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Computers, such as personal computers, typically comprise a central processing unit (CPU), monitor, and various peripheral devices including a keyboard. In a typical installation, the monitor is placed on a desk or other elevated work surface and the keyboard and other peripheral devices are arranged around the monitor within hand's reach of the user. Often, the keyboard and other devices are placed on the user's desk or work surface and accordingly take up space thereon even when not in use. This arrangement limits the user's useful work area.
One approach to solving the above problem has been to position the keyboard on a tray which is stowed beneath the work surface when the keyboard is not in use. Such devices are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,237 to Stadtmauer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,867 to Cotterill, U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,367 to Musculus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,525 to Drabczyk et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,667 to Copeland et al. One drawback with the above-described approach is that the tray and keyboard may interfere with the user's leg room when they are stowed beneath the work surface. Another problem is that the tray may extend away from the work surface when the keyboard is in use, forcing the user to move away from the work surface and making other peripheral devices difficult to reach. Yet another problem is that the tray may have only a limited amount of motion beyond the motion required to move the tray horizontally toward and away from the working surface. Accordingly, it may be difficult for the user to move the tray to a comfortable position. This is particularly so where the user may wish to access the tray and keyboard from a sitting position on some occasions and from a standing position on other occasions. Still a further problem is that the cables necessary to couple the keyboard to the CPU may interfere with the motion of the tray.
One approach to solving the above problems has been to place the keyboard on a tray which slides inwardly and outwardly from a housing which is mounted beneath the monitor but above the work surface, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,259 to Bartok. The device disclosed by Bartok may accordingly reduce the degree to which the tray interferes with the user's leg room. However, the Bartok device may still suffer from the additional drawbacks discussed above with reference to keyboard trays mounted beneath the working surface. Furthermore, the housing disclosed by Bartok is sized to accommodate both the keyboard and tray therein, and may accordingly raise the height of the monitor to an undesirable level. | {
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The present invention relates to novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, methods for preparing the compounds and their use as medicaments. More specifically, compounds of the invention can be utilized in the treatment of conditions mediated by nuclear receptors, in particular the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR). The present compounds reduce blood glucose and triglyceride levels and are accordingly useful for the treatment of ailments and disorders such as diabetes and obesity.
The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the above said novel compounds, their derivatives, their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
The compounds are useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes), impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, disorders related to Syndrome X such as hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular disorders. The compounds of the present invention are also useful for the treatment of certain renal diseases including glomerulonephritis, glomerulosclerosis, nephrotic syndrome, hypertensive nephrosclerosis. These compounds may also be useful for improving cognitive functions in dementia, treating diabetic complications, psoriasis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and prevention and treatment of bone loss, e.g. osteoporosis.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of death in type 2 diabetic and metabolic syndrome patients (i.e. patients that fall within the xe2x80x98deadly quartetxe2x80x99 category of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and/or obesity).
The hypolipidemic fibrates and antidiabetic thiazolidinediones separately display moderately effective triglyceride-lowering activities although they are neither potent nor efficacious enough to be a single therapy of choice for the dyslipidemia often observed in type 2 diabetic or metabolic syndrome patients. The thiazolidinediones also potently lower circulating glucose levels of type 2 diabetic animal models and humans. However, the fibrate class of compounds are without beneficial effects on glycemia. Studies on the molecular actions of these compounds indicate that thiazolidinediones and fibrates exert their action by activating distinct transcription factors of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) family, resulting in increased and decreased expression of specific enzymes and apolipoproteins respectively, both key-players in regulation of plasma triglyceride content. Fibrates, on the one hand, are PPARxcex1 activators, acting primarily in the liver. Thiazolidinediones, on the other hand, are high affinity ligands for PPARxcex3 acting primarily on adipose tissue.
Adipose tissue plays a central role in lipid homeostasis and the maintenance of energy balance in vertebrates. Adipocytes store energy in the form of triglycerides during periods of nutritional affluence and release it in the form of free fatty acids at times of nutritional deprivation. The development of white adipose tissue is the result of a continuous differentiation process throughout life. Much evidence points to the central role of PPARxcex3 activation in initiating and regulating this cell differentiation. Several highly specialised proteins are induced during adipocyte differentiation, most of them being involved, in lipid storage and metabolism. The exact link from activation of PPARxcex3 to changes in glucose metabolism, most notably a decrease in insulin resistance in muscle, has not yet been clarified. A possible link is via free fatty acids such that activation of PPARxcex3 induces Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), Fatty Acid Transport Protein (FATP) and Acyl-CoA Synthetase (ACS) in adipose tissue but not in muscle tissue. This, in turn, reduces the concentration of free fatty acids in plasma dramatically, and due to substrate competition at the cellular level, skeletal muscle and other tissues with high metabolic rates eventually switch from fatty acid oxidation to glucose oxidation with decreased insulin resistance as a consequence.
PPARxcex1 is involved in stimulating xcex2-oxidation of fatty acids. In rodents, a PPARxcex1-mediated change in the expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism lies at the basis of the phenomenon of peroxisome proliferation, a pleiotropic cellular response, mainly limited to liver and kidney and which can lead to hepatocarcinogenesis in rodents. The phenomenon of peroxisome proliferation is not seen in man. In addition to its role in peroxisome proliferation in rodents, PPARxcex1 is also involved in the control of HDL cholesterol levels in rodents and humans. This effect is, at least partially, based on a PPARxcex1-mediated transcriptional regulation of the major HDL apolipoproteins, apo A-I and apo A-II. The hypotriglyceridemic action of fibrates and fatty acids also involves PPARxcex1 and can be summarised as follows: (I) an increased lipolysis and clearance of remnant particles, due to changes in lipoprotein lipase and apo C-III levels, (II) a stimulation of cellular fatty acid uptake and their subsequent conversion to acyl-CoA derivatives by the induction of fatty acid binding protein and acyl-CoA synthase, (III) an induction of fatty acid b-oxidation pathways, (IV) a reduction in fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis, and finally (V) a decrease in VLDL production. Hence, both enhanced catabolism of triglyceride-rich particles as well as reduced secretion of VLDL particles constitutes mechanisms that contribute to the hypolipidemic effect of fibrates.
A number of compounds have been reported to be useful in the treatment of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia (U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,726, PCT Publications nos. WO 91/19702, WO 95/03038, WO 96/04260, WO 94/13650, WO 94/01420, WO 97/36579, WO 97/25042, WO 95/17394, WO 99108501, WO 99/19313 and WO 99/16758).
It seems more and more apparent that glucose lowering as a single approach does not overcome the macrovascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Novel treatments of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome must therefore aim at lowering both the overt hypertriglyceridaemia associated with these syndromes as well as alleviation of hyperglycemia.
The clinical activity of fibrates and thiazolidinediones indicates that research for compounds displaying combined PPARxcex1 and PPARxcex3 activation should lead to the discovery of efficacious glucose and triglyceride lowering drugs that have great potential in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome (i.e. impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and/or obesity).
Accordingly, the present invention relates to compounds of formula (Ia):
wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently of each other represent hydrogen, halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, formyl, or C1-12alkyl, C4-12-alkenynyl, C2-12-alkenyl, C2-12-alkynyl, C1-12alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaralkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, hydroxyC1-12alkyl, amino, acylamino, C1-12alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, aminoC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, C1-12alkoxyC1-12alkyl, aryloxyC1-12alkyl, aralkoxyC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkylthio, thioC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aralkoxycarbonylamino, xe2x80x94COR11, or xe2x80x94SO2R12, wherein R11 and R12 independently of each other are selected from hydroxy, halogen, perhalomethyl, C1-6alkoxy or amino optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl, perhalomethyl or aryl; optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro or cyano;
or R1 and R2, R2 and R3 and/or R3 and R4 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a cyclic ring containing from 5 to 7 carbon atoms optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl;
ring A represents a 5-6 membered cyclic ring, optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, formyl, or C1-12alkyl, C4-12-alkenynyl, C2-12-alkenyl, C2-12-alkynyl, C1-12alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaralkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, hydroxyC1-12alkyl, amino, acylamino, C1-12alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, aminoC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, C1-12alkoxyC1-12alkyl, aryloxyC1-12alkyl, aralkoxyC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkylthio, thioC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aralkoxycarbonylamino, xe2x80x94COR11, or xe2x80x94SO2R12, wherein R11 and R12 independently of each other are selected from hydroxy, halogen, perhalomethyl, C1-6alkoxy or amino optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl, perhalomethyl or aryl; optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro or cyano;
X is a valence bond, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(Cxe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94S(O2)xe2x80x94, (NR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90(CR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CO)xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94(SO)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(SO)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(SO2)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94(SO2)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, wherein R9 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, formyl, C1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaralkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, C1-12alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, aminoC1-12alkyl, C1-12-alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, C1-12alkoxyC1-12alkyl, aryloxyC1-12alkyl, aralkoxyC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkylthio, thioC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aralkoxycarbonylamino, xe2x80x94COR13, or xe2x80x94SO2R14, wherein R13 and R14 independently of each other are selected from hydroxy, halogen, C1-6alkoxy, amino optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl, perhalomethyl or aryl;
Z is xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, greater than SO2, greater than NR15, wherein R15 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, formyl, C1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaralkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, C1-12alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, aminoC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, C1-12alkoxyC1-12alkyl, aryloxyC1-12alkyl, aralkoxyC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkylthio, thioC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aralkoxycarbonylamino, xe2x80x94COR16, or xe2x80x94SO2R17, wherein R16 and R17 independently of each other are selected from hydroxy, halogen, C1-6alkoxy, amino optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl, perhalomethyl or aryl;
Q is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, greater than NR18 wherein R13 is hydrogen or C1-6alkyl;
Ar represents arylene, heteroarylene, or a divalent heterocyclic group optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl or aryl;
R5 represents hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, C1-12alkoxy, C1-12alkyl, C4-12-alkenynyl, C2-12-alkenyl, C2-12-alkynyl or aralkyl; optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro or cyano; or R5 forms a bond together with R6;
R6 represents hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, C1-12alkoxy, C1-12alkyl, C4-12-alkenynyl, C2-12-alkenyl, C2-12alkynyl, acyl or aralkyl; optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro or cyano; or R6 forms a bond together with R5;
R7 represents hydrogen, C1-12alkyl, C4-12-alkenynyl, C2-12-alkenyl, C2-12alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, C1-12alkoxyC1-12alkyl, C1-12alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, C1-12alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, acyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl groups; optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro or cyano;
R8 represents hydrogen, C1-12alkyl, C4-12-alkenynyl, C2-12-alkenyl, C2-12alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl groups; optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro or cyano;
Y represents oxygen, sulphur or NR10, where R10 represents hydrogen, C1-12alkyl, aryl, hydroxyC1-12alkyl or aralkyl groups or when Y is NR10, R8 and R10 may form a 5 or 6 membered nitrogen containing ring, optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl;
n is an integer ranging from 1 to 4;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently of each other represent hydrogen, halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, cyano, or C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, C1-7-alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaralkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, hydroxyC1-7alkyl, amino, acylamino, C1-7alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, aminoC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, C1-7alkoxyC1-7alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl, aralkoxyC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkylthio, thioC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aralkoxycarbonylamino, xe2x80x94COR11, or xe2x80x94SO2R12, wherein R11 and R12 independently of each other are selected from hydroxy, perhalomethyl, C1-6alkoxy or amino optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl, perhalomethyl or acyl; optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro or cyano; or R1 and R2, R2 and R3 and/or R3 and R4 may form a cyclic ring containing from 5 to 7 carbon atoms optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently of each other represent hydrogen, halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, cyano, or C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, C1-7alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaralkoxy, acyl, hydroxyC1-7alkyl, amino, acylamino, C1-7alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, aminoC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxyC1-7alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl, aralkoxyC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkylthio, thioC1-7alkyl, C4-7alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino or aralkoxycarbonylamino.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently of each other represent hydrogen, halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, cyano, or C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, C1-7alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, acyl, hydroxyC1-7alkyl, amino, C1-7alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, C1-7alkoxyC1-7alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl, aralkoxyC1-7alky or C1-7alkylthio.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently of each other represent hydrogen, halogen, perhalomethyl, or C1-7-alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, hydroxyC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxyC1-7alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl or aralkoxyC1-7alkyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently of each other represent hydrogen, halogen or C1-7alkyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently of each other represent hydrogen, chlorine or methyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein ring A represents a 5-6 membered cyclic ring, optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, cyano or C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, C1-7alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaralkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, hydroxyC1-7alkyl, amino, acylamino, C1-7alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, aminoC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxyC1-7alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl, aralkoxyC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkylthio, thioC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aralkoxycarbonylamino, xe2x80x94COR11, or xe2x80x94SO2R12, wherein R11 and R12 independently of each other are selected from hydroxy, perhalomethyl, C1-6alkoxy or amino optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl, perhalomethyl or aryl; optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy or cyano.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein ring A represents a 5-6 membered cyclic ring, optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, cyano, or C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, C1-7alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaralkoxy, acyl, hydroxyC1-7alkyl, amino, acylamino, C1-7alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, aminoC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxyC1-7alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl, aralkoxyC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkylthio, thioC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino or aralkoxycarbonylamino.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein ring A represents a 5-6 membered cyclic ring, optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, cyano, or C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, C1-7alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, acyl, hydroxyC1-7alkyl, amino, C1-7alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, C1-7alkoxyC1-7alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl, aralkoxyC1-7alkyl or C1-7alkylthio.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein ring A represents a 5-6 membered cyclic ring, optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl or C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, C1-7alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, hydroxyC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxyC1-7alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl or aralkoxyC1-7alkyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein ring A represents a 5-6 membered cyclic ring, optionally substituted with one or more chlorine or methyl groups.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is a valence bond, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(Cxe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94S(O2)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90(CR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CO)xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94(SO)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(SO)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(SO2)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94(SO2)xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, wherein R9 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, C1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaralkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, C1-7alkyl-amino, arylamino, aralkylamino, aminoC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxyC1-12alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl, aralkoxyC1-7alkyl, C1-12alkylthio, thioC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino or aralkoxycarbonylamino.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is a valence bond, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(Cxe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94S(O2)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90(CR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CO)xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94(SO)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(SO)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(SO2)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94(SO2)xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, wherein R9 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, C1-7alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, C1-7alkoxyC1-12alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl or aralkoxyC1-7alkyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is a valence bond, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CH R9)xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(Cxe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94S(O2)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90(CR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CO)xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94(SO)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(SO)xe2x80x94xe2x80x94(SO2)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94(SO2)xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, wherein R9 is hydrogen.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is a valence bond, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(SO)xe2x80x94or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, wherein R9 is hydrogen.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is a valence bond, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(NR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, wherein R9 is hydrogen.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is a valence bond, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, wherein R9 is hydrogen.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Z is xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, greater than NR15, wherein R15 is hydrogen, C1-12alkyl, C1-7alkoxy, aralkyl, aralkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, aminoC1-7alkyl, C1-12alkoxyC1-7alkyl, aryloxyC1-7alkyl or aralkoxyC1-7alkyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Z is xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94 or greater than NR15, wherein R15 is hydrogen.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Z is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Q is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94 or greater than NR18 wherein R18 is hydrogen or methyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Q is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or greater than NR18 wherein R18 is methyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Ar represents arylene optionally substituted with one or more C1-6alkyl or aryl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Ar represents phenyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R5 represents hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, C1-7alkoxy, C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl or aralkyl, or R5 forms a bond together with R6.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R5 represents hydrogen or R5 forms a bond together with R6.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R5 represents hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, C1-7alkoxy, C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl or aralkyl, or R5 forms a bond together with R6.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R5 represents hydrogen or R5 forms a bond together with R6.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R7 represents hydrogen, C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, C1-7alkoxyC1-7alkyl, C1-7alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, C1-7alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, acyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl groups.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R7 represents hydrogen, C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl or C2-7-alkynyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R7 represents C1-2alkyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R8 represents hydrogen, C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl groups; optionally substituted with one or more halogen, perhalomethyl, hydroxy, nitro or cyano.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R8 represents hydrogen, C1-7alkyl, C4-7-alkenynyl, C2-7-alkenyl, C2-7-alkynyl, aryl or aralkyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R8 represents hydrogen or C1-2alkyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Y represents oxygen, sulphur or NR10, where R10 represents hydrogen, C1-7alkyl, aryl, hydroxyC1-7alkyl or aralkyl groups.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Y represents oxygen.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein n is an integer ranging from 2 to 3.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein A is benzo.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein A is a five membered ring containing S.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is xe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, wherein R9 is H.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, wherein R9 is H.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94(CHR9)xe2x80x94, wherein R9 is H.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein X is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Q is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Q is xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Q is greater than NR18, wherein R18 is C1-6-alkyl, preferably methyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Z is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein n is 2.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Q is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein Ar is phenylene.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R5 is H.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R6 is H.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R7 is ethyl.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula I wherein R8 is H.
