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1-24. (canceled) 25. A method for determining a position of a mobile communications device in a communications network, comprising: communicating between a first base station and the mobile communications device using a first communication signal; communicating between a second base station and the mobile communications device using a second communication signal; determining a first possible location area for the mobile communications device using a first communication signal; determining a second possible location area for the mobile communications device from the second communication signal of the second communication; combining the first possible location area and the second possible location area using a non-linear, quantity-based filter; and determining the position of the mobile communications device to be a location area common to both the first and second base location areas. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the first communication signal and/or the second communication signal is transmitted in the form of data packets. 27. The method according to claim 25, wherein a distance-dependent parameter is determined using the first or the second communication signal, which distance-dependent parameter is dependent on the distance of the mobile communications device to the first or the second base station, wherein said distance-dependent parameter is used to determine the first or the second possible location area. 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein a signal propagation model is used to determine the first or the second possible location area from the distance dependent parameter. 29. The method in accordance with claim 27, wherein the distance-dependent parameter is either a signal delay time of the first or the second communication signal, or a field strength of the first or the second communication signal. 30. The method in accordance with claim 27, wherein the distance-dependent parameter is determined by the mobile communications device. 31. The method according to claim 27, wherein the distance-dependent parameter is encoded. 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the distance-dependent parameter is bit-coded. 33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the distance-dependent parameter is a timing advance value or a RxLev value. 34. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein a radiation characteristic of the first or the second base station is taken into account when determining the first or the second possible location area. 35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the radiation characteristic is a directional radiation characteristic. 36. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the first possible location area is a ring or a ring sector. 37. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the second possible location area is a ring or a ring sector. 38. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the communications network has a plurality of first and/or second base stations, each base station is set up for communication with the mobile communications device using a corresponding communication signal, a possible location area is determined for each base station, using the corresponding communication signal, and all location areas are combined, using the non-linear, quantity-based filters, to determine the position of the mobile communications device. 39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the location areas are combined two at a time. 40. The method according to claim 38, wherein all location areas are simultaneously combined with each other. 41. The method in accordance with claim 38, wherein non-linear quantity-based filtering transforms the possible location areas from an original space into a hyperspace, in which said possible location areas are described using ellipsoidal bodies. 42. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein non-linear quantity-based filtering transforms the possible location areas from an original space into a hyperspace, in which the possible location areas are combined to form the common location area. 43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the common location area in the hyperspace is described using an ellipsoidal body or an envelope ellipsoid. 44. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the common location area is formed where the possible location areas intersect. 45. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein a focus point or an expected value of the common location is used to determine the position of the mobile communications device. 46. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the communication network is a digital, cellular mobile radio network, the mobile communications device is a mobile telephone, the first base station is a base station conducting a call, and the second base station is another base station that can be received by the mobile telephone. 47. The method in accordance with claim 46, wherein the communications network is a GSM network. 48. The method according to claim 26, wherein a distance-dependent parameter is determined using the first or the second communication signal, which distance-dependent parameter is dependent on the distance of the mobile communications device to the first or the second base station, wherein said distance-dependent parameter is used to determine the first or the second possible location area. 49. The method according to claim 48, wherein a signal propagation model is used to determine the first or the second possible location area from the distance dependent parameter. 50. The method in accordance with claim 49, wherein the distance-dependent parameter is either a signal delay time of the first or the second communication signal, or a field strength of the first or the second communication signal. 51. The method in accordance with claim 50, wherein the distance-dependent parameter is determined by the mobile communications device. 52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the distance-dependent parameter is bit-coded. 53. The method according to claim 52, wherein the distance-dependent parameter is a timing advance value or a RxLev value. 54. The method in accordance with claim 53, wherein a directional radiation characteristic, of the first or the second base station is taken into account when determining the first or the second possible location area. 55. The method in accordance with claim 54, wherein the first possible location area is a ring or a ring sector. 56. The method in accordance with claim 55, wherein the second possible location area is a ring or a ring sector. 57. The method in accordance with claim 56, wherein the communications network has a plurality of first and/or second base stations, each base station is set up for communication with the mobile communications device using a corresponding communication signal, a possible location area is determined for each base station, using the corresponding communication signal, and all location areas are combined, using the non-linear, quantity-based filters, to determine the position of the mobile communications device. 58. The method according to claim 57, wherein the location areas are combined two at a time. 59. The method according to claim 57, wherein all location areas are simultaneously combined with each other. 60. The method in accordance with claim 57, wherein non-linear quantity-based filtering transforms the possible location areas from an original space into a hyperspace, in which said possible location areas are described using ellipsoidal bodies. 61. The method in accordance with claim 60, wherein non-linear quantity-based filtering transforms the possible location areas from an original space into a hyperspace, in which the possible location areas are combined to form the common location area. 62. The method according to claim 61, wherein the common location area in the hyperspace is described using an ellipsoidal body or an envelope ellipsoid. 63. The method in accordance with claim 62, wherein the common location area is formed where the possible location areas intersect. 64. The method in accordance with claim 63, wherein a focus point or an expected value of the common location is used to determine the position of the mobile communications device. 65. The method in accordance with claim 64, wherein the communication network is a digital, G5M cellular mobile radio network, the mobile communications device is a mobile telephone, the first base station is a base station conducting a call, and the second base station is another base station that can be received by the mobile telephone. 66. A system to determine a position of a mobile communications device in a communications network having a first base station to communicate with the mobile communications device using a first communication signal, and having a second base station to communicate with the mobile communications device using a second communication signal, the system comprising: a first location determining unit used by the first base station to determine a first possible location area for the mobile communications device using the first communication signal; a second location determining unit used by the second base station to determine a second possible location area for the mobile communications device using the second communication signal; a location overlay unit that combines the first possible location area and the second possible location area using a non-linear quantity-based filter, and that determines a common location area; and a position determining unit to determine the position of the mobile communications device using the common location area. 67. A computer readable medium storing a program to control a computer to perform a method for determining a position of a mobile communications device in a communications network, the method comprising: communicating between a first base station and the mobile communications device using a first communication signal; communicating between a second base station and the mobile communications device using a second communication signal; determining a first possible location area for the mobile communications device using the first communication signal; determining a second possible location area for the mobile communications device from the second communication signal; combining the first possible location area and the second possible location area using a non-linear, quantity-based filter; and determining the position of the mobile communications device to be a location area common to both the first and second base location areas. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention relates to determining a position of a mobile communications device in a communications network (localization). With the increasing spread of mobile communications, the demand for additional services with mobile radio systems is also increasing. “Location Based Services” in this case is taken to mean additional services of mobile radio providers that users of the mobile radio services can be offered or provided with in a location-based way, i.e., depending on a position or a location of the relevant user. Examples of “Location Based Services” include location-based or distance-based usage tariffs and helping to guide rescue services or search organizations. Consequently, a fundamental requirement for a “Location Based Service” is localization, or determining the position of the relevant user or of their mobile communication terminal. Various techniques are known for this type of localization of mobile communication devices in communications networks, for example position determination based on determining the delay of communications signals of a mobile communications device to a base station of a communications network (Rappaport T. S., Reed J. H. et al., “Position Location Using Wireless Communications on 16 highways of the Future”, IEEE Communication Magazine, S. 33-41, Oct. 1996, DE 198 36 778 A1 (“the 778 reference”) or a localization using satellite-based systems such as GPS. The delay-based position determination method known from the 778 reference will be performed for a mobile phone, generally a mobile station, in a GSM communications network (=Global System for Mobile Communications) (Eberspdcher, J.; Vogel, H.-J.: GSM. Global System for Mobile Communication. Stuttgart, Leipzig: Teubner, 1999 (“the Eberspdcher reference”), Jung. P.: Analyse and Entwurf digitaler Mobilfunksysteme. (Analysis and Design of Digital Mobile Radio Systems) Stuttgart, Leipzig: Teubner, 1997 (“the Jung reference”),-Kennemann, 0.: localization vom Mobilstationen anhand ihrer Funkmessdaten. (Localization of mobile stations on the basis of their radio measurement data.) Number 11 in Aachen contributions to mobile and telecommunications. Aachen: Verlag Der Augustinus Buchhandlung, 1997 (“the Kennemann reference”)) in accordance with a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) mobile radio technology. An individual mobile station that has booked in with a fixed base station (base station conducting the call) is assigned a free time slot in a TDMA frame at this base station. The communication signals destined for the mobile station concerned go to this time slot in signal packets, known as bursts, with a length of 15/26 ms from the base station, or the communications signals sent from the mobile station or bursts must arrive at the base station. The communications signals emitted by the base station find their way to the mobile station as results of scattering via different paths (multiple propagation), in which case they will be attenuated depending on frequency. A receive field strength of the communication signals received by the mobile station is thus not only dependent on the distance of the mobile station from the base station, but also on the frequency and the topographical circumstances between mobile station and base station. Therefore the individual data packets will be sent on various carrier frequencies which means that selective faults of one frequency can be distributed between a pluarality of users. However this requires a precise synchronization between mobile station and base station. This synchronization is also made more difficult by the mobility of a user because the mobile station is now located at differing distances from the base station and its communication signals have different delay times. To equalize the different delay times and be able to supply frame-synchronous data to the base station, the mobile station measures the signal delay time to the base station and uses this to correct the beginning of sending its burst. The signal delay time is encoded in what is known as a “timing advance” (TA) and features a dependence on the distance between mobile station and base station conducting the call. There are 64 stages available for the TA which are bit-coded with the values 0 to 63 and represent the delay time. Since positions of base stations are known, the position of the mobile station can be deduced from the TA or from the signal delay time. The determination of the delay time is measured with an accuracy of one bit, that is 48/13 μs in GSM, which corresponds to a single path length of around 554 m. Determining the position of a mobile communications device in a UMTS (=Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) is known from TS 25.305 V3. 1.0: stage 2 “Functional Specification of Location Services in UTRAN” (release 99), 3GPP TSG-RANWG2, 2000. With the corresponding UMTS mobile radio standard, on which the UMTS network is based, determining the position of a mobile radio device is already explicitly included in the Standard or is required by the Standard (TS 25.305 V3.1.0:stage 2 “Functional Specification of Location Services in UTRAN” (release 99), 3GPP TSG-RAN-WG2, 2000). Further methods for localization of a mobile communications device in a communications network are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,598, U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,168 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,553. A non-linear quantity-based filter is known from U. D. Hanebeck, “Recursive Nonlinear set-Theoretic Estimation Based on Pseudo-Ellipsoids”, Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Multisensor Fusion and Integration for Intelligent Systems, Baden-Baden, Germany, August 2001, pp. 159-164 (“the Hanebeck reference”). With this non-linear quantity-based filter, complex areas of uncertainty of an N-dimensional original space are transformed into an L-dimensional hyperspace, in which they can be simply represented and processed as ellipsoids. A back-transformation of the processed areas of uncertainty from the hyperspace into the original space allows an analytical description of processed areas of uncertainty in the original space too. One of the disadvantages of the said localization methods is that the positions of the mobile communications devices that they determine are inaccurate and therefore susceptible to great uncertainty. More precise methods however demand expensive additional equipment and costly modifications to the communications network(s) and communications devices. One potential underlying object of the invention is thus to allow localization of a mobile communications device in a communications network which is as accurate as possible and susceptible to the lowest level of uncertainty, and which can be implemented in the simplest and most cost effective way. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The inventors propose a method and a system as well as by a computer program with program code and a computer program product to determine a position of a mobile communications device in a communications network. In the method for determining a position of a mobile communications device in a communications network with at least one first base station, set up for a first communication with the mobile communications device and a second base station set up for a second communication with the mobile communications device, a first possible location area of the mobile communications device from the first base station is determined using a first communication signal of the first communication, a second possible location area of the mobile communications device from the second base station is determined using a second communication signal of the second communication, the first possible location area and the second possible location area are combined using a non-linear, quantity-based filter, in which case a common location area of the mobile communications device to the first and second base station is determined, and the position of the mobile communications device is determined using the common location area. The system for determining a position of a mobile communications device in a communications network with at least one first base station, set up for a first communication with the mobile communications device and a second base station set up for a second communication with the mobile communications device features a first location area determining unit used by the first base station to determine a first possible location area of the mobile communications device using a first communication signal of the first communication, a second location area determining unit used by the second base station to determine a second possible location area of the mobile communications device using a second communication signal of the second communication, a location overlay unit, that combines the first possible location area and the second possible location area using a non-linear quantity-based filter, whereby a common location area of the mobile communications device can be determined for the first and second base station, and a position determining unit, wherein the position of the mobile communications device can be determined by using the common location area. The procedure used for the non-linear quantity-based filtering can generally be understood as follows: the possible location areas are transformed for combination of an original space into a hyperspace, the possible location areas are combined into a common location area in this hyperspace, and subsequently, the common location area is transformed back from the hyperspace into the original space. The advantage of this procedure is that in the hyperspace, the possible location areas transformed into this can be simply described and processed (in this case combined) using prespecifiable bodies. The computer program with program code is created to execute all the steps as the method for determining a position in accordance with the inventive method, i.e., the localization method, when the program is executed on a computer. The computer program product with program code means stored on a machine-readable medium is created to execute all the steps as per the localization method when the program is executed on a computer. The system as well as the computer program with program code, created to execute all steps localization method when the program is executed on a computer, as well as the computer program product with program code stored on a machine-readable medium, created to execute all steps of the localization method when the program is executed on a computer are especially suitable for execution of the localization method or of its developments explained below. The localization method is based on the idea of obtaining from available communications signals between at least two base stations and a mobile station parameters relevant to distance and from them geographical information, in this case possible location areas or distance or location areas of the mobile station. The location or distance or location areas—and not exact gaps or distances—are produced because the parameters relevant to distances include inaccuracies, such as measurement and computation inaccuracies or model errors, and thereby uncertainties, which result in the said “imprecise” areas, known as areas of uncertainty. To reduce the uncertainties or the areas of uncertainty to a smaller overall uncertainty or to a smaller area of uncertainty as a possible location area of the mobile station the individual areas of uncertainty are then overlaid. A means from control technology is used, in which for status estimates a plurality of measurements which a subject to uncertainties have to be taken into account, namely a non-linear, quantity-based filter. To overlay the areas of uncertainty with the non-linear, quantity-based filter the individual areas of uncertainty are reduced to a common intersection, the overall area of uncertainty. The mobile station is finally assumed to be in this overall area of uncertainty. A particular advantage lies in the fact that localization is performed on the basis of communications signals and known positions of base stations that occur in normal operation with a mobile radio system and are available there. This enables expensive changes and expansions as well as additional measurements of existing mobile radio systems or at existing mobile radio systems to be dispensed with. The developments explained below relate to both the method and the system. The invention and the developments described below can be realized in both software and hardware, for example using a special electrical circuit. Furthermore, it is possible to realize the developments described below by a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program with program code means which executes the development is stored. Each development thereof described below can be realized by a computer program product which features a storage medium on which the computer program with program code means which executes the method is stored. With a communication in a communications network between a mobile communications device (mobile station), for example a mobile phone, and a base station, for example a dish antenna or a dish radiator or of one or more sectoral antennas, data, the (first and the second) communication signals, is transmitted in signal packets, known as bursts. Various parameters relevant to distance can be determined on the basis of or using the transmitted communication signals, which can then be included in their turn as a basis for determining the possible location or distance areas. This type of parameter which is relevant to, i.e., dependent on distance is, for example, a signal delay time of a signal packet between the mobile station and the base station. The signal delay time exhibits a natural dependence on the distance between the mobile station and the base station (conducting the call) and as a result delivers information about a possible location area or distance area (area of uncertainty) of the mobile station. The signal delay time can be measured by a mobile station (or also by a base station) and encoded in a timing advance (TA). For the TA 64 coding stages (quantizing stages) can be available which can be (bit-) coded with the values 0 to 63 and represent the delay time. A measurement accuracy in determining signal delay time amounts to a bit duration as a result of quantizing, for example in GSM 48/13 μs, which corresponds there to a simple path length of around 554 m. As a result a measured signal delay time coded in this way leads to a possible area of uncertainty in the form of a ring around the base station with a width that corresponds to the bit duration, for example a 554 m wide ring with GSM. The ring can be restricted to one sector if a direction propagation characteristic of the base station is taken into account. Very frequently there are a plurality of antennas on a base station, which radiate in specific directions and of which one is in communication with the mobile station. With three antennas, for example, a sector of 120° is produced to which the ring can be restricted. A further parameter of relevance to distance is for example a field strength of a signal packet. The field strength, like the signal delay time, exhibits a natural dependence on the distance between the mobile station and the base station (conducting the call) and as a result supplies information about a possible location area or distance area (area of uncertainty) of the mobile station. This dependence between field and distance can be described by physical models that describe a propagation behavior of signals. If one assumes for such a model an unrestricted propagation of signals, this model supplies a maximum distance for a specified or a measured field strength. Thus, the field strength of a signal packet received by a base station can be measured by the mobile station and from this, by using a propagation model, a maximum gap between the mobile station and the base station can be estimated. This maximum gap can be described by an area of uncertainty in the form of a circle with the corresponding radius around the base station. Here, too, the circle can be restricted to one sector if a radiation direction characteristic of the base station is taken into account. As a result, an area of uncertainty in the form of circle sector is produced. If a mobile station is now in communication with a plurality of base stations or if it is receiving signal packets from these, a plurality of such areas of uncertainty can be determined, each in relation to the corresponding base station. Thus, it makes sense to include the communication between the mobile station and the base station conducting the call for determination of signal delay time and to determine the corresponding area of uncertainty, the ring sector. In addition other base stations, at best those received by the mobile station, can each be included for measuring the field strength and the corresponding area of uncertainty, the circle or the circle segment determined in each case. A non-linear, quantity-based filter will be used to combine all areas of uncertainty. With this non-linear, quantity-based filter, complex areas of uncertainty of an N-dimensional original space are transformed into an L-dimensional hyperspace, in which they can be represented and processed, i.e., combined simply, for example by an ellipsoid. To cover all areas of uncertainty it is sensible to form an intersection of all areas of uncertainty, in this case in the hyperspace. As a result of forming the intersection, the non-linear, quantity-based filter delivers a simple-to-describe body such as an ellipsoid, designated as an envelope ellipsoid, in the hyperspace. This envelope ellipsoid fulfills the following conditions: a) the body is contained in the intersection that can be analytically described by an ellipsoid, and b) it lies completely in a union of sets of the areas of uncertainty. The subsequent back-transformation of the envelope ellipsoid from the hyperspace into the original space makes possible an analytical description of the intersection of the areas of uncertainty in the original space as well. It should be noted that bodies other than ellipsoids can also be used to describe the transformed areas of uncertainty in the hyperspace. Furthermore, it is possible to apply the non-linear, quantity-based filter successively or in steps, i.e., two areas of uncertainty are always intersected one after the other. Alternatively the non-linear, quantity-based filter can also be used for simultaneously forming intersections between a plurality of areas of uncertainty in a single step. The position of the mobile station can then be determined using the intersected, back-transformed common areas of uncertainty. To do this a key value of the common area of uncertainty can for example be determined, such as a focus or an expected value, that is then used as an estimate for the position of the mobile station. The method and system are especially suitable for use in the digital, cellular mobile radio systems environment, such as a GSM network, for locating a GSM mobile phone in this area for example. In this case, when the method and system are employed, only data available to the mobile phone is used, which means that expensive changes do not have to be made to either the GSM network or the mobile station in the GSM network. For example, the positions of the individual base stations and their antennas, as well as their characteristics, which provide information about the service area of the antenna involved, are known by a GSM network Prediction maps of field strengths to be expected are determined from environment models and are also available. The mobile phone, for its part, for a correct connection setup, is always in contact with the receivable antennas in order to have the antenna best suited for a call allocated to it by the network. To do this, it measures such items as the receive field strengths of the receivable antennas as well as defining signal delay times that are then also known. The mobile telephone is then localized on the basis of this available information. Derived from this for the signal delay time are a range of distances of the mobile telephone from its antenna conducting the call arising from a quantization and a maximum possible gap from the field strength measurements. In addition this distance specification can still be restricted to a particular area around the antenna, since directional antennas are involved which for example only supply one sector of 120°. These areas, resulting from the individual measurements, are then reduced using a non-linear quantity-based filter, to the common intersection in which the telephone can be assumed to be according to the model. |
