil, residual (number 6) fuel oil, blended distillate and residual fuel oil, and coal. These fuels typically release substantial quantities of harmful pollutants, such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Moreover, each of these fuels is subject to supply shortages as societal energy demands increase. In fact, dwindling mineral oil reserves are a primary factor in the ongoing energy-supply crisis. Clean air legislation, such as the Clean Air Act in the United States, has been enacted to control the amount of various chemicals released into the atmosphere in an effort to protect human health and the environment. At a local or regional level, industry is typically regulated by state environmental protection agencies that set limits as to the amounts of airborne pollutants that can be emitted from a given facility. Many existing energy sources, particularly mineral oils (e.g., petroleum-based fuels), release substantial amounts of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NO x ), sulfur oxides (SO x ), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) upon burning. These pollutants cause respiratory diseases, other human ailments and, over time, death. These pollutants also poison the environment via acid rain, ground-level ozone and greenhouse-gas-induced global warning. As energy demands increase, the pressures, conflicts and costs involved in supplying that energy without exacerbating these health and environmental problems and in complying with clean air regulations become increasingly pressing. |
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>Methods described below are capable of producing energy with substantially reduced concentrations of pollutants, such as NO x , SO x , CO, and PM, in the resultant gaseous emissions by utilizing, as an energy source, a natural-oil byproduct of fatty-acid manufacturing. The natural-oil byproduct can be produced by vaporizing a natural fatty-acid composition from a feed composition including an animal fat and/or vegetable oil in a distillation process, wherein the feed composition is first hydrolyzed to remove glycerine. The feed composition (also referred to as a “natural-oil composition”) can be in a rendered, crude or refined form. The natural-oil byproduct can then be processed and burned, either alone or mixed with another energy source, to release energy that is then harnessed to drive a process, such as boiling water in the furnace of a boiler to produce steam. The natural-oil byproduct can include free fatty acid and unhydrolyzed fats/oils as primary constituents. The terms, “fat” and “oil,” are generally used interchangeably herein. The term, “fat,” is commonly used in reference to animal products, while the term, “oil,” is commonly used in reference to vegetable products. However, recitations of either “fat” or “oil,” as in “natural-oil byproduct,” can refer to a byproduct of either animal fat or vegetable oil or a combination of the two. Likewise, recitation of an “unhydrolyzed fat/oil” refers to an unhydrolyzed animal fat, an unhydrolyzed vegetable oil or a combination of the two. The natural-oil byproduct can also include unsaponifiable impurities and oxidized, polymerized fatty materials, typically at concentrations that are substantially smaller than those of the free fatty acids and unhydrolyzed fats/oils. In one embodiment, the natural-oil byproduct comprises about 20% to about 50% free fatty acid, about 20% to about 60% unhydrolyzed fat/oil, about 2% to about 5% unsaponifiable impurities and about 2% to about 7% oxidized, polymerized fatty materials, wherein all percentages are by weight. The fatty acid that is vaporized during distillation can be at least about 90% of the initial composition, by weight. Due to the nature of the natural oils from which it is derived, the natural-oil byproduct, unlike byproducts of petroleum and other mineral oils, can be substantially free (allowing for trace impurities) of sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds and volatile organic compounds. In particular embodiments, the natural oil can be coconut oil, soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, tallow and animal greases. Additionally, the natural-oil byproduct can be supplied to others who burn it with another fuel to release and harness energy, wherein the addition of the natural-oil byproduct provides the user with the benefits of reduced pollutant emissions. In particular embodiments, the natural-oil byproduct is burned in an open-flame environment, such as a “pulverized-coal-combustion” furnace. In one example, the natural-oil byproduct can be supplied to a power plant, where the natural-oil byproduct is burned alone or in combination with another fuel to generate electric power. By substituting the natural-oil byproduct, in whole or in part, for another fuel (such as number 2 fuel oil, number 6 fuel oil, coal and combinations thereof), an energy producer can achieve a substantial decrease in the emission of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Particular advantages can be achieved by substituting the natural-oil byproduct for the other fuel(s) in situations where a desired level of energy production cannot be achieved using only the other fuel(s) without violating pollutant-emission levels established by a regulatory agency. Pollutant-emission levels can be maintained at or below regulated limits by evaluating the respective emission concentrations from the natural-oil byproduct and from the other fuel(s) and calculating the concentration ratio of the byproduct and the fuel(s) that will produce desired emission concentrations without changing the overall energy input of the combined fuel. |
Method for processing a continuously cast metal slab or strip, and plate or strip produced in this way |
The invention relates to a method for processing a continuously cast metal slab or strip, in which the slab or strip is passed between a set of rotating rolls of a rolling mill stand in order to roll the slab or strip. According to the invention, the rolls of the rolling mill stand have different peripheral velocities, and the difference in peripheral velocity is at least 5% and at most 100%, and the thickness of the slab or strip is reduced by at most 15% for each pass. The invention also relates to metal plate or strip produced using this method. |
1. A method for processing a continuously cast slab or strip, comprising passing the slab or strip between a set of rotating rolls of a rolling mill stand to roll the slab or strip, wherein the rolls of the rolling mill stand have different peripheral velocities, and the difference in peripheral velocity is at least 5% and at most 100%, and the thickness of the slab or strip is reduced by at most 15% for each pass. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the slab or strip is reduced by at most 8% each pass. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the difference in peripheral velocity is at least 20%. 4. The method as claimed in in claim 1, wherein the rolling mill rolls have different diameters. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rolls have different rotational speeds. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rolling is carried out at an elevated temperature. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slab is introduced between the rolls at an angle of between 5 and 45° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slab or strip has a thickness of at most 70 mm at the start of said passing step. 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing operation is repeated one or more times after the rolling has been carried out for the first time. 10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the slab, plate or strip is passed through the rolling mill stand in opposite directions for each pass. 11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the slab, plate or strip is successively passed through two or more rolling mill stands. 12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing operation is preceded or followed by a rolling operation carried out using a rolling mill in which the rolls have substantially identical peripheral velocities. 13. Method according to claim 1, wherein the metal slab is formed by two or more layers of metal. 14. Metal plate or strip produced using the method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, magnesium or titanium or an alloy thereof. 15. The metal plate as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plate has a thickness of between 5 and 60 mm. 16. The metal plate as claimed in claim 15, wherein the plate consists of an aluminum alloy selected from the group consisting of AA 1xxx or AA 3xxx series. 17. The metal strip as claimed in claim 14, wherein the strip has a thickness of at most 7 mm. 18. The metal strip as claimed in claim 17, wherein the strip consists of an aluminum alloy from the AA 5xxx series. 19. A method of use of aluminum strip as claimed in claim 18 comprising forming the strip into a part for a vehicle. 20. A metal plate or strip produced by continuous casting, wherein the pores in the core of the plate or strip have a maximum dimension of less than 20 μm. 21. A metal plate or strip produced by continuous casting, wherein the unrecrystallized metal plate or strip, in the core of the plate or billet, has a deformed grain structure, the grain having a mean length which is 2 to 20 times greater than their thickness. 22. A metal plate or strip produced by continuous casting, wherein the metal plate or strip, after recrystallization, has a substantially homogenous degree of recrystallization over its entire thickness. 23. The metal plate or strip as claimed in claim 20, in which the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, magnesium or titanium or an alloy thereof. 24. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the slab or strip is reduced by at most 5% each pass. 25. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the difference in peripheral velocity is at least 50%. 26. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein slab or strip comprises aluminum and the rolling is carried out at a temperature between 300 and 550° C. 27. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein slab or strip comprises aluminum and the rolling is carried out at a temperature between 425 and 475° C. 28. The method as in claim 1, wherein the slab is introduced between the rolls at an angle of between 15 and 25° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. 29. The method as in claim 1, wherein the slab or strip has a thickness of at most 25 mm at the start of said passing step. 30. Method according to claim 1, wherein the metal slab is formed by two or more layers consisting of different alloys of a metal or different metals. 31. The metal plate as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plate has a thickness of between 5 and 20 mm. 32. The metal plate as claimed in claim 15, wherein the plate consists of an aluminum alloy selected from the group consisting of AA 1050 or AA 1200, or AA 3103. 33. The metal strip as claimed in claim 14, wherein the strip has a thickness of at most 2 mm. 34. The metal strip as claimed in claim 17, wherein the strip consists of AA 5182 aluminum alloy. 35. A method of use of aluminum strip as claimed in claim 18, comprising forming the strip into a structural part for the interior of a vehicle. 36. A metal plate or strip of claim 20 produced by continuous casting, wherein the pores in the core of the plate or strip have a maximum dimension of less than 10 μm. 37. A metal plate or strip produced by continuous casting, according to the method of claim 1, wherein the pores in the core of the plate or strip have a maximum dimension of less than 20 μm. 38. A metal plate or strip produced by continuous casting, according to the method of claim 1, wherein the pores in the core of the plate or strip have a maximum dimension of less than 10 μm. 39. A metal plate or strip of claim 21 produced by continuous casting, wherein the unrecrystallized metal plate or strip, in the core of the plate or billet, has a deformed grain structure, the grain having a mean length 5 to 20 times greater than their thickness. 40. A metal plate or strip produced by continuous casting, and the method of claim 1, wherein the unrecrystallized metal plate or strip, in the core of the plate or billet, has a deformed grain structure, the grain having a mean length 2 to 20 times greater than their thickness. 41. A metal plate or strip produced by continuous casting, and the method of claim 1, wherein the unrecrystallized metal plate or strip, in the core of the plate or billet, has a deformed grain structure, the grain having a mean length 5 to 20 times greater than their thickness. 42. A metal plate or strip produced by continuous casting and the method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal plate or strip, after recrystallization, has a substantially homogenous degree of recrystallization over its entire thickness. 43. The metal plate or strip as claimed in claim 21, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, magnesium or titanium or an alloy thereof. 44. The metal plate or strip as claimed in claim 22, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, magnesium or titanium or an alloy thereof. |
Device for processing a metal slab, plate or strip, and product produced using this device |
The invention relates to a device for processing a metal slab, plate or strip, comprising a rolling mill stand with a roll nip between two driveable rolls, the rolling mill stand being designed to roll a metal slab, plate or strip between the rolls. According to a first aspect of the invention, the device is provided with feed means which are designed to guide the slab, plate or strip between the rolls at an angle of between 5° and 45° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. According to a second aspect of the invention, the device is provided with one or more following rolling mill stands with driveable rolls, and the rolling mill stand and one or more following rolling mil stands are designed in such a manner that, during use, their rolls have different peripheral velocities, the difference in peripheral velocity amounting to at least 5% and at most 100%. |
1. A device for processing a metal slab, plate or strip, comprising a rolling mill stand with a roll nip between two driveable rolls, the rolling mill stand being designed to roll a metal slab, plate or strip between the rolls, wherein the device is provided with feed means designed to guide the slab, plate or strip between the rolls at an angle of between 5° and 45° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feed means are designed to guide the slab, plate or strip between the rolls at an angle of between 10° and 25° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feed means comprise a feed surface or a roller table. 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle between the feed means and the rolling mill stand is adjustable. 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rolling mill stand is designed in such a manner that, during use, the rolls have different peripheral velocities, the difference in peripheral velocity amounting to at least 5% and at most 100%. 6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rolls have a different diameter and/or can be driven at different rotational speeds. 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises one or more following rolling mill stands with driveable rolls which are positioned downstream of the rolling mill stand, as seen in the rolling direction. 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, designed to feed the metal slab, plate or strip, during use, at an angle of between 5° and 45°, to at least one of the one or more following rolling mill stands. 9. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of the one or more following rolling mill stands is designed in such a manner that, during use, the rolls have different peripheral velocities. 10. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of the one or more following rolling mill stands has a roll nip situated outside the plane of symmetry of the roll nip of the rolling mill stand. 11. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein support rolls are arranged upstream of the one or more following rolling mill stands, as seen in the rolling direction, to support and/or guide the metal slab, plate or strip. 12. The device as claimed in claim 1, provided on both sides with feed means designed to pass the slab, plate or strip between the rolls at an angle of between 5° and 45° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls, the angle between the feed means being adjustable between 0 and 45° and the rolls being driveable in both directions of rotation. 13. A device for processing a metal strip, comprising a rolling mill stand with a roll nip between two driveable rolls, the rolling mill stand being designed to roll the metal strip between the rolls, wherein the device comprises one or more following rolling mill stands with driveable rolls, and the rolling mill stand and one or more following rolling mill stands are designed in such a manner that, during use, their rolls have different peripheral velocities, the difference in peripheral velocity amounting to at least 5% and at most 100%. 14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the difference in peripheral velocity is at least 5% and at most 50%. 15. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rolls of the rolling mill stand and the following rolling mill stands have a different diameter and/or are driveable at different rotational speeds. 16. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of the one or more following rolling mill stands has a roll nip situated outside the plane of symmetry of the roll nip of the rolling mill stand. 17. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein support rolls are arranged upstream of the one or more following rolling mill stands, as seen in the rolling direction, to support and/or guide the metal strip. 18. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein feed means are arranged upstream of the rolling mill stand, as seen in the rolling direction, and the feed means are designed to pass the strip between the rolls at an angle of between 5° and 45° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. 