Preferred compounds of the invention are:
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[and]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-propyl-5H-dibenzo[aid]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxyl-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy-ethoxy]-phenyl-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-6H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-propyl-5/-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro -5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl -amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester, -yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro -5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[3-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo [a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dimethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dipropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dibenzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-benzyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-methyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-propyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-butyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[7-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-benzyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-propyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-benxyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-methyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-propyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-butyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[8-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro -5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(3-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,8-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[2,7-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro -5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dipropyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Dibenzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[3,7-Diphenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-benzyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-methyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-propyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-butyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(7-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-ethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-benzyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-propyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-phenyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-benzyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-methyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-ethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-propyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-butyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
2-Methoxy-3-(4-[2-[methyl-(8-phenylethyl-2-phenylethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-amino]-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-[5H-Dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-(6,11-Dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-(6,11-Dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-(6,11-Dihydrodibenzo[b,e]oxepin-11-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-(2,10-Dichloro-12H-5,7-dioxa-dibenzo[a,d]cycloocten-12-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-(2,10-Dichloro-12H-5,7-dioxa-dibenzo[a,d]cycloocten-12-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
2Ethoxy-3(4-[2-(2-methyl-9,10-dihydro-4H-1-oxa-3-aza-benzo[f]azulen-4-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propanoic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-[2-([10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl]-methyl-amino)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic acid ethyl ester,
3-(4-[2-([10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl]-methyl-amino)-ethoxy]-phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic acid,
3-{4-[2-(6,11-Dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]oxepin-11-ylsulfanyl)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-{4-[2-(5-methyl-6-oxo-6,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,e]azepin-11-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-propionic acid,
3-{4-[2-(4,9-Dihydro-1,10-dithia-benzo[f]azulen-4-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-2-ethoxy-propionic acid, or
3-{4-[2-(12H-5,7-Dioxa-dibenzo[a,d]cycloocten-12-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-2-ethoxy-propionic acid;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Further preferred compounds of the invention are:
3-{4-[2-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-{4-[2-(6,11-Dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]oxepin-11-ylsulfanyl)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
3-(4-{2-[(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-methyl-amino]-ethoxy}-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propionic acid,
2-Ethoxy-3-{4-[2-(5-methyl-6-oxo-6,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,e]azepin-11-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-propionic acid,
3-{4-[2-(4,9-Dihydro-1,10-dithia-benzo[f]azulen-4-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-2-ethoxy-propionic acid, and
3-{4-[2-(12H-5,7-Dioxa-dibenzo[a,d]cycloocten-12-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-2-ethoxy-propionic acid;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In the above structural formulas and throughout the present specification, the following terms have the indicated meaning:
The term xe2x80x9cC1-12-alkylxe2x80x9d as used herein, in alone or in combination, refers to a straight or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having the indicated number of carbon atoms such as, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cC3-8-cycloalkylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a radical of a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon with the indicated number of carbon atoms such as, e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl.
The terms xe2x80x9cC2-nxe2x80x2-alkenylxe2x80x9d wherein nxe2x80x2 can be from 3 through 15, as used herein, represents an olefinically unsaturated branched or straight group having from 2 to the specified number of carbon atoms and at least one double bond. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited to, vinyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, allyl, iso-propenyl, 1,3-butadienyl, 1-butenyl, hexenyl, pentenyl, and the like.
The terms xe2x80x9cC2-nxe2x80x2-alkynylxe2x80x9d wherein nxe2x80x2 can be from 3 through 15, as used herein, represent an unsaturated branched or straight group having from 2 to the specified number of carbon atoms and at least one triple bond. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited to, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl and the like.
The terms xe2x80x9cC4-nxe2x80x2-alkenynylxe2x80x9d wherein nxe2x80x2 can be from 5 through 15, as used herein, represent an unsaturated branched or straight hydrocarbon group having from 4 to the specified number of carbon atoms and both at least one double bond and at least one triple bond. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited to, 1-penten-4-yne, 3-penten-1-yne, 1,3-hexadiene-5-yne and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-12-alkoxyxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination is intended to include those C1-12-alkyl groups of the designated length in either a linear or branched or cyclic configuration linked through an ether oxygen having its free valence bond from the ether oxygen. Examples of linear alkoxy groups are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentoxy and hexoxy. Examples of branched alkoxy are isoprpoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, isopentoxy and isohexoxy. Example of cyclic alkoxy are cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-alkoxycarbonyloxyxe2x80x9d is intended to include the above defined C1-6-alkoxy groups attached to a carbonyloxy moiety, eg. methoxycarbonyloxy, ethoxycarbonyloxy, etc.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cC4-12-(cycloalkylalkyl)xe2x80x9d represents a branched or straight alkyl group substituted at a carbon with a cycloalkyl group. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, 2-(cyclohexyl)ethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 3-(cyclopentyl)-1-propyl, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-12-alkylthioxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight or branched or cyclic monovalent substituent comprising a C1-12-alkyl group linked through a divalent sulfur atom having its free valence bond from the sulfur atom and having 1 to 12 carbon atoms e.g. methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, butylthio, pentylthio. Example of cyclic alkylthio are cyclopropylthio, cyclobutylthio, cyclopentylthio and cyclohexylthio.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-12alkylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight or branched or cyclic monovalent substituent comprising a C1-12-alkyl group linked through amino having a free valence bond from the nitrogen atom e.g. methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, butylamino, pentylamino. Example of cyclic alkylamino are cyclopropylamino, cyclobutylamino, cyclopentylamino and cyclohexylamino.
The term xe2x80x9chydroxyC1-12alkylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a C1-12alkyl as defined herein whereto is attached a hydroxy group, e.g. hydroxyethyl, 1-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxypropyl etc.
The term xe2x80x9carylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl as defined herein linked through amino having a free valence bond from the nitrogen atom e.g. phenylamino, naphthylamino, etc.
The term xe2x80x9caralkylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aralkyl as defined herein linked through amino having a free valence bond from the nitrogen atom e.g. benzylamino, phenethylamino, 3-phenylpropylamino, 1-naphtylmethylamino, 2-(1-naphtyl)ethylamino and the like.
The term xe2x80x9caminoC1-12alkylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a C1-12alkyl as defined herein whereto is attached an amino group, e.g. aminoethyl, 1-aminopropyl, 2-aminopropyl etc.
The term xe2x80x9caryloxycarbonylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryloxy as defined herein linked through a carbonyl having a free valence bond from the carbon atom, e.g. phenoxycarbonyl, 1-naphthyloxycarbonyl or 2-naphthyloxycarbonyl, etc.
The term xe2x80x9caralkoxycarbonylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aralkoxy as defined herein linked through a carbonyl having a free valence bond from the carbon atom, e.g. benzyloxycarbonyl, phenethoxycarbonyl, 3-phenylpropoxycarbonyl, 1-naphthylmethoxycarbonyl, 2-(1-naphtyl)ethoxycarbonyl, etc.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-12alkoxyC1-12alkylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a C1-12alkyl as defined herein whereto is attached a C1-12alkoxy as defined herein, e.g. methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, etc.
The term xe2x80x9caryloxyC1-12alkylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a C1-2alkyl as defined herein whereto is attached an aryloxy as defined herein, e.g. phenoxymethyl, phenoxydodecyl, 1-naphthyloxyethyl, 2-naphthyloxypropyl, etc.
The term xe2x80x9caralkoxyC1-12alkylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a C1-2alkyl as defined herein whereto is attached an aralkoxy as defined herein, e.g. benzyloxymethyl, phenethoxydodecyl, 3-phenylpropoxyethyl, 1-naphthylmethoxypropyl, 2-(1-naphtyl)ethoxymethyl, etc.
The term xe2x80x9cthioC1-12alkylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a C1-12alkyl as defined herein whereto is attached a group of formula xe2x80x94SRxe2x80x2xe2x80x3 wherein Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x3 is hydrogen, C1-6alkyl or aryl, e.g. thiomethyl, methylthiomethyl, phenylthioethyl, etc.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-12alkoxycarbonylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a C1-12alkoxycarbonyl as defined herein linked through amino having a free valence bond from the nitrogen atom e.g. methoxycarbonylamino, carbethoxyamino, propoxycarbonylamino, isopropoxycarbonylamino, n-butoxycarbonylamino, tert-butoxycarbonylamino, etc.
The term xe2x80x9caryloxycarbonylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryloxycarbonyl as defined herein linked through amino having a free valence bond from the nitrogen atom e.g. phenoxycarbonylamino, 1-naphthyloxycarbonylamino or 2-naphthyloxycarbonylamino, etc.
The term xe2x80x9caralkoxycarbonylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aralkoxycarbonyl as defined herein linked through amino having a free valence bond from the nitrogen atom e.g. benzyloxycarbonylamino, phenethoxycarbonylamino, 3-phenylpropoxycarbonylamino, 1-naphthylmethoxycarbonylamino, 2-(1-naphtyl)ethoxycarbonylamino, etc.
The term xe2x80x9carylxe2x80x9d is intended to include aromatic rings, such as carboxylic aromatic rings selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl, (1-naphtyl or 2-naphtyl) optionally substituted with halogen, amino, hydroxy, C1-6-alkyl or C1-6-alkoxy.
The term xe2x80x9carylenexe2x80x9d is intended to include divalent aromatic rings, such as carboxylic aromatic rings selected from the group consisting of phenylene, naphthylene, optionally substituted with halogen, amino, hydroxy, C1-6-alkyl or C1-6-alkoxy.
The term xe2x80x9chalogenxe2x80x9d means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
The term xe2x80x9cperhalomethylxe2x80x9d means trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, tribromomethyl or triiodomethyl.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-dialkylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to an amino group wherein the two hydrogen atoms independently are substituted with a straight or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having the indicated number of carbon atoms; such as dimethylamino, N-ethyl-N-methylamino, diethylamino, dipropylamino, N-(n-butyl)-N-methylamino, di(n-pentyl)amino, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cacylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a C1-6-alkyl group linked through a carbonyl group; such as e.g. acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, pivaloyl, valeryl, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cacyloxyxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to acyl as defined herein linked to an oxygen atom having its free valence bond from the oxygen atom e.g. acetyloxy, propionyloxy, butyryloxy, isobutyryloxy, pivaloyloxy, valeryloxy, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-12-alkoxycarbonylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a C1-12-alkoxy group linked through a carbonyl group; such as e.g. methoxycarbonyl, carbethoxy, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, n-butoxycarbonyl, sec-butoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, 3-methylbutoxycarbonyl, n-hexoxycarbonyl and the like.
The term xe2x80x9ca cyclic ring containing from 5 to 7 carbon atomsxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monocyclic saturated or unsaturated or aromatic system, wherein the ring may be cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl or cycloheptyl.
The term xe2x80x9cbicycloalkylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a bicyclic structure made of 6-12 carbon atoms such as e.g. 2-norbornyl, 7-norbornyl, 2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl and 9-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanyl.
The term xe2x80x9cheteroarylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a 5-6 membered monocyclic aromatic system or a 9-10 membered bicyclic aromatic system containing one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, e.g. furan, thiophene, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, triazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, isothiazole, isoxazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, indole, benzimidazole, benzofuran, pteridine and purine.
The term xe2x80x9cheteroarylenexe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a divalent group comprising a 5-6 membered monocyclic aromatic system or a 9-10 membered bicyclic aromatic system containing one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, e.g. furan, thiophene, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, triazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, isothiazole, isoxazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, indole, benzimidazole, benzofuran, pteridine and purine.
The term xe2x80x9cheteroaryloxyxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a heteroaryl as defined herein linked to an oxygen atom having its free valence bond from the oxygen atom e.g. pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, triazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, isothiazole, isoxazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, indole, benzimidazole, benzofuran, pteridine and purine linked to oxygen.
The term xe2x80x9caralkylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a straight or branched saturated carbon chair containing from 1 to 6 carbons substituted with an aromatic carbohydride; such as benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 1-naphtylmethyl, 2-(1-naphtyl)ethyl and the like.
The term xe2x80x9caryloxyxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to phenoxy, 1-naphthyloxy or 2-naphthyloxy.
The term xe2x80x9caralkoxyxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a C1-6-alkoxy group substituted with an aromatic carbohydride, such as benzyloxy, phenethoxy, 3-phenylpropoxy, 1-naphthylmethoxy, 2-(1-naphtyl)ethoxy and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cheteroaralkylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a straight or branched saturated carbon chain containing from 1 to 6 carbons substituted with a heteroaryl group; such as (2-furyl)methyl, (3-furyl)methyl, (2-thienyl)methyl, (3-thienyl)methyl, (2-pyridyl)methyl, 1-methyl-1-(2-pyrimidyl)ethyl and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cheteroaralkoxyxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a heteroaralkyl as defined herein linked to an oxygen atom having its free valence bond from the oxygen atom, e.g. (2-furyl)methyl, (3-furyl)methyl, (2-thienyl)methyl, (3-thienyl)methyl, (2-pyridyl)methyl, 1-methyl-1-(2-pyrimidyl)ethyl linked to oxygen.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-alkylsulfonylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a C1-6-alkyl group linked through a sulfonyl group such as e.g. methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, n-propylsulfonyl, isopropylsulfonyl, n-butylsulfonyl, sec-butylsulfonyl, isobutylsulfonyl, tert-butylsulfonyl, n-pentylsulfonyl, 2-methylbutylsulfonyl, 3-methylbutylsulfonyl, n-hexylsulfonyl, 4-methylpentylsulfonyl, neopentylsulfonyl, n-hexylsulfonyl and 2,2-dimethylpropylsulfonyl.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-monoalkylaminosulfonylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a C1-6-monoalkylamino group linked through a sulfonyl group such as e.g. methylaminosulfonyl, ethylaminosulfonyl, n-propylaminosulfonyl, isopropylaminosulfonyl, n-butylaminosulfonyl, sec-butylaminosulfonyl, isobutylaminosulfonyl, tert-butylaminosulfonyl, n-pentylaminosulfonyl, 2-methylbutylaminosulfonyl, 3-methylbutylaminosulfonyl, n-hexylaminosulfonyl, 4-methylpentylaminosulfonyl, neopentylaminosulfonyl, n-hexylaminosulfonyl and 2,2-dimethylpropylaminosulfonyl.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-dialkylaminosulfonylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a C1-6-dialkylamino group linked through a sulfonyl group such as dimethylaminosulfonyl, N-ethyl-N-methylaminosulfonyl, diethylaminosulfonyl, dipropylaminosulfonyl, N-(n-butyl)-N-methylaminosulfonyl, di(n-pentyl)aminosulfonyl, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-alkylsulfinylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a straight or branched C1-6-alkyl group linked through a sulfinyl group (xe2x80x94S(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94); such as e.g. methylsulfinyl, ethylsulfinyl, isopropylsulfinyl, butylsulfinyl, pentylsulfinyl, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cacylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to an amino group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted with an acyl group, such as e.g. acetamido, propionamido, isopropylcarbonylamino, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9c(C3-6-cycloalkyl)C1-6-alkylxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and being monosubstituted with a C3-6-cycloalkyl group, the cycloalkyl group optionally being mono- or polysubstituted with C1-6alkyl, halogen, hydroxy or C1-6alkoxy; such as e.g. cyclopropylmethyl, (1-methylcyclopropyl)methyl, 1-(cyclopropyl)ethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9carylthioxe2x80x9d as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group linked through a divalent sulfur atom having its free valence bond from the sulfur atom, the aryl group optionally being mono- or polysubstituted with C1-6-alkyl, halogen, hydroxy or C1-6-alkoxy; e.g. phenylthio, (4-methylphenyl)-thio, (2-chlorophenyl)thio, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9carylsulfinylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to an aryl group linked through a sulfinyl group (xe2x80x94S(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94), the aryl group optionally being mono- or polysubstituted with C1-6-alkyl, halogen, hydroxy or C1-6-alkoxy; such as e.g. phenylsulfinyl, (4-chlorophenyl)sulfinyl, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9carylsulfonylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to an aryl group linked through a sulfonyl group, the aryl group optionally being mono- or polysubstituted with C1-6-alkyl, halogen, hydroxy or C1-6-alkoxy; such as e.g. phenylsulfonyl, tosyl, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-monoalkylaminocarbonylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a C1-6-monoalkylamino group linked through a carbonyl group such as e.g. methylaminocarbonyl, ethylaminocarbonyl, n-propylaminocarbonyl, isopropylaminocarbonyl, n-butylaminocarbonyl, sec-butylaminocarbonyl, isobutylaminocarbonyl, tert-butylaminocarbonyl, n-pentylaminocarbonyl, 2-methylbutylaminocarbonyl, 3-methylbutylaminocarbonyl, n-hexylaminocarbonyl, 4-methylpentylaminocarbonyl, neopentylaminocarbonyl, n-hexylaminocarbonyl and 2-2-dimethylpropylaminocarbonyl.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-dialkylaminocarbonylxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a C1-6-dialkylamino group linked through a carbonyl group such as dimethylaminocarbonyl, N-ethyl-N-methylaminocarbonyl, diethylaminocarbonyl, dipropylaminocarbonyl, N-(n-butyl)-N-methylaminocarbonyl, di(n-pentyl)aminocarbonyl, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-monoalkylaminocarbonylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to an amino group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted with a C1-6-monoalkylaminocarbonyl group, e.g. methylaminocarbonylamino, ethylamino-carbonylamino, n-propylaminocarbonylamino, isopropylaminocarbonylamino, n-butylaminocarbonylamino, sec-butylaminocarbonylamino, isobutylaminocarbonylamino, tert-butylaminocarbonylamino, and 2-methylbutylaminocarbonylamino.
The term xe2x80x9cC1-6-dialkylaminocarbonylaminoxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to an amino group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted with a C1-6-dialkylaminocarbonyl group, such as dimethylaminocarbonylamino, N-ethyl-N-methylaminocarbonylamino, diethylaminocarbonylamino, dipropylaminocarbonylamino, N-(n-butyl)-N-methylaminocarbonylamino, di(n-pentyl)aminocarbonylamino, and the like.