Masonry block constructions with polymeric coating |
In the construction of a structural block wall the method includes the steps of erecting on a base a wall of mortarless structural blocks, applying to opposite faces of the wall a fibre reinforced polymeric coating and anchoring the wall to the base with the fibre reinforced coating. The resultant wall possesses a structural integrity wherein compressive loads are borne by the structure blocks and tensile loads are borne by the fibre reinforced skin extending over the surface of the wall and onto the base to anchor the wall to the base. |
1-26. (canceled) 27. A method for construction of a structural block wall, said method comprising the steps of: erecting on a structural base a wall of mortarless structural blocks wherein a base course of said structural blocks is anchored to said structural base; and, applying to opposite faces of said wall a fibre reinforced polymeric coating wherein said fibre reinforced polymeric coating on at least one of said opposite faces of said wall extends over a portion of said structural base to form a bond between said wall and said structural base. 28. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said base course of structural blocks is anchored to said structural base by a polymeric adhesive compound. 29. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said structural blocks include one or more projections engageable, in use, with complementary one or more recesses in an adjacent structural block. 30. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein said structural blocks include projections and complementary recesses on respective opposed faces. 31. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said structural blocks are self-aligning when stacked. 32. A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein said opposed faces comprise upper and lower faces. 33. A method as claimed in claim 32, wherein said structural blocks include one or more apertures extending between said upper and lower faces. 34. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said fibre reinforced polymeric coating extends over portions of said structural base on opposite sides of said walls. 35. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said fibre reinforced polymeric coating extends over a top surface of said wall. 36. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein mounting brackets are secured to an upper course of structural blocks in said wall to permit, in use, connection of a roof structure to said wall structure. 37. A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein said mounting brackets are secured to respective structural blocks by a polymeric adhesive compound. 38. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein reveal surfaces in wall openings have applied thereto a fibre reinforced polymeric coating formed contiguously with said fibre reinforced polymeric coatings on opposite faces of said wall. 39. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said fibre reinforced polymeric coating includes a layer of fiberglass reinforcing material. 40. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein said layer of fiberglass reinforcing material comprises a sheet of woven or non-woven fiberglass. 41. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein said fiberglass reinforcing material is an alkaline resistant grade. 42. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said fibre reinforced polymeric coating is formed by applying a base coating of a liquid curable polymeric composition to a surface of said wall, positioning on said base coating a layer of fibre reinforcing material, applying to an exposed surface of said layer of fibre reinforcing material a further coating of a liquid curable polymeric composition and allowing said liquid curable polymeric composition to cure. 43. A method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said liquid curable polymeric composition is applied to a surface of the wall and/or said exposed surface of said layer of fibre reinforcing material by any suitable means including spraying, trowelling, screeding or squeegee application. 44. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein said base coating is applied to a substantially even thickness by means of guide projections extending from opposite normally exposed faces of said structural blocks. 45. A method as claimed in claim 44, wherein said guide projections comprise spaced substantially parallel ribs serving, in use, to guide a screeding or trowelling device to apply said base coating to a substantially even thickness. 46. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein a decorative coating is applied over said fibre reinforced polymeric coating. 47. A method as claimed in claim 46, wherein said decorative coating comprises a polymeric mineral finish sealant. 48. A wall structure whenever constructed in accordance with the method of claim 27. 49. A wall structure comprising: a plurality of mortarless structural blocks stacked to form a wall wherein a base course of said structural blocks is anchored to a structural base; and a fibre reinforced polymeric coating applied to opposite faces of said plurality of stacked mortarless structural blocks wherein said fibre reinforced polymeric coating on at least one of said opposite faces of said wall extends over a portion of said structural base to form a bond between said wall and said structural base. 50. A wall structure as claimed in claim 49, wherein said base course of structural blocks is anchored to said structural base by a polymeric adhesive compound. 51. A wall structure as claimed in claim 49, wherein said structural blocks include one or more projections engageable, in use, with complementary one or more recesses in an adjacent structural block. 52. A wall structure as claimed in claim 51, wherein said structural blocks include projections and complementary recesses on respective opposed faces. 53. A wall structure as claimed in claim 49, wherein said structural blocks are self-aligning when stacked. 54. A wall structure as claimed in claim 52, wherein said opposed faces comprise upper and lower faces. 55. A wall structure as claimed in claim 54, wherein said structural blocks include one or more apertures extending between said upper and lower faces. 56. A wall structure as claimed in claim 49, wherein said fibre reinforced polymeric coating extends over a top surface of said wall. 57. A wall structure as claimed in claim 49, wherein mounting brackets are secured to an upper course of structural blocks in said wall to permit, in use, connection of a roof structure to said wall structure. 58. A wall structure as claimed in claim 49, wherein reveal surfaces of wall openings have applied thereto a fibre reinforced polymeric coating formed contiguously with said fibre reinforced polymeric coatings on opposite faces of said wall. 59. A wall structure as claimed in claim 49, wherein said fibre reinforced polymeric coating comprises a sheet of woven or non-woven fiberglass. 60. A wall structure as claimed in claim 49, wherein said structural blocks comprise guide projections extending from opposite normally exposed faces of said structural blocks. 61. A wall structure as claimed in claim 60, wherein said guide projections comprise spaced substantially parallel ribs. 62. A wall structure as claimed in claim 49, including a decorative polymeric mineral finish sealant applied over said fibre reinforced polymeric coating. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention is concerned particularly although not exclusively with reinforced mortarless block constructions. Hollow structural blocks such as masonry blocks have been successfully employed for many years in the construction of load bearing and non-load bearing walls in commercial buildings, domestic dwellings and other structures such as retaining walls, fences and the like. As used herein, the expression “masonry” block is intended to embrace all manner of structural blocks. Generally speaking, masonry block walls are constructed on reinforced concrete footings or a concrete floor slab as a base. Such walls include mortared joints. Depending upon wind loadings for such block walls, rigidity is conferred by the formation of integral reinforced piers wherein starter bars extend into the hollow wall cavity at spaced intervals steel reinforcing bars are inserted into the wall cavities occupied by the starter bars and fluid concrete is then poured into the wall cavities occupied by the steel reinforcing bars to form spaced, steel reinforced piers in the wall structure. In cyclone rated-areas it is necessary to be able to structurally tie a roof structure through steel rods to the footings or floor slab on which the masonry walls are constructed. While generally satisfactory for their intended purpose, such mortar jointed structural block wall constructions suffer a number of practical disadvantages. Not only are these prior art block wall construction techniques extremely labour intensive, a high level of skill is required in block laying with mortared joints. Skilled labour is expensive and frequently difficult to obtain when required. The requirement for starter bars to be accurately located in a supporting base such as footings or a raft slab combined with poured concrete steel reinforced piers at required spaced intervals adds substantially to both labour and material costs, particularly in cyclone rated areas where roof tie down means must be incorporated in the wall. Although mortarless masonry blocks have been proposed to reduce the level of skilled labour required, these have not found favour in building construction due to reduced structural integrity and increased reinforcing costs as well as poor weather resistance of mortarless joints. Where it is required to form integral piers, it is usually necessary to hire a concrete pumping vehicle to pump a concrete slurry into the wall cavities at spaced intervals to encapsulate the reinforcing bars. This is expensive and time consuming. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for construction of a structural block wall, said method comprising the steps of:— erecting on a base a wall of mortarless structural blocks; and applying to opposite faces of said wall a fibre reinforced polymeric coating. Suitably, at least some of a base course of structural blocks are anchored to said base. Preferably, said at least some of a base course of structural blocks are anchored to said base by a polymeric adhesive compound. If required, the structural blocks may include one or more projections engageable, in use, with complementary one or more recesses in an adjacent structural block. Preferably, said structural blocks include projections and complementary recesses on opposed faces. Suitably, said blocks are self-aligning when stacked. Most preferably said opposed faces comprise upper and lower faces. The structural blocks may include one or more apertures extending between said upper and lower faces. Suitably said fibre reinforced polymeric coating extends over a portion of said base to form a bond between said wall and said base. Preferably said fibre reinforced polymeric coating extends over portions of said base on opposite sides of said walls. The fibre reinforced polymeric coating may extend over a top surface of said wall. If required, mounting brackets may be secured to an upper course of blocks in said wall to permit, in use, connection of a roof structure to said wall. Suitably, said mounting brackets are secured to respective structural blocks by a polymeric adhesive compound. If required, reveal surfaces in wall openings may have applied thereto a fibre reinforced polymeric coating. Preferably, said fibre reinforced polymeric coating includes a layer of fibreglass reinforcing material. The layer of fibreglass material may comprise a sheet of woven or non-woven fibreglass. Suitably, said fibreglass reinforcing material is an alkaline resistant grade. Preferably, said fibre reinforced polymeric coating is formed by applying a base coating of a liquid curable polymeric composition to a wall surface, positioning on said base coating a layer of fibre reinforcing material, applying to an exposed surface of said layer of fibre reinforcing material a further coating of a liquid curable polymeric composition and allowing said liquid curable polymeric composition to cure. The liquid curable polymeric composition may be applied to a surface of the wall and/or the exposed surface of said layer of fibre reinforcing material by any suitable means such as spraying, trowelling, squeegee application or the like. Suitably, said base coating is applied to a substantially even thickness by means of guide projections extending from opposite normally exposed faces of said structural blocks. Preferably, said guide projections comprise spaced substantially parallel ribs serving, in use, to guide a screeding or trowelling device to apply said base coating to a substantially even thickness. If required, a decorative coating may be applied over the fibre reinforced polymeric coating. Suitably, the decorative coating comprises a polymeric mineral finish sealant. |
Treating b-cell mediated diseases by modulating dr6 activity |
Novel methods are provided for the treatment or prevention of B cell mediated conditions in a mammal that comprise administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one DR6 agonist or DR6 antagonist. |
1-23. (cancelled) 24. A method of treating or preventing a b cell mediated condition in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that comprises an agonistic anti-DR6 antibody. 25. The method of claim 24 wherein said agonistic anti-DR6 antibody is an anti-DR6 human antibody or an anti-DR6 humanized antibody. 26. The method of claim 24 wherein said condition is selected from the group consisting of aberrant apoptosis, GVHD, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, eczema, atopy, inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis, psoriasis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, pancreatis, psoriasis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves disease, transplant rejection, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune nephropathy, autoimmune hematopathy, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, autoimmune dermatosis, autoimmune cardiopathy, autoimmune infertility, Behcet's disease, autoimmune gastritis, fibrosing lung disease, fulminant viral hepatitis B. fulminant viral hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, chronic cirrhosis, H. pylori-associated ulceration, organ rejection after transplantion, chronic glomeruonephritis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), aplastic anemia, myelodysplasia, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and at least one condition or symptom related thereto. 27. The method of claim 26 wherein said agonistic anti-DR6 antibody is an anti-DR6 human antibody or an anti-DR6 humanized antibody. 28. The method of claim 24 wherein said DR6 agonist is administered to said mammal in a B cell inhibiting amount. 29. A method for inhibiting B cell mediated immunity in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that comprises an agonistic anti-DR6 antibody. 30. The method of claim 29 wherein said agonistic anti-DR6 antibody is an anti-DR6 human antibody or an anti-DR6 humanized antibody. 31. The method of claim 40 wherein said administering of said agonistic anti-DR6 antibody is subsequent to the mammal having a bone marrow or solid organ transplantation. 32. A method of treating or preventing a B cell mediated condition in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition, wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises an antagonistic anti-DR6 antibody or a sDR6. 33. The method of claim 32 wherein said condition is selected from the group consisting of immunodeficiency, aberrant apoptosis, bacterial infection, viral infection, microbial infection, complications of infection, HIV, HIV-induced lymphoma, HIV-induced AIDS, fulminant viral hepatitis B, fulminant viral hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis, chronic cirrhosis, H. pylori-associated ulceration, cytoprotection during cancer treatment, recuperation from chemotherapy, recuperation from irradiation therapy, and at least one condition or symptom related thereto. 34. The method of claim 32 wherein said pharmaceutical composition is administered to said mammal in a B cell stimulating amount. 35. The method of claim 32 wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises an antagonistic anti-DR6 antibody. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein said antagonistic anti-DR6 antibody is an anti-DR6 human antibody or an anti-DR6 humanized antibody. 37. The method of claim 33 wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises a sDR6. 38. The method of claim 34 wherein said sDR6 comprises a polypeptide as shown from amino acid 42 through amino acid 350 of SEQ ID NO:2. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a key mediator involved in immune regulation and inflammation. TNF family members mediate their biological functions through structurally related, but functionally distinct receptors that belong to the TNF receptor (TNFR) family. The interactions between TNF family ligands and their receptors are involved in modulating a number of signaling pathways in the immune system such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and cell survival (Wallach, D., et al., Annu. Rev. Immunol., 17:331-367 (1999)). The factors that are involved in regulating B cell proliferation and differentiation have yet to be completely elucidated. Furthermore, T cell-mediated signals are essential for B cell maturation, activation, Ab production, class switching, and B cell survival. In particular, CD40L on activated T cells binds to CD40 on B cells and can stimulate B cell growth and Ab production (Grewal IG., and Flavell RA., (1996) Immun. Rev. 153, 85-105). On the other hand, activated B cells can provide further stimulation such as upregulating costimulation molecules to T cells. In addition, in vitro studies have suggested that an efficient B cell response requires the combined use of several ligand-receptor pairs including TNF/TNFR family members such as CD40, TACI, BMCA. These molecules have been shown to deliver a co-stimulatory signal for B cell proliferation, Ab production, or cell survival when engaged by their corresponding ligands or specific antibodies (Abs) (Gravestein, L. A. et al., Seminars in Immunology, 10:423-434 (1998)). Data generated using CD40- and CD40L-deficient mice have indicated that the interactions between these molecules are essential for an optimal T and B cell response (Noelle, R., et al., Immunity, 4: 415-419 (1996)). DR6 was identified as another death domain containing receptor (Pan, G., et al., FEBS, 431:351-356 (1998)). The extracellular cysteine-rich domain of DR6 has about 40% homology with osteoprotegerin (OPG) and TNFR2. However, the physiological functions of DR6 remain unknown. The present invention concerns novel methods of treating various mammalian diseases using agonists and antagonists of DR6. |
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Applicants disclose herein that in mice DR6 mRNA is expressed in resting B cells and down regulated in activated B cells. Although DR6 deficient mice appear to develop normally, DR6−/− B cells hyper-proliferate in response to LPS, CD40 and IgM-mediated stimulation. Furthermore, as compared to activated wild-type B cells, activated DR6−/− B cells exhibit upregulated expression of B7.1, B7.2 and Bcl-xl. Consequently, DR6−/− B cells functions as superior (antigen-presenting cells) APC for T cell activation compared to WT B cells. Activated DR6−/− B cells also showed increased translocation of NF-kB transcription factor, C-rel, into nuclei as compared to activated wild-type B cells in response to IgM stimulation. Immunizing mice with T cell dependent antigen showed that DR6−/− mice had higher level IgE and IgA. When immunized with T cell-independent antigen, NP-Ficoll, DR6−/− B mice had higher level of NP-specific IgG level compared with WT mice. Accordingly, the present invention relates generally to methods for treating or preventing conditions and/or diseases involving loss or deterioration of immune competence, on one hand, or immune overactivity on the other. More particularly, the present invention concerns novel methods of modulating B cell proliferation, differentiation, and/or activation that comprise the administration of a biologically effective amount of a DR6 agonist or a DR6 antagonist. The present invention provides methods for treating or preventing immunodeficiency, cancer, bacterial or viral infection, complications of bacterial or viral infection, autoimmunity, GVHD, inflammatory bowel diseases, B-cell mediated inflammatory diseases, apoptosis, asthma, allergy, atopy, eczema, and/or at least one condition or symptom related thereto, in a mammal that comprise administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one DR6 agonist or DR6 antagonist. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing immunodeficiency, cancer, bacterial or viral infection, complications of bacterial or viral infection, and/or at least one condition or symptom related thereto, in a mammal that comprises administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one DR6 antagonist. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing autoimmunity, GVHD, inflammatory bowel diseases, B-cell mediated inflammatory diseases, apoptosis, asthma, allergy, atopy, eczema, and/or at least one condition or symptom related thereto, in a mammal that comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a DR6 agonist The present invention also provides methods for enhancing cell mediated immunity in a mammal that comprise administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one DR6 antagonist This invention further provides methods for inhibiting cell mediated immunity in a mammal that comprise administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one DR6 agonist. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Field apparatus |
A field apparatus (1a) comprises a diagnosis unit (11) diagnosing abnormality of oneself or a controlled element and a bidirectional digital communication means (22) to send a digital signal which shows a diagnosis result to outside and to receive the digital signal from outside in order to execute a control of controlled element and other predetermined functions based on a command signal received by a analog communications means (17) that can receive a analog signal from outside. A electric power for operation is supplied through a switching means (18, 53) that can switch either a electric power that is supplied by the analog communications means (17) or a electric power that is supplied by the bidirectional digital communication mean (22). |
1. A field apparatus comprising: a analog communications means that can receive a analog signal from outside is comprised, and executing a control of controlled element and other predetermined functions based on a command signal received by the analog communications means; a diagnosis unit diagnosing abnormality of oneself or the controlled element; and a bidirectional digital communication means to send a digital signal which shows a diagnosis result to outside and to receive the digital signal fron outside. 2. The field apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a switching means can switch either a electric power that is supplied by the analog communications means or a electric power that is supplied by the bidirectional digital communication means as a electric power for operation. 3. The field apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an automatic switching means uses either a power supply from the analog communications means or a power supply from the bidirectional digital communication means as a elecic power for operation, and if a power supply in use runs out it can switch to the other power supply automatically. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Generally in a control system operating a control apparatus of valves by remote control, a detection sign from the field apparatus measuring a quantity of physics such as flow quantity, pressure force and temperature are gathered to a controller as a superior apparatus, the controller operates opening and shutting of valves by remote control based on those detection signals. In such the control system, generally a communication cable of 4-20 mA is used as a transmission channel transmitting the detection signal from a detection port of feld apparatuses to the controller and transmitting a control signal from the controller to an operation port of valves. The controller receives an analog signal (following, “4-20 mA signal”) with an electric current of 4-20 mA normalized to 0-100% from the detection port by this communication cable. Further it establishes a PID parameter so that a detection data in the detection port will become a predetermined target value (set point) at every operation port. And it sends the 4-20 mA signal as the control signal normalized to 0-100% towards the operation port. In late years, the field apparatus comprising the function transmitting the diagnosis information of valve and oneself to the controller is developed in addition to the control function of the valve. As an example of such the field apparatus, there is the positioner disclosed by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-141202. According to this, because the diagnosis result of valve and oneself are informed to the controller via the transmission channel, the controller can analyze the diagnosis result and take the correspondence step. Therefore a bidirectional digital communication of field bus communications (following “FB communication”) is used and the control system by such the bidirectional digital communication will be replaced to the control system from the conventional analog communication. In such a digital control system, in addition to operating by remote control the operation port of valves as before, the controller instructs the diagnosis of the valve and own diagnosis of the field apparatus by remote control and it manages each field apparatus by acquiring the diagnosis information. In the control system that utilized such the FB communication, it is advantageous that setting and maintenance of the valve and the field apparatus are easy. However, it is needed to exchange the interface of all apparatuses to the interface for FB communication from the existing interface for 4-20 mA communication in order to change the existing control system using the communication cable of 4-20 mA to the control system by the FB communication. Moreover, very many costs are needed in a cage of such the system. Moreover in the control system which used the FB communication, because the control information that operate by remote control of the operation port and the diagnosis information of the apparatus intermingle, the inside of the transmission channel is crowded by the transmission information and may give bad influence to the control. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the present invention to provide the field apparatus which can introduce the control system by the digital communication easily without wasting the control system by the existing 4-20 mA communication, and can transmit information between the outside device and the operation port precisely and speedily. The present invention is the field apparatus comprising the analog communications means that can receive the analog signal from outside, and executing the control of controlled element and other predetermined functions based on a command signal received by the analog communications means. The field apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising a diagnosis unit diagnosing abnormal of oneself or the controlled element and a bidirectional digital communication means to send a digital signal which shows the diagnosis result to outside and to receive the digital signal from outside. The embodiment of the present invention comprises a switching means for example, a power supply changeover unit 18 of FIG. 2 ) that can switch either a electric power that is supplied by the above analog communications means or a electric power that is supplied by the above bidirectional digital on means is used as the electric power for the field apparatus operation. The other embodiment uses either a power supply from the analog communications means or a power supply from the bidirectional digital communication means as the electric power for the field apparatus operation and if the power supply in use runs out, it comprises an automatic switching means (for example, an automatic changeover switch 53 of FIG. 5 ) that can switch to the other power supply automatically. According to the present invention, the existing equipment can be utilized usefully without setting up new communication equipment in order to control the controlled object of valves because communication with the existing control system is possible by the analog communications means. At the same tine an advantage of the bidirectional communication of the setting and the diagnosis of own diagnosis or the controlled object is provided by utilizing the digital communication with the outside by the bidirectional digital communication means. Moreover, because management/diagnosis information of the control information and the apparatus does not intermingle, congestion of the transmission channel is prevented and bad influence does not give to the control. According to the embodiment of the present invention, it can switch optionally either the electric power supplied by the analog communications means or the electric power supplied by the bidirectional digital communication means is used as the electric power for the field apparatus operation. Therefore, if the power supply by the FB communication is stopped, the electric power is secured by switch to the power supply by the analog communication, and influence to the control of the controlled object can be prevented. According to other embodiment, if the power supply in use runs out, it can be changed to the other power supply automatically. Therefore, even if either the power supply stops, the influence can be prevented. |