19. A metal slab, plate or strip produced using the device as claimed in claim 1, the slab, strip or plate having a substantially uniform shearing over its thickness. 20. A metal strip produced using the device as claimed in claim 13, the strip having a substantially uniform shearing over its thickness. 21. The metal slab, plate or strip as claimed in claim 19, wherein the metal is aluminum or steel or stainless steel or copper or magnesium or titanium or one of their alloys. 22. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feed means are designed to guide the slab, plate or strip between the rolls at an angle of between 15° and 25° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. 23. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feed means are designed to guide the slab, plate or strip between the rolls at an angle of substantially 20° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. 24. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rolling mill stand is designed in such a manner that, during use, the rolls have different peripheral velocities, the difference in peripheral velocity amounting to at least 5% and at most 50%. 25. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rolling mill stand is designed in such a manner that, during use, the rolls have different peripheral velocities, the difference in peripheral velocity amounting to at least 5% and at most 20%. 26. The device as claimed in claim 7, designed to feed the metal slab, plate or strip, during use, to at least one of the one or more following rolling mill stands, preferably at an angle of between 10° and 25° 27. The device as claimed in claim 7, designed to feed the metal slab, plate or strip, during use, to at least one of the one or more following rolling mill stands, preferably at an angle of between 15° and 25°. 28. The device as claimed in claim 7, designed to feed the metal slab, plate or strip, during use, at an angle of between 5° and 45°, to at least one of the one or more following rolling mill stands, the angle being adjustable. 29. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of the one or more following rolling mill stands is designed in such a manner that, during use, the rolls have different peripheral velocities, the rolls having a different diameter 30. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of the one or more following rolling mill stands is designed in such a manner that, during use, the rolls have different peripheral velocities, the rolls being driveable at different rotational speeds. 31. The device as claimed in claim 1, provided on both sides with feed means designed to pass the slab, plate or strip between the rolls at an angle of between 10° and 25° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls, the angle between the feed means being adjustable between 0 and 45° and the rolls being driveable in both directions of rotation. 32. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the difference in peripheral velocity is at least at least 5% and at most 20%. 33. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein feed means are arranged upstream of the rolling mill stand, as seen in the rolling direction, and the feed means are designed to pass the strip between the rolls at an angle of between 10° and 25° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. 34. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein feed means are arranged upstream of the rolling mill stand, as seen in the rolling direction, and the feed means are designed to pass the strip between the rolls at an angle of between 15° and 25° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls. 35. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein feed means are arranged upstream of the rolling mill stand, as seen in the rolling direction, and the feed means are designed to pass the strip between the rolls at an angle of between 5° and 45° with respect to the perpendicular to the plane through the center axes of the rolls, the feed means comprising a feed surface or a roller table. |
Method for reserving communication area and radio communication device used for this method |
A communication area reservation method capable of operating a plurality of radio systems using communication area reservation signals (NAV) according to the IEEE802.11. According to this method, a communication terminal accommodation apparatus carries out a radio communication with communication terminal apparatuses through an antenna 101, radio section 102, control section 106, logical link control section 104 and medium access control section 103a. Further, a communication area reservation section 107 generates a communication area reservation signal when necessary (e.g., when a communication starts) and this communication area reservation signal is sent to the communication terminal apparatuses through the radio section 102 and antenna 101. |
1. A communication area reservation method comprising: a step in which a communication terminal accommodation apparatus which carries out a packet communication in a master-slave type network sends a communication area reservation signal when a communication starts; and a step in which a communication terminal apparatus of a different system that has received said communication area reservation signal suppresses the communication. 2. A communication area reservation method comprising: a step in which a communication terminal apparatus which carries out a packet communication in a master-slave type network sends a communication area reservation signal when a communication starts; and a step in which a communication terminal apparatus of a different system that has received said communication area reservation signal suppresses the communication. 3. The communication area reservation method according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of communication terminal apparatuses send communication area reservation signals simultaneously. 4. The communication area reservation method according to claim 3, wherein when a plurality of communication terminal apparatuses send communication area reservation signals simultaneously, a communication area reservation signal which has been determined in advance is sent. 5. The communication area reservation method according to claim 4, wherein transmission timing is controlled using half a time alignment value for controlling transmission timing. 6. The communication area reservation method according to claim 5, wherein transmission timing is controlled using half the time alignment value in a negative time direction. 7. The communication area reservation method according to claim 4, wherein transmission timing is controlled without using any time alignment value for controlling transmission timing. 8. The communication area reservation method according to claim 3, wherein it is decided whether a communication area reservation signal is actually sent or not with a certain probability. 9. The communication area reservation method according toclaim8, wherein the certain probability is calculated based on the frequency of packet collisions. 10. The communication area reservation method according to claim 3, wherein it is decided whether a communication area reservation signal is sent or not based on past communication results. 11. The communication area reservation method according to claim 3, wherein power of communication area reservation signals from other communication terminal apparatuses is measured and the power of a communication area reservation signal sent by the own station is controlled so that the sum of said power and the power of the communication area reservation signal sent by the own station fall within a specified power value. 12. A radio communication apparatus provided with a function as a communication terminal accommodation apparatus that carries out packet communications in a master-slave type network, comprising: a communication area reservation signal generation section that generates a communication area reservation signal; and a transmission section that sends said communication area reservation signal to a communication terminal apparatus. 13. A radio communication apparatus provided with a function as a communication terminal apparatus that carries out packet communications in a master-slave type network, comprising: a communication area reservation signal generation section that generates a communication area reservation signal; and a transmission section that sends said communication area reservation signal to a communication terminal apparatus. 14. A communication area reservation program that causes a computer to execute a step in which a communication terminal accommodation apparatus that carries out packet communications in a master-slave type network generates a communication area reservation signal and a step in which said communication area reservation signal is sent when a communication starts. 15. A communication area reservation program that causes a computer to execute a step in which a communication terminal apparatus that carries out packet communications in a master-slave type network generates a communication area reservation signal and a step in which said communication area reservation signal is sent when a communication starts. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>In recent years, high-speed, large-volume data transmissions are desired in various user environments such as public, office and home environments and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) technology is becoming a focus of attention as this data transmission technology. For this wireless LAN, there exist a broadband wireless LAN (e.g. HiperLAN2 or HisWANa, etc.) and a system on which standardization activities are underway in IEEE802.11a or the like. The broadband wireless LAN is a master-slave type network in which under centralized control by one communication terminal accommodation apparatus, a plurality of communication terminals communicate with the communication terminal accommodation apparatus. More specifically, an access point (AP), which is a communication terminal accommodation apparatus, performs communication-related control over mobile terminals (MT) in a centralized manner. Therefore, an MT is structured to necessarily carry out the communication via an AP when the MT carries out a communication. Furthermore, HiperLAN2 in particular specifies an inter-terminal communication mode. In the inter-terminal communication mode, a period is given during which terminals can perform direct transmission/reception to/from each other under authorization of the AP. In this case, communications need to be controlled through the AP, but the data itself to be transmitted/received can be transmitted without intermediation of the AP. On the other hand, centralized control type (Point Coordination Function: PCF) and distributed control type (Distributed Coordination Function: DCF), which are direct connection type networks, are specified as IEEE802.11a systems. In the case of the centralized control type, a point coordinator (PC) provided with a control function performs communication-related control over a station (STA) in a centralized manner. Therefore, the STA is structured so as to necessarily perform communications under the control of the PC when the STA performs a communication. On the other hand, the distributed control type is structured so as to perform carrier sensing for a certain time before individual STAs send data and carry out a communication after confirming vacancy in a transmission medium. In this way, the broadband wireless LAN and IEEE802.11a are standardized as individual wireless LAN systems and attempts are currently being made to merge those systems. The IEEE802.11a specifies a communication area reservation signal (e.g., NAV: NetworkAllocationVector) and a communication terminal which has received this communication area reservation signal is determined to perform an operation equivalent to that in a case where there is no vacancy in the transmission medium during carrier sensing for a specified period of time. As described above, when considering merging of a broadband wireless LAN and an IEEE802.11a system, it is expected that the communication area reservation signal (NAV) according to IEEE802.11a is also used for the broadband wireless LAN so as to suppress collision with the IEEE802.11a communication terminal. |
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication terminal accommodation apparatus which is a radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication terminal apparatus which is a radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 3 illustrates a communication area reservation method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of principal components of the communication terminal accommodation apparatus and communication terminal apparatus which are radio communication apparatuses of Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of principal components of a communication terminal accommodation apparatus which is a radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 6 is block diagram showing a configuration of principal components of a communication terminal accommodation apparatus which is a radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of principal components of a communication terminal accommodation apparatus which is a radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 8 illustrates a communication area reservation method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; FIG. 9 illustrates a communication area reservation method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; FIG. 10 illustrates a communication area reservation method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; and FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of principal components of a communication terminal apparatus which is a radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Method of detecting toxic substance |
Biology-based processes for detecting toxic substances are provided. The processes comprise transforming cells with a vector comprising a polynucleotide which comprises a promoter of certain yeast gene operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding a marker protein; contacting the transformed cells to test sample; and detecting the expression of mRNA encoding the marker protein, thus detecting a toxic compound in the test sample. |
1. A polynucleotide which comprises a polynucleotide sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding a marker protein, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises a promoter from yeast genes that is selected from a group consisting of the following, or a promoter from a gene that is homologous to the yeast genes and is derived from other species: YBR072W, YCR102C, YCR107W, YDL218W, YDL243C, YDR453C, YDR533C, YFL014W, YFL056C, YFL057C, YGR10W, YJR155W, YKL071W, YKR076W, YLL060C, YLR460C, YMR090W, YNL331C, YNL332W, YNL335W, YOL150C, YOL165C, YPL171C, YPR167C, YBL048W, YBL064C, YBL107C, YBR008C, YBR173C, YBR256C, YBR296C, YDL021W, YFL022C, YFL024C, YFL061W, YGL121C, YGL158W, YGR043C, YHR029C, YHR112C, YHR139C, YHR179W, YHR209W, YIR030C, YJR010W, YJR048W, YKL001C, YKL107W, YKR075C, YKR097W, YLL056C, YLR297W, YLR303W, YML087C, YMR096W, YNL274C, YOL151W, YOR226C, YOR338W, YOR391C, YPL280W, YDR406W, YJL153C, YLR346C, YOR049C, YOR153W, YPL088W, YAL034C, YDL124W, YDL174C, YDR476C, YGL156W, YGR035C, YGR157W, YGR213C, YGR281W, YGR284C, YHL047C, YHR043C, YHR044C, YHR054C, YJR073C, YKL165C, YLR008C, YMR315W, YNL211C, YOL031C, YOL101C, YOR303W, YAL005C, YAR031W, YBL005W-A, YBL022C, YBL041W, YBL049W, YBL075C, YBL078C, YBR062C, YBR169C, YBR294W, YCL020W, YCL035C, YCL043C, YCL050C, YCL057W, YCR012W, YCR013C, YCR060W, YDL007W, YDL027C, YDL097C, YDL110C, YDL126C, YDL169C, YDR070C, YDR155C, YDR158W, YDR204W, YDR210W, YDR214W, YDR258C, YDR313C, YDR368W, YDR435C, YER012W, YER037W, YER091C, YER103W, YFL044C, YFR003C, YFR010W, YFR020W, YFR024C, YFR044C, YFR053C, YGL006W, YGL048C, YGL062W, YGL141W, YGL157W, YGL163C, YGL180W, YGL184C, YGR010W, YGR028W, YGR032W, YGR048W, YGR124W, YGR135W, YGR142W, YGR161C, YGR192C, YGR197C, YGR201C, YGR212W, YGR231C, YGR244C, YGR254W, YGR268C, YHL030W, YHR016C, YHR018C, YHR055C, YHR087W, YHR166C, YIL160C, YIR017C, YJL034W, YJL048C, YJL052W, YJL144W, YJL163C, YJR009C, YJR069C, YJR074W, YJR130C, YJR149W, YKL065C, YKL073W, YKL103C, YKL142W, YKL210W, YKL218C, YKR011C, YKR018C, YKR046C, YKR049C, YLL024C, YLL026W, YLR027C, YLR080W, YLR107W, YLR121C, YLR132C, YLR133W, YLR155C, YLR158C, YLR161W, YLR195C, YLR217W, YLR328W, YLR336C, YLR345W, YLR370C, YLR423C, YML004C, YML092C, YML128C, YML130C, YML131W, YMR040W, YMR118C, YMR214W, YMR251W, YMR297W, YMR322C, YNL036W, YNL055C, YNL071W, YNL094W, YNL134C, YNL155W, YNL160W, YNL239W, YNL241C, YOL005C, YOR020C, YOR027W, YOR037W, YOR059C, YOR120W, YOR134W, YOR152C, YOR173W, YOR289W, YOR362C, YPL240C, YPR030W, YAL008W, YAL023C, YAL060W, YAL062W, YAR009C, YBL101C, YBR006W, YBR046C, YBR052C, YBR053C, YBR056W, YBR099C, YBR137W, YBR139W, YBR149W, YBR170C, YBR177C, YBR203W, YBR207W, YBR212W, YBR239C, YBR284W, YBR293W, YCL018W, YCL033C, YCL040W, YCL049C, YCR062W, YCR067C, YCR082W, YDL010W, YDL020C, YDL024C, YDL054C, YDL095W, YDL100C, YDL115C, YDL144C, YDL198C, YDL223C, YDL245C, YDL246C, YDR001C, YDR032C, YDR058C, YDR072C, YDR127W, YDR168W, YDR169C, YDR188W, YDR231C, YDR261C, YDR264C, YDR272W, YDR293C, YDR304C, YDR330W, YDR403W, YDR411C, YDR427W, YDR436W, YDR497C, YDR511W, YDR516C, YDR519W, YDR545W, YEL012W, YEL030W, YER004W, YER009W, YER021W, YER035W, YER053C, YER079W, YER094C, YER096W, YER125W, YER158C, YER163C, YER175C, YER177W, YER178W, YER185W, YFL006W, YFL010C, YFL016C, YFL029C, YFL030W, YFL031W, YFL032W, YFL038C, YFL041W, YFR004W, YFR047C, YFR050C, YFR052W, YGL011C, YGL013C, YGL037C, YGL047W, YGL053W, YGL091C, YGL094C, YGL127C, YGL150C, YGL199C, YGL207W, YGL248W, YGR008C, YGR037C, YGR055W, YGR101W, YGR130C, YGR154C, YGR194C, YGR221C, YGR232W, YGR248W, YGR253C, YGR256W, YHL008C, YHR027C, YHR053C, YHR057C, YHR111W, YHR138C, YHR161C, YHR164C, YHR169W, YHR174W, YHR176W, YHR199C, YIL010W, YIL034C, YIL041W, YIL045W, YIL087C, YIL107C, YIL142W, YIL155C, YIR034C, YIR036C, YIR037W, YIR038C, YIR039C, YJL001W, YJL031C, YJL035C, YJL053W, YJL057C, YJL066C, YJL068C, YJL082W, YJL099W, YJL102W, YJL151C, YJL152W, YJL161W, YJL164C, YJL171C, YJL172W, YJL210W, YJL219W, YJR008W, YJR045C, YJR046W, YJR106W, YJR117W, YJR137C, YKL007W, YKL026C, YKL035W, YKL091C, YKL104C, YKL117W, YKL145W, YKL146W, YKL151C, YKL152C, YKL153W, YKL193C, YKL195W, YKL213C, YKL215C, YLL028W, YLL039C, YLL058W, YLR054C, YLR103C, YLR120C, YLR136C, YLR149C, YLR152C, YLR178C, YLR259C, YLR299W, YLR324W, YLR327C, YLR348C, YLR350W, YLR356W, YLR362W, YLR387C, YLR429W, YML054C, YML070W, YML100W, YML117W, YML125C, YMR004W, YMR008C, YMR009W, YMR020W, YMR067C, YMR089C, YMR097C, YMR102C, YMR105C, YMR107W, YMR152W, YMR180C, YMR184W, YMR191W, YMR219W, YMR271C, YMR275C, YMR295C, YMR314W, YMR316W, YNL006W, YNL007C, YNL012W, YNL044W, YNL045W, YNL074C, YNL092W, YNL093W, YNL104C, YNL115C, YNL156C, YNL231C, YNL234W, YNL237W, YNL281W, YNL305C, YNL333W, YNR010W, YNR019W, YNR033W, YNR059W, YNR068C, YNR069C, YOL032W, YOL036W, YOL047C, YOL071W, YOL082W, YOL083W, YOL117W, YOL119C, YOL126C, YOL131W, YOL153C, YOL162W, YOL163W, YOL164W, YOR019W, YOR035C, YOR036W, YOR099W, YOR117W, YOR124C, YOR130C, YOR132W, YOR157C, YOR185C, YOR197W, YOR259C, YOR261C, YOR273C, YOR288C, YOR332W, YOR336W, YOR347C, YPL017C, YPL087W, YPL106C, YPL109C, YPL149W, YPL154C, YPL196W, YPL206C, YPL222W, YPR023C, YPR024W, YPR026W, YPR067W, YPR103W, YPR108W, YPR151C, YAL012W, YBR029C, YBR222C, YCL009C, YCL027W, YCL064C, YCR098C, YDL222C, YDR055W, YDR077W, YDR502C, YEL001C, YEL042W, YER026C, YER106W, YGR136W, YGR138C, YHR137W, YHR142W, YIL023C, YIL153W, YJL073W, YJR004C, YJR054W, YKL039W, YKL086W, YKL163W, YKR091W, YLR109W, YLR194C, YLR250W, YMR095C, YMR189W, YNL106C, YNL169C, YNL322C, YOR181W, YOR198C, YOR208W, YOR247W, YPL089C, YAL038W, YAL053W, YBR023C, YBR214W, YBR295W, YCR048W, YDL072C, YDL204W, YDR085C, YDR098C, YDR259C, YDR380W, YDR388W, YDR391C, YDR432W, YDR481C, YDR510W, YER069W, YGL022W, YGL126W, YGL209W, YGL255W, YGR189C, YGR282C, YHL035C, YHR030C, YIL022W, YIL024C, YIL117C, YIL123W, YIL140W, YIL154C, YJL088W, YJL108C, YJL149W, YJL159W, YJL186W, YJR148W, YKL096W, YLR180W, YLR273C, YLR300W, YLR307W, YLR378C, YLR391W, YMR094W, YMR104C, YMR276W, YMR296C, YNL190W, YNL208W, YNL300W, YNR064C, YOLO 