As used herein, the phrase xe2x80x9ca 5-6 membered cyclic ringxe2x80x9d means an unsaturated or saturated or aromatic system consisting of one or more carbon atoms and optionally from one to four N, O or S atom(s) or a combination thereof. The phrase xe2x80x9ca 5-6 membered cyclic ringxe2x80x9d includes, but is not limited to, e.g. cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, cyclohexenyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, 1,4-dioxolanyl, 5-membered heterocycles having one hetero atom (e.g. thiophenes, pyrroles, furans); 5-membered heterocycles having two heteroatoms in 1,2 or 1,3 positions (e.g. oxazoles, pyrazoles, imidazoles, thiazoles, purines); 5-membered heterocycles having three heteroatoms (e.g. triazoles, thiadiazoles); 5-membered heterocycles having four heteroatoms; 6-membered heterocycles with one heteroatom (e.g. pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, phenanthridine, cyclohepta[b]pyridine); 6-membered heterocycles with two heteroatoms (e.g. pyridazines, cinnolines, phthalazines, pyrazines, pyrimidines, quinazolines, morpholines); 6-membered heterocycles with three heteroatoms (e.g. 1,3,5-triazine); and 6-membered heterocycles with four heteroatoms.
As used herein, the phrase xe2x80x9ca divalent heterocyclic groupxe2x80x9d means a divalent saturated or unsaturated system being monocyclic and containing one or more, such as from one to four carbon atom(s), and one to four N, O or S atom(s) or a combination thereof. The phrase a divalent heterocyclic group includes, but is not limited to, 5-membered heterocycles having one hetero atom (e.g. pyrrolidine, pyrroline); 5-membered heterocycles having two heteroatoms in 1,2 or 1,3 positions (e.g. pyrazoline, pyrazolidine, 1,2-oxathiolane, imidazolidine, imidazoline, 4-oxazolone); 5-membered heterocycles having three heteroatoms (e.g. tetrahydrofurazan); 5-membered heterocycles having four heteroatoms; 6-membered heterocycles with one heteroatom (e.g. piperidine); 6-membered heterocycles with two heteroatoms (e.g. piperazine, morpholine); 6-membered heterocycles with three heteroatoms; and 6-membered heterocycles with four heteroatoms.
As used herein, the phrase xe2x80x9ca 5-6 membered cyclic ringxe2x80x9d means an unsaturated or saturated or aromatic system containing one or more carbon atoms and optionally from one to four N, O or S atom(s) or a combination thereof. The phrase xe2x80x9ca 5-6 membered cyclic ringxe2x80x9d includes, but is not limited to, e.g. cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, cyclohexenyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, 1,4-dioxolanyl, 5-membered heterocycles having one hetero atom (e.g. thiophenes, pyrroles, furans); 5-membered heterocycles having two heteroatoms in 1,2 or 1,3 positions (e.g. oxazoles, pyrazoles, imidazoles, thiazoles, purines); 5-membered heterocycles having three heteroatoms (e.g. triazoles, thiadiazoles); 5-membered heterocycles having four heteroatoms; 6-membered heterocycles with one heteroatom (e.g. pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, phenanthridine, cyclohepta[b]pyridine); 6-membered heterocycles with two heteroatoms (e.g. pyridazines, cinnolines, phthalazines, pyrazines, pyrimidines, quinazolines, morpholines); 6-membered heterocycles with three heteroatoms (e.g. 1,3,5-triazine); and 6-membered heterocycles with four heteroatoms.
As used herein, the phrase xe2x80x9c5- or 6-membered nitrogen containing ringxe2x80x9d refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a monocyclic unsaturated or saturated or aromatic system containing one or more carbon, nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atoms or a combination thereof and having 5 or 6 members, e.g. pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl and 1,4-dioxolanyl.
Certain of the above defined terms may occur more than once in the above formula (Ia), and upon such occurrence each term shall be defined independently of the other.
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts forming part of this invention include salts of the carboxylic acid moiety such as alkali metal salts like Li, Na, and K salts, alkaline earth metal salts like Ca and Mg salts, salts of organic bases such as lysine, arginine, guanidine, diethanolamine, choline and the like, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts, aluminum salts. Salts may include acid addition salts where appropriate which are, sulphates, nitrates, phosphates, perchlorates, borates, hydrohalides, acetates, tartrates, maleates, citrates, succinates, palmoates, methanesuiplionates, benzoates, salicylates, hydroxynaphthoates, benzenesulfonates, ascorbates, glycerophosphates, ketoglutarates and the like. Pharmaceutically acceptable solvates may be hydrates or comprising other solvents of crystallization such as alcohols.
The pharmaceutically acceptable salts are prepared by reacting the compound of formula (Ia) with 1 to 4 equivalents of a base such as sodium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, sodium hydride, potassium t-butoxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and the like, in solvents like ether, THF, methanol, t-butanol, dioxane, isopropanol, ethanol etc. Mixture of solvents may be used. Organic bases like lysine, arginine, diethanolamine, choline, guandine and their derivatives etc. may also be used. Alternatively, acid addition salts wherever applicable are prepared by treatment with acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, p-toluenesulphonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, maleic acid salicylic acid, hydroxynaphthoic acid, ascorbic acid, palmitic acid, succinic acid, benzoic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, tartaric acid and the like in solvents like ethyl acetate, ether, alcohols, acetone, THF, dioxane etc. Mixture of solvents may also be used.
The stereoisomers of the compounds forming part of this invention may be prepared by using reactants in their single enantiomeric form in the process wherever possible or by conducting the reaction in the presence of reagents or catalysts in their single enantiomer form or by resolving the mixture of stereoisomers by conventional methods. Some of the preferred methods include use of microbial resolution, resolving the diastereomeric salts formed with chiral acids such as mandelic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, and the like wherever applicable or chiral bases such as brucine, cinchona alkaloids and their derivatives and the like. Commonly used methods are compiled by Jaques et al in xe2x80x9cEnantiomers, Racemates and Resolutionxe2x80x9d (Wiley Interscience, 1981). More specifically the compound of formula (Ia) may be converted to a 1:1 mixture of diastereomeric amides by treating with chiral amines, aminoacids, aminoalcohols derived from aminoacids; conventional reaction conditions may be employed to convert acid into an amide; the diastereomers may be separated either by fractional crystallization or chromatography and the stereoisomers of compound of formula (Ia) may be prepared by hydrolysing the pure diastereomeric amide.
Various polymorphs of compounds of formula (Ia) forming part of this invention may be prepared by crystallization of compounds of formula (Ia) under different conditions. For example, using different solvents commonly used or their mixtures for recrystallization; crystallizations at different temperatures; various modes of cooling, ranging from very fast to very slow cooling during crystallizations. Polymorphs may also be obtained by heating or melting the compound followed by gradual or fast cooling. The presence of polymorphs may be determined by solid probe NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction or such other techniques.
The invention also relate to methods of preparing the above mentioned compounds, comprising:
a) reacting a compound of formula II
xe2x80x83wherein R1-R4, A, X and Q are defined as above, with a compound of formula III
xe2x80x83wherein L is a leaving group such as halogen, p-toluenesulfonate, methanesulfonate and the like and wherein n, Z, Ar, R5-R8 are defined as above except that R8 is not H, to obtain a compound of formula (Ia) wherein n, Z, Ar, R1-R8, A, X and Q are defined as above except that R8 is not H.
b) reacting a compound of formula IV
xe2x80x83wherein R1-R4, A, X, Q and n are defined as above, with a compound of formula V
xe2x80x83wherein Z, Ar and R5-R8 are defined as above except that R8 is not H, by using suitable coupling agents such as dicyclohexyl urea, triarylphosphine/dialkylazadicarboxylate such as PPh3/DEAD (Diethylazodicarboxylate) and the like, to obtain a compound of formula (Ia), wherein n, Ar, R1-R8, A, X, Z and Q are defined as above except that R8 is not H, and Z is not C.
c) reacting a compound of formula VI
xe2x80x83wherein L is a leaving group such as halogen, p-toluenesulfonate, methanesulfonate and the like and wherein R1-R4, A, X, Q and n are defined as above, with an compound of formula V
xe2x80x83wherein Z, Ar and R5-R8 are defined as above except that R8 is not H, to obtain a compound of formula (Ia) wherein n, Ar, R1-R8, A, X, Z and Q are defined as above except that R8 is not H and Z is not C.
d) reacting a compound of formula VII
xe2x80x83wherein R1-R4, A, X, Q, Z, Ar, and n are defined as above, with an compound of formula VIII
xe2x80x83wherein R6-R8 are defined as above except that R8 is not H, to obtain the xcex2-hydroxy aldol product, which may be dehydroxylated or dehydrated to obtain a compound of formula (Ia) wherein n, Ar, R1-R8, A, X, Z and Q are defined as above except that R8 is not H.
e) reacting a compound of formula VII
xe2x80x83wherein R1-R4, A, X, Q, Z, Ar and n are defined as above, with an compound of formula IX
xe2x80x83wherein R7 and R8 are defined as above except that R8 is not H, and wherein R11 is a lower alkyl group to obtain a compound of formula (Ia) wherein n, Ar, R1-R4, R7-R8, A, X, Z and Q are defined as above except that R8 is not H and wherein R5 forms a bond together with R6.
f) hydrogenation of a compound of formula X
xe2x80x83wherein n, Ar, R1-R4, R7-R8, A, X , Z and Q are defined as above except that R8 is not H, to obtain a compound of formula (Ia) wherein n, Ar, R1-R4, R7-R8, A, X, Z and Q are defined as above except that R8 is not H and wherein R5 and R6 is hydrogen.
g) reacting a compound of formula XI
xe2x80x83wherein L is a leaving group such as halogen and R1-R8, A, X, Q, Z and n are defined as above except that R8 is not H, with an alcohol of formula XII
HOxe2x80x94R7xe2x80x83xe2x80x83XII
xe2x80x83wherein R7 is defined as above, to obtain a compound of formula (Ia) wherein n, Ar, R1-R8, R7, A, X, Z and Q is defined as above except that R8 is not H.
h) reacting a compound of formula XIII
xe2x80x83wherein n, Ar, R1-R6, A, X, Z and Q is defined as above and wherein R8 is defined as above except that R8 is not H, with a compound of formula XIV
Halxe2x80x94R7xe2x80x83xe2x80x83XIV
xe2x80x83wherein R7 is defined as above and wherein xe2x80x9cHalxe2x80x9d represents Cl, Br, or I to obtain a compound of formula (Ia) wherein n, Ar, R1-R8, A, X, Z and Q is defined as above except that R8 is not H.
i) reacting a compound of formula VI
xe2x80x83wherein L is a leaving group such as halogen, p-toluenesulfonate, methanesulfonate and the like and wherein R1-R4, A, X, Q and n are defined as above, with a nucleophilic compound of formula XV
xe2x80x83wherein xe2x80x9cMetxe2x80x9d is a metal such as zinc or copper, carrying suitable ligands chosen preferentially from trifluoro-methanesulfonate, halide or C1-C6 alkyl, to obtain a compound of formula (Ia) wherein n, Ar, R1-R8, R7, A, X and Q is defined as above except that R8 is not H, and Z is C.
j) saponification a compound of formula XVI
xe2x80x83wherein n, Ar, R1-R8, A, X, Z and Q is defined as above except that R8 is not H, to obtain a compound of formula (Ia) wherein n, Ar, R1-R7, A, X, Z and Q is defined as above and wherein R8 is H.
The starting materials are commercially available or readily prepared by methods familiar to those skilled in the art.
Pharmacological Methods
In vitro PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma activation activity.
Principle
The PPAR gene transcription activation assays were based on transient transfection into human HEK293 cells of two plasmids encoding a chimeric test protein and a reporter protein respectively. The chimeric test protein was a fusion of the DNA binding domain (DBD) from the yeast GAL4 transcription factor to the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the human PPAR proteins. The PPAR LBD harbored in addition to the ligand binding pocket also the native activation domain (activating function 2=AF2) allowing the fusion protein to function as a PPAR ligand dependent transcription factor. The GAL4 DBD will force the fusion protein to bind only to Gal4 enhancers (of which none existed in HEK293 cells). The reporter plasmid contained a Gal4 enhancer driving the expression of the firefly luciferase protein. After transfection, HEK293 cells expressed the GAL4-DBD-PPAR-LBD fusion protein. The fusion protein will in turn bind to the Gal4 enhancer controlling the luciferase, expression, and do nothing in the absence of ligand. Upon addition to the cells of a PPAR ligand, luciferase protein will be produced in amounts corresponding to the activation of the PPAR protein. The amount of luciferase protein is measured by light emission after addition of the appropriate substrate.
Methods
Cell culture and transfection: HEK293 cells were grown in DMEM+10% FCS, 1% PS. Cells were seeded in 96-well plates the day before transfection to give a confluency of 80% at transfection. 0,8 xcexcg DNA per well was transfected using FuGene transfection reagent according to the manufacturers instructions (Boehringer-Mannheim). Cells were allowed to express protein for 48 h followed by addition of compound.
Plasmids: Human PPAR xcex1 and xcex3 was obtained by PCR amplification using cDNA templates from liver, intestine and adipose tissue respectively. Amplified cDNAs were cloned into pCR2.1 and sequenced. The LBD from each isoform PPAR was generated by PCR (PPARxcex1: aa 167xe2x80x94C-term; PPARxcex3: aa 165xe2x80x94C-term) and fused to GAL4-DBD by subcloning fragments in frame into the vector pM1 generating the plasmids pM1xcex1LBD and pM1xcex3LBD. Ensuing fusions were verified by sequencing. The reporter was constructed by inserting an oligonucleotide encoding five repeats of the Gal4 recognition sequence into the pGL2 vector (Promega).
Compounds: All compounds were dissolved in DMSO and diluted 1:1000 upon addition to the cells. Cells were treated with compound (1:1000 in 200 xcexcl growth medium including delipidated serum) for 24 h followed by luciferase assay.
Luciferase assay: Medium including test compound was aspirated and 100 xcexcl PBS incl. 1 mM Mg++ and Ca++ was added to each well. The luciferase assay was performed using the LucLite kit according to the manufacturers instructions (Packard Instruments). Light emission was quantified by counting SPC mode on a Packard Instruments top-counter.
Pharmaceutical Compositions
In another aspect, the present invention includes within its scope pharmaceutical compositions comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of the compounds of formula (Ia) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
Pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of the present invention may be prepared by conventional techniques, e.g. as described in Remington: The Science and Practise of Pharmacy, 19th Ed., 1995. The compositions may appear in conventional forms, for example capsules, tablets, aerosols, solutions, suspensions or topical applications.
Typical compositions include a compound of formula (Ia) or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, associated with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient which may be a carrier or a diluent or be diluted by a carrier, or enclosed within a carrier which can be in the form of a capsule, sachet, paper or other container. In making the compositions, conventional techniques for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions may be used. For example, the active compound will usually be mixed with a carrier, or diluted by a carrier, or enclosed within a carrier which may be in the form of a ampule, capsule, sachet, paper, or other container. When the carrier serves as a diluent, it may be solid, semi-solid, or liquid material which acts as a vehicle, excipient, or medium for the active compound. The active compound can be adsorbed on a granular solid container for example in a sachet. Some examples of suitable carriers are water, salt solutions, alcohols, polyethylene glycols, polyhydroxyethoxylated castor oil, peanut oil, olive oil, lactose, terra alba, sucrose, cyclodextrin, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, stearic acid or lower alkyl ethers of cellulose, silicic acid, fatty acids, fatty acid amines, fatty acid monoglycerides and diglycerides, pentaerythritol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene, hydroxymethylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Similarly, the carrier or diluent may include any sustained release material known in the art, such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, alone or mixed with a wax. The formulations may also include wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, preserving agents, sweetening agents or flavouring agents. The formulations of the invention may be formulated so as to provide quick, sustained, or delayed release of the active ingredient after administration to the patient by employing procedures well known in the art.
The pharmaceutical compositions can be sterilized and mixed, if desired, with auxiliary agents, emulsifiers, salt for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers and/or colouring substances and the like, which do not deleteriously react with the active compounds.
The route of administration may be any route, which effectively transports the active compound to the appropriate or desired site of action, such as oral, nasal, pulmonary, transdermal or parenteral e.g. rectal, depot, subcutaneous, intravenous, intraurethral, intramuscular, intranasal, ophthalmic solution or an ointment, the oral route being preferred.
If a solid carrier is used for oral administration, the preparation may be tabletted, placed in a hard gelatin capsule in powder or pellet form or it can be in the form of a troche or lozenge. If a liquid carrier is used, the preparation may be in the form of a syrup, emulsion, soft gelatin capsule or sterile injectable liquid such as an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid suspension or solution.
For nasal administration, the preparation may contain a compound of formula (Ia) dissolved or suspended in a liquid carrier, in particular an aqueous carrier, for aerosol application. The carrier may contain additives such as solubilizing agents, e.g., propylene glycol, surfactants, absorption enhancers such as lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) or cyclodextrin, or preservatives such as parabens.
For parenteral application, particularly suitable are injectable solutions or suspensions, preferably aqueous solutions with the active compound dissolved in polyhydroxylated castor oil.
Tablets, dragees, or capsules having talc and/or a carbohydrate carrier or binder or the like are particularly suitable for oral application. Preferable carriers for tablets, dragees, or capsules include lactose, corn starch, and/or potato starch. A syrup or elixir can be used in cases where a sweetened vehicle can be employed.
A typical tablet which may be prepared by conventional tabletting techniques may contain:
The compounds of the invention may be administered to a mammal, especially a human in need of such treatment, prevention, elimination, alleviation or amelioration of diseases related to the regulation of blood sugar.
Such mammals include also animals, both domestic animals, e.g. household pets, and non-domestic animals such as wildlife.
The compounds of the invention are effective over a wide dosage range. For example, in the treatment of adult humans, dosages from about 0.05 to about 100 mg, preferably from about 0.1 to about 100 mg, per day may be used. A most preferable dosage is about 0.1 mg to about 70 mg per day. In choosing a regimen for patients it may frequently be necessary to begin with a dosage of from about 2 to about 70 mg per day and when the condition is under control to reduce the dosage as low as from about 0.1 to about 10 mg per day. The exact dosage will depend upon the mode of administration, on the therapy desired, form in which administered, the subject to be treated and the body weight of the subject to be treated, and the preference and experience of the physician or veterinarian in charge.