Complex mixtures exhibiting selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 |
A novel formulation is provided that serves to specifically inhibit the COX-2 mediated inflammatory response in animals. The formulation comprises comprising an effective amount of component I selected from the group consisting of alpha acids and beta acids and an effective amount of at least one component II selected from the group consisting of alpha acids, beta acids, essential oils, fats and waxes, with the proviso that component I and II are not the same compound. The composition provides specific inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 with little or no effect on cyclooxygenase-1. |
1. A composition consisting essentially of an alpha acid and a beta acid in a ratio that, when administered, is capable of inhibition of inducible COX-2 activity while having minimal effect on COX-1 activity. 2. A composition consisting essentially of 30 to 60 percent of an alpha acid, 15 to 45 percent of a beta acid, said composition, when administered, is capable of inhibition of inducible COX-2 activity while having minimal effect on COX-1 activity. 3. The composition of claim 1 or 2 wherein the alpha acid or beta acid is made from a hop extract prepared by CO2 extraction. 4. The composition of claim 3, further comprising an essential oil is made from a hop extract prepared by CO2 extraction. 5. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the alpha acid is selected from the group consisting of. humulone, cohumulone, isohumulone, isoprehumulone, hulupone, adhumulone, xanthohumol A and xanthohumol B. 6. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the beta acids are selected from the group consisting of lupulone, colupulone, adlupulone, tetrahydroisohumulone, and hexahydrocolupulone. 7. The composition of claim 1 or 2, further comprising one or more members selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals. proteins, fats, carbohydrates, glucosamine, chondrotin sulfate and aminosugars. 8. A method of dietary supplementation comprising administering to an animal suffering symptoms of inflammation the composition of claims 1 or 2, said composition is formulated to provide 0.01 to 100 mg body weight per day of alpha acid, 0.01 to 100 mg body weight per day of beta acid. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the composition is administered in an amount sufficient to maintain a serum or target tissue concentration of 0.001 to 10,000 ng/mL of an active ingredient of alpha-acids or beta-acids. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Inflammatory diseases affect more than fifty million Americans. As a result of basic research in molecular and cellular immunology over the last ten to fifteen years, approaches to diagnosing, treating and preventing these immunologically-based diseases has been dramatically altered. One example of this is the discovery of an inducible form of the cyclooxygenase enzyme. Constitutive cyclooxygenase (COX), first purified in 1976 and cloned in 1988, functions in the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid (AA). Three years after its purification, an inducible enzyme with COX activity was identified and given the name COX-2, while constitutive COX was termed COX-1. COX-2 gene expression is under the control of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Thus, the inference is that COX-2 functions in both inflammation and control of cell growth. While COX-2 is inducible in many tissues, it is present constitutively in the brain and spinal cord, where it may function in nerve transmission for pain and fever. The two isoforms of COX are nearly identical in structure but have important differences in substrate and inhibitor selectivity and in their intracellular locations. Protective PGs, which preserve the integrity of the stomach lining and maintain normal renal function in a compromised kidney, are synthesized by COX-1. On the other hand, PGs synthesized by COX-2 in immune cells are central to the inflammatory process. The discovery of COX-2 has made possible the design of drugs that reduce inflammation without removing the protective PGs in the stomach and kidney made by COX-1. Combinations of the invention would be useful for, but not limited to, the treatment of inflammation in a subject, and for treatment of other inflammation-associated disorders, such as, as an analgesic in the treatment of pain and headaches, or as an antipyretic for the treatment of fever. For example, combinations of the invention would be useful to treat arthritis, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloathopathies, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and juvenile arthritis. Such combination of the invention would be useful in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, tendonitis, bursitis, and skin related conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, burns and dermatitis. Combinations of the invention also would be useful to treat gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis and for the prevention or treatment of cancer such as colorectal cancer. Compositions of the invention would be useful in treating inflammation in such diseases as vascular diseases, migraine headaches, periarteritis nodosa, thyroiditis, aplastic anemia, Hodgkin's disease, sclerodma, rheumatic fever, type I diabetes, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, sacoidosis, nephrotic syndrome, Behchet's syndrome, polymyositis, gingivitis, hypersensitivity, swelling occurring after injury, myocardial ischemia and the like. The compositions of the present invention would also be useful in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases, such as retinopathies, conjunctivitis, uveitis, ocular photophobia, and of acute injury to the eye tissue. The compounds would also be useful in the treatment of pulmonary inflammation, such as that associated with viral infections and cystic fibrosis. The compounds would also be useful for the treatment of certain nervous system disorders such as cortical dementias including Alzheimer's disease. The combinations of the invention are useful as anti-inflammatory agents, such as for the treatment of arthritis, with the additional benefit of having significantly less harmful side effects. As inhibitors of COX-2 mediated biosynthesis of PGE2, these compositions would also be useful in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, respiratory distress syndrome, endotoxin shock syndrome, atherosclerosis, and central nervous system damage resulting from stroke, ischemia and trauma. Besides being useful for human treatment, these compounds are also useful for treatment of other animals, including horses, dogs, cats, birds, sheep, pigs, etc. An ideal formulation for the treatment of inflammation would inhibit the induction and activity of COX-2 without affecting the activity of COX-1. Historically, the non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used for treatment of inflammation lack the specificity of inhibiting COX-2 without affecting COX-1. Therefore, most anti-inflammatory drugs damage the gastrointestinal system when used for extended periods. Thus, new COX-2 specific treatments for inflammation and inflammation-based diseases are urgently needed. Hop extraction in one form or another goes back over 150 years to the early nineteenth century when extraction in water and ethanol was first attempted. Even today an ethanol extract is available in Europe, but by far the predominant extracts are organic solvent extracts (hexane) and CO 2 extracts (supercritical and liquid). CO 2 (typically at 60 bars pressure and 5 to 10° C.) is in a liquid state and is a relatively mild, non-polar solvent highly specific for hop soft resins and oils. Beyond the critical point, typically at 300 bars pressure and 60° C., CO 2 has the properties of both a gas and a liquid and is a much stronger solvent. The composition of the various extracts is compared in Table 1. TABLE 1 Hop Extracts (Percent W/W) Organic Solvent Super-Critical Component Hops Extract CO 2 Liquid CO 2 Total resins 12-20 15-60 75-90 70-95 Alpha-acids 2-12 8-45 27-55 30-60 Beta-acids 2-10 8-20 23-33 15-45 Essential oils 0.5-1.5 0-5 1-5 2-10 Hard resins 2-4 2-10 5-11 None Tannins 4-10 0.5-5 0.1-5 None Waxes 1-5 1-20 4-13 0-10 Water 8-12 1-15 1-7 1-5 At its simplest, hop extraction involves milling, pelleting and re-milling the hops to spread the lupulin, passing a solvent through a packed column to collect the resin components and finally, removal of the solvent to yield a whole or “pure” resin extract. The main organic extractants are strong solvents and in addition to virtually all the lupulin components, they extract plant pigments, cuticular waxes, water and water-soluble materials. Supercritical CO 2 is more selective than the organic solvents and extracts less of the tannins and waxes and less water and hence water-soluble components. It does extract some of the plant pigments like chlorophyll but rather less than the organic solvents do. Liquid CO 2 is the most selective solvent used commercially for hops and hence produces the most pure whole resin and oil extract It extracts none of the hard resins or tannins, much lower levels of plant waxes, no plant pigments and less water and water-soluble materials. As a consequence of this selectivity and the milder solvent properties, the absolute yield of liquid CO 2 extract per unit weight of hops is less than when using the other mentioned solvents. Additionally, the yield of alpha acids with liquid CO 2 (89-93%) is lower than that of supercritical CO 2 (91-94%) or the organic solvents (93-96%). Following extraction there is the process of solvent removal, which for organic solvents involves heating to cause volatilization. Despite this, trace amounts of solvent do remain in the extract. The removal of CO 2 , however, simply involves a release of pressure to volatilize the CO 2 . The identification of humulone from hops extract as an inhibitor of bone resorption is reported in Tobe, H. et al. 1997. Bone resorption Inhibitors from hop extract. Biosci. Biotech. Biochem 61(1)158-159. Later studies by the same group characterized the mechanism of action of humulone as inhibition of COX-2 gene transcription following TNFalpha stimulation of MC3T3-E1 cells [Yamamoto, K. 2000. Suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 gene transcription by humulon of bee hop extract studied with reference to glucocorticoid. FEBS Letters 465:103-106]. Thus, it would be useful to identify a natural formulation of compounds that would specifically inhibit or prevent the synthesis of prostaglandins by COX-2 with little or no effect on COX-1. Such a formulation, which would be useful for preserving the health of joint tissues, for treating arthritis or other inflammatory conditions, has not previously been discovered. The term “specific or selective COX-2 inhibitor” embrace compounds or mixtures of compounds that selectively inhibit COX-2 over COX-1. Preferably, the compounds have a median effective concentration for COX-2 inhibition that is minimally five times greater than the median effective concentration for the inhibition of COX-1. For example, if the median inhibitory concentration for COX-2 of a test formulation was 0.2 μg/mL, the formulation would not be considered COX-2 specific unless the median inhibitory concentration for COX-1 was equal to or greater than 1 μg/mL. While glucosamine is generally accepted as being effective and safe for treating osteoarthritis, medical intervention into the treatment of degenerative joint diseases is generally restricted to the alleviation of its acute symptoms. Medical doctors generally utilize non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment of osteoarthritis. These drugs, however, are not well adapted for long-term therapy because they not only lack the ability to promote and protect cartilage; they can actually lead to degeneration of cartilage or reduction of its synthesis. Moreover, most non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs damage the gastrointestinal system when used for extended periods. Thus, new treatments for arthritis are urgently needed. The joint-protective properties of glucosamine would make it an attractive therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis except for two drawbacks: (1) the rate of response to glucosamine treatment is slower than for treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs, and (2) glucosamine may fail to fulfill the expectation of degenerative remission. In studies comparing glucosamine with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, for example, a double-blinded study comparing 1500 mg glucosamine sulfate per day with 1200 mg ibuprofen, demonstrated that pain scores decreased faster during the first two weeks in the ibuprofen patients than in the glucosamine-treated patients. However, the reduction in pain scores continued throughout the trial period in patients receiving glucosamine and the difference between the two groups turned significantly in favor of glucosamine by week eight. Lopes Vaz, A., Double-blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee in outpatients, 8 Curr. Med Res Opin. 145-149 (1982). Thus, glucosamine may relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis at a slower rate than the available anti-inflammatory drugs. An ideal formulation for the normalization of cartilage metabolism or treatment of osteoarthritis would provide adequate chondroprotection with potent anti-inflammatory activity. The optimal dietary supplement for osteoarthritis should enhance the general joint rebuilding qualities offered by glucosamine and attenuate the inflammatory response without introducing any harmful side effects. It should be inexpensively manufactured and comply with all governmental regulations. However, the currently available glucosamine formulations have not been formulated to optimally attack and alleviate the underlying causes of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, as with many commercial herbal and dietary supplements, the available formulations do not have a history of usage, nor controlled clinical testing, which might ensure their safety and efficacy. Therefore, it would be useful to identify a composition that would specifically inhibit or prevent the expression of COX-2 enzymatic activity, while having little or no effect on COX-1 metabolism so that these could be used at sufficiently low doses or at current clinical doses with no adverse side effects. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of component I selected from the group consisting of alpha acids and beta acids and an effective amount of at least one component II selected from the group consisting of alpha acids, beta acids, essential oils, fats and waxes, with the proviso that component I and II are not the same compound. Preferably, the composition comprises two or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of ?-acid, ?-acid and essential oil. The active ingredients of the present invention are preferably made from hops extract. The composition functions synergistically to inhibit the activity of inducible COX-2 with little or no effect on COX-1. The present invention further provides a composition of matter that enhances the function of glucosamine or chondrotin sulfate to normalize joint movement or reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. One specific embodiment of the present invention is a composition comprising a 30 to 60 weight percent of α-acid, 15 to 45 weight percent of β-acid and 3 to 6 weight percent of essential oil. The composition optionally comprises 2 to 8 weight percent of fats and waxes. Preferably, the α-acid, β-acid, essential oil, fats or waxes are from a hops extract, which is preferably prepared by CO 2 extraction. The present invention further provides a method of dietary supplementation and a method of treating inflammation or inflammation-based diseases in an animal which comprises providing to the animal suffering symptoms of inflammation, including pain and swelling, the composition of the present invention containing two or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of α-acid, β-acid and essential oil and continuing to administer such a dietary supplementation of the composition until said symptoms are eliminated or reduced. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Methods and compositions related to tagging of membrane surface proteins |
This invention relates to methods and reagents for selectively labeling membrane surface proteins using a labeling agent. The label may be used to isolate preparations of membrane surface proteins. Preparations of membrane surface proteins may be analysed by a variety of high-throughput techniques to allow rapid profiling of membrane surface protein composition. |
1. A method of selectively labeling membrane surface proteins comprising: (a) contacting closed membrane structures with a first labeling agent, thereby generating a plurality of primary labeled membrane surface proteins, wherein said first labeling agent comprises a disulfide bond; (b) reducing said disulfide bond to produce primary labeled membrane surface proteins having free thiols; (c) contacting said primary labeled membrane surface proteins with a second labeling agent, thereby generating a plurality of secondary labeled membrane surface proteins, wherein said second labeling agent comprises a thiol-reactive protein binding moiety; (d) separating said plurality of secondary labeled membrane surface proteins from proteins not having a secondary label to obtain selectively labeled membrane surface proteins. 2. A method for generating a cell surface protein profile, comprising: (a) contacting cells with a labeling agent, thereby generating a plurality of labeled cell surface proteins; (b) separating said plurality of labeled cell surface proteins from unlabeled proteins; and (c) identifying said labeled cell surface proteins separated in step (b), wherein the cell surface protein profile comprises the identity of the labeled cell surface proteins identified in step (c) and wherein further said labeling agent is selected from the group consisting of: wherein R is present 1 to 4 times and is selected from the group consisting of —B(OH)2, D is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH; Q is selected from the group consisting of OR2, NHR2, NHOR2, and CH2-EWG, wherein EWG is an electron withdrawing group, such as CN, COOH, etc.; W is selected from the group consisting of N(R2)CO, CON(R2), N(R2)COC(R2)2, CON(R2)C(R2)2, O, OC(R2)2, S, and S(R2)2; Z is selected from the group consisting of a saturated or unsaturated chain up to about 6 carbon equivalents in length, unbranched saturated or unsaturated chain of from about 6 to 18 carbon equivalents in length with at least one intermediate amide or disulfide moiety, and a polyethylene glycol chain of from about 3 to 12 carbon equivalents in length; R1 is a reactive electrophilic or nucleophilic moiety; R2 is H, alkyl, or aryl; and R3 is present 1 or 2 times and is OH. 3. A method for identifying cell surface proteins, comprising: (a) contacting cells with a labeling agent, thereby generating a plurality of labeled cell surface proteins; (b) separating said plurality of labeled cell surface proteins from unlabeled proteins; and (c) identifying separated labeled cell surface proteins; wherein further said labeling agent is selected from the group consisting of: wherein R is present 1 to 4 times and is selected from the group consisting of —B(OH)2, D is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH; Q is selected from the group consisting of OR2, NHR2, NHOR2, and CH2-EWG, wherein EWG is an electron withdrawing group, such as CN, COOH, etc.; W is selected from the group consisting of N(R2)CO, CON(R2), N(R2)COC(R2)2, CON(R2)C(R2)2, O, OC(R2)2, S, and S(R2)2; Z is selected from the group consisting of a saturated or unsaturated chain up to about 6 carbon equivalents in length, unbranched saturated or unsaturated chain of from about 6 to 18 carbon equivalents in length with at least one intermediate amide or disulfide moiety, and a polyethylene glycol chain of from about 3 to 12 carbon equivalents in length; R1 is a reactive electrophilic or nucleophilic moiety; R2 is H, alkyl, or aryl; and R3 is present 1 or 2 times and is OH. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said labeling agent comprises a marking moiety and a protein binding moiety. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first labeling agent is selected from the group consisting of: wherein R is present 1 to 4 times and is selected from the group consisting of —B(OH)2, D is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH; Q is selected from the group consisting of OR2, NHR2, NHOR2, and CH2-EWG, wherein EWG is an electron withdrawing group, such as CN, COOH, etc.; W is selected from the group consisting of N(R2)CO, CON(R2), N(R2)COC(R2)2, CON(R2)C(R2)2, O, OC(R2)2, S, and S(R2)2; Z is an unbranched saturated or unsaturated chain of from about 6 to 18 carbon equivalents in length with at least one disulfide moiety; R1 is a reactive electrophilic or nucleophilic moiety; R2 is H, alkyl, or aryl; and R3 is present 1 or 2 times and is OH. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said second labeling agent is fluorescent. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said second labeling agent is radioactive. 8. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein said cells are eukaryotic cells. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising washing said eukaryotic cells with a divalent ion chelator to remove extracellular matrix. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said divalent ion chelator is EDTA. 11. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein said plurality of labeled cell surface proteins are separated by one-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 12. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein said plurality of labeled cell surface proteins are separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. 13. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein said labeled cell surface proteins are identified by mass spectrometry. 14. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein at least five proteins are identified. 15. A method of classifying a disease state of a test cell sample comprising: (a) contacting cells obtained from said test cell sample with a labeling agent, thereby generating a plurality of labeled cell surface proteins; (b) separating said plurality of labeled cell surface proteins from unlabeled proteins; and (c) identifying said labeled cell surface proteins separated in step (b); (d) preparing a test cell surface protein profile, said profile comprising the identity of the labeled membrane surface proteins identified in step (c); (d) comparing said test sample cell surface protein profile to a plurality of reference cell surface protein profiles obtained from reference cell samples, wherein said disease state of the test cell sample is classified based on similarities and differences of the test cell surface protein profile with the reference cell surface protein profiles. 16. A method of claim 15, wherein said test cell sample is suspected of having cancerous cells, and wherein at least one of said reference cell surface protein profiles is obtained from a reference cell sample having cancerous cells. 17. A method of claim 15, wherein said test cell sample is suspected of having cells infected with a virus, and wherein at least one of said reference cell surface protein profiles is obtained from a reference cell sample having cells infected with a virus. 18. A method of generating a disease-specific cell surface protein profile comprising, (a) contacting cells obtained from a diseased cell sample with a labeling agent, thereby generating a plurality of labeled cell surface proteins; (b) separating said plurality of labeled cell surface proteins from unlabeled proteins; and (c) identifying said labeled cell surface proteins separated in step (b); (d) preparing a diseased cell surface protein profile, said profile comprising the identity the labeled cell surface proteins identified in step (c); (e) comparing said diseased cell surface protein profile to a control cell surface protein profile obtained from a control cell sample, wherein the disease-specific cell surface protein profile comprises the identity of at least one protein that differs significantly in abundance or post-translational modification in the diseased cell sample as compared to the control cell sample. 19. A method of identifying a disorder-specific cell surface marker protein comprising, (a) contacting cells obtained from a disordered cell sample with a labeling agent, thereby generating a plurality of labeled cell surface proteins; (b) separating said plurality of labeled cell surface proteins from unlabeled proteins; and (c) identifying separated labeled cell surface proteins; (d) preparing a diseased cell surface protein profile, said profile comprising the identity of said labeled cell surface proteins identified in step (c); (e) comparing said diseased cell surface protein profile to at least one control cell surface protein profile obtained from a control cell sample, wherein any protein that differs significantly in abundance or post-translational modification in the diseased cell sample as compared to the control cell sample is a disease-specific cell surface marker. 20. The method of any one of claims 15, 18, or 19, wherein said labeling agent is selected from the group consisting of: wherein R is present 1 to 4 times and is selected from the group consisting of —B(OH)2, D is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH; Q is selected from the group consisting of OR2, NHR2, NHOR2, and CH2-EWG, wherein EWG is an electron withdrawing group, such as CN, COOH, etc.; W is selected from the group consisting of N(R2)CO, CON(R2), N(R2)COC(R2)2, CON(R2)C(R2)2, O, OC(R2)2, S, and S(R2)2; Z is selected from the group consisting of a saturated or unsaturated chain up to about 6 carbon equivalents in length, unbranched saturated or unsaturated chain of from about 6 to 18 carbon equivalents in length with at least one intermediate amide or disulfide moiety, and a polyethylene glycol chain of from about 3 to 12 carbon equivalents in length; R1 is a reactive electrophilic or nucleophilic moiety; R2 is H, alkyl, or a aryl; and R3 is present 1 or 2 times and is OH. 21. The method of any one of claims 15, 18, or 19, wherein said labeling agent is lectin. 