13C, YOL058W, YOR248W, YOR355W, YPL052W, YPL163C, YPR079W, YAR028W, YBR146W, YBR183W, YCL038C, YCR071C, YDL008W, YDR019C, YDR031W, YDR115W, YDR486C, YER038C, YER130C, YFL054C, YGL136C, YGR146C, YGR207C, YHL040C, YIL167W, YJL020C, YKR039W, YLR031W, YLR205C, YMR072W, YMR140W, YMR173W, YMR195W, YMR226C, YNL037C, YNR002C, YOL143C, YOR136W, YOR215C, YOR382W, YOR383C, YPL054W, YPL271W, YPR127W, YAL044C, YAL054C, YAR010C, YAR027W, YAR071W, YBLO01C, YBL043W, YBL057C, YBR014C, YBR024W, YBR035C, YBR068C, YBR111C, YBR116C, YBR147W, YBR168W, YBR246W, YBR273C, YCR004C, YCR021C, YCR037C, YCR088W, YDL022W, YDL128W, YDL238C, YDR003W, YDR009W, YDR033W, YDR084C, YDR104C, YDR270W, YDR315C, YDR340W, YDR357C, YDR358W, YDR396W, YDR405W, YDR410C, YDR434W, YDR482C, YDR487C, YDR520C, YDR534C, YDR539W, YEL011W, YEL065W, YEL066W, YER039C, YER044C, YER067W, YER080W, YER107C, YFL020C, YFL028C, YFL043C, YFR015C, YGL001C, YGL008C, YGL068W, YGL073W, YGL104C, YGL113W, YGL154C, YGL167C, YGL229C, YGL242C, YGL249W, YGL253W, YGR052W, YGR060W, YGR065C, YGR106C, YGR111W, YGR220C, YGR257C, YHL023C, YHL048W, YHR004C, YHR037W, YHR071W, YHR092C, YHR190W, YIL007C, YIL033C, YIL070C, YIL088C, YIL111W, YIR002C, YIR016W, YIR035C, YIR043C, YJL012C, YJL083W, YJL089W, YJL116C, YJL131C, YJL132W, YJL196C, YJR061W, YJR086W, YJR142W, YJR161C, YKL008C, YKL013C, YKL041W, YKL067W, YKL138C, YKL139W, YKL150W, YKL175W, YKR006C, YKR014C, YKR070W, YLL023C, YLR023C, YLR093C, YLR118C, YLR142W, YLR225C, YLR241W, YLR251W, YLR252W, YLR270W, YML030W, YML110C, YMR021C, YMR027W, YMR148W, YMR181C, YMR262W, YMR272C, YMR298W, YNL011C, YNL130C, YNL214W, YNL259C, YOL129W, YOR042W, YOR052C, YOR137C, YOR149C, YOR165W, YOR270C, YOR285W, YOR367W, YPL018W, YPL156C, YPL186C, YPL203W, YPL216W, YPL255W, YPR006C, YPR073C, YPR098C, YBR050C, YBR145W, YBR299W, YDR518W, YEL020C, YFL062W, YGL039W, YGL134W, YJL217W, YJR159W, YLR126C, YNL249C, YNL284C, YNL336W, YOL157C, YOR344C, YOR381W, YPL265W, YPR124W, YBR074W, YBR109C, YBR126C, YBR201W, YCR005C, YDL248W, YDR041W, YDR105C, YDR268W, YDR452W, YEL075C, YER046W, YER050C, YER136W, YER159C, YGL250W, YGR019W, YGR042W, YGR053C, YGR066C, YGR247W, YGR255C, YGR295C, YHL044W, YHR145C, YIL058W, YIL065C, YIL083C, YIL098C, YIL172C, YJL030W, YJL185C, YJL213W, YJR029W, YJR099W, YJR122W, YJR125C, YKL190W, YKR020W, YLL025W, YLL051C, YLR043C, YLR090W, YLR100W, YLR108C, YLR290C, YML068W, YMR051C, YMR139W, YMR178W, YMR193W, YNL015W, YNL079C, YNL122C, YNL223W, YNL285W, YNL293W, YNR007C, YNR035C, YNR061C, YOL016C, YOL104C, YOR220W, YOR221C, YOR374W, YPL123C, YPR077C, YPR107C, YPR147C, YBR093C, YBR196C, YEL041W, YEL047C, YER023W, YER119C, YFL055W, YGR209C, YIL124W, YKL187C, YLL055W, YMR318C, YOL152W, YAL007C, YBR067C, YBR115C, YBR285W, YBR292C, YDL043C, YDL123W, YDL131W, YDL168W, YDL212W, YDR056C, YDR132C, YDR154C, YDR183W, YDR216W, YDR253C, YDR295C, YDR494W, YDR513W, YEL072W, YER045C, YER061C, YER181C, YFL052W, YFL058W, YFR030W, YGL089C, YGL096W, YGL114W, YGL193C, YGL202W, YGL204C, YGL259W, YGR006W, YGR070W, YGR088W, YHL034C, YHL036W, YHR048W, YHR104W, YHR163W, YIL060W, YIL136W, YIR024C, YJL036W, YJL045W, YJL060W, YJL101C, YJL155C, YJR085C, YJR109C, YJR156C, YKL070W, YKL161C, YKL221W, YKR071C, YLL009C, YLL050C, YLR092W, YLR145W, YLR156W, YLR163C, YLR220W, YLR280C, YLR311C, YLR390W, YML116W, YMR034C, YMR038C, YMR081C, YMR250W, YNL240C, YNL260C, YNL277W, YNR074C, YOL044W, YOL084W, YOL147C, YOL159C, YOR184W, YOR228C, YOR255W, YPL223C, YPR160W, YDL182W, YBR047W, YBR054W, YBR291C, YDR069C, YER124C, YER131W, YGR044C, YIL094C, YKR007W, YMR240C, YNR050C, YOR007C, YAL015C, YBL065W, YBR105C, YBR182C, YBR186W, YBR244W, YBR272C, YCL069W, YDL025C, YDL059C, YDL085W, YDL113C, YDL244W, YDRO 18C, YDR054C, YDR202C, YDR223W, YDR350C, YDR353W, YDR374C, YDR512C, YEL052W, YEL070W, YER098W, YFR017C, YGL046W, YGL067W, YGL098W, YGL117W, YGL146C, YGL240W, YGRO 11W, YGR067C, YGR133W, YGR153W, YGR223C, YHR116W, YHR124W, YIL097W, YIL168W, YJL103C, YJL221C, YJR036C, YJR095W, YKL085W, YKL133C, YKL162C, YKL188C, YKL217W, YKR061W, YKR105C, YLL062C, YLR174W, YLR216C, YLR247C, YLR260W, YLR267W, YLR389C, YML007W, YMR041C, YMR177W, YMR253C, YNL009W, YNL117W, YNL128W, YNL183C, YNR073C, YOL133W, YOL158C, YOR133W, YOR225W, YOR227W, YPL161C, YPL166W, YPL202C, YPL224C, YPR015C, YPR086W, YPR201W, YAL061W, YAL067C, YAR007C, YBL033C, YBL056W, YBL086C, YBR026C, YBR073W, YBR101C, YBR117C, YBR123C, YBR213W, YBR269C, YBR280C, YCR036W, YDL132W, YDL149W, YDL200C, YDL234C, YDL242W, YDR099W, YDR177W, YDR256C, YDR392W, YDR394W, YDR531W, YEL071W, YER014W, YER042W, YER090W, YER184C, YFL059W, YFR042W, YFR046C, YFR049W, YGL026C, YGL058W, YGL185C, YGL227W, YGL252C, YGL254W, YGR089W, YGR112W, YGR134W, YGR276C, YHL019C, YHR012W, YHR017W, YHR028C, YHR106W, YHR109W, YHR156C, YIL036W, YIL046W, YIL143C, YIL152W, YIL159W, YIL164C, YJL071W, YJL094C, YJL154C, YJR056C, YJR072C, YJR10W, YJR139C, YKL025C, YKL034W, YKL064W, YKL171W, YKL196C, YKR012C, YKR068C, YKR069W, YLLO01W, YLL057C, YLL061W, YLR064W, YLR070C, YLR099C, YLR144C, YLR157C, YLR160C, YLR164W, YLR364W, YLR421C, YML032C, YML042W, YML112W, YML118W, YMR114C, YMR115W, YMR258C, YNL181W, YNL191W, YNL212W, YNL213C, YNL250W, YNL265C, YNL312W, YNR032W, YOL038W, YOL049W, YOL064C, YOR088W, YOR155C, YOR257W, YOR265W, YOR377W, YOR386W, YPL031C, YPL113C, YPL124W, YPL151C, YPL249C, YPL260W, YPL274W, YPR048W, YPR061C, YPR093C, YPR125W, YPR158W, YPR168W, YPR169W, YPR174C, YPR180W, YPR193C, YPR200C, YAL014C, YAL017W, YAL049C, YBL019W, YBL058W, YBRO01C, YBR013C, YBR018C, YBR037C, YBR045C, YBR051W, YBR063C, YBR128C, YBR129C, YBR204C, YBR241C, YBR255W, YBR281C, YCL044C, YCL055W, YCR014C, YCR019W, YCR024C, YCR105W, YDL065C, YDL089W, YDL143W, YDL173W, YDL193W, YDL197C, YDL206W, YDL230W, YDL233W, YDR040C, YDR071C, YDR078C, YDR109C, YDR140W, YDR194C, YDR212W, YDR221W, YDR257C, YDR271C, YDR287W, YDR294C, YDR316W, YDR329C, YDR338C, YDR369C, YDR421W, YDR425W, YDR485C, YDR488C, YDR504C, YDR505C, YDR506C, YDR515W, YEL005C, YEL037C, YEL044W, YER017C, YER048C, YER052C, YER078C, YER089C, YER092W, YER100W, YER162C, YER182W, YFL021W, YFL042C, YFR045W, YFR051C, YFR056C, YGL040C, YGL041C, YGL045W, YGL057C, YGL093W, YGL105W, YGL125W, YGL166W, YGL181W, YGL183C, YGL215W, YGL216W, YGL221C, YGL223C, YGR007W, YGR029W, YGR155W, YGR156W, YGR186W, YGR198W, YGR21 C, YGR211W, YGR237C, YGR250C, YGR258C, YGR266W, YGR270W, YGR274C, YGR277C, YHL021C, YHL037C, YHL038C, YHR082C, YHR083W, YHR134W, YHR160C, YHR171W, YHR180W, YHR205W, YIL062C, YIL072W, YIL075C, YIL099W, YIL108W, YIL165C, YIL170W, YIR009W, YIR018W, YIR031C, YIR032C, YJL032W, YJL049W, YJL128C, YJL165C, YJR044C, YJR052W, YJR090C, YJR091C, YJR103W, YJR104C, YJR153W, YKL059C, YKL079W, YKL090W, YKL094W, YKL192C, YKL209C, YKR052C, YKR102W, YKR106W, YLL054C, YLR025W, YLR097C, YLR200W, YLR226W, YLR248W, YLR266C, YLR392C, YLR427W, YML013W, YML029W, YML041C, YML051W, YML078W, YML079W, YML088W, YML099C, YMR056C, YMR068W, YMR091C, YMR110C, YMR160W, YMR186W, YMR255W, YNL005C, YNL026W, YNL039W, YNL063W, YNL064C, YNL077W, YNL083W, YNL147W, YNL176C, YNL194C, YNL253W, YNL257C, YNL261W, YNL264C, YNL276C, YNR006W, YNR034W, YNR047W, YNR051C, YNR071C, YOL065C, YOL067C, YOR005C, YOR008C, YOR022C, YOR023C, YOR058C, YOR069W, YOR087W, YOR138C, YOR229W, YOR256C, YOR267C, YPL005W, YPL020C, YPL022W, YPL105C, YPL147W, YPL150W, YPL152W, YPL164C, YPL168W, YPL180W, YPL188W, YPL194W, YPR025C, YPR047W, YPR049C, YPR066W, YPR081C, YPR134W, YPR140W, YPR148C, YPR155C, YPR172W, YPR185W, YAL018C, YAR064W, YBR012C, YBR076W, YBR287W, YDR043C, YDR250C, YDR373W, YFR014C, YGL191W, YGR180C, YHR136C, YJL026W, YJL037W, YLR038C, YNL058C, YOR031W, YGR087C, YIL166C, YHR008C, YIL129C, YGL256W, YJR030C, YMR077C, YBR264C, YPL177C, YKR040C, YGL056C, YDR128W, YGR139W, YBL101W-A, YOR253W, YOL026C, YDR278C, YHR095W, YCL042W, YNL200C, YPL221W, YLR415C, YMR058W, YPR037C, YER072W, YML028W, YOR325W, YAL039C, YMR112C, YJR107W, YGL088W, YJR058C, YNL142W, YDR090C, YMR071C, YBL093C, YGR293C, YML055W, YDL017W, YDL210W, YGL055W, YCL025C, YDR080W, YDL181W, YNR030W, YJL017W, YIL127C, YDR281C, YDR366C, YFR026C, YJL212C, YPL215W, YEL019C, YBR132C, YHL018W, YNL196C, YPL038W, YAR047C, YPL262W, YHL006C, YPL225W, YBR124W, YOR148C, YKR053C, YBL044W, YER029C, YLR360W, YCL056C, YCR007C, YGR239C, YNL256W, YPR146C, YLR377C, YKL097C, YBR066C, YLR338W, YDL229W, YBR253W, YJR027W, YKL198C, YBL030C, YBR031W, YBR118W, YBR162C, YBR221C, YCR024C-A, YCR106W, YDL046W, YDR012W, YDR133C, YDR134C, YDR276C, YDR342C, YDR343C, YEL027W, YEL034W, YGR038W, YGR243W, YGR279C, YHR094C, YHR105W, YHR175W, YHR181W, YIL056W, YIL162W, YJL059W, YJL097W, YJL158C, YJR105W, YKL051W, YKL056C, YKL097W-A, YKL100C, YKL141W, YKR066C, YLR134W, YLR258W, YLR339C, YML058W, YMR083W, YMR203W, YNL209W, YNL307C, YOL030W, YOR178C, YPL028W, YPR028W, YPR113W, YPR149W, YPR150W, YPR183W, YAL016W, YBL099W, YBL100C, YBR011C, YBR096W, YBR100W, YBR127C, YBR283C, YBR286W, YCL008C, YCL058C, YCR030C, YCR034W, YCR069W, YDL015C, YDL023C, YDL061C, YDL086W, YDR038C, YDR039C, YDR050C, YDR151C, YDR178W, YDR233C, YDR284C, YDR298C, YDR345C, YDR359C, YDR382W, YDR385W, YDR400W, YDR407C, YDR538W, YEL024W, YEL033W, YEL063C, YER057C, YER081W, YER120W, YFL011W, YGL012W, YGL206C, YGR022C, YGR026W, YGR082W, YGR107W, YGR172C, YGR191W, YGR204W, YGR260W, YHL005C, YHL046C, YHR025W, YHR026W, YHR123W, YHR126C, YHR143W, YIL011W, YIL015W, YIL018W, YIL157C, YIR041W, YJL016W, YJL121C, YJL133W, YJL138C, YJL191W, YJR018W, YJR047C, YJR077C, YJR119C, YJR121W, YJR123W, YJR143C, YJR145C, YKL060C, YKL147C, YKL148C, YKL157W, YKL164C, YKL169C, YKR033C, YLL041C, YLL064C, YLR041W, YLR044C, YLR056W, YLR058C, YLR081W, YLR089C, YLR11C, YLR177W, YLR264W, YLR284C, YLR304C, YLR340W, YLR354C, YLR372W, YLR388W, YML022W, YMR007W, YMR011W, YMR015C, YMR092C, YMR101C, YMR156C, YMR205C, YMR215W, YMR261C, YMR323W, YNL069C, YNL135C, YNL195C, YNR076W, YOL039W, YOL073C, YOL086C, YOL120C, YOL156W, YOL161C, YOR002W, YOR009W, YOR010C, YOR085W, YOR108W, YOR128C, YOR129C, YOR142W, YOR161C, YOR176W, YOR230W, YOR298W, YPL004C, YPL036W, YPL048W, YPL057C, YPL059W, YPL061W, YPL135W, YPL179W, YPL218W, YPL220W, YPL246C, YPL272C, YPR063C, YPR080W, YPR181C, YBR290W, YCR010C, YCR091W, YDL107W, YDL129W, YDR066C, YDR529C, YFL026W, YGL018C, YGL059W, YNL144C, YOR003W, YAL037W, YAR023C, YBR003W, YBR020W, YBR044C, YBR091C, YBR185C, YBR282W, YCR015C, YCR038C, YCR043C, YDL119C, YDL146W, YDL220C, YDR057W, YDR123C, YDR125C, YDR222W, YDR225W, YDR277C, YDR286C, YDR347W, YDR408C, YDR438W, YDR479C, YDR483W, YEL039C, YEL057C, YEL073C, YER066W, YER076C, YER084W, YER121W, YER189W, YFL017C, YFL046W, YFR006W, YFR008W, YGL115W, YGL208W, YGL214W, YGL218W, YGR021W, YGR023W, YGR024C, YGR064W, YGR076C, YGR096W, YGR108W, YGR174C, YGR182C, YGR236C, YGR288W, YHL042W, YHR195W, YHR210C, YIL006W, YIL012W, YIL028W, YIL050W, YIL057C, YIL089W, YIL102C, YIL113W, YIL122W, YJL100W, YJL169W, YJL199C, YJR039W, YJR050W, YJR101W, YKL003C, YKL016C, YKL061W, YKL093W, YKL121W, YKL160W, YKL170W, YKL194C, YKR034W, YKR067W, YLR006C, YLR016C, YLR030W, YLR036C, YLR112W, YLR125W, YLR128W, YLR204W, YLR211C, YLR233C, YLR257W, YLR288C, YLR326W, YLR334C, YLR395C, YLR408C, YLR414C, YLR444C, YML050W, YML107C, YML120C, YMR031C, YMR053C, YMR073C, YMR162C, YMR204C, YMR206W, YMR284W, YNL010W, YNL025C, YNL127W, YNL139C, YNL217W, YOL116W, YOL118C, YOR053W, YOR100C, YOR103C, YOR122C, YOR150W, YOR187W, YOR251C, YOR312C, YOR327C, YOR348C, YOR352W, YOR388C, YOR394W, YPL001W, YPL033C, YPL066W, YPL148C, YPL230W, YPL275W, YPL276W, YPR005C, YPR014C, YPR192W, YPR194C, YBR005W, YER025W, YFL027C, YGL080W, YGL205W, YHL028W, YHR185C, YIL076W, YJL166W, YLR046C, YMR035W, YMR238W, YMR252C, YNL192W, YNL202W, YOL108C, YOR385W, YPR165W, YAR033W, YBL038W, YBR009C, YBR010W, YBR151W, YCL067C, YCR096C, YDL137W, YDL192W, YDR073W, YDR086C, YDR224C, YDR377W, YDR378C, YER015W, YGL187C, YHR162W, YJL167W, YJL216C, YKR009C, YLR165C, YMR197C, YNL157W, YOL002C, YOL109W, YOR180C, YPL010W, YPL233W, YBR036C, YDR297W, YGR149W, YGR224W, YNL043C, YPL067C, YPL170W, YCR046C, YDR387C, YFL050C, YGL051W, YHR132C, YIL112W, YJL141C, YKR098C, YLR052W, YLR206W, YML129C, YNL203C, YNR014W, YOL043C, YOL096C, YPR184W, YAL028W, YAL055W, YAR062W, YBL095W, YBL102W, YBR122C, YBR157C, YBR161W, YBR251W, YBR298C, YCR039C, YCR083W, YDL018C, YDL067C, YDL078C, YDL091C, YDL215C, YDL216C, YDR022C, YDR067C, YDR079W, YDR181C, YDR186C, YDR196C, YDR262W, YDR306C, YDR319C, YER188W, YGL004C, YGL035C, YGR036C, YGR062C, YGR120C, YGR131W, YGR141W, YGR167W, YGR287C, YHL024W, YHR080C, YHR097C, YIL077C, YJL046W, YJL070C, YJL096W, YJL113W, YJL146W, YJL180C, YJR019C, YJR049C, YKR058W, YLL005C, YLR078C, YLR151C, YLR271W, YLR295C, YLR351C, YLR375W, YMR023C, YMR025W, YMR135C, YMR210W, YMR267W, YMR278W, YMR293C, YNL073W, YNR037C, YNR040W, YNR072W, YOR028C, YOR316C, YOR328W, YOR363C, YPL039W, YPL040C, YPL099C, YPL107W, YPL134C, YPL138C, and YPL140C. 2. The polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the yeast gene belongs to a category of unknown yeast genes. 3. The polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the yeast gene belongs to a category of mitochondria genes. 4. The polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the yeast gene belongs to a category of DNA repair genes. 5. The polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the yeast gene belongs to a category of energy genes. 6. The polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the yeast gene belongs to a category of transport facilitation genes. 7. The polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the yeast gene belongs to a category of stress protein genes. 8. The polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the yeast gene belongs to a category of metabolism genes. 9. The polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the yeast gene belongs to a category of detoxification genes. 10. The polynucleotide according to claim 2, wherein the unknown yeast gene is YKL071W. 11. The polynucleotide according to claim 2, wherein the unknown yeast gene is YCR102C. 12. The polynucleotide according to claim 2, wherein the unknown yeast gene is YOR382W. 13. The polynucleotide according to claim 8, wherein the metabolism genes is YLR303W. 14. The polynucleotide according to claim 9, wherein the detoxification genes is YLL057C. 15. A vector that comprises the polynucleotide according to any one of claims 1 to 14. 16. A cell that is transformed with the polynucleotide according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or the vector according to claim 15. 17. A process for detecting a toxic compound in a test material, which comprises: (1) contacting the test material to the cells according to claim 16, and (2) detecting the expression of mRNA encoding a marker protein. 18. The process according to claim 17, wherein the expression of mRNA is confirmed by the expression of a marker protein. 19. The process according to claim 17, wherein the expression of mRNA is detected by northern blotting. 20. The process according to claim 17, wherein mRNA is amplified by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), and the expression of mRNA is detected. 21. A process of identifying a toxic compound, which comprises conducting the process according to any one of claims 17 to 20 against each of two or more of the cell according to claim 16. 22. The process according to claim 21, wherein two or more of the cell according to claim 16 is selected from a group consisting of YLL057C, YLR303W, YKL071W, YCR102C, and YOR382W. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Environmental chemical fate search has been conducted every year for 24 years from 1974 through 1998 by Environment Agency, and revealed that about 40% of 775 chemical substances that have been searched so far are emitted into the environment. Chemical substances that are industrially produced at the present in Japan are estimated about 50,000, and the production scale and the kinds of chemical substances are increasing year by year. It is known that chemical substances that are accidentally produced by water treatment with chlorine and incineration pollute the environment. Although such facts allow us to predict that there are a large number of chemical substances that have been accumulated in the environment, it is extremely difficult to search and examine individually the all chemical substances. Conventional bioassays (approaches to evaluate the harmful effects on biological materials on the basis of their responses) wherein inhibited growth and particular biological responses in individuals and cells of fishes, daphnia and shellfish are used as indicators make it possible to determine the presence or absence of the toxicity of chemical substances in the environment, but neither possible to evaluate the characters nor origins of the toxicity. The evaluation methods based on the activity of nitrite-forming bacteria or nitrate-forming bacteria (Japanese Patent Publication (kokai) No. 123705/1994, Japanese Patent Publication (kokai) No. 2000-206087) and the activity of iron bacteria have been proposed, and devices such as Acute toxiciants monitor (Fuji Electric Corporate Research and Development, Ltd. Japan) are marketed. In foreign countries, the devices for evaluation based on emission intensity of luminous bacteria are commercially available (MICROTOX, azur, Co., USA; LUMIS, drlange, Co. Germany). However, those devices still involve conventional bioassays, and never provide any detailed information of toxic chemical substances. In Japan, the risk control of chemical substances is reconsidered every time a chemical substance pollution is newly found, and official regulations and self-imposed regulations are combined to organize the system for risk control. However, any system has not been yet organized that could quickly respond to the present complicated and diversified conditions including accidental productions and environmental emission of toxic chemical substance as typified by trihalomethane and dioxin. Animal experiments as used in the method for evaluation of toxic substance of “Law Concerning Examination and Manufacture, etc. of Chemical Substances” are expensive and time-consuming, and are not accepted across the world. Although, as such, the control system has been continuously discussed, it has not been successfully accomplished because there is no way to dissolve the problem. Thus, a method for detect readily chemical substances occurring in the environment is desired. |