Generally, the compounds of the present invention are dispensed in unit dosage form comprising from about 0.1 to about 100 mg of active ingredient together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier per unit dosage.
Usually, dosage forms suitable for oral, nasal, pulmonal or transdermal administration comprise from about 0.001 mg to about 100 mg, preferably from about 0.01 mg to about 50 mg of the compounds of formula (Ia) admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of treating and/or preventing type I or type II diabetes.
In a still further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of one or more compounds of formula (Ia) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of type I or type II diabetes.
Any novel feature or combination of features described herein is considered essential to this invention.
The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the following examples. The examples are provided for illustrative purposes, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. | {
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Fuel injection systems operate by energizing coils and using those coils to move an electromagnet that opens a valve, allowing pressurized fuel to enter the cylinders of an engine. The coils in fuel injectors tend to have a large amount of inductance, causing a delay between the time voltage is applied to the coil and the time that the coil has sufficient current flow (e.g., 20 A) to actually begin fuel injection. The actual amount of the delay depends both on the inductance of the coil and the amount of voltage applied to the coil. The time delay between the leading edge of the forward pulse and the time the load current reaches the desired level is called the “ramp time.”
If the voltage differs from a nominal voltage, the amount of time required for the load current in the coil to ramp up to the desired level will change as a result. For example, if the voltage applied to the coil is lower than the nominal voltage, the load current will increase more slowly than expected. Similarly, if the voltage is higher than the nominal voltage, the load current will increase more quickly. These changes can cause the load current to open the valve at a time other than an expected time calculated from the nominal voltage, making it difficult to maintain precise timing over fuel injector activation.
The inductance in the coil may also vary from a nominal inductance, further changing the actual time in which the load current reaches its desired level. Variations in the coil inductance also makes precise timing of fuel injection difficult. Although voltage regulators can be used to stabilize the voltage applied to the coil, voltage regulators are expensive and add complexity to the fuel injection system.
There is a desire for a system that can compensate for changes in the voltage and the coil inductance to ensure that the load current reaches the desired level at a desired time accurately. | {
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The invention relates to a planetary wheel transfer transmission for the drive of two vehicle axles of a motor vehicle.
It has been contemplated in German Unexamined Published Patent Application (DE-OS No. 32 12 495) that the planetary gear transmission is disposed axially between the input wheel of the axle offset gear that is penetrated by the input shaft and the locking disk clutch. The input wheel, in a torsionally fixed way, is connected directly with the concentric output shaft leading to an inner central wheel. In this way, the axle offset gear used for driving a power take-off shaft leading to one vehicle axle is located very close to the driving motor or to the speed-change gear flanged onto the driving motor. When the axle offset gear is used in a vehicle type that can be equipped with engines of different sizes, such as 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder in-line engines, a disadvantageous result can attain in unfavorable installing conditions.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved transfer transmission for use in vehicle types that are equipped with engines of different sizes. Another object of the invention is keeping the number of gear parts driven by the engine in the drive train, which is not required for this purpose, as few as possible in the case of the driving of only one vehicle axle.
These and other objects are attained by providing a compact construction that is particularly stout with respect to the main shaft of the gearbox, with a favorable position of the axle offset gear in the direction of the main shaft of the gearbox.
An advantageous introduction is also achieved of the counterbearing forces of the multi-disk clutches into the gearbox, particularly a balance of forces is achieved while, at the same time, pressure is admitted to both axial ring pistons.
The use of axial ring pistons is permitted that "stand vertically" in the gearbox, and that do not have to carry out rotational movements and may, therefore, be sealed off in a particularly effective way. This sealing phenomena has the additional advantage that a central storage means can be used as the pressure source that also supplies other consuming means because of a pump for the compensating of leaks is not required.
When work is carried out on the chassis dynamometer during which the one concerned vehicle axle is disconnected by the axle-connecting multi-disk clutch and is therefore stopped, it is further ensured that no damage will occur from the resulting relative movements between the two multi-disk carriers since these are mutually supported by means of roller bearings.
The advantage is also achieved that, in the case of a single-axle drive, the whole axle offset gear, including the power take-off shaft leading to the disconnected driving axle, are also separated from the engine.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. | {
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Baking and roasting are common and popular cooking practices that require the use of an oven to perform the cooking process. For roasting meats, temperatures of 325 to 375 degrees F. are commonly used, while temperatures are often set much higher for baking, commonly to 400 to 450 degrees F. As might be expected, the oven interior including the oven racks reaches this temperature quickly and maintains these temperatures until the oven again cools down after use.
Ovens typically contain at least two wire racks used to hold bake ware and roasting pans. When the cook reaches into the oven to check on the cooking process or to remove cooked foods, it is not uncommon for him/her to accidentally brush an arm or hand against the upper rack. At the high temperatures typically used to cook/bake the food, a burn—often serious—may result.
The burn occurs almost instantly after contact with the hot metal rack, and is the result of two inherent physical properties of the metal rack: large thermal mass and high thermal conductivity. Roughly stated, thermal mass is the amount of heat contained in a given quantity of a material. Metal has a relatively high thermal mass, which means that there is a great deal of energy in the form of heat contained in the metal oven rack. Thermal conductivity is the speed at which heat transfers via conduction from one material to another. Metal has a very high thermal conductivity, making it an excellent conductor of heat. The result of this combination of a large thermal mass with a high thermal conductivity means that heat energy can be very quickly transferred from the metal oven rack to the skin, causing a burn to occur. | {
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It is desirable to have a weapon that can destroy a variety of targets. For example, targets such as command and control centers are often buried underground and hardened with reinforced concrete overburdens. Heavily armored targets such as heavy tanks may be protected by multiple layers of hard armor, the defeat of which requires substantial penetration capability focused on a single impact point on the target. The defeat of other targets such as light armored vehicles and unarmored trucks can be enhanced by multiple impacts in different locations on the target.
One type of weapon that can be used to penetrate and destroy these kinds of targets is a projectile which impacts and penetrates a target by virtue of its kinetic energy, rather than by explosive energy. However, when such a projectile consists of only a single penetrator element, substantial stresses may be applied to the projectile by initial contact with the target or by certain features of the armor protection, and the impact may result in the breakup of the projectile with very little damage to the target. In addition, when a penetrator is employed at hypervelocity, a single large impacting element is not as effective in penetration of heavy armor as the same mass divided into a plurality of impact segments that each impact the target in the same location.
Thus, improved penetration can be achieved by a projectile having multiple penetrator segments that sequentially impact the target. U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,416 discloses one such projectile having multiple impact bodies positioned sequentially along a central rod which holds the impact bodies in initial axial alignment. After a predetermined flight time, the impact bodies are released and biased apart by springs or dished washers so that the impact bodies spread apart along the rod. The impact bodies then successively impact the target so that each impact body independently attacks the target with its full kinetic energy.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,834 discloses a projectile having a prepenetrator and a main penetrator. The pre-penetrator contains a plurality of stacked cylindrical cores in axial alignment with each other. Centering and/or fixing means between the cores include a weakened portion so as to achieve a fracturing or separation upon the application of a predetermined load. When the projectile impacts a target, the leading core in the stack impacts the target and disintegrates, followed by the impact of the next core in the stack, and so on until all the cores have successively impacted the target. U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,064 discloses a similar projectile having a plurality of stacked cores contained within the projectile. The cores are interfitted and connected together by centering and/or fixing means which break upon impact, such as a thin-walled and comparatively soft casing or easily rupturable pins, which hold the cores in alignment until impact. When the projectile impacts a target, each core sequentially impacts the target in the same location while the centering and/or fixing means tear away from the impact so as not to adversely interfere with the impact of each core. U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,556 discloses a penetrator that has a stack of interfitted core elements having partially convex front faces and complementary partially concave rear faces, and which are contained within a casing. A main penetrator body interfits with the rearmost core element and a tip at the front of the forwardmost core elements presses the core elements toward the main penetrator body. The core elements form radially outwardly open annular grooves at the faces which allow the penetrator to break apart at these grooves. Upon reaching the target, each core element sequentially impacts the target.
Other kinds of multistage penetrators include the projectile disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,752, which contains multiple warheads mounted in tandem within the casing of the projectile. Upon reaching a target, a fuzing mechanism located at the front of the casing causes the warheads to detonate sequentially, starting with the rearmost warhead to the frontmost warhead. U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,645 discloses a projectile having a single penetrator rod that has a plurality of annular grooves. Upon impact, the rod breaks along the grooves, allowing the rod to separate into sections that then separately impact the target in the same location.
One disadvantage of the above described penetrators is that the effectiveness and location of the impact of each impact body, core, warhead or rod section (all referred to as penetrator segments) depends on the impact of the preceding penetrator segment. Because the segments of these penetrators are held closely together up to the point of impact, either by a central rod or by containment within the penetrator, each segment will impact the same location on the target almost immediately after the impact of the preceding segment. If the preceding segment does not fully disintegrate immediately upon impact, then the impact of the next segment will be disrupted by the debris and remnants from the preceding impact. A greater distance between the segments, thereby allowing for a greater amount of time between impacts, would allow each segment to impact the target after the preceding segment has fully disintegrated and the gases and/or remnants of the preceding impact have been exhausted. The above described penetrators do not allow for a significant distance between the segments due to size constraints of the projectile, both for storage and deployment purposes.
Furthermore, because each of the segments in these penetrators is held in axial alignment until impact, these penetrators are constrained to impacting a target at a single location. While sequential impact in a single location can be desirable for penetrating buried and/or multilayered targets, other targets may be more suitably defeated by multiple impacts in several locations. The above described projectiles cannot impact a target at multiple locations, even though the penetrators contain multiple impact segments.
The inventor of the invention claimed herein has previously filed a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/699,225, entitled "Penetrator Having Multiple Impact Segments", now U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,684, that is suitable for solving the above-listed problems. Application Ser. No. 08/699,225 discloses a penetrator comprised of a plurality of stacked penetrator segments, including a leading penetrator segment, at least one intermediate penetrator segment, and a trailing penetrator segment, all sequentially positioned along the longitudinal axis of the penetrator. Each penetrator segment has a nose portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of the leading penetrator segment and of each intermediate penetrator segment has a plurality of fins pivotally mounted thereon and a rearwardly opening cavity. The rear portion of the trailing penetrator segment has an enlarged tail. The penetrator segments are stacked along the longitudinal axis of the penetrator such that the rearwardly opening cavity of the leading penetrator segment contains the nose portion of the forwardmost intermediate penetrator segment. Each intermediate penetrator segment is stacked with its nose portion positioned within the rearwardly opening cavity of the immediately preceding penetrator segment. The penetrator segments are further stacked such that the nose portion of the trailing penetrator segment is positioned within the rearwardly opening cavity of the rearmost intermediate penetrator segment.
Each fin on the penetrator segments has a stabilizing portion and a deployment preventing arm. The deployment preventing arm contacts the nose portion of the immediately following penetrator segment when that nose portion is fully inserted into the respective rearwardly opening cavity. The contact between the nose portion and the deployment preventing arm of each fin prevents the fins from pivoting to their deployed positions and causes the fins to be restrained in their stowed positions. When the nose portion withdraws from the rearwardly opening cavity, the contact between the nose portion and the arm of each fin is discontinued, thereby permitting the fins of the penetrator segment to pivot to their deployed positions.
Upon initiating separation of the penetrator segments, aerodynamic drag against the enlarged tail of the trailing penetrator segment causes the velocity of the trailing penetrator segment to decrease with respect to the remaining stacked penetrator segments. The nose portion of the trailing penetrator segment thereby withdraws from the rearwardly opening cavity of the rearmost intermediate penetrator segment and the trailing penetrator segment thus separates from the remaining stacked penetrator segments. The withdrawal of the nose portion of the trailing penetrator segment from the rearwardly opening cavity of the rearmost intermediate penetrator segment permits the fins of the rearmost positioned intermediate penetrator segment to deploy. The stabilizing portions of the deployed fins of the rearmost intermediate penetrator segment produce aerodynamic drag, thus decreasing the velocity of the rearmost intermediate penetrator segment. The nose portion of the rearmost intermediate penetrator segment thereby withdraws from the rearwardly opening cavity of the immediately preceding penetrator segment, which thus permits the fins of the immediately preceding penetrator segment to deploy. The fins of each of the at least one intermediate penetrator segment are similarly allowed to deploy, until the forwardmost intermediate penetrator segment separates from the leading penetrator segment. Thereupon, the penetrator has fully separated into discrete penetrator segments which are aerodynamically stabilized and which can sequentially impact a target. By initiating separation of the penetrator segments at an appropriately short distance from the target, the separated penetrator segments can then impact the target in a collinear manner so that each penetrator segment impacts the target in the same location. Alternatively, by initiating separation of the penetrator segments at a sufficiently long distance from the target, the penetrator segments will disperse due to aerodynamic asymmetries, thereby causing the penetrator segments to impact the target in multiple locations.
While the above-described penetrator is suitable for the penetration and/or destruction of many kinds of targets, it relies only on the kinetic energy from the motion of the penetrator for its destructive effects. To obtain enhanced destructive capacity, it would be desirable to have a weapon that can both penetrate a target and explode upon impact with the outer surface of the target, within the interior of the target, or within a cavity in the target's outer surface. Some targets may also have an outer layer of explosive reactive armor comprised of an explosive layer and a layer of metal plates. Upon impact of the leading segment of a multi-segment penetrator, the explosive element of the armor causes the metal plates to fly apart and interfere with the incoming segments of the same penetrator. Still other types of armor may have cavities or openings intended to defeat an incoming penetrator. It would be desirable to have a penetrator that can defeat these kinds of armor. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic-tape library system for accurately mounting a magnetic tape on a magnetic-tape drive by using a hand assembly mounted on an accessor and a method for controlling the positioning of an accessor to the magnetic-tape drive.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A cartridge tape must be accurately transferred from a cartridge-tape storing rack (or cell in a drum unit) to a magnetic-tape drive. By improving the mechanical accuracy of each component unit of a magnetic-tape library system, the possibility of accurate transfer is improved. However, a problem occurs that the cost of the library system is increased.
Therefore, development of a library system capable of accurately transferring a cartridge and making it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost has been attempted so far. For example, the official gazette of Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-69689 discloses a system for accurately transferring a cartridge considering the error between the optical axis of a photosensor for measuring the position of an accessor and the operating axis of a hand assembly provided for the accessor for holing a cartridge in order to correct the error between driving signal of the accessor and the actual driving position.
An accessor is positioned by a photosensor when a laser beam is applied to a marking for positioning from a laser-beam source and the photosensor receives the reflected light of the laser beam. Simple and accurate positioning has been performed so far in accordance with the above configuration. However, the positioning by the photosensor still has a problem.
The problem is described below by referring to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows a marking 100 for positioning provided for the front of the above-described magnetic-tape drive. The above-described laser beam is scanned along a read range 114. The marking 100 is located in the read range 114 and constituted of a black area 111 in black and white area 112 in white adjacent along the scanning direction L of the laser beam.
Thus, the boundary line 113 between the black area 111 and the white area 112 is identified when the reflected light of the laser beam changes from black to white through the above scanning. Because the position of the boundary line 113 is recognized, the position of the hand assembly is corrected in accordance with the position of the boundary line 113 and thereby, more precise positioning is performed.
However, the following problems occur in the above case.
First, because the marking 100 shown in FIG. 9 is put on the surface of the frame of the magnetic-tape drive, the circumference of the marking 100 is enclosed by the color of the ground of the frame. When the color of the frame is a color between white and black (e.g. gray), the laser beam reflected before the marking 100 may be recognized as black or white. Therefore, it may be seen as the change from black to white before the marking 100 and a position different from the original boundary line 113 may be erroneously recognized as a boundary.
However, by narrowing the read range 114 of a laser beam (the width of the laser beam in its scanning direction is assumed as X) into the range of the sum of the scanning-directional width A of the black area 111 and the scanning-directional width B of the white area 112 (X less than A+B), it is possible to eliminate the influence of the circumference of the marking. To narrow the read range 114, however, it is necessary to improve the mechanical accuracy of an accessor mechanism and a problem occurs that the cost is resultantly increased.
The invention according to claim 1 comprises a magnetic-tape drive for at least reading data from a magnetic tape, an accessor mechanism for transferring a magnetic tape to and from the magnetic-tape drive, and a controller for controlling operations of the accessor mechanism.
Moreover, the accessor mechanism has a hand assembly for holding a magnetic tape and a predetermined-position detecting section provided for the hand assembly for detecting the predetermined position of the hand assembly to the magnetic-tape drive in accordance with the luminance of the reflected light due to scanning by a laser beam.
Furthermore, the magnetic-tape drive has a marking for positioning to be scanned by the laser beam. The marking is configured by two adjacent areas in black and white each other and these areas are arranged along the scanning direction of the laser beam.
Furthermore, the controller has a start position setting function for setting the scanning start position of the laser beam in a range closer to the marking than the sum of already-known widths of the two areas in their scanning directions before the marking and a positioning function for specifying the boundary between a black area and a white area in accordance with the change of luminances detected by the predetermined-position detecting section and already-known widths of the black area and white area in their scanning directions and positioning the hand assembly in accordance with the boundary position.