22. A method of claim 15, 18 or 19, wherein said closed membrane structure is an organelle, a membrane vesicle or a cell. 23. A labeling agent represented by structure 1: wherein: R is present 1 to 4 times; R is selected from the group consisting of —B(OH)2, W is a linker selected from the group consisting of N(R2)CO, CON(R2), N(R2)COC(R2)2, CON(R2)C(R2)2, O, OC(R2)2, S, and S(R2)2; Z is a spacer selected from the group consisting of an unbranched saturated or unsaturated chain of from about 6 to 18 carbon equivalents in length with at least one intermediate amide or disulfide moiety and a polyethylene glycol chain of from about 3 to 12 carbon equivalents in length; R1 is a reactive electrophilic or nucleophilic moiety suitable for reaction of the PDAB (phenyldiboronic acid) with a protein; and R2 is H, alkyl, or aryl. 24. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein Z contains a disulfide moiety. 25. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is —B(OH)2, W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A: 26. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 27. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 28. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is —B(OH)2, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 29. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 30. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 31. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is —B(OH)2, W is CH2NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 32. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is CH2NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 33. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is CH2NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 34. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is —B(OH)2, W is CH2NHCO, Z is (CH2)nC(O)NH(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B: 35. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is —B(OH)2, W is CH2NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 36. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is CH2NHCO, Z is (CH2)nC(O)NH(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 37. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is CH2NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 38. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is CONH, Z is (CH2)5, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 39. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is —B(OH)2, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)5, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 40. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)2C(O)NH(CH2)5, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 41. The labeling agent of claim 23, wherein R is W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)2, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 42. A labeling agent represented by structure 2: wherein: R3 is present 1 or 2 times and is OH; D is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH; Q is selected from the group consisting of OR2, NHR2, NHOR2, and CH2-EWG, wherein EWG is an electron withdrawing group, such as CN, COOH, etc.; W is a linker selected from the group consisting of N(R2)CO, CON(R2), N(R2)COC(R2)2, CON(R2)C(R2)2, O, OC(R2)2, S, and S(R2)2; Z is a spacer selected from the group consisting of unbranched saturated or unsaturated chain of from about 6 to 18 carbon equivalents in length with at least one intermediate amide or disulfide moiety and a polyethylene glycol chain of from about 3 to 12 carbon equivalents in length; R1 is a reactive electrophilic or nucleophilic moiety; and R2 is H, alkyl or aryl. 43. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein Z contains a disulfide moiety. 44. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present one time W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is OR2 and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A: 45. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present one time, W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is NHOR2, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 46. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present two times, W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is OR2, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 47. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present two times, W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is NHOR2, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 48. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present one time, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is OR2, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 49. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present one time, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is NHOR2, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 50. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present two times, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is OR2, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 51. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present two times, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is NHOR2, and R1 is a hydrazide of structure A. 52. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present one time W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is OR2 and R1 is a hydrazide of structure B: 53. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present one time, W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is NHOR2, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 54. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present two times, W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is OR2, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 55. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present two times, W is NHCO, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is NHOR2, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 56. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present one time, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is OR2, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 57. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present one time, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is NHOR2, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 58. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present two times, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is OR2, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 59. The labeling agent of claim 42, wherein R is present two times, W is CONH, Z is (CH2)n—S—S—(CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, Q is NHOR2, and R1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B. 60. The method of claim 2, further comprising: affixing to a solid substrate an agent that binds to the marking moiety of the labeling reagent to generate a affinity-prepared substrate; and contacting the affinity-prepared substrate with the labeled membrane surface proteins, thereby generating an array of membrane surface proteins affixed to a solid substrate. 61. The method of claim 60, further comprising: performing a mass spectrometry analysis of a plurality of the membrane surface proteins affixed to the solid surface. 62. A linking agent represented by the structure: 63. A linking agent represented by the structure: 64. A linking agent represented by the structure: 65. A linking agent represented by the structure: 66. A linking agent represented by the structure: 67. A linking agent represented by the structure: 68. A linking agent represented by the structure: |
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Proteins associated with the plasma membrane constitute a significant and functionally important fraction of the proteins in a cell. Key functions, such as the communication of a cell with its environment, are largely dependent on membrane proteins. Membrane proteins are targets of choice for pharmaceuticals in part because of their exposure to the extracellular environment. Furthermore, cell surface proteins are excellent markers for use in cell sorting and identification because cells need not be damaged in order to detect these proteins. The clinical importance of membrane proteins may be illustrated through an examination of the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. For example, cancer therapeutics are notorious for their severe side effects, which result largely from a lack of specificity. Most cancer therapeutics target processes that are common to all growing cells and therefore cause serious damage to healthy cells in addition to cancerous cells. Substantial research has been devoted to identifying distinguishing features of cancer cells that may be used to selectively target therapeutic substances. Cancer research has also focused on the precise tailoring of therapeutic regimen to specific tumor types, with the goal of maximizing efficacy and minimizing toxicity. Improvements in cancer classification and the identification of distinctive markers for cancer types are therefore critical to advances in cancer treatment. Cancers have traditionally been classified primarily on morphological appearance. However, tumors with similar morphology can follow significantly different clinical courses and show different responses to therapy. In a few cases, such clinical heterogeneity has been explained by dividing morphologically similar tumors into subtypes with distinct pathogeneses. Acute leukemias and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, have been molecularly subclassified with substantial improvement in treatment efficacy. Important subclasses are likely to exist for many more tumors but have not yet to been defined by molecular markers. For example, prostate cancers of identical grade can have widely variable clinical courses. Large scale profiling of membrane proteins would provide useful “fingerprints” for the classification of cancers, and, in addition, membrane proteins unique to certain cancers could be used as targets for therapeutics or as homing signals to specifically deliver therapeutics to the appropriate cell types. In addition to the plasma membrane, cells contain an extensive network of intracellular membranes, including the membranes surrounding the various organelles. Membrane proteins located on these intracellular are often involved in mediating interactions between the cell and the organelles, and as such represent attractive targets for research. Membrane-embedded proteins are difficult to characterize with current methodologies. Membrane proteins are more difficult to extract due to their highly hydrophobic nature and lower solubility. The low solubility of these hydrophobic proteins, especially those of high molecular weight, gives rise to protein aggregation. Furthermore, membrane proteins are often present at relatively low abundance, making the identification of membrane proteins by, for example, microsequencing techniques, a challenging task. It would be advantageous to have improved methods and reagents for the preparation and/or detection of cell surface protein, for example by improving the representation of cell surface proteins in protein extracts to facilitate further identification and analysis. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In general, the invention provides methods for selectively preparing a wide range of membrane proteins, e.g. by labeling, enriching, analyzing and/or identifying membrane surface proteins, in the field of proteomics research. Preparations of membrane surface proteins generated by methods of the invention may be subjected to a variety of analytic techniques to generate profiles of these membrane surface proteins. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for selectively labeling membrane surface proteins, and preferably cell surface proteins. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention comprise contacting a cell with a labeling agent to generate a plurality of labeled cell surface proteins. Labeling agents of the invention generally comprise a protein binding moiety and a marking moiety, wherein the protein binding moiety is capable of interacting covalently or non-covalently with a broad range of cell surface proteins, and wherein the marking moiety is useful in detecting proteins associated with the labeling agent. The protein binding moiety and marking moiety may, in certain instances, be present in a single, multifunctional moiety. Optionally, a protein binding moiety covalently binds to cysteins, glycans and/or amino groups, such as the ε-amino groups of lysine. In certain embodiments, the properties of the labeling agent may be used to separate labeled proteins from unlabeled proteins. Labeled proteins may be processed by a variety of methods including gel electrophoresis and chromatography. Labeled proteins may also be analyzed and/or identified by techniques including, but not limited to, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, antibody-based techniques, protein identification arrays, mass spectrometry, protein sequencing, etc. In certain embodiments, the data obtained from the identification and/or analysis of cell or membrane surface proteins forms a cell or membrane surface protein profile. Such profiles may be generated for a plurality of sample types. For example, in certain embodiments, cell and membrane surface protein profiles may be generated and compared across a variety of healthy and disordered cells, including cell lines and cultured cells. In other embodiments, profiles may also be compared for stem cells and more differentiated cells. The comparison of cell or membrane surface protein profiles will be useful for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, diagnostics, cell identification and sorting, screening for therapeutics, identifying cell surface proteins that are indicative of certain biological conditions, etc. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for differential display of membrane surface proteins. Such methods generally involve selecting two or more samples to be analyzed. Each sample is treated with a labeling agent. Preferably the labeling agents are identical except that the marking moieties will be selected so as to be distinguishable. For example, a first labeling agent may comprise a first fluorescent agent modified according to the methods of the invention to become substantially membrane impermeable, and a second labeling agent may comprise a second fluorescent agent which was also made to be substantially membrane impermeable according to the method of the invention, the second fluorescent agent having fluorescent properties (e.g. excitation spectrum, emission spectrum, fluorescence efficiency, etc.) that are distinguishable from those of the first fluorescent agent. After labeling, proteins from each sample may be mixed and subjected to all further analysis together. For example, the proteins may be mixed and subjected to two-dimensional electrophoresis. In this example, the protein spots on the gel are analyzed for abundance of each fluorescent moiety to provide a direct comparison of protein abundance in the different samples. In certain embodiments differential display methods described herein may be used with more than two samples, so long as each sample is labeled with a distinguishable marker. For example, three samples may be differentially labeled with red, green and blue fluorescing moieties, mixed and analyzed to provide a differential display of the relative membrane surface protein abundance in each sample. In a further embodiment, the invention provides reagents to be used in methods of the invention. Exemplary specific labeling agents are substantially membrane impermeable, and therefore enable selective modification of cell surface proteins. Certain labeling agents of the invention comprise a reversible bond, that facilitates removal of a substantial portion of the labeling agent from the labeled protein, which may, in certain embodiments, facilitate separation and/or identification of labeled proteins. In some embodiments of the invention the labeling agent is not a biomolecule and may therefore have a reduced tendency to form non-specific interactions with other proteins. In certain embodiments, labeling agents of the present invention are represented by structure 1: wherein: R is present 1 to 4 times; R is selected from the group consisting of —B(OH) 2 , W is a linker selected from the group consisting of N(R 2 )CO, CON(R 2 ), N(R 2 )COC(R 2 ) 2 , CON(R 2 )C(R 2 ) 2 , O, OC(R 2 ) 2 , S, and S(R 2 ) 2 ; Z is a spacer selected from the group consisting of a saturated or unsaturated chain up to about 6 carbon equivalents in length, unbranched saturated or unsaturated chain of from about 6 to 18 carbon equivalents in length with at least one intermediate amide or disulfide moiety, and a polyethylene glycol chain of from about 3 to 12 carbon equivalents in length; R 1 is a reactive electrophilic or nucleophilic moiety suitable for reaction of the PDAB (phenyldiboronic acid) with a protein; and R 2 is H, alkyl, or aryl. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein Z contains a disulfide moiety. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is —B(OH) 2 , W is NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n —S—S—(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A: In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n —S—S—(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n —S—S—(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is —B(OH) 2 , W is CONH, Z is (CH 2 ) n —S—S—(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is CONH, Z is (CH 2 ) n —S—S—(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is CONH, Z is (CH 2 ) n —S—S—(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is —B(OH) 2 , W is CH 2 NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n —S—S—(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is CH 2 NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n —S—S—(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is CH 2 NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n —S—S—(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is —B(OH) 2 , W is NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is —B(OH) 2 , W is CONH, Z is (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is CONH, Z is (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is CONH, Z is (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is —B(OH) 2 , W is CH 2 NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is CH 2 NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is W is CH 2 NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydrazide of structure A. In certain embodiments, the labeling agents of the present invention are of structure 1 and the accompanying definitions, wherein R is —B(OH) 2 , W is CH 2 NHCO, Z is (CH 2 ) n C(O)NH(CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively, and R 1 is a hydroxysulfo-succinimidyl ester of structure B: |
Method and device for positioning freight containers on a loading surface |
The invention relates to a method of positioning items of freight or freight containers (3) on a floor surface (51) of a hold having conveyor tracks (41, 41a) integrated into the floor surface (51) and drive units (47, 48) let into the floor surface (51). Items of freight or freight containers (3) pass over first guide elements (1) assigned to the conveyor tracks (41, 41a) and accommodating sliding bodies (70) in a first direction (43) or a second direction (42) and are aligned, on second guide elements (30) containing sliding bodies (70), in the first or second direction between the first guide element (1) and the second guide element (30). The aligned items of freight or freight containers (3) are then guided into one or more storage spaces (64, 63; 66, 65) of an additional storage area region (53) in the second direction (42) or opposite thereto. The conveyor track (41a) accommodating the second guide elements (30) is accommodated so as to be aligned with respect to a demarcation (56) with locking elements (57) of the additional storage area region (53). |
1. A method of positioning items of freight or freight containers (3) on a floor surface (51) of a hold having conveyor tracks (41, 41a) integrated into the floor surface (51) and drive units (47, 48) let into the floor surface (51), one or more freight containers (3) passing over guide elements (1) accommodating first sliding bodies (70) and assigned to the conveyor tracks (41) in a first direction (43) or a second direction (42) and being aligned, on second guide elements (30) containing sliding bodies (70), in the first or second direction between the first guide elements (1) and the second guide elements (30), characterized in that the freight containers (3) are guided into one or more storage spaces (64, 63, 65, 66) of an additional storage area region (53) provided in the tail region of an airplane, in the second direction (42) or opposite thereto, the conveyor track (41a) which accommodates the second guide elements (30) within positioning regions (50, 55) and into which forces occurring in the Y direction (43) during the positioning of the freight containers (3) are introduced being aligned with respect to a demarcation (56) with locking elements (57) of the additional storage area region (53) such that a contact surface (26) of a guide body (31) forms the continuation of the demarcation (56). 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the forces introduced into the guide bodies (31) of the second guide elements (30) by the items of freight or the freight containers (3) during positioning are introduced into the conveyor track (41, 41a) transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor track (41a) or other conveyor tracks (41). 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the items of freight or freight containers (3) can be moved on a flat underside (4), in the first direction (43) and/or in the second direction (42), by drive units (47, 48) which are integrated into the floor surface (51) and can be switched in both directions of rotation. 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the drive units (47, 48) in the floor surface (51) are oriented so as to act in the first direction (43) or in the second direction (42). 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first guide elements (1) assume a retracted position during the passage of an item of freight or a freight container (3) and, after the underside (4) of the item of freight or freight container (3) has passed, spring back into an extended position (17). 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, following alignment in the first direction (43), the freight containers (3) are I introduced one behind another into storage spaces (64, 63; 65, 66) or into storage spaces (64, 65; 63, 66) of the additional storage region (53). 7. A device for positioning items of freight or freight containers (3) in a first direction (43) on a floor surface (51) of a hold having conveyor tracks (41, 41a) and drive units (47, 48) integrated into the floor surface (51), having passable first guide elements (1) arranged in the floor surface (51), and second, replaceable guide elements (30) integrated into at least one of the conveyor tracks (41, 41a), characterized in that the conveyor track (41, 41a) which accommodates the second guide elements (30) and into which forces can be introduced in the Y direction (43) is aligned with one of the demarcations (56) of an additional storage area region (53) provided in the tail region of an airplane with locking elements (57), in such a way that a contact surface (26) of the guide body (31) forms the continuation of the demarcation (56). 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that guide bodies (31) of the second guide elements (30) are aligned with stop surfaces (72) of the locking elements (57) of the demarcation (56) of an additional storage area region (53) of the floor surface (51). 9. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the additional storage area region (53) comprises one or more storage spaces (63; 64, 65, 66) to accommodate items of freight or freight containers (3). 10. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the first guide elements (1), the second guide elements (30) and the locking elements (57) are provided with sliding bodies (70) which are effective in a first direction (43) and/or a second direction (42) and/or in the Z direction. 11. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the sliding bodies (70) comprise an abrasion-resistant, nonmetallic material. 12. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the sliding body (70) in the guide elements (1, 30) or the locking elements (57) is held such that it can be replaced. 13. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the sliding body (70) is held by the guide elements (1, 30) or the locking elements (57) by a form fit. 14. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the sliding body (70) is adhesively bonded into the guide elements (1, 30) or the locking elements (57). 15. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the sliding body (70) is held in the guide elements (1, 30) or the locking elements (57) by clamping said elements. 16. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the sliding body (70) is held on the guide elements (1, 30) or the locking elements (57) by screwing, riveting or latching. 17. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the first guide elements (1) are provided with a locking device (10, 11) that fixes the pivotable guide (7, 9) in a position dipping into the floor surface (51). 18. The device as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the locking device (10, 11) has to be released manually, electromechanically or by foot. 19. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the conveyor tracks (41, 41a) and conveyor track sections (44) are provided with openings (54), in which fastening elements of the first and second guide elements (1, 30) engage. 20. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the second guide elements (30) having the erectable guide body (31) can be transferred from their laid-flat position (33) into an erected position (32) manually, by foot or electromechanically. 21. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the second guide elements (30) comprise an unlocking pin (35), after whose operation the guide body (31) springs back into its erected position (32). 22. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that accommodating housings (2, 39) of the first and/or the second guide elements (1, 30) comprise retaining bolts (5,6), whose bolt ends (18, 19) are acted on by integrated pre-stressing elements in order to lock them in the conveyor tracks (41, 41a, 44). 23. The use of the device as claimed in claim 7 in the hold of an airplane. |
Process and apparatus for making mineral fibres |
Particulate mineral material suitable for forming a fiberisable melt is melted in a flame formed by combustion of powdered carbonaceous fuel with preheated air and the particulate mineral material is then preheated, and the exhaust gases are subjected to NOx reduction, in a cyclone preheater (22). |
1. A process for making a mineral melt comprising suspending powdered carbonaceous fuel in preheated combustion air and combusting the suspended carbonaceous fuel to form a flame, suspending particulate mineral material which has been preheated to at least 700° C. in the flame and melting the mineral material in a circulating combustion chamber (25, 28) and thereby forming a mineral melt and hot exhaust gases, separating the hot exhaust gases from the melt and collecting the melt, contacting the exhaust gases from the melt in a cyclone preheater (22) under NOx-reducing conditions with the particulate mineral material which is to be melted and thereby reducing NOx in the exhaust gases and preheating the particulate material to at least 700° C., and providing the preheated combustion air by heat exchange of air with the exhaust gases from the cyclone preheater (22). 2. A process according to claim 1 comprising the additional step of flowing a stream of the collected melt to a centrifugal fiberising apparatus and forming mineral fibres by centrifugally fiberising the stream of melt. 3. A process according to claim 1 in which the atmosphere in the cyclone preheater (22) contains oxygen. 4. A process according to claim 1 in which the combustion is conducted under substoichiometric conditions. 5. A process according to claim 1 in which NOx reduction is achieved in the preheater (22) by reaction at a temperature of 700° C. to 1050° C. with ammonia or other nitrogenous, NOx-reducing, compound. 6. A process according to claim 1 in which the circulating combustion chamber is a conical cyclone combustion chamber having an axial outlet for exhaust gas from its top and an inlet for the powdered fuel and the preheated air, and/or the flame, non-radially into the top of the cyclone and an outlet for melt from its base. 7. A process according to claim 1 in which the preheated particulate mineral material is fed direct into the combustion chamber and is suspended in the flame in the combustion chamber. 8. Apparatus suitable for conducting the process according to claim 1 comprising means (1, 2, 3, 24, 30) for suspending powdered carbonaceous fuel in preheated combustion air and combusting the suspended carbonaceous fuel to form a flame, means (7, 26, 27) for suspending particulate mineral material which has been preheated to at least 700° C. in the flame, a circulating combustion chamber (25, 28) in which melting of the particulate material in the flame and is conducted thereby forming a mineral melt and hot exhaust gases, means (8, 28, 9, 10) for separating the hot exhaust gases and the melt and collecting the melt, means (11, 22) for contacting the exhaust gases from the melt in a cyclone preheater (22) under NOx-reducing conditions with the particulate mineral material which is to be melted and thereby reducing NOx in the exhaust gases and preheating the particulate material to at least 700° C., and means (15, 16, 2) for providing the preheated combustion air by heat exchange of air with the exhaust gases from the cyclone preheater (22). 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 additionally including a centrifugal fiberising apparatus positioned to receive and fiberise the melt. |