Mechanical interfaced system |
The present invention provides a mechanical interface apparatus (1) for a motor drive unit (2) in motor vehicles, in particular in a motor vehicle door, which is firmly connected to the drive unit (2) and has holding and guide devices (4, 6) for holding a control or plug unit (3a, 3b), with a cut-out (5), which passes all the way through, being formed between the interface apparatus (1) and the drive unit (2) in order to pass through at least one plug contact (30), a component mount (31) or the like for the control or plug unit (3a, 3b); and with at least two guide devices (8, 9) being provided in or close to the drive unit (2) for guiding the plug contacts (30) and/or the component mounts (31) or various control or plug units (3a, 3b) of this type. |
1. A mechanical interface apparatus (1) for a motor drive unit (2) in motor vehicles, in particular in a motor vehicle door, which is firmly connected to the drive unit (2) and has holding and guide devices (4, 6) for holding a control or plug unit (3a, 3b), with a cut-out (5), which passes all the way through, being formed between the interface apparatus (1) and the drive unit (2) in order to pass through at least one plug contact, a component mount (31) or the like for the control or plug unit (3a, 3b); and with at least two guide devices (8; 9) being provided in or close to the drive unit (2) for guiding the plug contacts and/or the component mounts (31) or various control or plug units (3a, 3b) of this type. 2. The interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one guide device (8; 9) is formed by a part of the housing of the drive unit (2). 3. The interface apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one guide device (8, 9) is formed by the brush holder (21) of a commutator motor (20) which is provided in the drive unit (2). 4. The interface apparatus as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide devices (8; 9) are rigid. 5. The interface apparatus as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one guide device (8; 9) is formed by guide elements (8a, 8b; 9a, 9b) which are provided within the drive unit (2). 6. The interface apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the guide elements (8a, 8b; 9a, 9b) are each arranged in pairs parallel to the holding direction, with the pairs of guide elements (8a, 8b; 9a, 9b) having different guide heights (h1, h2). 7. The interface apparatus as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component mount (31) for the control or plug unit (3a, 3b) comprises a finger (31) of a printed circuit board, of a stamped grid, of a lead frame, of a part of an MID base or the like, on which components, such as a sensor (33); electronics (34) with an integrated sensor (33); suppression components or the like are arranged. 8. The interface apparatus as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component mount (31) is flexible. 9. The interface apparatus as claimed in one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the components (33, 34) on the component mount (31) for the control or plug unit (3a, 3b) can be moved to a predetermined, stable operating position by means of the correspondingly associated, rigid guide device (8, 9). 10. The interface apparatus as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control or plug unit (3a, 3b) engages in an interlocking manner with the cut-out (5) in the operating state. 11. The interface apparatus as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sealing device (12), in particular a sealing ring or a multistage laminate seal, is provided between the cut-out (5) and the housing of the control or plug unit (3a, 3b). 12. The interface apparatus as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one guide device is at least partially formed by motor contacts (10a, 10b) which are provided in the drive unit. |
Fire detection system |
A fire detection system (10) for a building is disclosed which comprises a fire panel (12), a loop (16), and a plurality of fire detectors (14) on the loop. Each fire detector includes a transponder which enables the fire detector to communicate with asset tags (20) on assets (18.1, 18.2) distributed in the building. The tags can communicate with a number of tarnsponders whereby the tags' position in the building can be tracked. |
1. A fire detection system which comprises a control panel, a plurality of distributed fire detectors, a communications network via which communication between the detectors and the control panel can take place, and an asset tagging transponder which is also linked to the control panel via said communications network. 2. A fire detector system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said asset tagging transponder is built in part of, or otherwise associated with, one of the fire detectors. 3. A fire detection system as claimed in claim 2, and which comprises a plurality of asset tagging transponders, each of said transponders being a built-in part of, or otherwise associated with, a corresponding one of the fire detectors. 4. A fire detection system as claimed in claim 1, and including a plurality of asset tags each of which includes means for establishing a radio frequency communications link with said transponder. 5. A fire detection system as claimed in claim 3, and including a plurality of asset tags each of which includes means for establishing a radio frequency communications link with at least one of said transponders. 6. A fire detection system as claimed in claim 5, wherein each asset tag includes means for establishing a radio frequency communications link with a plurality of said transponders whereby said transponders can track the location of the asset with which the tag is associated. 7. A fire detector which includes an asset tagging transponder. 8. A kit which comprises a fire detector including an asset tagging transponder, and one or more asset tags, the asset tagging transponder being capable of communicating with the (or each) asset tag over a radio frequency communications link. 9. A fire detection system which comprises a control panel, a plurality of fire detectors distributed in the building which is to be protected, each fire detector incorporating an asset tagging transponder, a hard wired communications link between the fire detectors and the control panel over which communications between the panel and detectors can take place, and a plurality of asset tags on assets distributed in said building, each asset tag being in radio frequency communication with one of said transponders. 10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein each asset tag include means for enabling it to communicate with two or more transponders whereby the transponders can track the location of assets in said premises. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION <EOH>Most modern buildings are equipped with a fire detection system. Such a system conventionally includes a control panel located in, for example, a guard house or security office, fire detectors of various types distributed throughout the building and hardwiring between the panel and the detectors. Theft of assets, particularly high value assets such as computers, from buildings is a major problem which causes significant losses to the occupants of the building. The present invention seeks to take advantage of the communications network, the fire detection system, which is already in the building to inhibit theft of assets. In some buildings, such as hospitals, it is desirable to know where to find key personnel. The present invention also seeks to take advantage of said network fro the purpose of tracking assets. |
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fire detection system which comprises a control panel, a plurality of distributed fire detectors, a communications network via which communication between the detectors and the control panel can take place, and an asset tagging transponder which is also linked to the control panel via said communications network. Said asset tagging transponder can be a built-in part of, or otherwise associated with, one of the fire detectors. Preferably the system comprises a plurality of asset tagging transponders, each of said transponders being a built-in part of, or otherwise associated with, a corresponding one of the fire detectors. In one form of the system it includes a plurality of asset tags each of which includes means for establishing a radio frequency communications link with said transponder. In another form of the system it includes a plurality of asset tags each of which includes means for establishing a radio frequency communications link with at least one of said transponders. In this form of the system each asset tag can include means for establishing a radio frequency communications link with a plurality of said transponders whereby said transponders can track the location of the asset with which the tag is associated. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit which comprises a fire detector including an asset tagging transponder, and one or more asset tags, the asset tagging transponder being capable of communicating with the (or each) asset tag over a radio frequency communications link. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a fire detection system which comprises a control panel, a plurality of fire detectors distributed in the building which is to be protected, each fire detector incorporating an asset tagging transponder, a hard wired communications link between the fire detectors and the control panel over which communications between the panel and detectors can take place, and a plurality of asset tags on assets distributed in said building, each asset tag being in radio frequency communication with one of said transponders. In this system each asset tag can include means for enabling it to communicate with two or more transponders whereby the transponders can track the location of assets in said premises. |
Exercise apparatus |
There is provided an exercise machine in which resistance to movement of an actuation member, such as a handle, is provided and that resistance is able to be varied through the course of a single repetition of a series of repetitive exercises. The variation of resistance with distance along the movement path of the actuation member is, in a preferred embodiment, able to be changed by the selection and fitting of a component having a contoured surface, with which a follower means in the machine interacts to vary the resistance. There is also provided a multi-function exercise machine, that lends itself well to provision of the variable resistance feature. |
1. An exercise apparatus including: a first movable member; actuation means arranged to move said first movable member in response to a defined movement of a user of said apparatus; a second movable member; and resistance generating means for resisting movement of said second movable member; wherein one of said first and second movable members includes a cam and the other of said first and second movable members includes a cam follower that in use of said apparatus traverses a path along a surface of said cam, so that said user experiences a defined pattern of resistance variation during execution said defined movement said pattern being dependent on the shape of said cam surface. 2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cam follower traverses said path on said cam surface by rolling thereon. 3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said cam is replaceable by a substitute cam thereby to alter said pattern of resistance variation during said defined movement. 4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said cam is included in a cam assembly which assembly includes a plurality of differing cams selectable by said user. 5. An exercise apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said cam follower is included in said first movable member. 6. An exercise apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said resistance generating means includes at least one weight. 7. An exercise apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said actuation means includes: an actuation assembly rotatable about a horizontal axis by said user in executing said defined movement; and an elongate link connecting said assembly and said first movable member. 8. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said horizontal axis is selectably positionable by said user in either of two directions, said two directions being perpendicular to each other. 9. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 wherein said elongate link is connected to said actuation assembly at any one of a plurality of selectable connection points circumferentially spaced apart on said actuation assembly. 10. An exercise device including a base structure placeable on a flat surface and a pair of exercise apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 the members of said pair each including a frame secured to said base structure in positions that are spaced-apart in a transverse direction on said base structure, and wherein each member of said pair is oppositely handed so that said exercise device is symmetrical about a vertical and longitudinally extending plane midway between said members of said pair. 11. An exercise device according to claim 10 wherein each frame has a plurality of connection points for connection to said frame of a bench for said user. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>There are numerous different methods for exercising muscles of the human body. Many involve no requirement for equipment at all, simply involving a person following a defined movement that concentrates loads on particular muscle groups. Many methods, however, do involve equipment, and for a range of reasons—to enable larger forces to be obtained, to better target particular muscle groups than ordinary exercise regimes can do, and to allow more easy regulation of progress from easy exercise to more demanding. One popular exercise method involves the use of “free” weights, such as barbells and so-called “dumb-bells”. The use of free weights is desirable for such reasons as these. In addition to the advantages which free weights offer, there are also several disadvantages. First, it is difficult to isolate some muscle groups with free weights because of the awkward angle at which the free weight must be moved during the exercise. Additionally, many lifts involving free weights require the use of a “spotter”, i.e. an assistant. If the lifter is unable to complete the lift, the spotter must step in and quickly assist in the lift to prevent physical harm being incurred by the lifter. Nowhere is this more important than in bench presses, in which a barbell is lifted above the body of a lifter lying on his (or her) back. If the lifter is unable to lift the weights and no spotter is available, the barbell can land on the lifter's throat, causing serious injury or even death. Because many individuals wish to work out at home or wish to avoid the use of a spotter, there has been a marked increase in the popularity of mechanical devices in which one or more movable parts are moved by the user against resistance generated by, for example, weights, springs, or even the user's own weight. Multi-function equipment in particular has proven popular, due to its ability to provide a range of exercises, targeted to develop particular muscle groups. As with free weights, such machines when used continuously or repetitively involve the expenditure of effort and so also aid the improvement of fitness (eg heart and lung function). Such equipment most usually includes at least one weight stack which engages a cable which is in turn pulled by the user. Typically this is accomplished by an elongate metal shaft with a plurality of holes which extends through the stack of weights. A locking pin is inserted into one of the holes and all weights above the locking pin are lifted with each pull on the cable. The cable may be pulled directly by a user, or alternatively the user may move a mechanical component which is itself linked to the cable directly or indirectly via various types of mechanisms. One disadvantage of such equipment, however, is that the resistance felt by a user often varies throughout the normal range of movement, often in a way that is not ideal for the user. For example, some equipment tends to focus the exertion of each lift at the beginning of each muscle movement. In other words, once the cable has begun to move the associated weights, the effort involved with moving the weights through the remainder of the repetition decreases significantly. This can affect muscle use and development. For this reason, many serious body builders will not use multi-function machines. This problem also limits the ability of the user to focus on a particular area of weakness along the muscle's movement. For example, a user may determine that he is not as strong as desired in the last 60 degrees of a biceps curl when using free weights or may desire to tone his biceps to provide a more rounded curve. With the present multi-function machines and even single station cable-based exercise machines, strengthening or toning as desired can be extremely difficult. The available multi-function exercise machines also have a number of other problems. For example, some machines will only allow a user to perform a few different exercises, e.g. they may only work the arms or legs, often in only a limited number of ways. Others are overly complex and costly. Thus there is a need for an improved multi-function exercise apparatus that addresses these problems. The problem of providing resistance to movement of a member of an exercise apparatus, with that resistance varying along the path of the member in a desired way, has been recognized, and addressed in various ways. One class of machine is based on a weight being supported on a member rotatably mounted on a shaft journalled in a frame, the shaft being rotated by a lever or other mechanism through the effort of a user. A starting position (i.e. lateral displacement from the shaft axis) of the weight can be varied so that the starting torque applied to the shaft to resist the user-generated torque, and the nature of its variation as the shaft is rotated, can be adjusted to a degree. One example of this approach is disclosed by Hobson (U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,219). A problem with such devices is that only a limited degree of control of resistance variation is possible. An alternative approach, and the one thought to be the most commonly used, is thought to be that exemplified by such devices as those of Kasigkeit (Australian patent application 57830/86) and Johns (U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,360), Solow (U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,121), in which a cable or chain extends from a weight stack over a rotatable cam which in turn is rotated (directly or via one or more intermediate members) by a user. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,511,137, 4,666,152, 4,807,874, 4,957,281 and European Patent 0391315, all of which are examples of such cam-based exercise machines. The torque applied by the weight to resist its rotation depends on the shape of the cam. This approach is in reality a variation on the previous one, in that the resisting torque applied to a rotating member depends on the distance from that member's axis at which a constant force is applied. There are limitations to the nature of the resistance variation that can be provided in this way. For example, variation in resistance over a very short distance is difficult to provide. There are also limitations to the ease with which the nature of the resistance variation can be changed at will for a given exercise or to suit a different exercise. The exercise apparatus disclosed herein addresses the problems of multi-function machines set out above, while allowing a large number of different exercise to be carried out. Moreover, the machine lends itself to being modified to provide modulated resistance for improved workout for various muscle groups. “Modulated” here means that the resistance to movement felt by a user of apparatus during each repetition of a particular exercise (or part of an exercise) varies with movement along the stroke. Other types of exercise apparatus provide a degree of variation of resistance simply through progressive change of relative orientation of their parts during use. An example is the apparatus of Steams (U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,227), which uses an arrangement of pin-jointed links to provide movement, but with variation of resistance not being a particular objective, U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,328 also discloses a machine of this class. The modulation of resistance discussed herein is to be understood as variation that is additional to and distinct from such variation, but need not necessarily be of smaller magnitude. A mechanical arrangement is disclosed herein which can provide modulation of the resistance felt by a user of exercise apparatus in the above sense. The arrangement also enables the nature of that variable (modulated) resistance to itself be changed conveniently. The multifunction exercise apparatus disclosed herein lends itself to use of the said arrangement, and is preferably provided with it. However, the exercise apparatus is also considered to offer a useful alternative to others in the market when the variable resistance arrangement is disabled or even excluded altogether. Moreover, the variable resistance arrangement disclosed is also applicable in types of exercise apparatus other than the preferred one here disclosed. |
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION Of DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a major component of an exercise apparatus according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of the component shown in FIG. 1 , set up in a first particular configuration for use; FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the component and configuration shown in FIG. 2 , looking in the direction of arrow “A” in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the component shown in FIG. 1 , looking in the direction of arrow “B” In FIG. 1 , set up in a second particular configuration; FIG. 5 is a side view (with some mechanical details omitted) of an exercise apparatus according to the invention including the component shown in FIG. 1 set up in third and fourth particular, configurations, with a bench component shown in multiple positions; FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a part of the component shown in FIG. 2 , taken at station “PP” in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 7 is a partial view of the component shown in FIG. 2 , looking in the direction of arrow “C” in FIG. 2 with some alternative arrangements also shown in phantom outline; FIG. 8 is a schematic end elevation of the parts shown in FIG. 7 ; FIG. 9 is an end elevation of part of a part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the part shown in FIG. 9 , taken at Station “QQQ” In FIG. 9 ; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rotary cam component for use in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cam used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 13 is a Table referred to in the text as Table 1 . detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi continuous metal casting |
A method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi-continuous casting of metallic rods (12). The apparatus comprising: a stand (30) for suspending at least one electric arc electrode (24) over the upper surface of a metallic casting (14) after or during pouring, at least one electrode (24) for forming a moving electric arc (38) over the upper surface of the mettalic casting being cast, a second electrode, being the liquid metal (14), for completion of an electric circuit including said electric arc (38) and the liquid metal (14); and control means (34), connected between said apparatus and a power supply (36) and arranged to supply power to the plasma arc electrodes (14, 24), for monitoring the parameters of the electric arc (38). The invention also provides a method for casting the metallic rods (12) by using the above described apparatus. |
1. A continuous and semi-continuous casting apparatus for the production of improved-quality rods, including rod cross-sections having a aspect ratio exceeding 1.8, the apparatus comprising: a) a stand for suspending at least one electric arc electrode over the upper surface of the molten metal casting after or during pouring; b) at least one electrode for forming a moving electric arc over the upper surface of said metallic casting being cast: c) a second electrode, being the liquid metal, for completion of an electric circuit including said electric arc and the liquid metal; and d) control(s) mean(s) connected between said apparatus and a power supply and arranged to supply power to the plasma arc electrode(s) and monitoring the parameters of the electric arc. 2. The continuous and semi continuous casting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second electric circuit is provided to create a magnetic field urging said plasma arc towards the center of said upper surface of said molten metal, by said second electric circuit passes through molten metal held in a reservior and reaches said metallic component of said mold through a molten metal column formed in a feed tube. 3. The continuous and semi continuous casting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first electrode is hollow and means are provided for directing a stream of an inert gas, there through to impact said upper surface for preventing oxidation of the molten metal forming said upper surface and for the removal therefrom of solid impurities and the removal of casting powder if present. 4. The continuous and semi continuous casting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including a refractory guard ring slightly deeped in the surface of said rod to maintain exclusion of solid impurities such as casting powder from said upper surface under the plasma arc, and to electrically insulate an upper portion of said mold from said plasma arc. 5. A continuous and semi continuous casting apparatus substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 6. A method for continuous and semi continuous metal casting for improving quality of metallic continuous rods, said method comprising; step a) continuously pouring the liquid metal into a mold for casting rods. step b) providing at least one first electric arc electrode and positioning same slightly above the upper surface of the molten metal; step c) providing a second electrode in electrical contact with a section of the mold being electrically conductive, and applying an electric current to said electrodes to form an arc between said first electrode and said upper surface; and step d) continuously moving said electric arc(s) over said upper surface. 7. A continuous or semi continuous casting method as claimed in claim 6 including the use of casting powder by: step a) continuously pouring a liquid metal into a mold and applying casting powder to the rod; step b) removing the casting powder from the arc working zone. One of the ways to remove the casting powder is by blasting an inert gas such as argon over said upper surface; step c) preventing the return of said casting powder by placing at list one refractory guard ring on said upper surface; step d) providing at least one plasma arc electrode and positioning same slightly above said upper surface of the molten metal, inside each protecting ring; step f) providing a second electrode in electrical contact with a section of the mold being electrically conductive, and applying an electric current to said electrodes to form an arc between said first electrode and said upper surface; and step e) continuously moving said electric arc(s) over said upper surface. 8. A continuous or semi continuous casting method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said electric current applied to said electrodes to form a plasma is a DC current. 9. A continuous casting or semi continuous method, substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
<SOH> FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to metal continuous and semi continuous castings. More particularly, the invention provides an improved method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi-continuous casting to produce a high-quality cast of any desired length and cross section composed of a ferrous or of a non-ferrous metal. Continuous and Semi-continuous casting are the most commonly used methods for casting and producing semi-finished products such as plats, tubs, shits, etc. While continuous casting is the main method for casting ferrous alloys i.e. low carbon steel, stainless steel, etc., semi-continuous casting is the preferred method for casting non-ferros alloys such as aluminium and copper alloys. Both methods based on continuously pouring metal from a reservoir mostly known as the tundish or the distributor, to a cooled open mold. The mold is open both for metal entrance (usually from the top) and for metal exit (usually from the bottom). Unlike other casting methods the metal does not solidifies completely in the mold, but rather receives an initial solidifying shell and continues to cools outside the mold most commonly by water jets. The cast produced by continuous or semi-continuous casting such as billet, bloom, bar, slab etc, hereandafter defined as “rod” is advanced by means of rollers, gravitation, piston etc. the rod undergo further plastic deformation for producing the semi-finished products, mentioned above. The main difference between continuous and semi-continuous casting regards the length been cast. In continuous casting the total length can be hundreds of meters in a continuous process. At the end of the casting the rods, are cut from the casting. While in semi-continuous casting the length is constant in the size of several meters, and each billet is cast in a single process. A further mentions of continuous casting will refer to continuous as well as semi continuous casting. A further effect in metal alloy casting is the appearance of dendrites during cooling, these being formed during solidification as various points in the mass take up a lattice tree like structure. During the formation of dendrites, alloying elements, such as C, Cr or Ni are pushed outwardly to form a crystal grain boundary, these form later a site for the initiation of cracks in a finished component. A concentration of these alloying elements is referred to as segregation, which can to some extent be combated by lower pouring temperatures. Impurities from the ladle or the casting powder can form inclusions and further reduce the mechanical properties of the products. Gases, from the atmosphere or other sources are also present in the liquid metal, these being the main cause of casting porosity. Applying roller pressure to the rod during continuous casting is proposed by Fukuoka et al. in Japanese Patent no. JP56050705A2. Pressure is said to prevent the generation of a crack on the bottom side of the casting groove. The roller is located at the point where the bent ingot is straightened. Obviously this process is of no help in improving the microstructure of the metal. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,749 Praitoni et al describe and claim a process for the continuous casting of steel from a tundish having several casting spouts. While in the tundish the molten steel is subjected to further heating, which in claim 5 is a transferred-arc plasma torch. This patent is for heating the metal in the tundish, while the present invention is for treating the molten metal in the mold during the solidification process. Lowry et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,724 describe an unusual continuous casting method for metals which claims to eliminate voids and flaws and to produce a dense homogeneous product. This is achieved by forcing the metal to flow upwards, against gravity, by means of an electromagnetic field which also provides containment forces. The method disclosed includes electromagnetic stirring of the molten metal; this aspect of the process is in common industrial use, and is known to improve homogeneity and produce a fine grain structure. However electromagnetic stirring consumes much electric power, cannot be applied to very large castings and has limited influence on ingots having aspect ratios (width/breadth ratio) in excess of 1.8 In U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,579 Henryon discloses a method of heating a molten metal in a continuous casting tundish, using a plasma torch and a special tundish. Other prior-art casting systems are referred to in this specification which also apply a plasma arc to metal held in the tundish. As with the Praitoni disclosure, such heating and/or stirring does not effect the solidification process in the mold. PCT/IL97/00023 describes an electric arc which could be used in the present aparatus. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a stirring and treating continuous casting apparatus for the production of improved-quality rods from molten metal, including rod cross-sections having a aspect ratio exceeding 1.8, the apparatus comprising: a) a stand for suspending at least one electric arc electrode over the upper surface of a metallic casting after or during pouring; b) at least one electrode for forming a moving electric arc over the upper surface of said metallic casting being cast: c) a second electrode, being the liquid metal, for completion of an electric circuit including said electric arc and the liquid metal; and d) control(s) mean(s) connected between said apparatus and a power supply and arranged to supply power to the plasma arc electrode(s) for monitoring the parameters of the electric arc. The invention also provides a method for improving quality, such as: reducing voids, inclusions, porosity, dendrite and grain size in metallic continuous rod casting and for improving homogeneity therein, the method comprising step a) continuously pouring the liquid metal into a mold for casting rods. step b) providing at least one first electric arc electrode and positioning same slightly above the upper surface of the molten metal; step c) providing a second electrode in electrical contact with a section of the mold being electrically conductive, and applying an electric current to said electrodes to form an arc between said first electrode and said upper surface; and step d) continuously moving said electric arc(s) over said upper surface. Yet further embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter. It will thus be realized that the novel device of the present invention improves rod quality by stirring the liquid metal in the mold. The electric power required for this purpose is moderate. For example, in a test carried out in producing a semi-continuous slab, aspect ratio 2 , made of copper nickel alloy, the plasma-arc consumed only 2 kWh per ton. It is to be stressed that the method and apparatus of the present invention have been tested in practice, and castings produced by the new method have been examined and compared to the same castings produced by conventional methods. Test results, also to be found in the description, leave no doubt as to the improved quality achieved by use of apparatus constructed according to the present invention. |