Operations will be described below. To position the hand assembly, scanning is performed by a laser beam from this side of the marking. Because the marking has black and white areas adjacent along the scanning direction, a state in which the luminance of the reflected light of the laser beam is low over the width of the black area and a state in which it is high over the width of the white area are continuously detected. Therefore, when the low luminance state is detected for the length equal to the already-known width of the black area and the high-luminance state following the low-luminance state is detected for the length equal to the already-known width of the white area, it is possible to specify the detection of the marking. Moreover, it is possible to specify that a position where luminances are greatly changed is present on the boundary line between the black area and the white area while the detection is performed.
On the other hand, because the area from a scanning start position up to this side of a marking which has been a problem so far is set to a value smaller than the width of the marking in its scanning direction, erroneous recognition of the marking in the this-side area cannot occur by specifying the marking by the above method.
In case of the invention according to claim 2, a controller comprises a memory for storing the already-known width of a black area in its scanning direction and that of a white area in its scanning direction, an area extracting section for extracting a white area and a black area in accordance with a detected luminance, and an area specifying section for specifying a white area and a black area in accordance with the already-known widths of areas stored in the memory.
In case of the invention according to claim 3, an accessor mechanism is characterized by being provided with a position detecting sensor for detecting the relative position relation between a hand assembly and a magnetic-tape drive and moreover, a controller has a roughly positioning section for positioning a hand assembly to a scanning start position in accordance with a relative positional relation for detecting a position detecting sensor.
In case of the invention according to claim 4, a position detecting sensor uses a photosensor.
In case of the invention according to claim 5, a black area is formed of a paint having a low light reflectance.
In case of the invention according to claim 6, at least the range from a scanning start position up to a marking in the area around the marking is made gray.
In case of the invention according to claim 7, areas of a marking are characterized by being arranged in order of a black area and a white area from a scanning start position toward the downstream side of a scanning direction.
In case of the invention according to claim 8, areas of a marking are characterized by being arranged in order of a white area and a black area from a scanning start position toward the downstream side of a scanning direction.
The invention according to claim 9 is provided with a magnetic-tape drive for at least reading data from a magnetic tape, an accessor mechanism for transferring a magnetic tape to and from the magnetic-tape drive, and a controller for controlling operations of the accessor mechanism.
Moreover, the accessor mechanism has a hand assembly for holding a magnetic tape and a predetermined-position detecting section provided for the hand assembly for detecting the predetermined position of the hand assembly to the magnetic-tape drive in accordance with the luminance of reflected light due to scanning by a laser beam.
Furthermore, the magnetic-tape drive has a marking for positioning to be scanned by a laser beam, in which the marking is configured by two adjacent areas in black and white, a black thin area and a white thin area whose scanning-directional widths are set to values smaller than the two adjacent areas, and the white thin area, black thin area, black area, and white area are arranged in order from the upstream side of the scanning directions. Moreover, the distance from the white thin area up to the black thin area is set to a value smaller than the sum of the already-known width of the white area and that of the black area and the distance from the black thin area up to the upstream side of the black area is set to a value smaller than the already-known width of the white area.
Moreover, the controller is provided with a start-position setting function for setting the scanning start position of the laser beam in a range from a position closer to the white thin area than the already-known width of the black area in its scanning direction before the white thin area up to this side of the black area and a positioning function for specifying the boundary between the black area and the white area in accordance with the change of luminances detected by the predetermined-position detecting section and the already-known widths of the black and white areas in their scanning directions and positioning the hand assembly in accordance with the position of the boundary.
To position the hand assembly, scanning by a laser beam is first performed from this side of the white thin area of the marking. The marking has a black area and a white area adjacent along the scanning direction and the black area is located at the upstream side. Therefore, a state in which the luminance of reflected light of the laser beam is low is detected over the width of the black area and then, a state in which that of reflected light of the laser beam is high is detected over the width of the white area. Therefore, when the low luminance state is detected for the length equal to the already-known width of the black area and then, the high luminance state is detected for the length equal to the already-known width of the white area, it is possible to specify the detection of the marking. Moreover, it is possible to specify that a position where luminances are greatly change while detection is performed is present on the boundary line between the black area and the white area.
On the other hand, as for the conventional problem of the area from a scanning start position up to this side of the black area of a marking, the interval from the scanning start position of a laser beam up to a white thin area is set to a value smaller than the already-known width of the black area, the distance from the white thin area up to the black thin area is set to a value smaller than the sum of widths of the already-known width of the white area and that of the black area, and the distance from the black thin area up to the upstream side of the black area is set to a value smaller than the already-known width of the white area.
Therefore, even when the mechanical accuracy of the accessor mechanism is lowered, the distance from the scanning start position up to this side of the black area is set to a large value (the distance is set to a value larger than the sum of widths of the black and white areas), and a luminance change equal to already-known widths of the black and white areas is detected in the above range, each thin area interferes with the luminance change to prevent a luminance change recognized as a marking from occurring. Therefore, erroneous recognition of a marking in this-side area does not occur.
In case of the invention according to claim 10, a controller is characterized by being provided with a memory for storing the already-known width of a black area in its scanning direction and that of a white area in its scanning direction, an area extracting section for extracting a white area and a black area in accordance with a detected luminance, and an area specifying section for specifying a white area and a black area in accordance with the already-known width of each area stored in the memory.
In case of the invention according to claim 11, an accessor mechanism is characterized by being provided with a position detecting sensor for detecting the relative positional relation between a hand assembly and a magnetic-tape drive and a controller has a roughly positioning section for positioning the hand assembly to a scanning start position in accordance with a relative positional relation for detecting the position detecting sensor.
In case of the invention according to claim 12, a range from a scanning start position up to the upstream-side end of a black area is characterized by being made gray except each thin area.
The inventions according to claims 13 to 16 show a case in which the sequence of a white area and a black area for their scanning directions and the sequence of a white thin area and a black thin area are replaced each other.
The invention according to claim 17 is a method for controlling the positioning of an accessor to the magnetic-tape drive of the magnetic-tape library system same as the invention of claim 1 except a controller, comprising:
a before-scanning positioning step of roughly positioning a hand assembly so that the scanning start position of a laser beam is positioned in a range closer to a marking than the sum of already-known widths of areas before a marking;
a scanning step of scanning an object with a laser beam by operating a predetermined-position detecting section and passing through a marking from a scanning start position;
an extracting step of extracting the then scanning range as a black area or a white area in accordance with the level of a luminance detected in accordance with the reflected light of a laser beam;
a specifying step of specifying the extracted black area and white area as a formal black area and a formal white area when the extracted black area and white area are continued and the width of the scanning range of the extracted black area becomes equal to or larger than the already-known width of the black area and that of the scanning range of the extracted white area becomes equal to or larger than the already-known width of the white area; and
a finally positioning step of adjusting the position of the hand assembly in accordance with the boundary line between the specified formal black area and white area.
The invention according to claim 18 is a method for controlling the positioning of an accessor to the magnetic-tape drive of the magnetic-tape library system same as the invention of the above-described claim 9 except a controller, comprising:
a before-scanning positioning step of roughly positioning a hand assembly so that the scanning start position of a laser beam is set in a range from a position closer to a white thin area than the already-known width of a black area in its scanning direction before the white thin area up to this side of the black area;
a scanning step of scanning an object with a laser beam by operating predetermined-position detecting means and passing through a marking from the scanning start position;
an extracting step of extracting the then scanning range as a black area or a white area in accordance with the level of a luminance detected from the reflected light of the laser beam;
a specifying step of specifying the extracted black area and white area as a formal black area and a formal white area when the extracted black and white areas are continued and the width of the scanning range of the extracted black area becomes equal to or larger than the already-known width of the black area and the width of the scanning range of the extracted white area becomes equal to or larger than the already-known width of the white area; and
a finally positioning step of adjusting the position of the hand assembly in accordance with the boundary line between the specified formal black and white areas.
The invention according to claim 19 is a method for controlling the positioning of an accessor to the magnetic-tape drive of the magnetic-tape library system same as the invention of the above-described claim 13 except a controller, characterized by comprising:
a before-scanning positioning step of roughly positioning a hand assembly so that the scanning start position of a laser beam is set in a range from a position closer to a black thin area than the already-known width of a white area in its scanning direction before the black thin area up to this side of the white area;
a scanning step of scanning an object with a laser beam by operating predetermined-position detecting means and passing through a marking from a scanning start position;
an extracting step of extracting the then scanning range as a white area or a black area in accordance with the level of the luminance detected from the reflected light of the laser beam;
a specifying step of specifying the extracted white area and black area as a formal white area and a formal black area when the extracted white and black areas are continued and the width of the scanning range of the extracted white area becomes equal to or larger than the already-known width of the white area and the width of the scanning range of the extracted black area becomes equal to or larger than the already-known width of the black area; and
a finally positioning step of adjusting the position of the hand assembly in accordance with the boundary line between the specified formal white and black areas.
It is an object of the present invention to accurately detect the original boundary between a black area and a white area without being disturbed by an unstable-reflection color other than black or white in the scanning range of a laser beam when detecting the boundary between the black area and the white area of a marking used for positioning. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system of scanning an object inside a human body and a method of operating the 3D ultrasound system.
2. Description of the Related Art
An ultrasound system may transmit, from the surface of a human body, an ultrasound signal toward a predetermined portion inside the human body, for example, a fetus, an organ, and the like, to obtain an image associated with a section of soft tissue or the bloodstream by using information of the ultrasound signal having been reflected from tissue inside the body.
The ultrasound system has an advantage of being small, inexpensive, displayable in real time, and reliable since a subject is not exposed to an X-ray and the like and thus, the ultrasound system is widely used together with other image diagnostic devices, such as a computerized tomography (CT) scanner, a magnetic resonance image (MRI) device, a nuclear medicine device, and the like.
A fetus having Down's syndrome is generally identified based on a scheme of measuring a thickness of a nuchal translucency (NT) of the fetus. The scheme was designed by Nicolaides, in 1992. When the fetus has Down's syndrome, a thick NT is observed since body fluid is accumulated in a subcutaneous tissue of a neck.
Specifically, when the fetus has a chromosomal anomaly or a deformity of the heart, a thick NT is often observed. Therefore, a physician may measure a thickness of the NT of the fetus through the ultrasound system, and may observe the fetus using a Chorionic Villus sampling scheme or an amniocentesis scheme when the thickness is over 2.5 mm.
As another scheme of identifying Down's syndrome in a fetus, an angle between the palate and the dorsum nasi, namely, the frontmaxillary facial (FMF) angle, may be measured. The FMF angle of a normal fetus is 78.1 degrees, and a fetus having an FMF angle of 88.7 degrees has a high possibility of having Down's syndrome. There are various schemes for identifying Down's syndrome, such as measuring the biparietal diameter (BPD), Head Circumference (HC), Abdominal Circumference (AC), Femur Length (FL), and the like. A gestational age and a weight of the fetus may be estimated based on the schemes.
A process of obtaining an accurate sagittal view from ultrasound data needs to be performed in advance, to identify Down's syndrome in the fetus by measuring the thickness of the NT and the FMF angle between the palate and the dorsum nasi.
Conventionally, however, the sagittal view is determined based on experience of the physician and thus, the measured thickness of the NT of the fetus or the FMF angle between the palate and the dorsum nasi may be different from an actual thickness and an actual angle. Accordingly, there has been a difficulty in making an accurate diagnosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus for spraying water in a child's wading pool to simulate a typhoon and more particularly pertains to simulating a typhoon or other extreme condition of weather through the use of water sprays in a child's wading pool.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of shower heads and other water spraying devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, shower heads and other water spraying devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of spraying water for one purpose or another are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,539 to Larsen discloses an outdoor gym set with plural water spray heads.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,852 to Stillman, Jr., discloses a fountain spray system for swimming pools.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,644 to Cockman discloses a sprinkler head and game apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,378 to Melin et al discloses a water play toy.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,420 to Thompson discloses a portable fountain for pools or spas.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,876 to Kulesza et al discloses a sprinkler toy.
In this respect, the apparatus for spraying water in a child's wading pool to simulate a typhoon according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of simulating a typhoon or other extreme condition of weather through the use of water sprays in a child's wading pool.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved apparatus for spraying water in a child's wading pool to simulate a typhoon which can be used for simulating a typhoon or other extreme condition of weather through the use of water sprays in a child's wading pool. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Heart failure affects 10% of North Americans and is the leading hospital discharge diagnosis. The diagnosis of heart failure is accompanied by a survival outlook that is comparable to a major cancer. There are limited rehabilitation options available to patients who are suffering with heart failure, and few strategies actually re-power the heart. Cardiac transplantation remains the gold-standard therapeutic intervention for patients with end-stage heart failure, with an increasing number of individuals being added to the transplant wait list every year. However, wider application of this life-preserving intervention is limited by the availability of donors. Data from the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry shows that cardiac transplantation is in progressive decline in suitable donors (2007, Overall Heart and Adult Heart Transplantation Statistics). Two hundred and fifty eight Canadians have died during the last decade (2000-2010; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada) while waiting for heart transplantation. Similarly, in the United States, 304 patients died in 2010 alone while waiting for heart transplantation (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, US Dept. of Health & Human Services). This phenomenon is primarily due to a shortage of suitable organ donors, and is being experienced across the globe.
Time is of the essence for removal of a heart from a donor and its successful transplantation into a recipient. The following principles generally apply for optimal donor heart preservation for the period of time between removal from the donor and transplantation: (i) minimization of cell swelling and edema, (ii) prevention of intracellular acidosis, (iii) prevention of injury caused by oxygen free radicals, and (iv) provision of substrate for regeneration of high-energy phosphate compounds and ATP during reperfusion. The two main sources of donor hearts for transplantation are breathing patients who have suffered irreversible loss of brain function as a result of blunt head trauma or intracerebral hemorrhage and are classified as “brainstem-dead” donors, and patients who have suffered circulatory death and are referred to as “non-heart-beating” or alternatively as “cardiac dead” donors or alternatively, donors after circulatory death (DCDs),
Brainstem-dead organ donors can be maintained under artificial respiration for extended periods of time to provide relative hemodynamic stability up throughout their bodies until the point of organ retrieval. Therefore, cardiac perfusion is uncompromised and organ functionality is theoretically maintained. However, brainstem death itself can profoundly affect cardiac function. The humoral response to brainstem death is characterized by a marked rise in circulating catecholamines. Physiological responses to this “catecholamine storm” include vasoconstriction, hypertension and tachycardia, all of which increase myocardial oxygen demand. In the coronary circulation Significant increased levels of catecholamine circulating throughout the vascular system induce vasoconstriction which in turn, compromises myocardial oxygen supply and can lead to subendocardial ischemia. This imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand is one factor implicated in the impairment of cardiac function observed following brainstem death (Halejcio-Delophont et al., 1998, Increase in myocardial interstitial adenosine and net lactate production in brain-dead pigs: an in vivo microdialysis study. Transplantation 66(10):1278-1284; Halejcio-Delophont et al., 1998, Consequences of brain death on coronary blood flow and myocardial metabolism. Transplant Proc. 30(6):2840-2841). Structural myocardial damage occurring after brainstem death is characterized by myocytolysis, contraction band necrosis, sub-endocardial hemorrhage, edema and interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration (Baroldi et al., 1997, Type and extent of myocardial injury related to brain damage and its significance in heart transplantation: a morphometric study. J. Heart Lung Transplant 16(10):994-1000). In spite of no direct cardiac insult, brainstem-dead donors often exhibit reduced cardiac function and the current views are that only 40% of hearts can be recovered from this donor population for transplantation.
Numerous perfusion apparatus, systems and methods have been developed for ex vivo maintenance and transportation of harvested organs. Most employ hypothermic conditions to reduce organ metabolism, lower organ energy requirements, delay the depletion of high energy phosphate reserves, delay the accumulation of lactic acid, and retard morphological and functional deteriorations associated with disruption of oxygenated blood supply. Harvested organs are generally perfused in these systems with preservative solutions comprising antioxidants and pyruvate under low temperatures to maintain their physiological functionality.
The short-comings of hypothermic apparatus, systems and methods have been recognized by those skilled in these arts, and alternative apparatus, systems and methods have been developed for preservation and maintenance of harvested organs at temperatures in the range of about 25° C. to about 35° C., commonly referred to as “normothermic” temperatures. Normothermic systems typically use perfusates based on the Viaspan formulation (also known as the University of Wisconsin solution or UW solution) supplemented with one or more of serum albumin as a source of protein and colloid, trace elements to potentiate viability and cellular function, pyruvate and adenosine for oxidative phosphorylation support, transferrin as an attachment factor; insulin and sugars for metabolic support, glutathione to scavenge toxic free radicals as well as a source of impermeant, cyclodextrin as a source of impermeant, scavenger, and potentiator of cell attachment and growth factors, a high Mg++ concentration for microvessel metabolism support, mucopolysaccharides for growth factor potentiation and hemostasis, and endothelial growth factors (Viaspan comprises potassium lactobionate, KH2PO4, MgSO4, raffinose, adenosine, glutathione, allopurinol, and hydroxyethyl starch). Other normothermic perfusation solutions have been developed and used (Muhlbacher et al., 1999, Preservation solutions for transplantation. Transplant Proc. 31(5):2069-2070). While harvested kidneys and livers can be maintained beyond twelve hours in normothermic systems, it has become apparent that normothermic bathing, and maintenance of harvested hearts by pulsed perfusion beyond 12 hours results in deterioration and irreversible debilitation of the hearts' physiological functionality. Another disadvantage of using normothermic continuous pulsed perfusion systems for maintenance of harvested hearts is the time required to excise the heart from a donor, mount it into the nomothermic perfusion system and then initiate and stabilize the perfusion process. After the excised heart has been stabilized, its physiological functionality is determined and if transplantation criteria are met, then the excised heart is transported as quickly as possible to a transplant facility.