Catalytic oxidatin process |
The invention provides a process for the catalytic oxidation of an alkane, which comprises contacting the alkane with a source of oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a compound of the formula (2) where R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, or an acyl group, or R1 and R2 may together form a double bond or an aromatic or non-aromatic ring; Y represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; X represents an oxygen atom or a hydroxyl group; m denotes an integer of 0 to 4; and n denotes an integer of 1 to 3. Compounds in accordance with formula (2) possess good catalytic properties, such that when they are employed in a process in accordance with the present invention, they are capable of activating a source of oxygen and promoting the oxidation of an alkane at mild reaction temperatures. |
1. A process for the catalytic oxidation of an alkane, which comprises contacting the alkane with a source of oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a compound of the following formula: wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, or an acyl group, or R1 and R2 may together form a double bond or an aromatic or non-aromatic ring; Y represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; X represents an oxygen atom or a hydroxyl group; m denotes an integer of 0 to 4; and n denotes an integer of 1 to 3. 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 together form an aromatic or non-aromatic ring and m=1 or 2. 3. A process according to claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 together form an aromatic or non-aromatic ring and m=1. 4. A process according to claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 together form an aromatic C6 membered ring and m=1. 5. A process according to claim 1, wherein n=1. 6. A process according to claim 1, wherein Y is an oxygen atom and X is a hydroxyl group. 7. A process according to claim 1, wherein Y is an oxygen atom. 8. A process according to claim 7, wherein m is 1. 9. A process according to claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 together form an aromatic ring. 10. A process according to claim 9, wherein R1 and R2 together form an aromatic C6 membered ring. 11. A process according to claim 1 or 7, wherein X is a hydroxyl group. 12. A process according to claim 1 or 7, wherein n is 1. 13. A process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst is N-hydroxysaccharin. 14. A process according to claim 1, wherein the alkane is a cycloalkane. 15. A process according to claim 14, wherein the cycloalkane is a C5 to C20 membered ring. 16. A process according to claim 1, wherein the alkane is a linear alkane, benzylic alkane or allylic alkane. 17. A process according to claim 1, wherein the catalytic oxidation reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range from 20° C. to 100° C. 18. A process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst additionally comprises a co-catalyst or mixtures thereof. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons e.g. alkanes, particularly cycloalkanes, with active oxygen such as molecular oxygen or air to produce the corresponding alcohol, ketone and/or acid reaction product(s), has been an area of research activity for many years in view of the utility and environmental benefits of the reaction to the chemical industry. The oxidation of cycloalkanes in particular has proved to be a difficult reaction to carry out, typically requiring harsh reaction conditions and/or resulting in poor conversion of the starting material and/or poor selectivities of desired reaction products. For example, it is know from the literature to oxidise an alkane such as cyclohexane, with air, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst. The reaction however requires conditions of high temperature and pressure to activate oxygen. Further, under these conditions, in order to obtain a reasonable selectivity of the products, the conversion or transformation rate of the starting material has to be suppressed below about 10%. An alternative reaction involves carrying out the autoxidation of a macrocyclic alkane e.g. cyclododecane, with molecular oxygen in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of boric acid, metaboric acid or boric anhydride to produce alkyl borate reaction products. These reaction products are hydrolysed in a later step, to provide the corresponding alcohol and boric acid. The conversion of the macrocyclic alkane starting material is still however generally poor, and therefore the overall yields of the desired reaction products are typically low. A further catalytic system has been described in EP-A-824,962. This document describes a catalytic oxidation system comprising an N-hydroxyphthalimide compound of formula (1) below and a co-catalyst, which system is described as promoting the efficient oxidation of a substrate under relatively mild conditions. For example, the oxidation of cyclohexane using N-hydroxyphthalimide and a manganese (II) co-catalyst is described as proceeding at atmospheric pressure (1 atm) and a temperature of 100° C. to produce a carboxylic acid, with no formation of ketone and alcohol intermediates being observed. A further reported reaction was the oxidation of cyclododecane in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide, a cobalt (II) co-catalyst and oxygen at atmospheric pressure and a reaction temperature of 100° C. Although the catalytic oxidation system proposed in EP-A-824,962 goes some way to enabling the catalytic oxidation reaction of alkanes, particularly cycloalkanes, to be carried out under comparatively mild to moderate conditions compared with earlier reported methods, there is still a need for new catalysts which demonstrate improved reactivity, being effective at conditions of even lower temperature compared with the catalysts of the prior art. Additionally, or alternatively, typically the new catalysts will demonstrate improved selectivities and/or product conversion against known catalysts. |
Information providing system, broadcast receiving apparatus, and server apparatus |
A broadcast receiving apparatus is disclosed which allows a broadcasting system not addressing data broadcasts to offer an information-providing service equivalent to what is typically offered in conjunction with data broadcasting. When a user watching a TV program on a channel performs operations to store a scene of the program, the apparatus generates and holds scene information made up at least of information about the channel and of current time information, before transmitting the scene information to a server apparatus. On receiving the scene information, the server apparatus searches for program-related information such as URLs corresponding to the received information and transmits the acquired information using e-mail to a predetermined device (PC, mobile phone) owned by the user. |
1. An information providing system comprising at least a broadcast receiving apparatus and a server apparatus, wherein said broadcast receiving apparatus comprises: receiving and tuning means for receiving and tuning in to broadcast waves; current time acquiring means for acquiring current time information; information generating means which, in response to an input instruction, generates identification information made up at least of information about a channel currently selected by said receiving and tuning means and of said current time information acquired by said current time acquiring means; and transmitting means for transmitting said identification information to said server apparatus over a predetermined network; and wherein said server apparatus comprises: searching means for searching for program-related information about said channel based on the received identification information; and transmitting means for transmitting said program-related information searched for by said searching means to a predetermined communication device over said predetermined network. 2. A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: receiving and tuning means for receiving and tuning in to broadcast waves; current time acquiring means for acquiring current time information; information generating means which, in response to an input instruction, generates identification information which is made up at least of information about a channel currently selected by said receiving and tuning means and of said current time information acquired by said current time acquiring means, said identification information being intended for use by a server apparatus in searching for program-related information to be transmitted to a predetermined communication device; and transmitting means for transmitting said identification information to said server apparatus over a predetermined network. 3. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: holding means for holding a plurality of items of said identification information; and user interface means which, in response to an input operation, selects any one of said plurality of items of said identification information held by said holding means, the selected item of said identification information being transmitted by said transmitting means. 4. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said identification information generating means generates said identification information made up of the channel information, of said current time information, and of picture information about a television broadcast currently selected by said receiving and tuning means in response to said input instruction. 5. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising interfacing means for permitting input of communication device designation information for designating a communication device to which said server apparatus transmits said program-related information; wherein said transmitting means transmits said communication device designation information to said server apparatus along with said identification information. 6. A server apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving channel information and identification information over a predetermined network, said channel information being about at least a channel currently selected by a broadcast receiving apparatus, said identification information having being acquired by said broadcast receiving apparatus; searching means for searching for program-related information about a program content on said channel in accordance with the received identification information; and transmitting means for transmitting said program-related information searched for by said searching means to a predetermined communication device over said predetermined network. 7. The server apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transmitting means transmits said program-related information to said predetermined communication device using e-mail over the Internet. 8. The server apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said receiving means receives communication device designation information which is generated by said broadcast receiving apparatus in response to an input operation and which is transmitted along with said identification information by said broadcast receiving apparatus; and wherein said transmitting means transmits said program-related information to the communication device designated by the received communication device designation information. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Recent years have witnessed increasing acceptance by the public of so-called digital broadcasts involving digitally broadcasting TV programs through the use of broadcasting or communication satellites. Projects are also under way to implement terrestrial digital broadcasts in the near future. These digital broadcasts are capable of transmitting not only audio and video data but also diverse kinds of other data such as control scripts prompting users to make a choice out of options related to the content of a TV program being broadcast. This makes it possible to implement what may be called call-in TV programs permitting viewers to take part in the broadcast in bidirectional fashion. Some techniques applicable to digital broadcasting are disclosed illustratively in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-45447. In Japan, for example, ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses) stipulating the criteria for TV broadcast has worked out a data broadcast standard. The established standard recommends that data content be described in BML (Broadcast Markup Language) based on HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), a description language utilized worldwide to describe illustratively WWW pages on the Internet. Broadcasts pursuant to that standard allow viewers to operate on so-called monomedia in order to establish hyperlink with relevant URLs of program-related information, whereby linked WWW pages can be displayed. TV broadcast receivers compatible with the data broadcast standard have two distinct capabilities: one for browsing data broadcast contents described in BML, the other for browsing WWW pages written in HTML when connection is established with the Internet. A user (i.e., viewer) viewing such a TV broadcast receiver may operate on its data broadcast content to acquire information which corresponds to the program in question (program-related information) and which is uploaded on the Internet. To provide viewers with such program-related information requires developing and implementing necessary infrastructure for data broadcasts in the broadcasting system. Consequently, digital satellite broadcast businesses today have yet to beef up their program-related information providing systems. Analog terrestrial broadcasts still remain predominant for the moment, and they are practically incapable of co-opting the program-related information providing system. As mentioned above, in order to be compatible with data broadcasts, TV receivers need to have the capabilities of extracting data broadcast contents from broadcast signals and browsing the extracted contents. Conventionally, that requires the TV receiver to incorporate a reception circuit unit for addressing data broadcasts and a user interface allowing viewers to browse and operate on data broadcast contents. These requirements entail a larger scale of circuitry and more complicated software design, which can typically result in unacceptably high costs. |
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of a typical information providing system embodying this invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a typical internal structure of a broadcast receiving apparatus embodying the invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic view depicting buttons and controls of a remote controller for use with the inventive broadcast receiving apparatus; FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a typical internal structure of a server embodying the invention; FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of an initial setting screen used by a program-related information service; FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a scene information list transmission screen; FIG. 7 is a schematic view indicating a typical structure (i.e., description example) of a scene information list; FIG. 8 is a schematic view presenting a typical structure of a program-related information database; FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a typical structure of program-related information delivered as an e-mail; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view picturing a typical display form of program-related information received as an e-mail; FIG. 11 is a flowchart of steps performed by the broadcast receiving apparatus; FIG. 12 is another flowchart of steps carried out by the broadcast receiving apparatus; and FIG. 13 is another flowchart of steps executed by the broadcast receiving apparatus. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Computer screen imaging system for the preparation of print screens |
A system and method for generating a master screen for a silk screen imaging process. Photo activated emulsion is applied to a printing screen and the emulsion is exposed according to a digitized pattern using a light emitting diode (LED) source. The LED source in one embodiment is an array of UV emitting devices which scans the printing screen in a line by line basis. |
1. A method of producing a digitized image on a printing screen comprising the steps of: coating the printing screen with a photo activated emulsion; exposing the emulsion in accordance with digitized image utilizing a LED-source to thereby selectively activate the emulsion; and treating the screen so as to remove inactivated emulsion. 2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said LED source is a LED array. 3. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said LED source is a linear LED array. 4. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein the screen is exposed on a line by line basis by moving the screen and LED array relative to each other. 5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said LED source is at least one LED orthogally moveable relative to the screen. 6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said LED is selected to emit at a wavelength complementary to the sensitivity of said emulsion. 7. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein the LED emits the ultraviolet (UV) portion of the spectrum and the emulsion is activated by UV radiation. 8. The method as defined in claim 1 for use in generating a master screen for such screen printing. 9. A system for generating a master screen containing an image for screen printing comprising: a coating unit for applying a photo activated emulsion to a printing screen; a computer to screen assembly for digitizing an image to be created on the screen; a LED source to receive the digitized image and to expose the emulsion in accordance with the digitized image; and a developer unit to remove unexposed emulsion from the screen. 10. A device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions, the device comprising: an apparatus for retaining a photosensitive substrate containing a photoreactive composition; a light emitting diode array containing a plurality of light emitting diodes; and a control mechanism for regulating the intensity and distribution of light emitted from the light emitting diode array; wherein the light emitting diodes are configured and arranged for controlled exposure of the photoreactive composition. 11. The device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions of claim 10, wherein the light emitting diodes have emission spectra below 450 nanometers. 12. The device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions of claim 10, wherein greater than 80 percent of the emission spectra of the light emitting diodes is from 350 to 400 nanometers. 13. The device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions of claim 10, wherein the array of light emitting diodes emits light at a plurality of wavelengths from 390 to 450 nm. 14. The device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions of claim 10, wherein the array of light emitting diodes comprises at least two emitting diodes. 15. The device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions of claim 10, further comprising a light guide for directing light from the array of light emitting diodes to the photosensitive substrate. 16. The device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions of claim 16, wherein the light guide comprises a plurality of optic fibers. 17. The device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions of claim 10, wherein the plurality of optic fibers comprises asymmetric fibers. 18. The device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions of claim 17, further comprising a photoresist laminate containing photosensitive compositions sensitve to a plurality of wavelengths of light. 19. The device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions of claim 10, wherein the photoreactive composition comprises a photoreactive resin. 20. A method of exposing a substrate containing a photoreactive composition, the method comprising: providing a light emitting device for controlled exposure of photoreactive compositions, the device comprising an apparatus for retaining a photosensitive substrate containing a photoreactive composition; a light emitting diode array containing a plurality of light emitting diodes; and a control mechanism for regulating the intensity and distribution of light emitted from the light emitting diode array; wherein the light emitting diodes are configured and arranged for controlled exposure of the photoreactive composition; providing a substrate containing a photoreactive composition; and exposing the photoresist substrate with light from the light emitting device. 21. The method of exposing a substrate of claim 20, wherein the light emitting diodes have an emission spectra of 350 to 450 nanometers. 22. The method of exposing a substrate of claim 20, wherein greater than 80 percent of the emission spectra of the light emitting diodes is from 350 to 450 nanometers. 23. The method of exposing a substrate of claim 20, wherein the array of light emitting diodes emits light at a plurality of wavelengths from 370 to 430 nanometers. 24. The method of exposing a substrate of claim 23, wherein the array of light emitting diodes comprises diodes that each emit light that is at more than one discrete wavelength band. 25. The method of exposing a substrate of claim 20, further comprising a light guide for directing light from the array of light emitting diodes to the photosensitive substrate. 26. The method of exposing a substrate of claim 20, wherein the light guide comprises a plurality of optic fibers. 27. The method of exposing a substrate of claim 21, wherein the plurality of optic fibers comprises asymmetric fibers. 28. The method of exposing a substrate of claim 20, further comprising a photoresist laminate containing photosensitive compositions sensitive to a plurality of wavelengths of light. 29. The method of exposing a substrate of claim 20, wherein the photoreactive composition comprises a photoreactive resin. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>In certain printing processes, such as silk screen printing, a master screen containing, for example, a negative of a desired image is required. In the printing process this master screen is placed on the surface of the carrier to which the image is to be transferred and ink is imprinted through the master screen. There are numerous existing techniques for preparing the master screen with one of the most common involving the use of a photographically prepared negative which is placed over a screen onto which has been applied a photo activated emulsion. Such emulsions are typically sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and in this process the screen is exposed to ultraviolet radiation such that the portions of the screen not blocked by the photographic mask are activated. Typically the emulsion is water soluble or at least soluble in a known solvent and in the developing process the non-activated emulsion is removed from the screen thereby leaving a negative of the image. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the process can be used to generate a positive of the image. With ongoing advances in digitized images it is particularly advantageous to directly convert an image from a computer to the master screen. Several methods of performing this conversion have been developed in as much as computer to screen imaging is seen as a method of allowing an operator to modify images or to prepare images based on drawings or other two dimensional formats utilizing a scanning application. Recent improvements in the work flow associated with the actual printing process and the use of digital imaging in the preparation of graphics has made the need for a true CTS an important enabler in order to realise cost benefits produced by other technological improvements. The prior art methods of preparing master screens using a CTS imaging process include a laser ablation system in which a laser is used to remove material from a fully blocked screen with the non-removed material creating the negative image. It is also known to use a laser direct imaging in which a laser is scanned point by point over a silk screen coated with a photo activated emulsion to create an image in that emulsion. As a further known method, ink jet masking is used wherein a negative of the image to be printed is created by using an ink jet to deposit wax onto a screen coated with a photo activated emulsion. The wax blocks the light when the screen is subsequently exposed. Once exposure is completed the wax is removed to produce the final printable image. Another known method is an optical micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) technique wherein a series of independently controllable mirrors are used to direct light onto a clearly defined and limited area of a screen which has been coated with a photo activated emulsion. Once this area has been activated the mirrors are directed to an adjacent block of the screen and the process repeated. In this manner a full image can be constructed block by block. U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,698 which issued Dec. 3, 1996 to Anderson describes a system for producing fine printing patterns on large serigraphical printing frames utilising a type of mirror arrangement. In this patent a laser beam is directed through a series of mirrors to a scanner which is moved laterally and longitudinally along sections of a screen and the light source is modulated in order to produce a pattern. The light source is a ultraviolet laser and the pattern is generated in a dot by dot sequence. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,006 a system for plotting a computer stored raster image on a plain photosensitive record carrier is discussed. In this patent the area to be prepared is subdivided into numerous sub areas and each one is processed sequentially. Each one of the known methods has a number of serious limitations. For example, debris re-deposition is an issue with the laser ablation and like the laser direct image method it is a point by point process. This limits the exposure rate of both methods. With an ink jet approach, wax removal represents another step and another material that must be safely managed and disposed of. Finally, mechanical instability and reliability will be inherent issues with the MEMS method. In fact, this will be true for any projection method. Accordingly, there is a need for a simple and efficient method of generating a master screen using a computer to screen imaging system. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of producing a digitized image on a printing screen comprising the steps of: coating the screen with a photo activatable emulsion; exposing the emulsion in accordance with the digitized image utilising a light emitting diode (LED) source to thereby selectively activate the emulsion; and treating the screen so as to remove unactivated emulsion. In a preferred embodiment the LED source is ultraviolet emitting and the emulsion is ultraviolet sensitive. However, other combinations of LED source wavelength and an emulsion with complementary sensitivity are feasible. The LED source can be a linear array of LEDs in which the array and the screen are moved relative to each other at a line by line rate and selected devices within the array are activated to expose the emulsion. As an alternative are in a single or multiple-line pattern can be used wherein each array is moved orthogonally across the screen or of course the screen is moved relative to the array. The LED emitting pixel shape and size are selected to accommodate the resolution requirements and the characteristics desired in the exposed pattern on the screen. The pixel size and shape are established by the LED emitting pixel design or this in combination with an optical system. |
Method for mass production of a plurality of magnetic sensors |
The present invention relates to a method for producing in large numbers a multiplicity of magnetic sensors produced on a semiconductor substrate, these sensors comprising at least one magnetic core produced in an amorphous magnetic material, characterised in that, after integration of the electronic circuits associated with the magnetic sensors, a film of amorphous magnetic material is glued onto the semiconductor substrate, this film being obtained from a band of amorphous magnetic material cut into a plurality of sections which are disposed one beside the other on a support, said film being then structured in order to form the magnetic cores of said magnetic sensors, the semiconductor substrate being finally cut up in order to provide a plurality of individual magnetic sensors. |