Element for an adjustable steering column |
The invention concerns a device for masking clearances between an instrument panel (6) and a covering element (2) linked to an adjustable steering column along a longitudinal direction (10) and a transverse direction (12). The device comprises a relatively rigid intermediate element (4) mobile solely along the longitudinal direction relative to the instrument panel, to remain in contact with said instrument panel, while the covering element moves along the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, such that it slides along the longitudinal direction relative to the covering element. |
1. Device (1) to mask the gap between a dashboard (6) and a covering element (2) connected to a steering column (8) adjustable in translation in a longitudinal direction (10) and angularly in a lateral direction (14) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, said angular rotation of the steering column giving rise to a movement substantially in translation of the covering element relative to the dashboard in a transverse direction (12) substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (10) and to the lateral direction (14), said device comprising moreover a relatively rigid intermediate element (12) having a sliding surface (5b) coming substantially into contact with the dashboard and the masking surface (5a) coming substantially into contact with the covering element, characterized in that: the masking surface extends substantially in the longitudinal direction and the sliding surface extends substantially in the transverse direction, the device moreover comprises first means (24, 34, 38, 54) to move the covering element substantially in the longitudinal direction relative to the dashboard and a hole in the intermediate element in the longitudinal direction relative to the dashboard, during sliding in the longitudinal direction of the steering column relative to the dashboard, such that the sliding surface remains substantially in contact with the dashboard and the covering element slides relative to the masking surface, while remaining substantially in contact with said masking surface, and the device moreover comprises second means (32, 40, 44, 56) to move the intermediate element substantially in the transverse direction relative to the dashboard and to hold the intermediate element in the transverse direction relative to the covering element, during angular rotation of the steering column, such that the masking surface will thus be substantially immovable relative to the covering element and the sliding surface will move substantially in the transverse direction relative to the dashboard, while remaining substantially in contact with said dashboard. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it moreover comprises guide means (16, 18, 20, 22a, 22b) in translation substantially in the longitudinal direction directly connecting the intermediate element to the covering element. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide means in translation comprise: two grooves (20) extending substantially in the longitudinal direction (10), ribs (16) extending into said gooves, and first projections (22a) extending in the transverse direction and second projections (22b) extending in the lateral direction (14), each of said first and second projections extending between the grooves and the ribs so as to give rise to point contact between the ribs and the grooves. 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the second means comprise a carriage (32) sliding in said transverse direction relative to the dashboard, the first means comprise: a slide (34) to which is fixed the covering element (2), sliding relative to the carriage in the longitudinal direction, and means (24, 38) to connect in translation according to the longitudinal direction, the carriage to the intermediate element, such that these latter move with combined translatory movements in the longitudinal direction. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the intermediate element (4) is free relative to the carriage (32) in the transverse direction (12). 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it moreover comprises resilient means (26) acting substantially in the transverse direction (12) to hold the intermediate element (4) into contact with the covering element (2). 7. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the intermediate element (4) is free relative to the carriage (32) in the lateral direction (14). 8. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that: the second means comprise moreover a first slot (56) extending in the transverse direction (12), provided in a support (60) fixed to the dashboard (6), the first means comprise moreover a second slot (54) extending in the longitudinal direction (10), provided in the slide (34), the carriage (32) defines a cover having two holes (50) supporting a rod (52) passing through the first and second slots. 9. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the slide (32) is traversed from side to side in the longitudinal direction (10) by a passage (48) of circular cross-section adapted to receive a steering shaft (8). 10. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the intermediate element (4) is free relative to the carriage (32) in the lateral direction (14). 11. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the intermediate element (4) is free relative to the carriage (32) in the lateral direction (14). 12. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that: the second means comprise moreover a first slot (56) extending in the transverse direction (12), provided in a support (60) fixed to the dashboard (6), the first means comprise moreover a second slot (54) extending in the longitudinal direction (10), provided in the slide (34), the carriage (32) defines a cover having two holes (50) supporting a rod (52) passing through the first and second slots. 13. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that: the second means comprise moreover a first slot (56) extending in the transverse direction (12), provided in a support (60) fixed to the dashboard (6), the first means comprise moreover a second slot (54) extending in the longitudinal direction (10), provided in the slide (34), the carriage (32) defines a cover having two holes (50) supporting a rod (52) passing through the first and second slots. 14. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that: the second means comprise moreover a first slot (56) extending in the transverse direction (12), provided in a support (60) fixed to the dashboard (6), the first means comprise moreover a second slot (54) extending in the longitudinal direction (10), provided in the slide (34), the carriage (32) defines a cover having two holes (50) supporting a rod (52) passing through the first and second slots. 15. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the slide (32) is traversed from side to side in the longitudinal direction (10) by a passage (48) of circular cross-section adapted to receive a steering shaft (8). 16. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the slide (32) is traversed from side to side in the longitudinal direction (10) by a passage (48) of circular cross-section adapted to receive a steering shaft (8). 17. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the slide (32) is traversed from side to side in the longitudinal direction (10) by a passage (48) of circular cross-section adapted to receive a steering shaft (8). 18. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the slide (32) is traversed from side to side in the longitudinal direction (10) by a passage (48) of circular cross-section adapted to receive a steering shaft (8). |
Loss reducing device of rotary body |
A device for rotating body windage loss reduction, capable of rotating a rotating body at a high peripheral speed in an environment at atmospheric pressure or close to atmospheric pressure while reducing fluid resistance loss at a low cost by making use of the conventional bearing technology, is implemented, thereby enhancing efficiency of an energy storage device such as, for example, a flywheel, and so forth. The device is provided with a rotating body held rotatably; and a covering rotating body installed on the outer side of the rotating body so as to enclose the same, held rotatably and coaxially with the rotating body. Further, optional plural numbers of the covering rotating bodies installed coaxially with the rotating body and covering the outer side of the device for rotating body windage loss reduction are provided on top of each other in sequence. Still further, bearing means are provided between the rotating body and the covering rotating body adjacent thereto or between the covering rotating bodies adjacent to each other, and bearings for the respective covering rotating bodies are disposed in series in relation to bearings for the rotating body. In addition, by filling up the interior of a case with hydrogen gas or helium gas, lower in density than air, windage loss can be further reduced. |
1-7. (cancelled). 8. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction, comprising: a rotating body held rotatably; a covering rotating body enclosing the rotating body, held rotatably and coaxially with the rotating body; and a fluid layer provided in respective gaps formed by selecting an inside diameter of the covering rotating body and a length thereof, in the direction of a rotating shaft, so as to be greater than an outside diameter of the rotating body and a length thereof, in the direction of the rotating shaft, respectively, wherein the fluid layer existing in the respective gaps has a function of being rotated following a rotational motion of the rotating body, and causing a rotational motion of the covering rotating body to occur by acting thereon to thereby rotate the same at a rotational speed smaller than that of the rotating body, and windage loss of the rotating body is reduced by the agency of the fluid layer interjacent between the rotating body and the covering rotating body and the fluid layer interjacent between the covering rotating body and outside thereof, respective rotational speeds of the fluid layers being sequentially reduced. 9. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 8, further comprising an additional optional number of covering rotating bodies installed coaxially with the rotating body so as to cover the outer side of the device for rotating body windage loss reduction. 10. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 9, wherein bearing means are provided between the rotating body and the covering rotating body adjacent thereto or between the covering rotating bodies adjacent to each other. 11. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 8, wherein a case having rigidity and covering the device in whole is provided on the outer side of the covering rotating body enclosing the device for rotating body windage loss reduction so as to serve as a supporting platform for a rotating shaft of the rotating body and the covering rotating bodies while serving as protective means thereof. 12. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 8, wherein a case having rigidity and covering the device in whole is provided on the outer side of the covering rotating body enclosing the device for rotating body windage loss reduction so as to serve as a supporting platform for a rotating shaft of the rotating body and the covering rotating bodies while the case and the bearing means are rendered to be sealed in construction, and a connection for a pipe linked with the interior of the case is provided on the outer surface of the case to enable adjustment of a gas inside the case and pressure of the gas, an opening being provided in a part of the covering rotating bodies, respectively, to enable internal pressure of the covering rotating bodies provided inside the case to rapidly cope with adjustment of the pressure of the gas on the outside of the covering rotating bodies. 13. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 9, wherein a case having rigidity and covering the device in whole is provided on the outer side of the covering rotating body enclosing the device for rotating body windage loss reduction so as to serve as a supporting platform for a rotating shaft of the rotating body and the covering rotating bodies while serving as protective means thereof. 14. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 10, wherein a case having rigidity and covering the device in whole is provided on the outer side of the covering rotating body enclosing the device for rotating body windage loss reduction so as to serve as a supporting platform for a rotating shaft of the rotating body and the covering rotating bodies while serving as protective means thereof. 15. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 9, wherein a case having rigidity and covering the device in whole is provided on the outer side of the covering rotating body enclosing the device for rotating body windage loss reduction so as to serve as a supporting platform for a rotating shaft of the rotating body and the covering rotating bodies while the case and the bearing means are rendered to be sealed in construction, and a connection for a pipe linked with the interior of the case is provided on the outer surface of the case to enable adjustment of a gas inside the case and pressure of the gas, an opening being provided in a part of the covering rotating bodies, respectively, to enable internal pressure of the covering rotating bodies provided inside the case to rapidly cope with adjustment of the pressure of the gas on the outside of the covering rotating bodies. 16. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 10, wherein a case having rigidity and covering the device in whole is provided on the outer side of the covering rotating body enclosing the device for rotating body windage loss reduction so as to serve as a supporting platform for a rotating shaft of the rotating body and the covering rotating bodies while the case and the bearing means are rendered to be sealed in construction, and a connection for a pipe linked with the interior of the case is provided on the outer surface of the case to enable adjustment of a gas inside the case and pressure of the gas, an opening being provided in a part of the covering rotating bodies, respectively, to enable internal pressure of the covering rotating bodies provided inside the case to rapidly cope with adjustment of the pressure of the gas on the outside of the covering rotating bodies. 17. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 11, wherein a case having rigidity and covering the device in whole is provided on the outer side of the covering rotating body enclosing the device for rotating body windage loss reduction so as to serve as a supporting platform for a rotating shaft of the rotating body and the covering rotating bodies while the case and the bearing means are rendered to be sealed in construction, and a connection for a pipe linked with the interior of the case is provided on the outer surface of the case to enable adjustment of a gas inside the case and pressure of the gas, an opening being provided in a part of the covering rotating bodies, respectively, to enable internal pressure of the covering rotating bodies provided inside the case to rapidly cope with adjustment of the pressure of the gas on the outside of the covering rotating bodies. 18. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 13, wherein a case having rigidity and covering the device in whole is provided on the outer side of the covering rotating body enclosing the device for rotating body windage loss reduction so as to serve as a supporting platform for a rotating shaft of the rotating body and the covering rotating bodies while the case and the bearing means are rendered to be sealed in construction, and a connection for a pipe linked with the interior of the case is provided on the outer surface of the case to enable adjustment of a gas inside the case and pressure of the gas, an opening being provided in a part of the covering rotating bodies, respectively, to enable internal pressure of the covering rotating bodies provided inside the case to rapidly cope with adjustment of the pressure of the gas on the outside of the covering rotating bodies. 19. A device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to claim 14, wherein a case having rigidity and covering the device in whole is provided on the outer side of the covering rotating body enclosing the device for rotating body windage loss reduction so as to serve as a supporting platform for a rotating shaft of the rotating body and the covering rotating bodies while the case and the bearing means are rendered to be sealed in construction, and a connection for a pipe linked with the interior of the case is provided on the outer surface of the case to enable adjustment of a gas inside the case and pressure of the gas, an opening being provided in a part of the covering rotating bodies, respectively, to enable internal pressure of the covering rotating bodies provided inside the case to rapidly cope with adjustment of the pressure of the gas on the outside of the covering rotating bodies. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>As means for reducing fluid resistance to which a rotating body is subjected, it has been in practice either to remove a fluid in contact with the surface of the rotating body or to lower density of the fluid. To that end, it has been in practice to provide a vessel for housing the rotating body so as to reduce windage loss by producing a vacuum or reducing pressure inside the vessel. However, in a vacuum, there occurs evaporation of lubricating oil for lubricating bearings to support the rotating body and outgassing from the rotating body itself due to a problem of manufacturing the rotating body, thereby lowering a degree of vacuum, so that it is difficult to maintain the degree of vacuum. As a result, in order to maintain a predetermined degree of vacuum, it becomes necessary to provide a vacuum pump that is a vacuum-maintaining device or a getter, but the vacuum-maintaining device requires cost of installation. Further, as bearings causing no problem upon rotation at a high speed in a vacuum, there are known non-contact bearings such as magnetic levitation bearings, control type magnetic bearings (AMB), superconducting magnetic bearings (SMB), and so forth. However, there is required large consumption of energy for maintaining a magnetic levitation condition or superconducting condition under which those bearings can be used, so that those bearings have not come as yet to have satisfactory performance in use for a rotating body such as, for example, a flywheel for storing energy, and so forth. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention has an object to implement a device for rotating body windage loss reduction, capable of rotating a rotating body at a high peripheral speed in an environment at atmospheric pressure or close to atmospheric pressure without producing a vacuum or low pressure condition while reducing fluid resistance loss at a low cost by making use of the conventional bearing technology, thereby enhancing efficiency of an energy storage device such as, for example, a flywheel, and so forth. To resolve the problem previously described, the device for rotating body windage loss reduction according to the invention has means whereby there are provided a rotating body held rotatably; and a covering rotating body installed on the outer side of the rotating body so as to enclose the same, held rotatably and coaxially with the rotating body. As a result, a relative speed between the rotating body and the covering rotating body is decreased, resulting in reduction of fluid resistance and leading to reduction in windage loss. Further, if an additional optional number of the covering rotating bodies installed coaxially with the rotating body and covering the outer side of the device for rotating body windage loss reduction are provided, that is, a plurality of the covering rotating bodies are provided one over the other in sequence, a more advantageous effect is obtained, so that means are preferably provided whereby an optional number of the covering rotating bodies are installed so as to match required performance of the device. Still further, bearing means are preferably provided between the rotating body and the covering rotating body adjacent thereto or between the covering rotating bodies adjacent to each other, in which case, bearings for the respective covering rotating bodies are disposed in series in relation to bearings for the rotating body, so that regardless of the number of the covering rotating bodies installed, bearing loss of the rotating body is not more than that in the case where only one covering rotating body is installed and consequently, the bearing loss of the rotating body is considerably reduced in comparison with a case where those bearings are disposed in parallel. In addition, since the number of revolutions of the bearings is based on a relative rotational speed between the covering rotating bodies adjacent to each other, a rotational speed of the bearings is decreased, thereby reducing the bearing loss occurring to the bearings. Furthermore, with those features, an opening is preferably provided in a part of the covering rotating bodies, respectively, so that the opening serves as a flow path of gas when replacing air inside the device with the gas, thereby enhancing efficiency, while serving as the flow path of the gas due to variation in density thereof when a peripheral speed is increased, thereby providing means for reducing variation in pressure. Further, a case covering the device is preferably provided so that hydrogen gas or helium gas is injected therein. By filling up the interior of the case with a fluid lower in density than air, windage loss can be further reduced. Still further, with the invention, the rotating body may be a flywheel, providing means for obtaining a highly efficient flywheel. |
Saccharide sulfation methods |
The invention relates to methods for the sulfation of saccharides. In particular, the invention relates to methods for the sulfation of low molecular weight saccharides derived from glycosaminoglycans. |
1. A process for the sulfation of saccharides, which process comprises: (a) obtaining a starting saccharide in sodium or ammonium salt form, wherein the starting saccharide comprises a heterogenous or homogenous collection of mono-, di-, and or oligosaccharides, more than 85% of which are composed maximally of eight sugar residues; (b) dissolving the starting saccharide salt in a dipolar aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of pyridine, pyridine-DMF, and pyridine-DMS), thereby forming a starting saccharide salt-solvent mixture; and (c) treating the starting saccharide salt-solvent mixture with a sulfating agent to produce a sulfated saccharide. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the starting saccharide salt is obtained by depolymerization of a glycosaminoglycan. 3. The process of claim 2, wherein the glycosaminoglycan is heparin or heparan sulfate, 4. The process of claim 1, wherein at least about 25% of the saccharides in the starting saccharide are disaccharides. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein at least about 15% of the saccharides in the starting saccharide have more than four sugar residues. 6. A process for the sulfation of saccharides, which process comprises: (a) depolymerizing a glycosaminoglycan to obtain a starting saccharide in sodium or ammonium salt form, wherein the starting saccharide comprises a heterogenous or homogenous collection of mono-, di-, and or oligosaccharides, more than 95% of which are composed maximally of eight sugar residues; (b) dissolving the starting saccharide salt in a dipolar aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of pyridine, pyridine-DMF, and pyridine-DMS), thereby forming a starting saccharide salt-solvent mixture; and (c) treating the starting saccharide salt-solvent mixture with a sulfating agent to produce a sulfated saccharide. 7. The process of claim 6, wherein at least about 25% of the saccharides in the starting saccharide are disaccharides. 8. The process of claim 6, wherein at least about 15% of the saccharides in the starting saccharide have more, than four sugar residues. 9. The process of claim 6, wherein the depolymerization step comprises treating the glycoseaminoglycan with nitrous acid, followed by treatment with sodium borohydride. 10. The process of claim 6, further comprising the step of separating sulfated disaccharides from the mixture of sulfated saccharides. 11. The process of claim 10, wherein the separation step is performed using size exclusion chromatography. 12. A process for the sulfation of disaccharides, which process comprises: (a) depolymerizing a glycosaminoglycan to obtain a saccharide mixture, wherein the saccharide mixture comprises mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides; (b) separating the saccharide mixture to obtain a disaccharide fraction, wherein the disacharides are in sodium or ammonium salt form; (c) dissolving the disaccharide fraction in a dipolar aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of pyridine, pyridine-DMF, and pyridine-DMS), thereby forming a disaccharide salt-solvent mixture; and (d) treating the disaccharide salt-solvent mixture with a sulfating agent to produce a sulfated disaccharide. 13. The process of claim 12, wherein the depolymerization step comprises treating the glycosaminoglycan with nitrous acid, followed by treatment with sodium borohydride. 14. The process of claim 12 wherein the glycosaminoglycan is heparin or heparan sulfate. 15. A process for the sulfation of disaccharides, which process comprises: (a) depolymerizing a glycosaminoglycan to obtain a saccharide mixture, wherein the saccharide mixture comprises mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides; (b) separating the saccharide mixture to obtain a disaccharide fraction, wherein the disacharides are in sodium or ammonium salt form; (c) dissolving the disaccharide fraction in a dipolar aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of pyridine, pyridine-DMF, and pyridine-DMS), thereby forming a disaccharide salt-solvent mixture; (d) treating the disaccharide salt-solvent mixture with a sulfating agent to produce a sulfated disaccharide; and (e) separating the disaccharide salt-solvent mixture to obtain a sulfated disaccharide fraction, wherein the disacharides are in sodium or animonium salt form. 16. The process of claim 15, wherein the depolymerization step comprises treating the glycosaminoglycan with nitrous acid, followed by treatment with sodium borohydride. 17. The process of claim 16, wherein the glycosaminoglycan is selected from the group comprising heparin, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, chondroitins, chondroitin sulfates, keratin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. 18. The process of claim 16, wherein the glycosaminoglycan is heparin or heparan sulfate. 19. The process of claim 16, wherein the disaccharides of the starting sacharide have, at most seven sulfation sites. 20. The process of claim 16, wherein the disaccharides of the starting sacharide have at most six sulfation sites. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to methods for the sulfation of saccharides. In particular, the invention relates to methods for the sulfation of low molecular weight oligosaccharides. 2. Background of the Invention Sulfated polysaccharides exhibit a variety of important biological activities. For example, Guezennec et al., Carbohydrate Polymers, 37: 19 (1998), discloses that dextran sulfate has anticoagulant and antilipemic properties. Baba et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 32, 1742 (1988), discloses that sulfated polysaccharides are potent and selective inhibitors of various enveloped viruses. Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are polysaccharides composed of alternating hexosamine and aldouronic acid residues. Naturally occurring biologically active glycosaminoglycans include heparin, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, chondroitins, chondroitin sulfates, keratin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. Low molecular weight fragments of glycosaminoglycans and synthetic sulfated oligosaccharides also exhibit biological activity. Petitou and Choay, U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,724, disclose depolymerised heparins with anti-thrombotic, lipid-lowering, and fibrinolytic activity. Ahmed et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,910, teaches that ultra-low molecular weight (<3,000 Da) heparin fractions are useful for the treatment of asthma. Conrad et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,716, and Hosang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,919, teach that highly sulfated tri- to octasaccharides are active as inhibitors of smooth muscle cell proliferation. Sulfate content plays an important role in the biological activity of these oligo-and polysaccharides. In particular, it is often desirable to achieve a higher degree of sulfation than the degree of sulfation observed in naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans. Petitou et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,724, describes a process for the sulfation of glycosaminoglycans, but this process requires prior conversion of the glycosaminoglycan into an organic amine salt. There is thus a need in the art for more efficient processes for the sulfation of saccharides. |
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention provides methods for the sulfation of low molecular weight oligosaccharides. These methods offer advantages in yield and efficiency when compared to prior art methods. In one aspect, the invention provides a process for the sulfation of a sodium or ammonium saccharide salt. The starting saccharide preferably comprises a heterogeneous or homogeneous collection of mono-, di-, and/or oligosaccharides in sodium or ammonium salt form. In certain preferred embodiments, more than 85% of the saccharides in the starting saccharide are composed maximally of eight sugar residues. In some embodiments, the starting saccharide comprises a glucuronic acid or iduronic acid residue. In some embodiments, the disaccharides in the starting saccharide have no more than seven sulfation sites. In some embodiments, the disaccharides in the starting saccharide have no more than six sulfation sites. In the process according to this aspect of the invention, the starting saccharide salt is dissolved in a dipolar aprotic solvent, preferably selected from the group consisting of pyridine, pyridine-dimethyl formamide (DMF), and pyridine-dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and is treated with a sulfating agent. In a second aspect, the invention provides a process for the sulfation of a saccharide derived from a glycosaminoglycan. In the process according to this aspect of the invention, the glycosaminoglycan is first depolymerized under conditions suitable to produce a starting saccharide comprising a mixture of mono-, din, and oligosaccharides. In certain preferred embodiments, more than 85% of the saccharides in the starting saccharide are composed maximally of eight sugar residues. In some embodiments, the starting saccharide comprises a glucuronic acid or iduronic acid residue. In some embodiments, the disaccharides in the starting saccharide have no more than seven sulfation sites. In some embodiments, the disaccharides in the starting saccharide have no more than six sulfation sites. The starting saccharide, in sodium or ammonium salt form, is then dissolved in a dipolar aprotic solvent and treated with a sulfating agent, as described for the first aspect of the invention. In one embodiment, the dipolar aprotic solvent is selected from the group consisting of pyridine, pyridine-DMF, and pyridine-DMSO. In a third aspect, the invention provides a process for the sulfation or a disaccharide derived from a glycosaminoglycan. In the process according to this aspect of the invention, the glycosaminoglycan is first depolymerized under conditions suitable to produce a mixture of mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides, and the saccharide mixture is separated to afford a disaccharide fraction, preferably wherein the disaccharides are in sodium or ammonium salt form. In some embodiments, the disaccharides comprise a glucuronic acid or iduronic acid residue. In some embodiments, the disaccharides have no more than seven sulfation sites. In some embodiments, the disaccharides have no more than six sulfation sites. The disaccharide fraction is then dissolved in a dipolar aprotic solvent and treated with a sulfating agent as described for the first and second aspects of the invention. In one embodiment, the dipolar aprotic solvent is selected from the group consisting of pyridine, pyridine-DMF, and pyridine-DMSO. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Peptide arginals and methods for treating disseminated intravascular coagulation |
The invention relates to disseminated intravascular coagulation. More particularly, the invention relates to medical intervention disseminated intravascular coagulation. The invention provides new peptides arginals, new and better compounds and methods for the treatment of DIC. The compounds and methods according to the invention have inhibitory action on clot-bound thrombin and factor Xa and are also inhibitory against plasmin and plasminogen activators. |