In the case of brain-stem dead donors, the heart generally is warm and beating when it is procured. It is then stopped, cooled, and put on ice until it is transplanted. Chilling the harvested heart reduces its metabolic activity and related demands by about 95%. However, some metabolic activity continues with the consequence that the heart muscle begins to die, and clinical data has shown that once the period of chilling of a harvested heart is prolonged beyond 4 hours, the risk of 1 year mortality post-transplant starts to rise. For example, risk of death at one-year post-transplant for a recipient receiving a heart that has been preserved by chilling for six hours more than doubles compared to a recipient receiving a heart that has been chilled for less than 1 hour (Taylor et al., 2009, Registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: Twenty-sixth Official Adult Heart Transplant Report—2009. JHLT 28(10): 1007-1022).
Well-defined criteria have been developed for harvesting organs for transplantation from non-heart-beating donors (Kootstra et al., 1995, Categories of non-heart-beating donors. Transplant Proc. 27(5):2893-2894; Bos, 2005, Ethical and legal issues in non-heart-beating organ donation. Transplantation, 2005. 79(9): p. 1143-1147). Non-heart-beating donors have minimal brain function but do not meet the criteria for brainstem death and therefore, cannot be legally declared brainstem dead. When it is clear that there is no hope for meaningful recovery of the patient, the physicians and family must be in agreement to withdraw supportive measures. Up to this point in care, non-heart-beating patients are often supported with mechanical ventilation as well as intravenous inotropic or vasopressor medication. However, only those with single system organ failure (neurologic system) can be considered for organ donation. Withdrawal of life support, most commonly the cessation of mechanical ventilation, is followed by anoxic cardiac arrest after which, the patient must remain asystolic for five minutes before organ procurement is allowed. Consequently, non-heart-beating donors are necessarily exposed to variable periods of warm ischemia after cardiac arrest which may result in various degrees of organ damage. However, provided that the time duration of warm ischemia is not excessive, many types organs, i.e., kidneys, livers, and lungs, harvested from non-heart-beating donors are able to recover function after transplantation with success rates that approximate those for transplanted organs from brainstem-dead beating donors. While hearts harvested from brain-dead donors are exposed to an ischemic period limited to the time from organ procurement to transplant, hearts harvested from donors after cardiac death are exposed to much greater ischemic insult events including a hypoxemic arrest event, warm ischemic injury occurring during the mandatory five-minute stand-off period before organ harvesting may be commenced, and further ischemia injury occurring during subsequent reperfusion of the heart after it is harvested. Because of the extent of ischemic damage that occurs during the time delays before organ harvesting commences, hearts from donors after cardiac death are not used for transplantation into recipients. | {
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The present disclosure relates to the field of computers, and specifically to the use of computers in evaluating cognitive states. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to predicting a specific cognitive state of a particular user based on sensor(s) readings for the particular user.
A person's cognitive state is also known as a person's “state of mind”. This state of mind may be normal (e.g., interested, sleepy, asleep, alert, bored, curious, doubtful, etc.), or it may be indicative of some type of pathology (e.g., amnesia, confusion, panic, etc.). Often, such states of mind will manifest themselves measurably before a person realizes that he/she is entering such a state of mind. | {
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This invention relates generally to pneumatic line filters, and more particularly to an evaporator for removing and evaporating liquid from a pneumatic line filter.
It is common practice in a wide variety of industrial applications to use pneumatic fluids as a source of motive power. The pneumatic fluid may be compressed air, for example, used for aspirators or driving fluid motors. In such applications, it is desirable to filter the pneumatic fluid to remove entrained foreign substances such as liquid (e.g. water vapor) or dust particles. Pneumatic line filters generally include a bowl-like housing, in which the liquid is collected and a filter for trapping the dust. In the past, when the housing was filled to capacity with liquid, the flow in the pneumatic line had to be interrupted and the housing emptied; however, this results in a shut down of the driven apparatus. To eliminate the necessity of apparatus shut-down, it was found that the housing could be provided with a drain for conducting the liquid away from the housing (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,828,626 issued Oct. 20 1931 in the name of Swendeman, or 3,507,098 issued Apr. 21, 1970 in the name of Veres et al). However, such drains undesirably jettison the collected liquid directly to the atmosphere. Therefore, some kind of catch basin or additional ducting is required to handle the jettisoned liquid. As is apparent, such structure increases the overall space requirements of the filter and introduces complications in its construction. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the field of ammunition and explosives. More particularly, the invention pertains to the field of arming devices of the blocking or interrupting type which may be operated by fluid pressure or inertia.
2. Description of the Related Art
Safe and arm devices typically have an explosive train including an element which is displaced from the train to place the device in a safe condition and which is inserted into the train to place the device in an armed condition. The element is, typically, a pellet of explosive mounted in a rotor or slide which is motivated, when conditions are appropriate for arming, to carry the pellet into the train. Since detonation of an explosive typically requires that it be subjected to a shock wave, as from a previously detonated explosive in an explosive train, it is known to provide a safe condition by providing a void in the train, the void being filled by some inert, but shock wave transmitting, material to establish an armed condition.
For safety, economy in construction, and reliability, it is highly desirable that insertion of an element for arming be motivated directly by an environmental condition only existing when arming is required. A typical example is the motivation of a element, such as an abovementioned slide or rotor, by the inertia of the element when a projectile is fired from a gun. However, direct motivation of such an element may not be practical when the environmental condition, such as mild acceleration or a relatively slight pressure change, provides relatively limited force. Although such a lack of force may be overcome by using low friction elements, by using energy stored in springs or batteries, by using electronic sensors and amplifiers, or by using very large inertia or pressure responsive elements, the resulting bulk, expense, and fragility are highly undesirable. Also, it is evident that a safe and arm device actuated by a relatively small environmental change or by stored energy is impracticably dangerous unless stringent precautions are taken to prevent premature arming when a similar change occurs during shipping, handling, or as a result of accident. Even where relatively large environmental forces are available, as from ram air in an air launched missile, safe and arm devices typically sense conditions for arming and assume an armed condition using mechanical or electromechanical devices which are relatively complex and, therefore, are expensive and unreliable and require further complexities to prevent improper arming.
It is known in an underwater ordnance device such as a mine to have an explosive train interrupted by a void and to arm the device by filling the void with water for transmission of a detonation shock wave, the filling typically occurring by gravity when water soluble plugs on the device exterior dissolve subsequent to placement of the device in its intended environment. In such underwater devices, it is apparent that large explosive train elements may be provided to generate a shock wave effective to initiate further detonation despite attenuation by the water, that a substantial length of time is available for dissolving the plugs and filling the void, and that this delay and the use of plugs soluble only in the intended environment provide stringent safety precautions. It is also apparent that such an arrangement using an inert liquid, while practical for underwater ordnance, is impractical in a safe and arm device for use, for example in an air launched missile, where bulk and weight must be minimized and arming must occur in a fraction of a second, or where, as in free-fall ordnance, there is no environmental condition change as substantial and enduring as that from air to undersea emplacement. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to manufacturing methods of electronic devices, and more specifically, to a manufacturing method of an electronic device, the method including a step of removing a resist by ashing after P (phosphorus) ions are implanted.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally and continuously, in a manufacturing process of an electronic device such as a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device or a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal panel or an active substrate of an organic EL panel, an ion implantation method has been used for forming a source/drain region or the like. A photoresist has been used as an ion implantation mask.
After the ion implantation, it is necessary to remove this photoresist mask. Recently, instead of a wet process using removal liquid for removing this photoresist mask, an ashing process using O2 plasma has been used. An example of a related art ashing step is discussed with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (See Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 11-097421). Here, FIG. 1 is a first view explaining a related art ashing step. FIG. 2 is a second view explaining a related art ashing step.
Referring to FIG. 1, first, an element isolation region 202 is formed in a p-type silicon substrate 201 so that an element forming region is defined. After that, a phosphorus (P) ion is implanted in a part of the element forming region so that an n-type well region 203 and a boron (B) ion is implanted in another part of the element forming region so that a p-type well region 204 is formed.
Next, after a gate dielectric film 205 is formed by applying a thermal oxidation process, gate electrodes 206 and 207 are formed by forming a polysilicon film on an entire surface and by patterning.
Then, P ions 209 are implanted into the p-type well region 204 in a state where the n-type well region 203 is covered with the resist mask 208, so that an n-type source/drain region 210 is formed.
A deformed layer 211 due to the implantation of the P ion is formed on a surface of the resist mask 208.
Next, cations and electrons are removed from plasma of gas where O2 is the main ingredient and N2, H2, and CF4 are added so that a neutral radical environment 212 is made. In the neutral radical environment 212, an ashing process is applied and thereby the deformed layer 211 and the resist mask 208 are removed.
In a case where the ashing process is implemented at a high temperature so that processing speed is made high, in order to prevent a phenomenon where non-deformed resist pops, a step for removing the deformed layer 211 is implemented at 150° C. of substrate temperature. After the deformed layer 211 is removed, the non-deformed resist mask 208 is removed at 200° C. of the substrate temperature.
Referring to FIG. 2, after the processed substrate is taken out to the atmosphere, a cleaning process using a sulfuric acid water solution is applied to the processed substrate so that ashing residual is removed. After that, B ions are implanted into the n-type well region 203 in a state where the p-type well region 204 is covered with the resist mask 213, and thereby a p-type source/drain region 215 is formed.
Next, cations and electrons are removed from plasma of gas where O2 is the main ingredient and N2, H2, and CF4 are added so that neutral radical environment 217 is made. In the neutral radical environment 217, an ashing process is applied and thereby a deformed layer 216 and the resist mask 213 are removed. As a result of this, a basic part of a CMOS transistor is formed.
In this case, in order to prevent the popping phenomenon, a step for removing the deformed layer 216 is implemented at 150° C. substrate temperature. After the deformed layer 216 is removed, non-deformed resist mask 213 is removed at 200° C. substrate temperature.
On the other hand, a technique where, in order to implement the ashing process at a constant substrate temperature, the ashing process is applied to the deformed layer in O2 plasma including 1% of CF4 and at 180° C. substrate temperature so that the deformed layer is removed, and then the ashing process is applied to a non-deformed resist mask in O2 plasma including 5% N2.
As accompanying making the speed of the semiconductor device high, in order to achieve an increase of the driving electric current and the reduction of a leakage current, implantation of impurities is repeated a considerable number of times. It is necessary to remove the resist used as the ion implantation mask. Hence, as the number of implantations is increased, the number of removals of the resist is increased. This causes an increase of the manufacturing time.
Accordingly, currently, as discussed above, the substrate temperature at the time of removing the resist is equal to or higher than 150° C., and thereby reaction speed is made high and the resist removal time is reduced.
Furthermore, in the ashing device having a load lock room, in a case where a semiconductor wafer processed at high temperature is taken out to the atmosphere via the load lock room, temperature unevenness is generated between a part contacting with a substrate supporting jig such as an arm and a non-contacting part. As a result of this, heat deformation may be generated when the semiconductor wafer is rapidly cooled in the atmosphere so that the semiconductor wafer may be warped. Alternatively, thermal stress may be generated so that breakage or short-circuiting of wiring may occur.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 11-345771 discloses a technique where a cooling mechanism is provided at the load lock room, a processed semiconductor wafer is mounted on a wafer mounting stage provided at the load lock room so that uniform heat distribution is maintained, and the temperature of the semiconductor wafer is decreased to a designated temperature.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2001-319885 discloses a technique where the processed wafer is self-cooled by opening the load lock room when the pressure of the load lock room becomes atmospheric pressure or by leading inactive gas into the load lock room when the pressure of the load lock room is changed to atmospheric temperature.
However, the inventor of the present invention found that a Si digging phenomenon occurs in the ashing step after P having a high density of 5×1015 cm−2 is ion-implanted. The Si digging phenomenon is a phenomenon where a P implantation region or a polysilicon layer where P is implanted of the silicon substrate is undesirably etched.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part after a contact hole is formed. More specifically, FIG. 3 is a sketch of an electron micrograph image and a cross-sectional view in a direction parallel with an extending direction of a gate electrode.
FIG. 3-(A) shows a normal state and FIG. 3-(B) shows an abnormal state. Referring to FIG. 3-(B), a hollow part 226 is formed at a corner of a contact hole 224 of a silicon substrate 221 where P is implanted. Furthermore, a hollow part 227 is formed in a region neighboring the contact hole 224.
Since the hollow part 227 in the region neighboring to the contact hole 224 is generated before the contact hole 224 is formed, a step before the contact hole 224 with the hollow part 226 is formed, namely the ashing step after the P ion implantation region is formed, may be the reason for this situation.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a state where a resist used as a mask is removed by ashing after the polysilicon layer for the gate electrode is formed and the P ions are partially implanted in order to form an n channel type FET gate electrode and a gate extraction electrode. FIG. 4 is a sketch of an electron micrograph image.
Referring to FIG. 4, the film thickness of a P implantation part of a polysilicon layer is thinner than a non-implantation part situated at the left end side of FIG. 4. This shows that undesirable etching is generated.
Such a Si digging defect causes an increase on the value of resistance of a diffusion resistance layer or a wiring layer so that a signal delay or decrease of the driving electrical current may happen.
In a case where B ions are implanted as shown in FIG. 5-(A), as compared to the P ion implantation shown in FIG. 5-(B), the Si digging defect shown in FIG. 5-(C) does not occur at all. This situation is applied to a case of another impurity such as As and it is confirmed that this situation is peculiar to P.
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining distribution of the Si digging defects.
FIG. 6-(A) shows a distribution indicated by dots without the Si digging defect, in a case where the wafer is taken to the atmosphere after a long time such as approximately 30 through 60 seconds has passed after the ashing process. The distribution is almost even in the wafer.
FIG. 6-(B) shows distribution showing the Si digging defect in a case where the wafer is taken to the atmosphere after a short time such as approximately 10 seconds passes after the ashing process, by dots. The defect in the case of FIG. 6-(B) is larger than the case of FIG. 6-(A) by the Si digging defects.
Thus, if the time period from the time of the ashing process to the time when the wafer is taken out to the atmosphere is long, the temperature of the wafer is decreased so that it may be difficult to generate the Si digging defects. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a variable gain control circuit, and more particularly, to a variable gain control circuit embodied in an integrated circuit device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variable gain control circuit is used for controlling the amount of transmission output gain depending on distance or other communication environment, particularly when signals are communicated and a wave is emitted or received between mobile communication terminals and base stations. Control of the output gain can improve power efficiency and prevent unnecessary current from being leaked to neighboring channels.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional variable gain control circuit. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional variable gain control circuit comprises an input matching unit 111, an analog control circuit 121, an output matching unit 131, bipolar transistors 141˜143 and an inductor 151.
Similar to a difference amplifier, current flows to the bipolar transistor 143 based on the difference of voltages applied to the bases of the bipolar transistors 141, 142. The amount of current which flows to the bipolar transistor 143 is controlled by controlling the size of a control voltage Vc applied to the bases of transistors 141,142 through an analog control circuit 121. When a high frequency signal S1 is input to the bipolar transistor 143 through input matching unit 111, the variable gain control circuit 101 amplifies this signal, and an output signal is generated and output at S2 through the output matching unit 131. The input matching unit 111 impedance matches the input signal S1 and the output matching unit 131 impedance matches circuitry connected to S2.
In the variable gain control circuit 101, an additional analog control circuit 121 is required for more precise linear control. Thus, an integrated circuit device equipped with the variable gain control circuit 101 requires more space, has higher current dissipation and parasitic effects.
Accordingly, a need exists for a variable gain control circuit having a wide range of variable gains without an analog control circuit. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and particularly, to a display panel and a display device.
Description of the Related Art
Display devices have been developed and changed rapidly, and particularly with growth of touch display panels, a display panel with a narrow edge frame has become a tendency. However, at present, presence of the edge frame is mainly limited to circuit leadings and cutting allowance in the edge frame; if it is desired to narrow or remove the edge frame by changing peripheral circuits, it is required to arrange complex drive circuits within a very limited range, which will necessarily increase design difficulty of the and drive circuits and challenge limit of accuracy of devices. Meanwhile, a reduction in the cutting allowance will also increase process difficulty. Thus, it is still a challenging issue in further narrowing and even removing the edge frame of the display panel in prior arts. | {
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This application claims priority to an application entitled xe2x80x9cRoute Guiding Method for In-Vehicle Navigation Devicexe2x80x9d filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on May 3, 2001 and assigned Serial No. 2001-24166, and to an application entitled xe2x80x9cRoute Guiding Method for In-Vehicle Navigation Devicexe2x80x9d filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Mar. 18, 2002 and assigned Serial No. 2002-14428, the contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a navigation device, and in particular, to a route guiding method for an in-vehicle navigation device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Navigation using satellite signals was first used for aircrafts and nautical vessels, and is now becoming more widespread in other vehicles, such as cars, trucks, busses, motorcycles, etc. As vehicles are being equipped with in-vehicle navigation devices using satellites, many techniques are being developed to track the vehicles more precisely. Such an in-vehicle navigation device receives data about the position of a vehicle from the satellites, reads map data from a device in the vehicle, and pinpoints the shortest route on the map visibly and audibly for a user. The route guidance function is fundamental to the in-vehicle navigation device. After an optimum route to a destination is calculated, when a vehicle is traveling and an intersection is in sight, information about the intersection is provided to the user. The guidance information about the intersection is provided to the user by voice and with a related image when the vehicle reaches a specified point (e.g., 100 or 300 m ahead), alerting the user of the direction he is supposed to turn at the intersection beforehand.
The conventional in-vehicle navigation device, however, confuses the user by providing guidance information about a next intersection during turning at an intersection or providing scheduled intersection information to the user when the user""s vehicle is off track.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved route guiding method for an in-vehicle navigation device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a route guiding method that eliminates the confusing situation where guidance information about the next intersection is provided during successive intersections or when a vehicle is off track.