1. Method for producing in large numbers a multiplicity of magnetic sensors (1) produced on a semiconductor substrate (4), these sensors (1) comprising at least one magnetic core (8) produced in an amorphous magnetic material, characterised in that, after integration of the electronic circuits associated with the magnetic sensors (1), a film (22) of amorphous magnetic material is glued onto the semiconductor substrate (4), this film (22) being obtained from a band of amorphous magnetic material cut into a plurality of sections (18) which are disposed one beside the other on a support (20), said film being then structured in order to form the magnetic cores (8) of said magnetic sensors (1), the semiconductor substrate (4) being finally cut up in order to provide a plurality of individual magnetic sensors (1). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the support (20) is formed by a single face adhesive. 3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that, before gluing, the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material is brought to the dimensions of the semiconductor substrate (4) on which it is intended to be glued. 4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that, in order to give the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material a dimension corresponding to that of the semiconductor substrate (4), etching is effected through a mask (24) suitably configured so that only the regions of the film (22) which are not protected by the mask (24) will be engraved. 5. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material is glued under vacuum on the semiconductor substrate (4). 6. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material is positioned with respect to the semiconductor substrate (4), then deposited on the surface (2) of the latter, the entirety then being placed in a bag (30) in which a vacuum is created and which is then hermetically sealed before being restored to ambient atmospheric pressure, the atmospheric pressure then exercising a force which applies the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material on the semiconductor substrate (4). 7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that, before bagging, a protective film is disposed on top of the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material in order to avoid possible penetrations of the glue (28). 8. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that, after gluing, a layer of positive photosensitive resin (32) is deposited on the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material, then insolated through a photoetching mask (34), the photosensitive resin (32) being then developed and finally occupying only the sites of the semiconductor substrate (4) where the magnetic cores (8) should be situated. 9. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that a chemical etching solution is sprayed over all the surface of the semiconductor substrate (4) in order to eliminate the amorphous magnetic material (22) wherever it is not protected by the layer of photosensitive resin (32). 10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that, after engraving, a layer of negative photosensitive resin (36) is deposited on the semiconductor substrate (4) then insolated through a photoetching mask (38), the photosensitive resin (36) being then developed and only remaining on top of the magnetic cores (8) which it protects. 11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that the glue (28) which still covers all the surface (2) of the semiconductor substrate (4) is eliminated by plasma etching. 12. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that, after preparation, the glue (28) used to glue the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material onto the semiconductor substrate (4) is degassed then spread over said semiconductor substrate (4) by centrifugation. 13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that the glue (28) is a glue of the epoxy type, to which an adhesive promoter may be added. 14. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that, before gluing the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material, the semiconductor substrate (4) is firstly cleaned, then placed in an oven in order to evaporate the residual humidity, which improves adhesion. 15. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the band of semiconductor material is thinned by grinding, then subjected to etching in order to dissolve a small quantity of the metal on each side of the band in order to eliminate mechanical stresses produced on the surface by the grinding. 16. Method according to claim 15, characterised in that the mask (24) used to effect the etching which will bring the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material to the dimensions of the semiconductor substrate (4) is glued on the free face of said film (22). 17. Method according to claim 16, characterised in that the adhesive support (20) is removed after etching, the bands (18) being cleaned and dried on that side which is not protected and the adhesive (24) being used as a mask remains in place in order subsequently to be used for protection during gluing of the film (22) of amorphous magnetic material on the semiconductor substrate (4). 18. Method for producing in large numbers a multiplicity of magnetic sensors produced on a semiconductor substrate, these sensors comprising at least one magnetic core produced in an amorphous magnetic material, wherein a film of amorphous magnetic material is glued onto the semiconductor substrate, this film being obtained from a band of amorphous magnetic material cut into a plurality of sections which are disposed one beside the other on a support, said film being then structured in order to form the magnetic cores of said magnetic sensors, the semiconductor substrate being finally cut up in order to provide a plurality of individual magnetic sensors. 19. Method according to claim 18, wherein the support is formed by a single face adhesive. 20. Method according to claim 18, wherein, before gluing, the film of amorphous magnetic material is brought to the dimensions of the semiconductor substrate on which it is intended to be glued. 21. Method according to claim 20, wherein, in order to give the film of amorphous magnetic material a dimension corresponding to that of the semiconductor substrate, etching is effected through a mask suitably configured so that only the regions of the film which are not protected by the mask will be engraved. 22. Method according to claim 18, wherein the film of amorphous magnetic material is glued under vacuum on the semiconductor substrate. 23. Method according to claim 22, wherein the film of amorphous magnetic material is positioned with respect to the semiconductor substrate, then deposited on the surface of the latter, the entirety then being placed in a bag in which a vacuum is created and which is then hermetically sealed before being restored to ambient atmospheric pressure, the atmospheric pressure then exercising a force which applies the film of amorphous magnetic material on the semiconductor substrate. 24. Method according to claim 25, wherein, before bagging, a protective film is disposed on top of the film of amorphous magnetic material in order to avoid possible penetrations of the glue. 25. Method according to claim 18, wherein a layer of negative photosensitive resin is deposited on the semiconductor substrate then insolated through a photoetching mask, the photosensitive resin being then developed and only remaining on top of the magnetic cores which it protects. 26. Method according to claim 18, wherein, after preparation, a glue used to glue the film of amorphous magnetic material onto the semiconductor substrate is degassed then spread over said semiconductor substrate by centrifugation. 27. Method according to claim 26, wherein the glue is a glue of the epoxy type, to which an adhesive promoter may be added. 28. Method according to claim 18, wherein, before gluing the film of amorphous magnetic material, the semiconductor substrate is firstly cleaned, then placed in an oven in order to evaporate the residual humidity, which improves adhesion. 29. Method according to claim 21, wherein the mask used to effect the etching which will bring the film of amorphous magnetic material to the dimensions of the semiconductor substrate is glued on the free face of said film. 30. Method according to claim 29, wherein the adhesive support is removed after etching, the bands being cleaned and dried on that side which is not protected and the adhesive being used as a mask remains in place in order subsequently to be used for protection during gluing of the film of amorphous magnetic material on the semiconductor substrate. |
Element for transfer of light wave between optical components and the production method thereof |
A transfer element has a first face and a second face. The first face is arranged facing a first optical component comprising at least one optical guide. The second face is arranged to face a second optical component. The transfer element is capable of transferring a light wave comprising one or several wavelengths, from one component to another. The transfer element is transparent to at least one wavelength of the light wave and has a refraction index greater than the largest of the effective indexes associated with the light wave when the light wave propagates in the first and in the second component. The transfer element also comprises at least one coupling/decoupling pattern on a first face positioned facing part of the optical guide. The pattern is separated from the first component by a distance dg1 less than a threshold distance ds1 above which no light wave can be transferred from the first component to the transfer element and vice versa. |
1. A transfer element comprising: a first face and a second face, said first face is arranged to face at least a part of a first optical component comprising at least a first optical guide, and said second face is arranged to face at least a part of a second optical component; a first coupling/decoupling pattern, said first coupling/decoupling pattern being arranged on said first face which faces at least a part of the first optical component, wherein said transfer element transfers a light wave comprising at least one wavelength, from one of said first optical component and said second optical component to the other one of said first optical component and said second optical component, wherein said transfer element is transparent to said at least one wavelength of the light wave and said transfer element has a refraction index greater than a largest of effective indexes at least at said wavelength when the light wave propagates in the first optical component and in the second optical component, and wherein said first coupling/decoupling pattern is separated from said first optical component by a distance dg1 less than a threshold distance ds1 above which no light wave can be transferred between the first optical component and the transfer element. 2. A transfer element according to claim 1, wherein the distance dg1 is variable. 3. A transfer element according to claim 1, wherein outside the first coupling/decoupling pattern, a part of the first face which faces the first guide is at a distance h1 from the first component, said distance h1 being greater than or equal to the threshold distance ds1. 4. A transfer element according to claim 1, further comprising a medium placed between the first face of the transfer element and the first component. 5. A transfer element according to claim 4, wherein said medium includes any one of a fluid, a layer of material and a combination thereof. 6. A transfer element according to claim 1, wherein the first pattern has an interaction length Li1 substantially equal to the optimum length Ls1, for maximum transfer of the light wave. 7. A transfer element according to claim 1, wherein the second component is an unguided optical component and the second face of the transfer element comprises an anti-reflection layer on at least the area of said face through which the light wave passes. 8. A transfer element according to claim 1, further comprising a second coupling/decoupling pattern on the second face of said transfer element, wherein the second component is a guided optical component comprising at least a second optical guide, facing a part of the second guide, wherein the second coupling/decoupling pattern is separated from said second component by a distance dg2 less than a threshold distance ds2 above which no light wave can be transferred from the second component to the transfer element and vice versa. 9. A transfer element according to claim 8, wherein the distance dg2 is variable. 10. A transfer element according to claim 8, wherein apart from the second coupling/decoupling pattern, the part of the second face facing the second guide is at a distance h2 from the second component greater, said distance h2 being less than the threshold distance ds2. 11. A transfer element according to claim 8, further comprising a medium located between the second face of the transfer element and the second component. 12. A transfer element according to claim 11, wherein said medium includes any one of a fluid, a material layer and combination thereof. 13. A transfer element according to claim 8, wherein the second pattern has an interaction length Li2 substantially equal to an optimum interaction length at which maximum transfer of the light wave takes place. 14. A transfer element according to claim 1, further comprising at least one orientation element, wherein said orientation element is capable of orienting the light wave from the first pattern to a predetermined area of the second face of the transfer element. 15. A transfer element according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined area of the second face corresponds to the second pattern. 16. A transfer element according to claim 14, wherein the orientation element is formed by a cavity made in the transfer element, and the cavity includes at least one wall which is reflective to the light wave in the transfer element. 17. A transfer element according to claim 16, wherein said wall has a reflective layer formed thereon. 18. A transfer element according to claim 16, wherein: said wall of the orientation element is inclined by an angle φ with respect to a first axis perpendicular to the first face of the transfer element, the wave passing through said element makes an angle θ1 with said first axis on the first face of the transfer element and makes an angle θ2 with an axis perpendicular to the second face of the transfer element on the second face of the transfer element, for a given wavelength, the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 are related by the relation φ=(θ2−θ1)/2, where θ2=Asin(neff2/nm) and θ1=Asin(neff1/nm) and neff1 and neff2 are the effective indexes for the given wavelength in the first and second components, respectively. 19. A transfer element according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second faces of the transfer element are parallel, for a given wavelength. 20. A transfer element according to claim 19, wherein the light wave which passes through said transfer element makes an angle θ1 with a first axis perpendicular to the first face, and an angle θ2 with an axis perpendicular to the second face, the angles θ1 and θ2 are such that θ2=θ1 and neff2=neff1, where neff1 and neff2 represent the effective indexes at said given wavelength in the first and second components, respectively. 21. A transfer element according to claim 1, further comprising: bearing areas on at least one of the first face and the second face, wherein said bearing areas are in contact with at least one of the first component and the second component. 22. A process for making a transfer element from a substrate that is transparent to at least one wavelength of the light wave to be transferred, said substrate having a refraction index greater than the largest of the effective indexes associated with the light wave at least at said one wavelength, when said light wave propagates in a first component and a second component of said transfer element, said transfer element having a first face and second face, the process comprising: depositing a protective layer on at least one area of the substrate to form a protected area in the substrate, said protected area corresponds to a coupling/decoupling pattern to be formed; oxidizing thermally the substrate to form a thick oxide layer in areas not protected by the protective layer; and eliminating the oxide layer and the protective layer to expose the coupling/decoupling pattern located under the protective layer. 23. A process for making a transfer element according to claim 22, further comprising: depositing an anti-reflection layer on the second face of the transfer element. 24. A process for making a transfer element according to claim 22, further comprising: depositing a protective layer on supplementary areas, each supplementary area corresponding to a bearing area of the transfer element; and exposing said supplementary areas by eliminating the protective layer on said supplementary areas. 25. A process for making a transfer element according to claim 22, further comprising: forming a mask on one of the first and second faces of the substrate; protecting the substrate except an area of the substrate corresponding to the pattern of a cavity of an orientation element in the transfer element; etching the substrate through the mask, by preferential chemical attack so as to form said cavity, said cavity having at least one wall capable of orienting the light wave; and eliminating the mask. 26. A process for making a transfer element according to claim 22, further comprising depositing an anti-reflection layer at least on said wall. 27. A process for making a transfer element according to claim 22, further comprising oxidizing thermally the transfer element. 28. A process for making a transfer element according to claim 22, further comprising: depositing a material over at least one of the entire first face and the entire second face of the transfer element; and planarizing said material until the coupling/decoupling pattern is exposed. 29. A process for making a transfer element according to claim 22, wherein the substrate comprises silicon. 30. A process for making a transfer element according to claim 22, further comprising assembling the transfer element with at least one of the first and the second component by molecular bonding. 31. An optical system comprising: a first optical component comprising at least a first optical guide; a second optical component; and a transfer element comprising: a first face and a second face, said first face is arranged to face at least a part of said first optical component comprising at least the first optical guide, and said second face is arranged to face at least a part of said second optical component; a first coupling/decoupling pattern, said first coupling/decoupling pattern being arranged on said first face which faces at least a part of the first optical component, wherein said transfer element transfers a light wave comprising at least one wavelength, from one of said first optical component and said second optical component to the other one of said first optical component and said second optical component, wherein said transfer element is transparent to said at least one wavelength of the light wave and said transfer element has a refraction index greater than a largest of effective indexes at least at said wavelength when the light wave propagates in the first optical component and in the second optical component, and wherein said first coupling/decoupling pattern is separated from said first optical component by a distance dg1 less than a threshold distance ds1 above which no light wave can be transferred between the first optical component and the transfer element. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an element for transferring a light wave between at least two optical components and the process for manufacturing this element. In particular, the element allows to couple and/or decouple a light wave propagating in a guide in an optical component. 2. Description of Related Art Transfer of light between optical components usually creates a number of problems related to the dimensions of components and the precision alignment required between these components. For example, the alignment precision between components with dimensions of a few microns must be less than a micron. Furthermore, optical components between which a light wave is transferred usually have very different geometries and refraction indexes. This also may lead to a number of problems of matching. FIGS. 1 a and 1 b diagrammatically show a conventional method of transferring a light wave between 2 components. These figures show two optical components reference 1 and 2 . These optical components are provided with an optical guide 3 and an optical guide 5 , respectively. The optical guides 3 and 5 may independently be either a microguide or a planar guide. The propagation profile 7 of the light wave in the guide 3 and the propagation profile 9 of the light wave in the guide 5 are shown schematically. Furthermore, the direction of propagation of the wave in these guides is indicated by an arrow. As shown in FIG. 1 a , the two components are arranged such that the optical output from the guide 3 is in line with the optical input of guide 5 , in order to transfer light propagating in the guide 3 into the guide 5 . Furthermore, to enable this transfer, faces of the two components facing each other must be prepared (for example by cleavage or by sawing followed by polishing). The faces are separated by a very small distance (less than few micrometers) to prevent diffraction losses. FIG. 1 b shows an approach similar to that shown in FIG. 1 a but with an object-image conjugation element 11 placed between components 1 and 2 . This approach provides additional freedom to adapt the geometry of associated components. However, the final structure is more complex and expensive to make. FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates another method of transferring a light wave between two components, usually used in research. In this example, one of the components is free space, in other words the incident light wave 13 is not guided. The other component 15 is an integrated optical component comprising a guide 17 . A prism 19 is used to couple the incident light wave 13 in free space in the guide 17 . This prism is pressed above the guide 17 . An arrow P represents the pressure applied to the prism. Therefore, there is a very small space G between the base of the prism and the surface of the component 15 . The index n p of the material from which the prism is made and the angle θ p between the base of the prism and the input face 21 of the prism are selected such that the incident wave 13 is in full reflection in the prism at the base of the prism. An evanescent wave 23 forms on the base of the prism that will excite the guide 17 , the guide being very close to the prism. Thus, as the space G between the prism and the component decreases, the percentage of incident light coupled in the guide 17 increases. This transfer of light energy possibly reaching as high as 100%. Unlike the examples shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , this transfer method does not require any preparation of the input face of the light wave into the component 15 . However, it is difficult to adapt this method for an industrial application due to problems in manufacturing the prisms, particularly with small dimensions, as well as in controlling the space G. |
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>One aspect of an embodiment of the invention is to propose an element for transferring a light wave between at least two optical components which can easily be made reproducibly, particularly for an industrial application. Another aspect of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a transfer element for associating optical components in order to make possibly complex optical functions. Another aspect of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a transfer element that does not require any surface preparation and particularly any polishing. To achieve these aspects, an embodiment of the invention uses a transfer element in which a first face is arranged facing a first optical component comprising at least one optical guide (first guide) and at least one second face which is arranged to face a second optical component. This transfer element is capable of transferring a light wave from one of the components to the other and vice versa. The light wave can comprise one or several wavelengths. According to the invention, the transfer element is transparent at at least one wavelength of the light wave and has a refraction index greater than the greatest of the effective indexes associated with the light wave at least for the wavelength, when the light wave propagates in the first and in the second optical components. The transfer element may also comprise at least one coupling/decoupling pattern on the transfer element's first face located facing a part of the first guide. The pattern (first pattern) is separated from the first component by a distance d g1 less than a threshold distance d s1 above which no light wave can be transferred from the first component to the transfer element and vice versa through an evanescent wave. An effective index is associated with each wavelength of the light wave propagating in a determined optical component, regardless of whether it is a guided optical component, i.e., a component comprising at least one optical guide, or an unguided optical component, for example free space such as air. One or several optical elements can be placed in the free space in which the light wave can propagate. In the latter case, the effective index corresponds to the index associated with the wave propagating in the free space. The optical guide of the first component may equally be a planar guide or a microguide, i.e., a guide with lateral confinement. The distance d g1 may be either constant or variable, but it is preferably less than the threshold distance d s1 . Apart from the first coupling/decoupling pattern, the part of the first face that is facing the first guide, is at a distance h 1 from the first component. The distance h 1 is greater than or equal to the threshold distance d s1 such that no light wave can be transferred from the first optical component to the transfer element through this part and conversely through an evanescent wave. The value of the threshold distance d s1 depends on the effective index(es) of the light wave guided in the first component, and also on the refraction index of the transfer element and the refraction index of the medium or media arranged between the transfer element and the first component. These media are transparent to the wavelength(s) of the light wave. According to an embodiment of the invention, a medium chosen from a fluid such as air and/or a layer of material, for example silica, is placed between the transfer element and the first component. The refraction index of this medium is generally smaller than the smallest of the effective indexes associated with the light wave guided into the first component. All or part of the light wave cannot be transferred from the first guide to the transfer element and vice versa by the first pattern, unless the first pattern has a sufficiently long “interaction length” L i1 . The maximum light wave, and in some cases the entire light wave, is transferred for an optimum interaction length L s1 . The value of the optimum length L s1 depends on d s1 . According to an embodiment of the invention, the second component may equally be a guided optical component or an unguided optical component such as free space. When the second component is an unguided optical component, the second face of the transfer element advantageously comprises an anti-reflection layer on at least the area of the face through which the light wave passes. When the second component is a guided optical component comprising at least one optical guide (second guide), the transfer element also comprises at least one coupling/decoupling pattern on its second face, which face a part of the second guide. The pattern (second pattern) is separated from the second component by a distance d g2 . The distance d g2 is less than a threshold distance d s2 above which no light wave can be transferred from the second component to the transfer element and vice versa, through an evanescent wave. The optical guide of the second optical component may equally well be a planar guide or a microguide. The distance d g2 may be constant or variable, but it is preferably less than the threshold distance d s2 . Apart from the second coupling/decoupling pattern, the part of the second face facing the second guide is at a distance h 2 from the second component. The distance h 2 is greater than or equal to the threshold distance d s2 , such that no light wave can be transferred from the second component to the transfer element through the part of the second face and vice versa, through an evanescent wave. The value of the threshold distance d s2 depends firstly on the effective index(es) of the light wave