1. A compound having the formula (I) Xaa-Xbb-Arg-H (I) wherein Xaa represents an alpha-substituted carbonic acid residue of formula (II) Q-CH(R)—CO (II) wherein Q represents a 1-3 carbon alkyloxycarbonylamino group, a methylamino group, or a hydroxyl group, and R represents a 7-9 carbon cycloalkyl ethyl group, a 1-adamantylmethyl group, or a 5-7 carbon cycloalkyl group, and Xbb represents an L-proline or L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid residue, and the acid-addition salts thereof formed with organic or inorganic acid. 2. A compound having the structure 1: and the acid-addition salts thereof. 3. A compound having the structure 2: and the acid-addition salts thereof. 4. A compound having the structure 3: and the acid-addition salts thereof. 5. A compound having the structure 4: and the acid-addition salts thereof. 6. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound according to claim 1. 7. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound according to claim 2. 8. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound according to claim 3. 9. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound according to claim 4. 10. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound according to claim 5. 11. The compound ethoxycarbonyl-D-cycloheptylalanyl-L-prolyl-NG-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginine aldehyde. 12. The compound tetrahydropyranyl-D-cycloheptyl-lactyl-L-prolyl-NG-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginine aldehyde. 13. The compound benzyloxycarbonyl-N-methyl-D-cycloheptyl-alanyl-L-proiyl-NG-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginine aldehyde. 14. The compound N-methyl-D-cyclohexylglycyl-L-azetidine-2-carbonyl-L-arginine aldehyde. 15. The pharmaceutical formulation of any of claims 6-10 wherein said formulation comprises a tablet, capsule, powder, pill, dragée, granulate, solution, infusion, suppository, plaster or ointment. 16. A method for treating a patient having disseminated intravascular coagulation, the method comprising administering to the patient a peptidyl arginal having inhibiting action on clot bound thrombin, factor Xa, plasmin, and plasminogen activators. 17. A method for treating a patient having disseminated intravascular coagulation, the method comprising administering to the patient a peptidyl arginal having the formula (I) Xaa-Xbb-Arg-H (I) wherein Xaa represents an alpha-substituted carbonic acid residue of formula (II) Q-CH(R)—CO (II) wherein Q represents a 1-3 carbon alkyloxycarbonylamino group, a methylamino group, or a hydroxyl group, and R represents a 6-9 carbon cycloalkylmethyl group, a 1-adamantylmethyl group, or a 5-7 carbon cycloalkyl group, and Xbb represents an L-proline or L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid residue, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salts thereof. 18. A method for treating a patient having disseminated intravascular coagulation, the method comprising administering to the patient a peptidyl arginal having the structure 1: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salts thereof. 19. A method for treating a patient having disseminated intravascular coagulation, the method comprising administering to the patient a peptidyl arginal having the structure 2: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salts thereof. 20. A method for treating a patient having disseminated intravascular coagulation, the method comprising administering to the patient a peptidyl arginal having the structure 3: or pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salts thereof. 21. A method for treating a patient having disseminated intravascular coagulation, the method comprising administering to the patient a peptidyl arginal having the structure 4: or pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salts thereof. 22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the patient is administered from about 0.1 mg to about 50 mg/kg of a peptidyl arginal based on patient body weight. 23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the patient is administered a peptidyl arginal at a dosage sufficient to attain a blood level of peptidyl arginals from about 6 μM to about 100 μM. 24. The method according to claims 7 or 8, wherein the peptidyl arginal administration is simultaneous or sequential. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to disseminated intravascular coagulation. More particularly, the invention relates to medical intervention for disseminated intravascular coagulation. 2. Summary of the Related Art Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a secondary disease and can be a consequence of any of a large number of primary diseases. (See Bick, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation and Related Syndromes , CRC Press, Boca Raton, (1983)). Among its characteristics is the systematic activation of blood coagulation that results in the generation and deposition of fibrin, leading to microvascular thrombi in various organs and contributing to the development of multi-organ failure. Bick et al, Clin. Appl Thrombosis Hemostasis 1: 3-23 (1995) teaches that a further characteristic of DIC is systemically circulating plasmin, a global proteolytic enzyme that can biodegrade various plasma proteins (factors, hormones etc.) and can cleave fibrinogen/fibrin to yield fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products. These products impair hemostasis and lead to hemorrhage. The most serious clinical form of DIC is characterized by extensive consumption of coagulation proteins, significant deposition of fibrin, and bleeding. Trauma patients are at increased risk for DIC, especially when there are widespread areas of tissue damage (particularly the brain), sepsis and multiple organ failure. The head trauma is a particularly common cause of DIC in infants and children because of the high thromboplastin content of the brain and the proportionately increased ratio of head surface area to total body surface area. Sepsis may occur in about 40% of all trauma patients and is an important primary cause of DIC in all patients. The clinical condition is worsened by secondary fibrinolysis, which results in the formation of FDP's (fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products) or “D-dimers” that interfere with normal fibrin formation and platelet function. Fibrin deposition in DIC may lead to further organ dysfunction. DIC is a major cause of acute renal failure and also contributes to multiple system organ failure. The converse is also true, with the damaged organs contributing to DIC. Currently, the only accepted treatment for DIC is limited to attempting to alleviate the primary disorder. Without control DIC will continue despite forms of therapy directed at correcting the bleeding or thrombotic problem. In some cases in which there is significant bleeding, replacement therapy with fresh frozen plasma, plasma components (e.g., antithrombin III) cryoprecipitate, and/or platelet concentrates may be helpful until the primary problem is controlled, but these therapies are prohibitively expensive. The use of heparin in DIC is highly controversial and is not generally used in patients with an underlying problem of trauma. There is, therefore, a need for new and better compounds and methods for the treatment of DIC [See also, e.g., de Jonge et al, Drugs 55: 767-777 (1998) and Levi et. al., Thrombosis and Haemostasis 82: 695 (1999)]. |
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention provides new and better compounds and method for the treatment of DIC. It has been surprisingly found that those anticoagulant compounds that have inhibiting action on both free and clot-bound thrombin and factor Xa and also are inhibitory against plasmin and plasminogen activators can be useful for the treatment of DIC. In a first aspect, the invention provides a composition of matter comprising a peptidyl arginal of the formula (I) in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? Xaa-Xbb-Arg-H (I) in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? wherein Xaa represents an alpha-substituted carbonic acid residue of formula (II) in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? Q-CH(R)—CO (II) in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? wherein Q represents a 1-3 carbon alkyloxycarbonylamino group, a methylamino group, or a hydroxyl group, and R represents a 7-9 carbon cycloalkylmethyl group, or a 5-7 carbon cycloalkyl group, or a 1-adamantylmethyl group, and Xbb represents an L-proline or L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid residue, and the acid-addition salts thereof formed with organic or inorganic acid. In particularly preferred embodiments such compounds may have the following structures: 1 (ethoxycarbonyl-D-cycloheptylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine aldehyde, Eoc-D-cHpa-Pro-Arg-H), or 2 (N-methyl-D-cycloheptylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine aldehyde, ND-cHpa-Pro-Arg-H), or 3 (D-cycloheptyllactyl-prolyl-L-arginine aldehyde, D-cHpl-Pro-Arg-H), or 4 (N-methyl-D-cyclohexylglycyl-L-azetidine-2-carbonyl-L-arginine aldehyde, N-Me-D-Chg-Aze-Arg-H), which correspond to the formula (I) wherein Xaa represents an alpha-substituted alkyl carbonic acid residues of the formula (I) wherein R represents a cycloheptylmethyl and cyclohexyl group, respectively, Q represents an ethoxycarbonylamino, methylamino, and hydroxyl group, respectively, and Xbb represents L-proline and L-azetidinyl-2-carboxylic acid residue, respectively. In a second aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anticoagulant peptidyl arginal or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to the first aspect of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. In a third aspect, the invention provides a method for treating disseminated intravascular coagulation, the method comprising administering to a patient having disseminated intravascular coagulation an anticoagulant peptidyl arginal corresponding to the formula (I) in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? Xaa-Xbb-Arg-H (I) in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? wherein Xaa represents an alpha-substituted carbonic acid residue of form a (II) in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? Q-CH(R)—CO (II) in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? wherein Q represents a 1-3 carbon alkyloxycarbonylamino group, a methylamino group, or a hydroxyl group, and R represents a 7-9 carbon cycloalkyl methyl group, or a 1-adamantylmethyl group or a 5-7 carbon cycloalkyl group, and Xbb represents an L-proline or an azetidine-2-carboxylic acid residue, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. In particularly preferred embodiments such compounds may have the following structures 1 (ethoxycarbonyl-D-cycloheptylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine aldehyde, Eoc-D-cHpa-Pro-Arg-H), or 2 (N-methyl-D-cycloheptylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine aldehyde, N-Me-D-cHpa-Pro-Arg-H, or 3 (D-cycloheptyllactyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine aldehyde, D-cHpl-Pro-Arg-H), or 4 (N-methyl-D-cyclohexylglycyl-L-azetidine-2-carbonyl-L-arginine_aldehyde, N-Me-D-Chg-Aze-Arg-H), which correspond to the formula (I) wherein Xaa, represents an alpha-substituted alkyl carbonic acid residues of the formula (II) wherein R represents a cycloheptylmethyl and a cyclohexyl group, respectively, Q represents an ethoxycarbonylamino, methylamino, and a hydroxyl group, respectively, and Xbb represents an L proline and L-azetidinyl-2-carboxylic acid residue, respectively. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Nucleic acid and polypeptide linked to breast cancer and uses therefor |
The present invention relates to an isolated domain of G3BP-2 that mediates binding between G3BP-2 and other proteins, and nucleic acids encoding same. The invention also relates to a method for diagnosing, treating and preventing breast cancer including the step of using a nucleic acid and/or encoded polypeptide for G3BP-2, or fragment thereof, to detect, treat or prevent breast cancer in a mammal, preferably human. In one particular form, the invention relates to an antigen presenting cell, preferably a dendritic cell, that is capable of presenting G3BP-2 or fragments thereof. The invention also relates to lymphocytes, in particular cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, that are G3BP-2 antigen specific. |
1. An isolated G3BP-2 protein fragment comprising an NTF2-like domain, said isolated G3BP-2 protein fragment capable of binding another protein by way of said NTF2-like domain. 2. The isolated G3BP-2 protein fragment of claim 1 wherein the isolated G3BP-2 protein fragment comprises isolated G3BP-2a protein fragment and/or G3BP-2b protein fragment. 3. The isolated G3BP-2 protein fragment of claim 1 wherein said another protein is selected from the group consisting of: ran nuclear pore polypeptide, ubiquitin hydrolase and GAP120. 4. The isolated G3BP-2 protein fragment of claim 3 wherein the ubiquitin hydrolase is ODE1. 5. The isolated G3BP-2 protein fragment of claim 1 wherein the NTF2-like domain comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22. 6. An isolated protein complex comprising a G3BP-2 protein and a second protein bound to an NTF2-like domain of the G3BP-2 protein. 7. The isolated protein complex of claim 6 wherein said second protein is selected from the group consisting of: ran nuclear pore polypeptide, ubiquitin hydrolase and GAP120. 8. An isolated G3BP-2 protein, inclusive of a fragment, homolog, variant or derivative used to elicit an immune response in an animal. 9. The isolated G3BP-2 protein of claim 8 wherein said animal is human. 10. The isolated G3BP-2 protein of claim 8 selected from the group (i) KLPNFGFW; [SEQ ID NO:1] (ii) IMFRGEVRL; [SEQ ID NO:2] and (iii) SATPPPAEPASLPQEPPKPRV [SEQ ID NO:3] 11. An isolated G3BP-2 protein fragment selected from the group consisting of: (a) KLPNFGFW; [SEQ ID NO:1] (b) IMFRGEVRL; [SEQ ID NO:2] and (c) SATPPPAEPASLPQEPPKPRV [SEQ ID NO:3] 12. An isolated nucleic acid encoding a protein of claim 1, inclusive of fragments, homologs, variants and derivatives of said isolated protein. 13. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 12 encoding a protein comprising the NTF2-like domain comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22. 14. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 12 comprising a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23. 15. An isolated nucleic acid encoding the G3BP-2 protein fragment of claim 10. 16. An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 12 or claim 14. 17. Use of an antagonist to prevent or disrupt binding between G3BP-2 and another protein. 18. Use of the antagonist of claim 17, whereby said antagonist prevents or disrupts binding between a NTF2-like domain of G3BP-2 and said another protein. 19. Use of the antagonist of claim 17 wherein said antagonist is a mimetic of the NTF2-like domain of G3BP-2. 20. Use of the antagonist of claim 17 wherein said antagonist binds to the NTF2-like domain. 21. Use of the antagonist of claim 17 wherein said antagonist is a protein. 22. Use of the antagonist of claim 21 wherein said protein comprises an Src homology 3 (SH3) domain. 23. Use of the antagonist of claim 22 wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6. 24. Use of the antagonist of claim 17 wherein said antagonist is a non-peptide compound. 25. An isolated antigen presenting cell which has been contacted with a G3BP-2 protein, fragment, homolog, variant or derivative thereof. 26. An isolated antigen presenting cell which has been transfected with a nucleic acid encoding a G3BP-2 protein, inclusive of fragments, homologs, variants and derivatives thereof. 27. The isolated antigen presenting cell of claim 25 or claim 26 wherein said cell is a dendritic cell. 28. The isolated antigen presenting cell of claim 25 or claim 26 wherein said G3BP-2 protein, inclusive of a fragment, a homolog, a variant and a derivative thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. 29. The isolated antigen presenting cell of claim 25 or claim 26 wherein said G3BP-2 fragment comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: KLPNFGFVV [SEQ ID NO: 1] and IMFRGEVRL [SEQ ID NO: 2]. 30. An isolated lymphocyte that is G3BP-2 antigen specific. 31. The isolated lymphocyte of claim 30, wherein said isolated lymphocyte is a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte. 32. The isolated lymphocyte cell of claim 30, wherein said G3BP-2 antigen is a protein, inclusive of fragments, homologs, variants and derivatives thereof, comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. 33. The isolated lymphocyte of claim 30, wherein said G3BP-2 protein fragment comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. 34. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one active, wherein the active is selected from the group consisting of: a protein of any one of claims 1, 6, 11; a nucleic acid of any one of claims 12, 15, 16 or an isolated antigen presenting cell or lymphocyte of any one of claims 25, 26, 30. 35. A method for preventing or treating breast cancer in a mammal including the step of administering to said mammal a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one active, wherein the active is selected from the group consisting of: a protein of any one of claims 1, 6, 11; a nucleic acid of any one of claims 12, 15, 16, a mimetic of the NTF2-like domain of G3BP-2; an antagonist that prevents or disrupts binding between a NTF2-like domain of G3BP-2 and another protein; or isolated cell of any one of claims 25, 26, 30. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein said mammal is human. 37. A method for modulating cell proliferation including the step of administering to an animal or isolated cell, an active which prevents or disrupts binding between G3BP-2 and another protein. 38. The method of claim 37 wherein said animal is human. 39. A method for isolating a molecule that binds G3BP-2, including the step of determining if one or more candidates in a sample bind to the NTF2-like domain of G3BP-2. 40. The method of claim 39 wherein said molecule is an antagonist. 41. The method of claim 40 wherein said antagonist is a protein or a non-protein molecule. 42. A method for diagnosing breast cancer in a mammal including the steps of comparing G3BP-2 protein expression in a test sample obtained from the mammal with G3BP-2 in a reference sample, wherein if the expression of G3BP-2 in the test sample is different than the reference sample, the mammal is diagnosed with an increased likelihood of having breast cancer. 43. The method of claim 42 when G3BP-2 protein expression is detected using an antibody. 44. The method of claim 43 wherein said antibody binds to a G3BP-2 protein, inclusive of a fragment, a homolog, a variant and a derivative thereof, comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. 45. The method of claim 44 wherein said G3BP-2 fragment comprises a NTF2-like domain. 46. The method of claim 43 wherein said antibody binds to a G3BP-2 protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence SATPPPAEPASLPQEPPKPRV [SEQ ID NO: 3]. 47. The method of claim 42 wherein said mammal is human. 48. The method of claim 48 wherein said test sample is breast tissue. 49. A method for diagnosing breast cancer in a mammal including the step of detecting a G3BP-2 nucleic acid or fragment thereof in a test sample obtained from the mammal. 50. The method of claim 48 wherein said mammal is human. 51. A method of immunising a mammal against breast cancer, including the step of administering to said mammal an immunogenic agent comprising at least one active selected from the group consisting of: (1) a G3BP-2 protein; (2) a fragment, a homolog, a variant or a derivative of (1); (3) a G3BP-2 nucleic acid; (4) a fragment, a homolog, a variant or a derivative of (3); (5) an isolated antigen presenting cell that has been contacted with (1) or (2); and (6) an isolated antigen presenting cell that has been transfected with a nucleic acid of (3) or (4). 52. The method of claim 51 wherein said G3BP-2 protein fragment is selected from the group consisting of: KLPNFGFVV [SEQ ID NO: 1] and IMFRGEVRL [SEQ ID NO: 2]. 53. The method of claim 51 wherein said antigen presenting cell is a dendritic cell. 54. The method of claim 51 wherein said mammal is human. |
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