The foregoing and other objects are achieved by providing a route guiding method for an in-vehicle navigation device. To guide a vehicle to a destination by an optimum route, it is determined whether the vehicle is on track within a predetermined intersection range based on route guidance data received from a traffic information center via a mobile communication network. If the vehicle is on track within the intersection range, it is determined whether the vehicle is in a free run state according to predetermined free run conditions preventing a preliminary route guidance message that is confusing to a driver in the free run state. According to the determination result, the preliminary route guidance message is selectively provided.
The free run conditions include coincidence between the direction the vehicle is pointing and the direction of a calculated route, the azimuth difference between a road that the vehicle takes and the other roads at an intersection, the distance the vehicle moves from the intersection, and the distance between the current intersection and a next intersection. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to Bartonella henselae as a component of a pharmaceutical composition for the modulation of the angiogenesis; a nucleic acid molecule that is derived from the gene encoding the Bartonella henselae adhesin A protein (BadA), a vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule; a host containing said nucleic acid molecule or said vector; a (poly)peptide encoded by said nucleic acid molecule; a composition comprising Bartonella henselae bacteria; a composition comprising aforesaid (poly)peptide; a method for treating a human or animal being in need of the modulation of the angiogenesis, a method for detecting an infection by Bartonella in a human or animal being, as well as a method for immunizing a cat.
2. Related Prior Art
Angiogenesis or neovascularisation refers to a process in which under physiological conditions new blood vessels are sprouting out of the existing vascular system. Angiogenesis can, e.g., be observed during embryogenesis in the corpus luteum (menstruation). Furthermore, angiogenesis has a pathophysiological relevance, it can be observed during the wound healing, in diabetic retinopathy, haemangiomas, psoriasis, as well as in malignant tumors. In this connection, ischaemic diseases are especially relevant, which are very often characterized by a disorder of the angiogenesis.
Against this background especially in medicine and pharmacology there is a considerable need for pharmacological effective substances by which the angiogenesis can be modulated. | {
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The present invention relates to an apparatus for aerating water, and includes a rigid, at least essentially planar support element upon which is disposed a sheet made of rubber or other elastomeric material, with this sheet being provided with fine slits for the discharge of air. The support element has one or more connectors for supplying air between the support element and the sheet, with the rim portion of the sheet being connected in an air tight manner to the support element. At least one holding means is disposed at various locations inwardly of the rim portion of the sheet for limiting or preventing a lifting or raising of the sheet from the support element when the sheet is subjected to internal pressure.
With the heretofore known apparatus of this type, threaded bolts or metal strips that are bolted on are provided that extend through the sheet and the support element. Aside from the fact that these known holding means require a not inconsiderable amount of time and effort for assembly, they do not even ensure that no air can escape or leak out.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve an apparatus of the aforementioned general type in such a way that a simple and rapid assembly is possible, while at the same time an airtight configuration is ensured. | {
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Network software applications typically maintain a centralized network database for application and/or user data. In some cases, a device may download or replicate a subset of the central database from the network database, and then disconnect from the network. For example, a wireless handheld device may download calendar and contact information from a central database such as a web site. If information maintained by the network database is modified, or the replicated subset of information itself is modified, a synchronization event may be needed to update such changes in both data locations. For example, assume a user adds a new appointment to a calendar application. When the handheld device establishes a connection with the network database, the calendar information stored by the network database may need to be updated to reflect the modified data from the handheld device, and vice-versa. As the volume of application data increases, as well as the number of devices attempting to synchronize with the network database, however, synchronization events may become increasingly time and bandwidth intensive. Consequently, improved synchronization techniques may be needed to solve these and other problems. | {
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The present invention relates to programmable amplifiers with hysteresis, and more particularly, to amplifiers with that can be programmed to have positive and negative hysteretic threshold voltages.
Integrated circuits often have input buffers that receive input signals and drive signals to other parts of the integrated circuit. A differential input buffer senses differential input signals, converts the input signals to digital logic, and drives internal and external signals appropriately. One type of differential input buffer can drive input voltages that are generated according to the Low Voltage Differential Signal (LVDS) and Lightning Data Transport (LDT) differential input standards. To support other types of input voltage standards, extra circuitry and control RAM bits need to be added to this type of input buffer.
It would therefore be desirable to provide an input buffer that can support numerous differential input standards without the need for external components or additional internal circuitry. It would also be desirable to provide an input buffer that can sense a wider range of differential input voltages and common mode voltage levels than prior art input buffers. It would also be desirable to provide an input buffer that can be fabricated according to a wide range of semiconductor processes and that can operate within a wide range of supply voltages. It would also be desirable to provide an input buffer with these features and that can be easily maintained at a 50% duty cycle. | {
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Gas turbine engines generally include a high pressure compressor for compressing air flowing through the engine, a combustor in which fuel is mixed with the compressed air and ignited to form a high energy gas stream, and a high pressure turbine. The high pressure compressor, combustor and high pressure turbine sometimes are collectively referred to as the core engine. Such gas turbine engines also may include a low pressure compressor for supplying compressed air, for further compression, to the high pressure compressor.
Normally the compressor efficiency decreases as the compressor inlet corrected flow (along with speed) is reduced beyond about 80% of the design point (DP) flow. Similar efficiency decreases occur with increased inlet corrected flows over about 110% of the DP flow.
It would be desirable to extend the compressor higher efficiency operation beyond the flow ranges described above. It also would be desirable to provide such an extended higher efficiency range without significantly increasing the cost of the engine. At low power, it is desirable to provide improved cycle thermal efficiency and reduced NOx emissions. | {
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Nanofiber technology has not yet developed commercially and, therefore, engineers and entrepreneurs have not had a source of nanofibers to incorporate into their designs. Uses for nanofibers will grow with improved prospects for cost-efficient manufacturing, and development of significant markets for nanofibers is almost certain in the next few years. The leaders in the introduction of nanofibers into useful products are already underway in the high performance filter industry. In the biomaterials area, there is a strong industrial interest in the development of structures to support living cells. The protective clothing and textile applications of nanofibers are of interest to the designers of sports wear, and to the military, since the high surface area per unit mass of nanofibers can provide a fairly comfortable garment with a useful level of protection against chemical and biological warfare agents.
Carbon nanofibers are potentially useful in reinforced composites, as supports for catalysts in high temperature reactions, heat management, reinforcement of elastomers, filters for liquids and gases, and as a component of protective clothing. Nanofibers of carbon or polymer are likely to find applications in reinforced composites, substrates for enzymes and catalysts, applying pesticides to plants, textiles with improved comfort and protection, advanced filters for aerosols or particles with nanometer scale dimensions, aerospace thermal management application, and sensors with fast response times to changes in temperature and chemical environment. Ceramic nanofibers made from polymeric intermediates are likely to be useful as catalyst supports, reinforcing fibers for use at high temperatures, and for the construction of filters for hot, reactive gases and liquids.
It is known to produce nanofibers by using electrospinning techniques. These techniques, however, have been problematic because some spinnable fluids are very viscous and require higher forces than electric fields can supply before sparking occurs, i.e., there is a dielectric breakdown in the air. Likewise, these techniques have been problematic where higher temperatures are required because high temperatures increase the conductivity of structural parts and complicate the control of high electrical fields.
It is known to use pressurized gas to create polymer fibers by using melt-blowing techniques. According to these techniques, a stream of molten polymer is extruded into a jet of gas. These polymer fibers, however, are rather large in that the fibers are greater than 1,000 nanometers (1 micron) in diameter and more typically greater than 10,000 nanometers (10 microns) in diameter. It is also known to combine electrospinning techniques with melt-blowing techniques. But, the combination of an electric field has not proved to be successful in producing nanofibers inasmuch as an electric field does not produce stretching forces large enough to draw the fibers because the electric fields are limited by the dielectric breakdown strength of air.
The use of a nozzle to create a single type of nanofiber from a fiber-forming material is known from co-pending application Ser. No. 09/410,808. However, such a nozzle cannot simultaneously create a mixture of nanofibers that vary in their composition, size or other properties.
Many nozzles and similar apparatus that are used in conjunction with pressurized gas are also known in the art. For example, the art for producing small liquid droplets includes numerous spraying apparatus including those that are used for air brushes or pesticide sprayers. But, there are no apparatus or nozzles capable of simultaneously producing a plurality of nanofibers from a single nozzle.
It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a method for forming a plurality of nanofibers that vary in their physical or chemical properties.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method for forming a plurality of nanofibers as above, having a diameter less than about 3,000 nanometers.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a method for forming a plurality of nanofibers as above, from the group consisting of fiber-forming polymers, fiber-forming ceramic precursors, and fiber-forming carbon precursors.
It is still another aspect of the present invention to provide a nozzle that, in conjunction with pressurized gas, simultaneously produces a plurality of nanofibers that vary in their physical or chemical properties.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a nozzle, as above, that produces a plurality of nanofibers having a diameter less than about 3,000 nanometers.
It is still another aspect of the present invention to provide a nozzle that produces a mixture of nanofibers from one or more polymers simultaneously.
At least one or more of the foregoing aspects, together with the advantages thereof over the known art relating to the manufacture of nanofibers, will become apparent from the specification that follows and are accomplished by the invention as hereinafter described and claimed.
In general the present invention provides a method for forming a plurality of nanofibers from a single nozzle comprising the steps of: providing a nozzle containing: a center tube; a first supply tube that is positioned concentrically around and apart from said center tube, wherein said center tube and said first supply tube form a first annular column, and wherein said center tube is positioned within said first supply tube so that a first gas jet space is created between a lower end of said center tube and a lower end of said supply tube; a middle gas tube positioned concentrically around and apart from said first supply tube, forming a second annular column; and a second supply tube positioned concentrically around and apart from said middle gas tube, wherein said middle gas tube and second supply tube form a third annular column, and wherein said middle gas tube is positioned within said second supply tube so that a second gas jet space is created between a lower end of said middle gas tube and a lower end of said second supply tube; and feeding one or more fiber-forming materials into said first and second supply tubes; directing the fiber-forming materials into said first and second gas jet spaces, thereby forming an annular film of fiber-forming material in said first and second gas jet spaces, each annular film having an inner circumference; and simultaneously forcing gas through said center tube and said middle gas tube, and into said first and second gas jet spaces, thereby causing the gas to contact the inner circumference of said annular films in said first and second gas jet spaces, and ejecting the fiber-forming material from the exit orifices of said first and third annular columns in the form of a plurality of strands of fiber-forming material that solidify and form nanofibers having a diameter up to about 3,000 nanometers.
The present invention also includes a nozzle for forming a plurality of nanofibers by using a pressurized gas stream comprising a center tube, a first supply tube that is positioned concentrically around and apart from said center tube; wherein said center tube and said first supply tube form a first annular column, and wherein said center tube is positioned within said first supply tube so that a first gas jet space is created between a lower end of said center tube and a lower end of said supply tube; a middle gas tube positioned concentrically around and apart from said first supply tube, forming a second annular column; a second supply tube positioned concentrically around and apart from said middle gas tube, wherein said middle gas tube and second supply tube form a third annular column, and wherein said middle gas tube is positioned within said second supply tube so that a second gas jet space is created between a lower end of said middle gas tube and a lower end of said second supply tube. | {
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Cryptographic keys may be used to protect data. Data may be encrypted with a key, which prevents anyone from reading the data unless they have access to the key. The key is managed in a way that prevents unauthorized entities from accessing the key. In addition to using keys to encrypt and decrypt data, keys may be used for other purposes, such as authentication, digital signatures, generation of pseudo-random numbers, or any other cryptographic computation that uses keys.
There are various mechanisms that bind a key to an entity. A specific user is an example of an entity to which a key may be bound. For example, the Data Protection Application Programming Interface (DPAPI) can associate a key with a particular user's logon credentials. With DPAPI, when a key is bound to a user, the key is accessible only when that user is logged into the machine on which access to the key is sought.
There are various scenarios in which it may make sense to bind a key to some target other than a specific user. | {
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Various networks, such as the Internet, allow users located in separate physical locations to engage in communication sessions, such as text-based chat, real-time audio, and video communications. A user of a communication network wishing to communicate using one of these methods may generally only be able to communicate with those other users who are connected to the Internet, for example, using the same type of communication network. A user wishing to engage in a communication session with one or more other users may send a communication, such as an e-mail, chat message, or other form of communication, to the one or more other users to determine if any of those users are available to engage in a communications session. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for driving an AC-driven plasma display panel (PDP) and also relates to a plasma display device to which the method applies.
2. Description of Related Art
A PDP is a flat display device of a self-luminous type having a pair of substrates as a support. Since the PDP capable of color display was put to practical use, the PDP has wider applications, for example as a display of television pictures or a monitor of a computer. The PDP is now attracting attention also as a large, flat display device for high-definition TV.
The AC-driven PDP is a PDP constructed to have main electrodes covered with a dielectric to allow a so-called memory function of maintaining light-emission discharges for display by utilizing wall charge. For producing an image with the PDP, row by row addressing is carried out to form a charged state only in cells which are to emit light for display, and then a sustain voltage Vs for sustaining the light-emission discharges of alternating polarities is applied to all cells. The sustain voltage VS satisfies the following formula (1): EQU Vf-Vwall<Vs<Vf Formula (1)
wherein Vf is a firing voltage, i.e., a discharge at start voltage, and Vwall is a wall voltage.
In cells having the wall charge, the wall voltage is superposed on the sustain voltage Vs, and therefore an effective voltage Veff present in the cells, which is also called a cell voltage, exceeds the firing voltage Vf to generate an electric discharge. If the sustain voltage Vs is applied at sufficiently short cycles, apparently continuous light emission can be obtained. Luminance of display depends on the number of discharges generated per unit time. Accordingly, gradation display (display of gray scales) is reproduced by setting a proper number of discharges per field (per frame in the case of non-interlaced scanning) for every cell in accordance with desired gradation levels. Color display is a kind of gradation display, and colors are produced by combining three primary colors with changing luminance of the colors.
For performing gradation display with the PDP, it is generally known from Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. HEI 4(1992)-195188 that one field is divided into a plurality of sub-fields each having aweighted luminance, i.e., number of discharges, and the total number of discharges in one field is set by deciding light emission or non-light-emission in each of the sub-fields. In general, the luminance of the sub-fields is weighted by so-called "binary weighting" which lays weights represented by 2.sup.n wherein n=0, 1, 2, 3, . . . . For example, if the number of sub-fields is eight, 256 levels of gradation, i.e., gradation level "0" to gradation level "255," can be displayed.
The binary weighting is suitable for multi-gradation. However, in order to uniform a difference in luminance corresponding to one level of gradation (hereafter referred to as a gradation difference) all over a total range of gradation, addressing must be carried every sub-field, and resetting (preparation for the addressing) must also be carried out for forming a uniformly charged state on an entire screen prior to the addressing of each sub-field. If the resetting is not performed, cells having residual wall charge, i.e., cells having been selected to have light-emission discharges for display in the preceding sub-field, are different in dischargeability from other cells, i.e., cells not having been selected for display in the preceding sub-field. Therefore it is difficult to carry out the addressing with reliability. Since the resetting and addressing involve an electric discharge, it is desirable that the number of resettings and addressings be reduced for good contrast and reduction of electric power consumption. Especially in the case of a high-definition PDP, it is earnestly desired also for the purpose of preventing the generation of heat that the number of addressings be reduced since a load on a circuit components for the addressing is large.
For this purpose, Japanese Patent No. 2639311 proposes a method for driving a PDP wherein a number of sub-fields are grouped into a plurality of groups, sub-fields belonging to the same group are equally weighted and the resetting is carried out once for every group of sub-fields.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the conventional driving method.
In the example of FIG. 8, a field f is composed of nine sub-fields sf1 to sf9, which are grouped into three groups sfg1 to sfg3 each consisting of three sub-fields. Sub-fields sf1 to sf3 belonging to a first sub-field group sfg1 are each weighted by one, sub-fields sf4 to sf6 belonging to a second sub-field group sfg2 are each weighted by four, and sub-fields sf7 to sf9 belonging to a third sub-field group sfg3 are each weighted by sixteen. With this construction of the field, 64 levels of gradation, i.e., level "0" to level "63," can be displayed. Each of the sub-fields sf1 to sf9 is provided with an address period ta for the addressing and a sustain period ts, which is also referred to as a display period, for sustaining light-emission discharges. Each of the sub-field groups sfg1 to sfg3 is provided with a reset period tr for the resetting. The length of the address period is constant in all the sub-fields, i.e., a product of a scanning cycle per row and the number of the rows, while the sustain period ts is longer as a larger weight of luminance is put on the sustain period.
Conventionally, the resetting is performed by a charge erasing operation of eliminating residual wall charge and thereby rendering the entire screen into an uncharged state, and the addressing is performed by a selective writing operation of selecting only cells which are to emit light for display and forming new wall charge in the selected cells.
For example, in order to produce the gradation level "3," a cell may be selected to emit light during the sustain periods ts of the three sub-fields sf1 to sf3 whose luminances are each weighted by one. In this case, the entire screen is cleared of electric charge in the reset period tr of the first sub-field group sfg1, and the cell is written to form wall charge in the address period ta of the first sub-field sf1. This cell is not written in the address periods ta of the second and third sub-fields sf2 and sf3, but the light-emission discharges are sustained by use of remaining wall charge in the sustain periods TS of the sub-fields sf2 and sf3. Then, the wall charge is eliminated in the reset period tr of the second sub-field group sfg2 and thus the cell falls in a non-selected state wherein the cell does not generate a discharge on the application of a sustain voltage for sustaining the light-emission discharge. In order to reproduce the gradation level "2" in a cell, the cell is written in the address period ta of the second sub-field sf2 and the cell emits light in the sustain periods ts of the second and third sub-fields sf2 and sf3.