guided in the second component, but may also depend on the refraction index of the transfer element and the refraction index of the medium or media located between the transfer element and the second component. These media are transparent to the wavelength(s) of the light wave. According to an embodiment of the invention, a medium chosen from a fluid such as air and/or a material layer for example silica, is located between the transfer element and the second component. The refraction index of this medium is usually smaller than the smallest of the effective indexes associated with the light wave guided in the second component. The second pattern preferably has a sufficiently long interaction length L i2 so that all or part of the light wave can be transferred from the second guide to the transfer element and vice versa through this second pattern. The optimum interaction length L s2 corresponds to maximum transfer of the light wave, and in some cases this can mean the transfer of the entire light wave. The value of the optimum length L s2 depends on d s2 . Firstly, the values of L s1 and L s2 , and secondly the values of d s1 and d s2 are not necessarily the same, since these values depend particularly on the characteristics of the first and second guides. The first and second faces of the transfer element may have variable arrangements depending on the application. For example, the first and second faces may be parallel to each other, particularly when the first and second components are guided optical components. The first and second faces may also be perpendicular to each other, particularly when the first component is a guided optical component and the second optical component is an unguided optical component. Other arrangements could also be considered. In an embodiment of the invention, the transfer element can also comprise at least one light wave orientation element capable of orienting the light wave from the first pattern to a predetermined area of the second face, in the transfer element. According to an embodiment of the invention, in which the transfer element comprises a second pattern, the predetermined area of the second face corresponds to the second pattern, the orientation element being capable of orienting the light wave from the first pattern to the second pattern. According to another embodiment of the invention, the orientation element is formed for example by a cavity made in the transfer element. The cavity comprises at least one wall capable of reflecting the light wave in the transfer element. A reflective layer can be arranged at least on the wall in order to improve reflection on the wall. According to an embodiment of the invention, the wall of the orientation element is inclined by an angle φ with respect to a first axis perpendicular to the first face of the transfer element. The light wave passes through the orientation element making an angle θ 1 with the first axis on the first face and an angle θ 2 with an axis perpendicular to the second face of the transfer element on the second face, at a given wavelength. These different angles are related by the relation φ=(θ 2 -θ 1 )/2, where θ 2 =Asin(neff 2 /n m ) and θ 1 =Asin(neff 1 /n m ) and neff 1 and neff 2 are the effective indexes for this wavelength in the first and second components, respectively. According to an embodiment of the invention, when the transfer element does not have an orientation element, for a given wavelength, the light wave passing through the transfer element makes an angle θ 1 with a first axis perpendicular to the first face of the transfer element, at the first face, and an angle θ 2 with an axis perpendicular to the second face of the transfer element, at this second face. These different angles are such that θ 2 =θ 1 when the first and second faces are parallel and neff 2 =neff 1 , where neff 1 and neff 2 represent the effective indexes for this wavelength in the first and second components, respectively. According to an embodiment of the invention, the transfer element comprises bearing areas on at least the first face of the transfer element. The bearing areas are in contact with the first optical component. These bearing areas, in particular, maintain the transfer element on the first optical component while keeping a distance d g1 between the coupling/decoupling pattern and the first optical component, and a distance h 1 between the element outside the pattern and the first optical component. According to another embodiment of the invention, in which the second optical component is a guided optical component, the second face of the transfer element also comprises bearing areas in contact with the second optical component. In the same way as described above, these bearing areas in particular keep the transfer element on the second optical component while maintaining a distance d g2 between the coupling/decoupling pattern and the second optical component, and a distance h 2 between the element outside the pattern and the second optical component. Another aspect of the invention is to provide a process for making the transfer element from a substrate that is transparent to at least one of the wavelengths of the light wave to be transferred, the substrate having a refraction index greater than the largest of the effective indexes associated with the light wave at least for one wavelength, when the light wave propagates in the first and second components. The process comprising: depositing a protective layer on at least one area of the substrate, each protective area of the substrate corresponding to a coupling/decoupling pattern to be made, oxidizing thermally the substrate so as to form a thick oxide layer in areas not protected by a protective layer, eliminating the oxide layer and the protective layer so as to expose the coupling/decoupling pattern(s) located under the protective layer. In an embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the protected areas are approximately equal to the dimensions of the coupling/decoupling patterns. When the second component is an unguided optical component, an anti-reflection layer may be deposited on the second face of the transfer element. In an embodiment of the invention, the transfer element comprises bearing areas that are made in the same way and preferably at the same time as the coupling/decoupling patterns. The only difference between these areas and the patterns is their dimensions, since they only perform a mechanical role. Specifically, when the transfer element comprises bearing areas, during the deposition of the protective layer, the protective layer is also deposited on supplementary areas, each supplementary area corresponding to a bearing area, and the bearing areas are exposed during the elimination of the protective layers. If the transfer element comprises at least one element for orientation of the light wave formed by a cavity, the manufacturing process according to the invention further comprises: forming a mask on one of the two faces of the substrate protecting the substrate except for an area of the substrate corresponding to the pattern of the cavity to be made, etching the substrate through the mask, by preferential chemical attack so as to form the cavity, the cavity having at least one wall capable of orienting the light wave, eliminating the mask. According to an embodiment of the invention, a reflective layer is deposited at least on the wall. In an embodiment of the invention, the process may be terminated by thermal oxidation of the transfer element which is provided with coupling/decoupling pattern(s) and possibly provided with bearing areas, in order to obtain a perfectly controlled distance d g1 and/or d g2 . Furthermore, a medium can be placed between the transfer element and the first pattern and/or the second pattern comprising a layer of material. The layer of material is obtained by depositing the material over the entire first face and/or the entire second face of the transfer element, followed by planarization until the pattern(s) is (are) exposed. In an embodiment, a substrate with a high refraction index is preferably chosen for the transfer element, to give coupling/decoupling with a wide range of optical components. For example, a silicon substrate could be chosen in which the refraction index is about 3.45 for a wavelength λ=1.55 μm; silicon is particularly attractive since it can also be used to make the orientation element by preferential chemical attack. Obviously, other materials could also be used such as AsGa, InP, CdTe, ZnTe, GaP, particularly for light waves with wavelengths less than 1.2 μm. Other special features and advantages of the invention will become clearer after reading the following description with reference to the figures in the attached drawings. This description is given for illustrative purposes and is in no way limitative. |
Optical switch |
The optical switch comprises a platform, and an optical fiber is held in a V groove for securing optical fiber of this platform. A switch element is placed on the platform. The switch element has a frame, and a plurality of alignment pins which are supplied together with the platform are disposed on the bottom face of the frame. A cantilever is secured to the frame, and a mirror is installed at the tip section of the cantilever. A pair of electrodes are secured on the platform. And by supplying voltage between the electrode and cantilever and generating an electrostatic force between them, the mirror is vertically moved. |
1. An optical switch, comprising: a base element having an optical path; a cantilever which is supported by said base element; a mirror which is installed on said cantilever for blocking light which propagates on said optical path; and drive means for moving said mirror up and down between a first position where light propagating on said optical path is transmitted and a second position where light propagating on said optical path is blocked, said mirror being arranged to be above said base element when said mirror is at said first position, and said mirror being arranged to be positioned at an upper surface part of said base element when said mirror is at said second position. 2. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein said drive means further comprises: an electrode disposed on said base element; and means for generating an electrostatic force between said electrode and said cantilever. 3. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein a spacer for maintaining a gap between said electrode and said cantilever when said mirror is at said second position is disposed on said electrode. 4. The optical switch according to claim 2, further comprising position maintaining means for maintaining said mirror at said first position or said second position. 5. The optical switch according to claim 4, wherein said mirror is made of a magnetic substance, said electrode is made of a permanent magnet, and said position maintaining means is means for maintaining said mirror at said second position by the magnetic force generated between said mirror and said electrode. 6. The optical switch according to claim 4, wherein said mirror is made of a permanent magnet, said electrode is made of a magnetic substance, and said position maintaining means is means for maintaining said mirror at said second position by the magnetic force generated between said mirror and said electrode. 7. The optical switch according to claim 4, further comprising an electromagnet for clearing the position retention of said mirror due to said position maintaining means. 8. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein said mirror has been formed so as to be integrated with said cantilever using x-ray lithography and electro-forming. 9. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein a surface of said mirror is coated with a film of any one of gold, silver and aluminum. 10. The optical switch according to claim 1, further comprising a silicon structure which is disposed above said base element so as to sandwich said cantilever, so that said cantilever, said mirror and said silicon structure constitute the switch-element. 11. The optical switch according to claim 10, wherein said switch element has been formed by forming said cantilever with said mirror on a surface of said silicon structure and etching said silicon structure using fluorine gas. 12. The optical switch according to claim 10, wherein said switch element has been formed by forming a mask pattern section where said switch element is to be formed on a surface of a silicon wafer such that said mask pattern section has a slanted angle with respect to an orientation flat of said silicon wafer, then forming said cantilever with said mirror on the surface of said silicon wafer, and etching said silicon wafer from the surface side using an etchant. 13. The optical switch according to claim 12, wherein said etchant is tetramethylammonium hydroxide. 14. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein an insulation layer is provided on an upper surface of said electrode, and wherein said cantilever is supported by said base element so that said cantilever is capable of abutting on and separating from said insulation layer. 15. An optical switch, comprising: a base element having a plurality of first normal-use optical paths, a plurality of second normal-use optical paths which are disposed facing each one of said first normal-use optical paths and at least one backup optical path; a plurality of movable mirrors which are supported by said base element and reflect light from said first normal-use optical paths or said backup optical path in a horizontal direction; and drive means for moving each one of said movable mirrors up and down. 16. The optical switch according to claim 15, further comprising a plurality of collimator lenses for optically coupling said first normal-use optical paths and said second normal-use optical paths, and optically coupling said first normal-use optical paths and said backup optical path. 17. The optical switch according to claim 15, wherein said backup optical path is constructed so as to extend in a vertical or oblique direction with respect to each one of said first normal-use optical paths. 18. The optical switch according to claim 15, wherein said backup optical path is constructed so as to extend in parallel with each one of said first normal-use optical paths, and wherein a fixed mirror for reflecting light having been reflected by said movable mirror or light from said backup optical path in a horizontal direction is disposed on said base element. 19. The optical switch according to claim 15, wherein said drive means comprises: a plurality of cantilevers cantilever-supported by said base element and having said movable mirror fixed thereto; a plurality of electrodes which are disposed on an upper surface of said base element so as to face each one of said cantilevers; and means for generating an electrostatic force between said cantilever and said electrode. 20. An optical switch for protection, wherein the optical switch according to claim 5 is applied. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Recently communication technology is dramatically changing the world as symbolized in the so called IT revolution. In this situation, communication capacities are increasing dramatically and information communication network technology supporting this is progressing remarkably. Thus far communication capacities have been increased by the introduction of optical fibers, but a further increase in communication capacities is becoming difficult even if more optical fibers are introduced. In such a situation, technologies related to wavelength multiplex transmission and total optical networks are the subject of research and development worldwide. Optical switches are receiving attention as one of the key devices to increase communication capacities. As wavelength multiplexing advances, the information volume to be processed is expected to increase dramatically. In a conventional information communication network, optical signals are converted into electric signals, the electric signals are switched, and the electric signals are converted into optical signals again, so signal transmission speed drops at the electric signal part. Due to such a reason, an optical switch, which allows the direct switching of optical signals, is receiving attention. In the future, as communication networks become complicated, the use of an enormous number of optical switches in communication networks is anticipated. Therefore downsizing and integration is desired for optical switches. As a result, the development of optical switches using micro-machine technology is in active progress recently. For example, Robustness and Reliability of Micromachined Scanning Mirrors, Proc. of MOEMS '99, pp. 120-125, 1999 (hereafter referred to as Document 1) states that the mirror created by surface micro-machining is stood on the substrate using an electrostatic actuator, which is created simultaneously, and is used. Also Micromachines for Wavelength Multiplexed Telecommunications, Proc. of MOEMS '99, pp. 126-131, 1999 (hereafter referred to as Document 2) states of a system where the mirror created by the surface micro-machine technology is not stood on the substrate, but is tilted by several degrees on the substrate so as to change the reflection direction of light. |
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting an optical switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view depicting a status where the mirror shown in FIG. 1 is at a position to transmit light; FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view depicting a status where the mirror shown in FIG. 1 is at a position to block light; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view depicting the arranged location of the cantilever and electrode shown in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 5A - FIG. 5G are diagrams depicting an example of the manufacturing process of the switch element shown in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 6A - FIG. 6H are diagrams depicting another example of the manufacturing process of the switch element shown in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting the optical switch according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view depicting the optical switch according to the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9A - FIG. 9C are diagrams depicting an example of the manufacturing process of the spacer for maintaining a gap shown in FIG. 8 ; FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are diagrams depicting another example of the manufacturing process of the spacer for maintaining a gap shown in FIG. 8 ; FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view depicting a variant form of the optical switch according to the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a plan view depicting the spacer for maintaining a gap shown in FIG. 11 ; FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view depicting the optical switch according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view depicting the optical switch according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 15 is a plan view depicting the switch element shown in FIG. 14 ; FIG. 16A - FIG. 16F are diagrams depicting an example of the manufacturing process of the switch element shown in FIG. 14 ; FIG. 17 is a diagram depicting the status where the hard mask is formed on the surface of the silicon wafer in the manufacturing process of the switch element shown in FIG. 14 ; FIG. 18 is a diagram depicting a general example of the status where the hard mask is formed on the surface of the silicon wafer; FIG. 19 is a diagram depicting the status where the silicon wafer on which the hard mask is formed shown in FIG. 18 is wet-etched; FIG. 20 is a plan view depicting the optical switch according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B are vertical cross-sectional views depicting the status where the mirror shown in FIG. 20 is at the position to transmit light and the position to block light; FIG. 22 is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting an embodiment of the optical switch according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 23 is a II-II cross-sectional view of FIG. 21 ; FIG. 24 is a III-III cross-sectional view of FIG. 21 ; FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view depicting the status where the optical switch shown in FIG. 23 is in normal use; FIG. 26A - FIG. 26G are diagrams depicting an example of the manufacturing process of the switch element shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 ; FIG. 27 is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting the status where the optical switch shown in FIG. 21 is housed in a package; FIG. 28 is a vertical cross-sectional view depicting the status where the optical switch shown in FIG. 21 is housed in a package; FIG. 29 is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting the optical switch according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 30 is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting the optical switch according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Rotating filter system |
The invention relates to a rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing (110, 210, 310) and a filter rotor (112, 212, 312) which can rotate therein, having filter cells (136′, 136″) with inserted filter means (138) provided in the rotor casing unit (128) thereof in order to filter out the proportion of solids as a filter cake (FK), for instance, from a suspension supplied thereto and in order to evacuate the filtrate via discharge lines (142, 242). The filter rotor (112, 212, 312) can be driven by a drive motor (154b, 254b) via a gear unit (154, 254, 354) with at least one output member (154d, 254d) which is connected to the filter rotor (112, 212, 312). In order to increase filter output, the output member (154d, 254d) is supported in a stationary manner in a bearing element (111, 211, 311) for said output member, which is separate from a rotor bearing element (225, 325) or/and the output member (154d, 254d) is driven by a group of wheels which are distributed around the periphery of the output member (154d, 254d) in such a way that the radial components of the forces of the driving wheels which are transmitted to the output member (154d, 254d) are canceled out. |
1. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in individual filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with one stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized by at least one of the two feature groups: a) the output member is supported in an additional bearing in the following, called “output member bearing” which is supported stationary by an output member bearing element, separate from the rotor bearing element; b) the output member is driven by a group of driving wheels, which are distributed around the periphery of the output member in such a way that the radial components of the forces transmitted to the output member are at least partially canceled out. 2. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotor bearing is supported by means of the rotor bearing element and the output member bearing is supported by means of the output member bearing element on a common foundation or base frame. 3. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the gear unit comprises a gear housing in which the gear output member is also supported and in that this gear housing is supported stationary by a gear housing bearing element. 4. Rotating filter system according to claim 1. characterized in that the gear unit comprises at least one planetary gear stage and in that the gear output member is part of the planetary gear stage. 5. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotor bearing is at least in part fastened to the gear housing and is supported stationary by means of the gear housing. 6. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotor bearing is supported by a rotor bearing element which keeps the filter housing substantially free of supporting forces. 7. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotor bearing has a bearing polenta in each of the end regions of the filter housing spaced apart along the rotor axis. 8. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotor bearing is limited to the end region of the filter housing near the gear unit. 9. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotor bearing has at least one rolling bearing or at least one group of rolling bearings. 10. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the output member of the gear unit is connected to the filter rotor via a compensating coupling flexible at least in the direction orthogonal to the rotor axis. 11. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating connection assembly is located in the direction of the rotor axis between the filter housing and the output member bearing. 12. Rotating filter system according to claim 11, characterized in that the rotating connection assembly is located on the side of a rotor bearing point of the rotor bearing that is distant from the filter housing. 13. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter housing bearing element comprises, in at least one end region of the filter housing, a plurality of bearing points approximately uniformly distributed around the periphery of the filter housing. 14. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that compensating means are assigned to at least some of the bearing points for the compensation of variations in diameter of the housing casing unit. 15. Rotating filter system according to claim 14, characterized in that a supporting column or a supporting beam for the filter housing is provided at each of two bearing points spaced apart along a horizontal diametrical line D. 16. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter housing bearing element has compensating means for variations in Length of the filter housing in the direction of the rotor axis. 17. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit is capable of being sealed off in the vicinity of at least one axial end of these units by a sealing assembly which is capable of being brought by a torus inflatable by means of pressure fluid into sealing contact with a sealing surface of at least one of the two units. 18. Rotating filter system according to claim 17, characterized in that the sealing assembly is connected stationary to the housing casing unit and is capable of being pressed against a sealing surface rotating with the rotor casing unit. 19. Rotating filter system according to claim 18, characterized in that the sealing assembly comprises a substantially U-shaped groove profile in cross section, which with respect to the housing casing unit is fixed by a first U arm, is capable of being sealingly pressed by a second U arm against the sealing surface of the rotor casing unit and between the two U arms accommodates a toric inflation member, which is located stationary on the housing casing unit and is connected to a pressure fluid source. 20. Rotating filter system according to claim 17, characterized in that the sealing assembly is attached to an end ring of an approximately cylindrical frame of the filter housing. 21. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that filter housing comprises an approximately cylindrical skeleton frame having at least two terminal skeleton rings and, between the skeleton rings, skeleton rods running parallel to the axis of rotation, where this skeleton frame forms a basic structure of the housing casing unit and where in the skeleton window, between successive skeleton rods fliers are capable of being inserted as supports for functional parts of the filter system. 22. Rotating filter system according to claim 21, characterized in that a cover is assigned to at least one skeleton window. 23. Rotating filter system according to claim 22, characterized in that the cover is the support of at least one functional part of the filter system, which if desired cooperates with a filler or a functional part of the filter system supported by a filler. 24. Rotating filter system according to claim 22, characterized in that a cover is limited to covering a single filler. 25. Rotating filter system according to claim 22, characterized in that a cover is designed for covering a plurality of fillers. 26. Rotating filter system according to claim 22, characterized in that a cover is capable of being fixed by linking and/or fastening means to the skeleton frame. 27. Rotating filter system according to claim 22, characterized in that the cover is capable of being fixed by linking or/and fastening means to a filler. 28. Rotating filter system according to claim 22, characterized in that the cover is capable of pivoting about a pivot axis parallel to the rotor axis. 29. Rotating filter system according to claim 22, characterized in that the cover is part of an annular closed covering of the housing casing unit. 30. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the interspace, the supply line system, the rotating discharge line system and the stationary discharge line system are sealed against escape of filter process medal and against entry of fouling substances, in particular lubricants. 31. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that a zone-separating means is made of a separating plate on whose side distant from the rotor casing unit rests a membrane acted on by a pressure fluid or a cushion acted on by a pressure fluid. 32. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the zone-separating means comprise a separating plate having a strip of synthetic material and a sealing layer attached to the strip. 33. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that a filter means assigned to a filter cell comprises a supporting frame, preferably a supporting frame of synthetic material, sealed off on its periphery against a cell-enclosing wall, for a filter fabric, screen or the like, where a sealing ring used for sealing sealingly fills up the interspace between a peripheral surface of the supporting frame and the cell-enclosing wall to approximately the level of a filter-side face of the supporting frame on the periphery. 34. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter fabric is a metal wire fabric, which is welded to a supporting frame. 35. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter housing, for at least partial freeing of the filter rotor is displaceable relative to the filter rotor in the direction of the axis of rotation. 36. Rotating filter system according to claim 35, characterized in that the filter housing is carried displaceable on a stationary displacing frame. 37. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that cleaning nozzles, which are connected to a cleaning fluid supply, are provided in the region of functional parts requiring cleaning. 38. Rotating filter system according to claim 1, characterized in that a filter cake ejection zone is provided in the lowest region of the housing casing. 39. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an inter-space between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized in that the gear unit comprises at least one planetary gear stage and in that the gear output member is a part of the planetary gear stage. 40. Rotating filter system comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace undivided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized in that the rotor bearing has at least one rolling bearing or at least one group of rolling bearings. 41. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing, and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized in that the rotor bearing is limited to the end region of the filter housing near the drive unit. 42. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing, and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized in that the rotating connection assembly is located in the direction of the rotor axis between the filter housing and the drive member bearing. 43. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of belong driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized in that the filter housing support, at least in one end region of the filter housing comprises a plurality of bearing points distributed approximately uniformly around the periphery of the filter housing. 44. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized in that a supporting column or a supporting beam is provided for the filter housing at each of two bearing polentas spaced apart along a horizontal diametral line D. 45. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing, and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis characterized in that the interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit is capable of being sealed off in the vicinity of at least one axial end of these units by a sealing assembly, which is capable of being brought by a torus inflatable by means of pressure fluid into sealing contact with a sealing surface, of at least one of the two units. 46. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing, and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized in that a filter means assigned to a filter cell comprises a supporting frame, preferably a supporting frame of synthetic material, sealed off at its periphery against a cell-enclosing wall for a filter fabric, screen or the like, where a sealing ring used for sealingly sealing fills up the interspace between a peripheral surface of the supporting frame and the cell-enclosing wall to approximately the level of a filter material-side face of the supporting frame near the periphery. 47. Rotating filter system according to claim 45, characterized in that the filter housing, for at least partial freeing of the filter rotor is displaceable relative to the filter rotor in the direction of the axis of rotation. 48. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing, and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized in that a filter cake ejection zone is provided in the lowest region of the housing casing. 49. Rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing having a housing casing unit, a filter rotor with a rotor casing unit accommodated within the filter housing, and capable of rotating about a rotor axis, an interspace between the rotor casing unit and the housing casing unit, where the rotor casing unit has a plurality of filter cells or filter cell groups following one another in the peripheral direction, where additionally in separate filter cells a supply space opening toward the interspace is in each instance separated by a filter means from a discharge line system rotating with the filter rotor, to which in turn a stationary discharge line system is connected downstream via a rotating connection assembly, where additionally the interspace is divided by zone-separating means into a plurality of interspace zones following one another in the peripheral direction, which upon rotation of the filter rotor successively come into communication with separate filter cells or filter cell groups and at least some are in communication with a stationary supply line system, so that at least one stationary supply line of the stationary supply line system, via an associated stationary interspace zone and in each instance at least one of the filter cells or filter cell groups successively traveling past this interspace zone and rotating discharge lines of the rotating discharge line system in each instance assigned to the individual filter cells or filter cell groups is in communication with a stationary discharge line of the stationary discharge line system assigned to this stationary supply line, where additionally the filter rotor is supported by a rotor bearing and this rotor bearing is supported stationary by a rotor bearing element, where additionally the filter rotor is capable of being driven by a drive motor via a gear unit, which has an output member located substantially coaxial with the filter rotor and connected with the filter rotor for common rotation about the rotor axis, characterized in that cleaning nozzles, which are connected to a cleaning fluid supply, are provided in the region of functional parts requiring cleaning. |
Method for gene mapping from chromosome and phenotype data |
The present invention relates to a method for gene mapping from chromosome and phenotype data, which utilizes linkage disequilibrium between genetic markers mi, which are polymorphic nucleic acid or protein sequences or strings of single-nucleotide polymorphisms deriving from a chromosomal region. The method according to the invention is based on discovering and assessing tree-like patterns in genetic marker data. It extracts, essentially in the form of substrings and prefix trees, information about the historical recombinations in the population. This infor-mation is used to locate fragments potentially inherited from a common diseased founder, and to map the disease gene into the most likely such fragment. The method measures for each chromosomal location the disequilibrium of the prefix tree of marker strings starting from the location, to assess the distribution of disease-associated chromosomes. |
1. A method for gene mapping to discover a gene or DNA region affecting a certain trait using chromosome and phenotype data, which method utilizes linkage disequilibrium between genetic markers mi, which are polymorphic nucleic acid or protein sequences or strings of single-nucleotide polymorphisms deriving from a chromosomal region, which method comprises following steps: i) identifying a prefix tree T based on the observed haplotypes at a number of locations of a chromosome, ii) evaluating each prefix tree T by its genetic and statistical feasibility, assuming that the gene was close to the root of the tree, and thus determining a score for each prefix tree T, iii) predicting the area for the location of the gene as a function of the score determined in the step (ii). 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step (i) the prefix tree T is build between each pair of consecutive markers. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the prefix tree T is build using a string-sorting algorithm. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the prefix tree T is evaluated by tree disequilibrium test testing the alternative hypothesis The distribution of the disease-association statuses deviates in some subtrees of T from the overall distribution of statuses against the null hypothesis The disease-association statuses are randomly distributed in the leaves of T. 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein for measuring the disequilibrium of a tree a test statistic Zk for a tree with k deviant subtrees T1, . . . , Tk is calculated by the following formula: Z k = ∑ i = 1 k a i - n i p n i p ( 1 - p ) , where ai is the number of disease-associated haplotypes and ni the total number of haplotypes in subtree TiεS, S being the given subtree set, and p is the proportion of disease-associated haplotypes in the sample. 6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the following algorithm is used: Input: A haplotype prefix tree T Output: Maximum values of Zk in the tree T for each k Call Maximize(T) Maximize(T): If T is not a leaf: 1. For each immediate subtree Ti of T: Recursively call Maximize(Ti). 2. For each k: calculate the maximum value ZMAX, k(T) for Zk(S,T) over all S that can be obtained by combining subtree sets from each subtree Ti of T. 3. Calculate Z1 for T. If Z1>ZMAX, 1(T) then set ZMAX, 1(T): =Z1. If T is a leaf, then set ZMAX, 1(T): =0. 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein step 2 is further refined as follows: 2.1 Set Yk: =0 and ZMAX, k(T): =0 for all k, 1≦k≦n, where n is the number of leaves in T. 2.2 For each subtree T′ of T: 2.2.1 For each pair (i,j), 1≦i≦p and 1≦j≦q, where p is the number of leaves in T′ and q is the total number of leaves in all the subtrees processed prior to T′: If ZMAX, i(T)+Yj>ZMAX, i+j(T), then set ZMAX, i+j(T): =ZMAX, i(T′)+Yj. 2.2.2 For each k, 1≦k≦p: If ZMAX, k(T)>ZMAX, k(T), then set ZMAX, k(T): =ZMAX, k(T′). 2.2.3 For each k, 1≦k≦p+q: If ZMAX, k(T)>Yk(T), then set Yk(T): =ZMAX, k(T) 8. A method according to any of claims 4 to 7 wherein the significance of the disequilibrium at a given location is tested by multiple nested permutation test. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the permutation test comprises following steps: finding for each k the set S of subtrees that maximizes Zk and estimating the p value for each maximized Zk estimating a new p value for a combination of the information from the prefix tree T to the left and to the right of the location, combined measure being the product of the lowest p value over all k, and ranking locations by the new p values, obtaining the point prediction for the gene location by taking the best location from the p value ranked list of locations and obtaining a single corrected p value for the best finding with a test using the lowest local p value as the test statistic. 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the following algorithm is used: 1. Compute ZMAX, k(T)=max Zk(T,S) for each subtree count k and each coalescence tree T over all SεSubtreeSets(T). 2. Randomly generate n+1 permutations of disease-association statuses for the haplotypes and for each permutation i and (T,k): compute ZMAX, k(i,T)=max Zk(i,T,S) over all SεSubtreeSets(T). //Level 1 3. For each (T,k): 3.1 Calculate a p value p(T,k) by comparing ZMAX, k(T) to ZMAX, k(i,T), 1≦i≦n. 3.2 For each permutation i: calculate a p value p(i,T,k) by comparing ZMAX, k(i,T) to all ZMAX, k(j,T), j≠i. //Level 2 4. For each pair of opposed trees rooted at the same location t=(T1,T2): 4.1 Choose pMIN(t)=min p(T1,k1)p(T2,k2) over all k1, k2 4.2 For each permutation i: choose pMIN(i,t)=min p(i,T1,k1)p(i,T2,k2) over all k1, k2. 4.3 Calculate a p value p(t) by comparing pMIN(t) to pMIN(i,t), 1≦i≦n. 4.4 For each permutation i: calculate a p value p(i,t) by comparing pMIN(i,t) to all pMIN(j,t), j≠i. //Level 3 5. Choose pMIN=min p(i,t) over all t. 6. For each permutation i: choose pMIN(i)=min p(i,t) over all t. 7. Calculate the overall corrected p value by comparing pMIN to pMIN(i), 1≦i≦n. 11. A computer-readable data storage medium having computer-executable program code stored thereon operative to perform a method of any of preceding claims when executed on a computer. 12. A computer system programmed to perform the method of any of claims 1-10. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Gene mapping aims at discovering a statistical connection from a particular disease or trait to a narrow region in the genome probably containing a gene that affects the trait. In particular, the discovery of new disease susceptibility genes can have an immense importance for human health care. The gene and the proteins it produces can be analyzed to understand the disease causing mechanisms and to design new medicines. Further, gene tests on patients can be used to assess individual risks and for preventive and individually tailored medications. Obviously, gene mapping is receiving increasing interest among medical industry. Genetic markers along chromosomes provide data that can be used to discover associations between patient phenotypes (e.g., diseased vs. healthy) and chromosomal regions (i.e., potential disease gene loci). The growing number of available genetic markers, anticipated to reach hundreds of thousands in the next few years, offers new opportunities but also amplifies the computational complexity of the task. Human genome sequencing efforts, the first ones now almost complete, read the full human DNA sequence. There are methods for recognizing where there are genes in the sequence—the number of which is currently estimated to be around 30,000. However, we lack methods for deriving the function of a gene from the sequence information. Gene mapping approaches this problem for one disease at a time. It aims at discovering areas in the genome—hopefully small—that have a statistical connection to a given trait, thus narrowing down the area to be analyzed with expensive laboratory methods. A typical setting for gene mapping is a case-control study of some chromosome of diseased and healthy individuals. Instead of looking at the DNA of the whole chromosome, only certain marker segments distributed along the chromosome are considered. By the analysis of similarities within the disease-associated chromosomes on one hand and the differences between the disease-associated and control chromosomes on the other, one can try to locate likely areas for a gene that predisposes people to the disease analyzed. The overall goal of the method according to the invention is to locate a disease-susceptibility gene for a given disease. In gene mapping, the aim is to identify a narrow chromosomal region within which the gene is likely to be; this area can then be analyzed in more detail with laboratory tools. We next briefly review the genetic background; without loss of generality, we restrict the discussion in this paper to one chromosome. Marker Data A genetic marker is a short polymorphic region in the DNA, denoted here by M1, M2, . . . . The different variants of DNA that different people have at the marker are called alleles, denoted in our examples by 1, 2, 3, . . . . The number of alleles per marker is small: typically less than ten for microsatellite markers, and exactly two for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The collection of markers used in a particular study is its marker map, and the corresponding alleles in a given chromosome constitute its haplotype ( FIG. 1 ). It is a major task of a gene mapping study to design the marker map and to obtain the haplotype data. That is where we start, and for the purposes of this paper the input data consists of haplotypes of diseased and control persons—or, in computer science terms, aligned allele strings, classified to positive and negative examples. Linkage Disequilibrium All the current carriers of a disease-susceptibility gene have inherited it from a founder who introduced the gene mutation to the population. If there has been only one or few such founders, then many of the current carriers are related, may share some segments of the chromosome, and lend themselves to gene mapping studies. In particular, segments from the mutation carrying founder chromosomes are over-represented among the affected at mutation locus. Relatively young (e.g. 1000 years) population isolates are promising sources of data in this respect: disease-susceptibility genes may have been introduced by one or two founders only, and the gene may be over-represented in the population. Kainuu region in eastern Finland is an example of such a fruitful area for genetic studies. If there are conserved regions at the mutation locus, then it can be possible to observe linkage disequilibrium (LD), or non-random association between nearby markers ( FIG. 2 ). There are severe statistical problems, however, in observing LD. Mutation carriers often only have a higher risk of being diseased than non-carriers, and in a case-control study both groups can be mixes of carriers and non-carriers. Further on, since the selection of patients is more or less random, and the whole coalescence process leading to LD is stochastic, it is a challenge to recognize LD and the DS gene location from all the noise. Gene Mapping In diseases with a reasonable genetic contribution, and especially in population isolates, affected individuals are likely to have higher frequencies of certain alleles and haplotype patterns near the DS gene than control individuals. This is the starting point of LD-based mapping methods: where does the set of affected chromosomes show linkage disequilibrium? The problem is far from trivial, however. The coalescence process is stochastic; mutation carriers often only have a higher risk of being diseased than non-carriers, and in a case-control study both groups are usually mixes of carriers and non-carriers; and finally, there is missing information and haplotyping ambiguities. Most current gene mapping methods based on linkage disequilibrium look just at individual markers or neighboring markers, measure their association to the disease status, and predict the gene locus to be co-located with the strongest association. However, since different mutation carriers share different segments, there is no single marker or pattern that is representative of the shared segments. In the recent years, several statistical methods have been proposed to detect LD (Terwilliger 1995, Devlin et al. 1996, Lazzeroni 1998, Service et al. 1999, McPeek et al. 1999). The emphasis has been on fairly involved statistical models of LD around a DS gene. They model whole recombination histories and some are robust to high levels of heterogeneity. On the other hand, the models are based on a number of assumptions about the inheritance model of the disease and the structure of the population, which may be misleading for the statistical inference. The methods tend to be computationally heavy and therefore better suited for fine mapping than genome screening. Haplotype Pattern Mining or HPM (Toivonen et al. 2000a, Toivonen et al. 2000b) is based on analyzing the LD of sets of haplotype patterns, essentially strings with wildcard characters. The method first finds all haplotype patterns that are strongly associated with the disease status, using ideas similar to the discovery of association rules (Agrawal et al. 1993, Agrawal et al. 1996). Since the patterns may contain gaps they can account for some missing and erroneous data. In the second step, each marker is ranked by the number of patterns that contain it. Either this score is used as a basis for the prediction or, preferably, a permutation test is used to obtain marker-wise p values. HPM has been extended for detecting multiple genes simultaneously (Toivonen et al. 2000b) and to handle quantitative phenotypes and covariates (Sevon et al. 2001). Nakaya et al (Nakaya et al. 2000) investigate the effect of multiple separate markers, each one thought to correspond to one gene, on quantitative phenotypes. Their work is a generalization of the LOD score to multiple loci, and it does not handle haplotype patterns. An alternative approach for LD-based mapping is linkage analysis. The idea is to analyze family trees, and to find out which markers tend to be inherited to offspring in conjunction with the disease. Linkage analysis does not rely on common founders, so in that respect it is more widely applicable than LD-based methods. The downside is that estimates are rough (due to the smaller effective number of meiosis sampled), and that collecting information from larger families is more difficult and expensive. Transmission/disequilibrium tests (TDT) (Spielman et al. 1993) are an established way of testing association and linkage in a sample where linkage disequilibrium exists between the mutation locus and nearby marker loci. TDT detects deviations between observed and expected counts for each allele transmitted from heterozygous parents to affected offspring. Single permutation tests have been used in mapping studies before (Churchill and Doerge 1994, Laitinen et al. 1997, Long and Langley 1999). However, if more complex data is to be analyzed, these single permutation tests are too expensive and computationally very ineffective and even inoperative. Genetic markers provide an economical, sparse view of chromosomes. Even sparsely located markers can be very informative: given an ancestor with a disease gene, the descendants that inherit the gene are also likely to inherit a string of alleles of nearby markers. The exact probability of inheriting any combination of markers depends on the gene location with respect to the markers, the population history or the coalescence history, and marker mutations; all of these are unknown. There is a continuous need for more effective gene mapping methods. The object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for gene mapping from chromosome and phenotype data. The method according to the invention considers the recombination histories—sort of family trees—that are likely to have caused the observed trees of patterns. The disease susceptibility (DS) gene is then predicted to be where the strongest genetic contribution is visible in the trees. The contributions of the method according to the invention are: (1) a novel approach to gene mapping using tree patterns, (2) an efficient algorithm for generating and testing tree patterns, (3) a method for the estimation of statistical significance of individual findings as well as the whole process, based on multiple permutations but carried out at the cost of a single permutation. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for gene mapping from chromosome and phenotype data, which utilizes linkage disequilibrium between genetic markers m i , which are polymorphic nucleic acid or protein sequences or strings of single-nucleotide polymorphisms deriving from a chromosomal region. The method of the invention comprises steps of i) identifying a prefix tree T based on the observed haplotypes at a number of locations of a chromosome, ii) evaluating each prefix tree T by its genetic and statistical feasibility, assuming that the gene was close to the root of the tree, and thus determining a score for each prefix tree T, iii) predicting the area for the location of the gene as a function of the score determined in the step (ii). The present invention is now explained in detail by referring to the attached figures and examples. These examples are only used to show some of the embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. |
Superabsorbent carboxyl-containing polymers with odor control properties and method for preparation |
A water-absorbent, water-insoluble polymer comprising silver cations that are neither ion exchanged in a zeolite nor bonded in a water-insoluble inorganic phosphate. |
1. A water-absorbent, water-insoluble polymer comprising silver cations that are neither ion exchanged in a zeolite nor bonded in a water-insoluble inorganic phosphate. 2. The polymer of claim 1 wherein the polymer is in the form of particles and is derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated carboxyl-containing monomers and optionally one or more comonomers copolymerizable with the carboxyl-containing monomer. 3. The polymer of claim 2 wherein the carboxyl-containing monomer is selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides, salts of unsaturated carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof; and the optional comonomer is selected from the group consisting of an acrylamide, a vinyl pyrrolidone, a vinyl sulphonic acid or a salt thereof, an acrylonitrile, a cellulosic monomer, a modified cellulosic monomer, a polyvinyl alcohol monomer and a starch hydrolyzate monomer. 4. The polymer of claim 2 wherein the amount of silver cations is from 1 to 10,000 ppm, based on the weight of dry polymer. 5. A process for the preparation of a water-absorbent, water-insoluble polymer, the process comprising: (I) polymerizing a polymerization mixture comprising: (a) one or more ethylenically unsaturated carboxyl-containing monomers, (b) one or more crosslinking agents, (c) optionally one or more comonomers copolymerizable with the carboxyl-containing monomer, and (d) a polymerization medium, to form a crosslinked hydrogel, (II) comminuting the hydrogel to particles, and (III) drying the hydrogel, wherein a solution of a silver salt is added in at least one of the following steps: (i) to the monomer mixture prior to the beginning of the polymerization or to the reaction mixture during polymerization, or (ii) to the crosslinked hydrogel prior to or after comminution in step (II), or (iii) to the dried polymer particles after step (III). 6. The process of claim 5 wherein the silver salt solution is added to the dried polymer particles after step (III). 7. The process of claim 5 wherein the silver salt is selected from the group consisting of silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver benzoate, silver bromate, silver chlorate, silver lactate, silver molybdate, silver nitrite, silver(I) oxide, silver perchlorate, silver permanganate, silver selenate, silver selenite, silver sulfadiazine, silver sulfate, and mixtures thereof. 8. The process of claim 5 wherein the silver salt is added in an amount providing 1 to 10,000 ppm silver cations, based on weight of dry polymer. 9. The process of claim 5 further comprising step (IV) wherein the dried polymer particles from step (III) are heated to a temperature of from 170 to 250° C. for from 1 to 60 minutes prior to or after addition of the silver salt. 10. The process of claim 5 wherein the solution of the silver salt is an aqueous solution. 11. The process of claim 10 wherein the aqueous solution of the silver salt additionally comprises a polyether polyol. 12. The process of claim 6 wherein the dried polymer particles from step (III) are treated with an aqueous solution of aluminum sulfate prior to, simultaneously with or after the addition of the silver salt solution. 13. The process of claim 6 wherein fumed silica is mixed with the dried polymer particles from step (III) prior to or simultaneously with the addition of the silver salt solution. 14. The process of claim 13 wherein the fumed silica is employed as an aqueous dispersion. 15. The process of claim 6 further comprising addition of an additive selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, chlorophyllin, chelating agents, soda, sodium bicarbonate, copper sulfate, copper acetate, zinc sulfate, silicates, fumed silica, silica, clay, cyclodextrin, citric acid, chitosan, ion exchange resin particles, zeolites or combinations thereof, prior to, simultaneously with or after the addition of the silver salt solution. 16. The water-absorbent, water insoluble polymer prepared by the process of claim 5. 17. An absorbent structure comprising water-absorbent polymer of claims 1 or 16 and at least one of a woven or nonwoven structure of paper, synthetic fibers, natural fibers, or a combination of these. 18. An absorbent structure comprising silver ions and at least one of a woven or nonwoven structure of paper, synthetic fibers, natural fibers, or a combination of these. 19. A process for the preparation of a water-absorbent, water-insoluble polymer, the process comprising: (I) polymerizing a polymerization mixture comprising: (a) one or more ethylenically unsaturated carboxyl-containing monomers, (b) one or more crosslinking agents, (c) optionally one or more comonomers copolymerizable with the carboxyl-containing monomer, and (d) a polymerization medium, to form a crosslinked hydrogel, (II) comminuting the hydrogel to particles, and (III) drying the hydrogel, wherein from 100 to 1,000 ppm of a silver salt are added to the process such that there is formed a polymer comprising silver cations. |
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