With this construction in which the timing of writing is varied in each of the sub-fields groups sfg1 to sfg3 according to a gradation level to be reproduced, the number of resettings can be reduced to the number of sub-field groups and the number of address writings in each cell can reduced equal to or less than the number of sub-field groups. Since the addressing here is of a write method, the addressing is not required when the gradation level to be reproduced is "0."
With the conventional driving method, however, a priming effect of space charge generated by the discharge for the resetting is large when the addressing immediately follows the resetting, while the priming effect becomes smaller as the interval between the resetting and the addressing becomes longer because the space charge decreases. Thus the incidence of discharge defects becomes high. That is, the production of a gradation level which requires light emission in only a few sub-fields of the sub-field groups sfg1 to sfg3 is not ensured. For this reason, it is difficult to increase the number of sub-fields belonging to each of the sub-field groups sfg1 to sfg3 thereby to increase the number of gradation levels to display without increasing power consumption for the addressing. In addition to that, the cycle for scanning a row must be set to a relatively large value of about 3.7 .mu.s so that a necessary amount of wall charge is formed by the addressing. Therefore, in the case where the number of rows is 480, for example, one addressing requires about 1.78 ms and the maximum number of addressings that can be done in one field time (about 16.7 ms) is nine. | {
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A monitoring scan is performed in a contrast enhancement examination by an X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus. In the monitoring scan, the X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus monitors in real time the degree of dyeing with a contrast agent in a CT image, and when the pixel value of the CT image reaches a specific threshold, shifts to an actual scan (to be referred to as a post-contrast enhancement scan hereinafter). The monitoring scan is a scan mode for supporting the post-contrast enhancement scan. Thus, a set of the monitoring scan and post-contrast enhancement scan is performed. Condition setting of the monitoring scan and the like are performed immediately before executing the monitoring scan.
In some cases, a scan before injecting the contrast agent (to be referred to as a pre-contrast enhancement scan hereinafter) is performed in response to a clinical request. The pre-contrast enhancement scan is performed to acquire a subtraction image between a CT image acquired by the pre-contrast enhancement scan and a CT image acquired by the post-contrast enhancement scan.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the typical sequence of a contrast enhancement examination according to a related art. FIG. 13 is a graph schematically showing the flow of the contrast enhancement examination according to the related art. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a reference image acquisition scan is performed first (step SZ1). After the end of step SZ1, condition setting for the pre-contrast enhancement scan is performed (step SZ2). More specifically, in step SZ2, imaging conditions, reconstruction conditions, and the like are set. The pre-contrast enhancement scan is performed in accordance with the conditions set in step SZ2 (step SZ3). After performing step SZ3, condition setting for the monitoring scan and post-contrast enhancement scan is performed (step SZ4). By using a reference image acquired in step SZ1, an ROI (Region Of Interest) for the monitoring scan is set (step SZ5). After performing steps SZ4 and SZ5, a contrast agent is injected into a subject, and the monitoring scan is performed (step SZ6). If a pixel value in the ROI of the CT image acquired by the monitoring scan reaches a threshold, the post-contrast enhancement scan is performed (step SZ7). Then, the contrast enhancement examination ends.
ROI setting for the monitoring scan cannot be performed before the start of the pre-contrast enhancement scan. That is, the ROI setting has to be performed between the end of the pre-contrast enhancement scan and the start of the monitoring scan. Time is therefore taken for a shift from the pre-contrast enhancement scan to the monitoring scan. The conditions of the pre-contrast enhancement scan, monitoring scan, and post-contrast enhancement scan are set individually. For this reason, an error of the condition setting readily occurs. Also, the number of condition setting operations is large, and the working efficiency is poor. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Reversing a vehicle while towing a trailer is very challenging for many drivers. This is particularly true for drivers that are unskilled at backing vehicles with attached trailers which may include those that drive with a trailer on an infrequent basis (e.g., have rented a trailer, use a personal trailer on an infrequent basis, etc.). One reason for such difficulty is that backing a vehicle with an attached trailer requires steering inputs that are opposite to normal steering when backing the vehicle without a trailer attached and/or requires braking to stabilize the vehicle-trailer combination before a jackknife condition occurs. Another reason for such difficulty is that small errors in steering while backing a vehicle with an attached trailer are amplified thereby causing the trailer to depart from a desired path.
To assist the driver in steering a vehicle with a trailer attached, a trailer backup assist system needs to know the driver's intention. One common assumption with known trailer backup assist systems is that a driver of a vehicle with an attached trailer wants to backup straight and the system either implicitly or explicitly assumes a zero curvature path for the vehicle-trailer combination. Unfortunately most of the real-world use cases of backing a trailer involve a curved path and, thus, assuming a path of zero curvature would significantly limit usefulness of the system. Some known systems assume that a path is known from a map or path planner. To this end, some known trailer backup assist systems operate under a requirement that a trailer backup path is known before backing of the trailer commences such as, for example, from a map or a path-planning algorithm. Undesirably, such implementations of the trailer backup assist systems are known to have a relatively complex human machine interface (HMI) device to specify the path, obstacles and/or goal of the backup maneuver. Furthermore, such systems also require some way to determine how well the desired path is being followed and to know when the desired goal, or stopping point and orientation, has been met, using approaches such as cameras, inertial navigation, or high precision global positioning system (GPS). These requirements lead to a relatively complex and costly system.
Another reason backing a trailer can prove to be difficult is the need to control the vehicle in a manner that limits the potential for a jackknife condition to occur. A trailer has attained a jackknife condition when a hitch angle cannot be reduced (i.e., made less acute) while continuously backing up a trailer by application of a maximum steering input for the vehicle such as, for example, by moving steered front wheels of the vehicle to a maximum steered angle at a maximum rate of steering angle change. In the case of the jackknife angle being achieved, the vehicle must be pulled forward to relieve the hitch angle in order to eliminate the jackknife condition and, thus, allow the hitch angle to be controlled via manipulation of the steered wheels of the vehicle. However, in addition to the jackknife condition creating the inconvenient situation where the vehicle must be pulled forward, it can also lead to damage to the vehicle and/or trailer if certain operating conditions of the vehicle relating to its speed, engine torque, acceleration, and the like are not detected and counteracted. For example, if the vehicle is travelling at a suitably high speed in reverse and/or subjected to a suitably high longitudinal acceleration when the jackknife condition is achieved, the relative movement of the vehicle with respect to the trailer can lead to contact between the vehicle and trailer thereby damaging the trailer and/or the vehicle.
Various trailer backup assist systems and methods have been developed. Such systems may include a target that is placed on a trailer, and a camera that utilizes imaging data of the target to determine a position of a trailer relative to a vehicle. Examples of systems that utilize a target on a trailer are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2014/0058614, 2014/0058622, 2014/0058655, 2014/0058668, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/198,753 filed on Mar. 6, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,296,421 issued on Mar. 29, 2016, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/249,781 filed on Apr. 10, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,374,562 issued on Jun. 21, 2016, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/290,243 filed on May 29, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,723,274 issued on Aug. 1, 2017, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/313,310 filed on Jun. 24, 2014, now Pat. No. 9,296,422 issued on Mar. 29, 2016. Each of the above-identified patent applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Metals having high thermal conductivity have been widely used as a material for a main body of an electronic device including heat-generating components, chasses, heat sinks, and the like. Metal allows heat to spread quickly to the surrounding environment, thereby protecting electronic components vulnerable to heat from local high temperature. In addition, metals have excellent mechanical strength and processability and are suitable for a heat dissipating material having a complex shape. However, metals have disadvantages of high cost and increase in weight. Accordingly, thermally conductive resins are replacing metals.
As electronic devices are reduced in size and improved in performance, components mounted in the devices are required to be highly integrated. However, such devices frequently suffer from malfunction due to thermal load out of proportion to power output. In addition, it is difficult to quickly dissipate heat due to reduction in thickness and weight of the devices. Typical thermally conductive resins have limitations in solving these problems due to low thermal conductivity.
Conventional thermally conductive resins exhibiting heat dissipating properties have been developed by focusing on selection of fillers having high thermal conductivity. As thermally conductive fillers used to provide thermal conductivity, carbon-based fillers such as graphite and ceramic-based fillers such as aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, and aluminum nitride are mainly used. It has been proposed to use a proper combination of such fillers, fillers having thermal conductivity in a specific range, or fillers having a specific particle size.
However, when high weight ratios of fillers having high thermal conductivity are simply added to a resin to improve thermal conductivity, a resin composition has poor melt flowability causing deterioration in productivity in manufacture of molded articles. In addition, when an injection molding speed is increased in order to improve productivity of such a resin composition, small products suffer from deterioration in injection moldability and large products are likely to suffer from short shot or deterioration in aesthetics. Further, since molded articles manufactured in this way have poor mechanical properties such as strength due to an excess of thermally conductive fillers, the amount of fillers needs to be limited, thereby making it difficult to sufficiently improve thermal conductivity.
Thus, in order to maximize thermal conductivity while minimizing the amounts of such fillers, it is important to allow a network of fillers to be efficiently formed in a thermally conductive resin. In addition, in order to prevent deterioration in injection moldability even when a large amount of fillers are added, it is important to use a resin having low viscosity. However, since such a resin having low viscosity has low molecular weight and high reactivity between molecular chains, thereby easily causing reaction during extrusion and injection molding, unwanted side effects such as curing reaction can occur.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-038078 (Patent document 1) discloses a thermally conductive resin composition containing a high density polyethylene polymer matrix including fillers, and Korean Patent No. 227,123 (Patent document 2) discloses a polycarbonate resin composition which has good chemical resistance and flowability and exhibits excellent stiffness and impact strength. However, in such resin compositions, specific reinforcing agents are used to prevent reduction in impact strength due to thermally conductive fillers, thus there are problems of deterioration in thermal conductivity and moldability.
Therefore, there is a need for a highly thermally conductive resin which can secure flowability to efficiently form a network of fillers, thereby exhibiting improved mechanical properties such as impact strength and tensile strength and thermal conductivity while securing excellent injection moldability. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for treating conditions of the naso-pharyngeal area such as snoring and sleep apnea. More particularly, this invention pertains to method and apparatus to stiffen tissue of the naso-pharyngeal area.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Snoring has received increased scientific and academic attention. One publication estimates that up to 20% of the adult population snores habitually. Huang, et al., xe2x80x9cBiomechanics of Snoringxe2x80x9d, Endeavour, p. 96-100, Vol. 19, No. 3 (1995). Snoring can be a serious cause of marital discord. In addition, snoring can present a serious health risk to the snorer. In 10% of habitual snorers, collapse of the airway during sleep can lead to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Id.
Notwithstanding numerous efforts to address snoring, effective treatment of snoring has been elusive. Such treatment may include mouth guards or other appliances worn by the snorer during sleep. However, patients find such appliances uncomfortable and frequently discontinue use (presumably adding to marital stress).
Electrical stimulation of the soft palate has been suggested to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. See, e.g., Schwartz, et al., xe2x80x9cEffects of electrical stimulation to the soft palate on snoring and obstructive sleep apneaxe2x80x9d, J. Prosthetic Dentistry, pp. 273-281 (1996). Devices to apply such stimulation are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,284,161 and 5,792,067. Such devices are appliances requiring patient adherence to a regimen of use as well as subjecting the patient to discomfort during sleep. Electrical stimulation to treat sleep apnea is discussed in Wiltfang, et al., xe2x80x9cFirst results on daytime submandibular electrostimulation of suprahyoidal muscles to prevent night-time hypopharyngeal collapse in obstructive sleep apnea syndromexe2x80x9d, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, pp. 21-25 (1999).
Surgical treatments have been employed. One such treatment is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. In this procedure, so-called laser ablation is used to remove about 2 cm of the trailing edge of the soft palate thereby reducing the soft palate""s ability to flutter between the tongue and the pharyngeal wall of the throat. The procedure is frequently effective to abate snoring but is painful and frequently results in undesirable side effects. Namely, removal of the soft palate trailing edge comprises the soft palate""s ability to seal off nasal passages during swallowing and speech. In an estimated 25% of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty patients, fluid escapes from the mouth into the nose while drinking. Huang, et al., supra at 99. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is also described in Harries, et al., xe2x80x9cThe Surgical treatment of snoringxe2x80x9d, Journal of Laryngology and Otology, pp. 1105-1106 (1996) which describes removal of up to 1.5 cm of the soft palate. Assessment of snoring treatment is discussed in Cole, et al., xe2x80x9cSnoring: A review and a Reassessmentxe2x80x9d, Journal of Otolaryngology, pp. 303-306 (1995).
Huang, et al., supra, describe the soft palate and palatal snoring as an oscillating system which responds to airflow over the soft palate. Resulting flutter of the soft palate (rapidly opening and closing air passages) is a dynamic response generating sounds associated with snoring. Huang, et al., propose an alternative to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The proposal includes using a surgical laser to create scar tissue on the surface of the soft palate. The scar is to reduce flexibility of the soft palate to reduce palatal flutter. Huang, et al., report initial results of complete or near-complete reduction in snoring and reduced side effects.
Surgical procedures such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and those proposed by Huang, et al., continue to have problems. The area of surgical treatment (i.e., removal of palatal tissue or scarring of palatal tissue) may be more than is necessary to treat the patient""s condition. Surgical lasers are expensive. The proposed procedures are painful with drawn out and uncomfortable healing periods. The procedures have complications and side effects and variable efficacy (e.g., Huang, et al., report promising results in 75% of patients suggesting a full quarter of patients are not effectively treated after painful surgery). The procedures may involve lasting discomfort. For example, scar tissue on the soft palate may present a continuing irritant to the patient. Importantly, the procedures are not reversible in the event they happen to induce adverse side effects not justified by the benefits of the surgery.
In pharyngeal snoring, the pharyngeal airway collapses in an area between the soft palate and the larynx. One technique for treating airway collapse is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). In CPAP air is passed under pressure to maintain a patent airway. However, such equipment is bulky, expensive and generally restricted to patients with obstructive sleep apnea severe enough to threaten general health. Huang, et al. at p. 97.
A technique for snoring treatment is disclosed in commonly assigned and copending U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 09/513,432 filed Feb. 25, 2000. According to certain embodiments of that application, permanent implants are placed in the soft palate to add stiffness to the soft palate.
According to one aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatuses are disclosed for treating a patient""s upper airway condition such as snoring and sleep apnea. The invention includes selecting a particulate material selected for limited migration within tissue and for encouraging a fibrotic response of tissue to the material. A bolus of the particulate material is injected into the tissue area to structurally stiffen the tissue. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to control systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interface that allows multiple surgical devices to be controlled from an input device, such as a foot pedal.
2. Description of Related Art
Many surgical procedures are performed with multiple instruments. For example, some laparoscopic procedures are performed utilizing a robotic arm system produced by Computer Motion, Inc. of Goleta, Calif. to hold and move an endoscope. The surgeon may also use a laser to cut tissue and an electrocautery device to cauterize the tissue. Each instrument has a unique control panel or foot pedal to operate the device. The surgeon must therefore depress one foot pedal to move the robotic arm and endoscope, depress a different foot pedal to actuate the electrocautery device, and manipulate yet another input device to energize the laser. Operating multiple input devices may distract the surgeon, thereby reducing the efficiency and safety of performing the procedure. It would therefore be desirable to provide an interface that would allow the surgeon to select and control multiple surgical devices from a single input device. Additionally, it is also desirable to provide an interface that would allow the surgeon to mutually exclusively select and control multiple surgical devices from an input device. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to a method and apparatus for medical diagnostic testing by using infrared radiation and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining temperature differences between two or more sites on a body.
Differential skin surface temperature measurement has been useful for determining the ovulation time of women as well as other medical testing. A study by Shah et al, "Determination of Fertility Interval with Ovulation Time Estimation Using Differential Skin Surface Temperature Measurement," Fertility and Sterility, May 1984, indicates that the temperature of vascularity sensitive areas can be compared to vascularity insensitive areas to determine the time of ovulation. The vascularity sensitive area measured is the breast and the vascularity insensitive area is the sternum. Just before ovulation the temperature of the vascularity sensitive areas is greater than the vascularity insensitive areas.
Differential temperature measurement may also be useful for detecting soft tissue damage When tissue is inflamed the blood supply to it is increased. This increased blood supply increases the temperature of the tissue. Thus, by comparing the temperature of the damaged tissue to that of the undamaged tissue an injury can be detected. Such information may be useful, for example, in evaluation of so-called "whip-lash" injuries.
The present invention has particular application in determining temperature differences between two or more sites on a human body using infrared detectors. One advantage for using infrared detectors is that a measure of the surface temperature of a site on an object can be determined without contacting the object. However, if only one detector is used to measure the temperature at two or more sites, the probability of measurement inaccuracies due to moving the detector is great. On the other hand, if different detectors are used to measure the temperature at different sites, measuring inaccuracies due to drifts or tolerances between the different detectors is likely. An apparatus which can measure two or more sites on a human body or on other objects without these drawbacks is therefore desirable.
Infrared detectors measure the infrared radiation emitted by a surface. By analyzing the wavelength and intensity of the radiation, the surface temperature can be remotely determined. Detectors used in such systems, for example, pyroelectric infrared detectors, typically have a body of pyroelectric material and electrical output leads. A change in temperature of the pyroelectric material creates a change in polarization and current is produced only as the material experiences a temperature change. When it is at a constant temperature, no current is produced. When radiation is absorbed by the material, an electrical current flows in a circuit connected to the output leads thereby providing an indication of the radiation. Such detectors are not only exposed to the radiation emitted by the surface to be measured, but also to radiation emitted by themselves or their environment. Thus, the measuring accuracy of the system is reduced.
In one attempt to overcome this problem, two detector elements, connected in inverse parallel arrangement have been employed with one of the elements exposed to incident radiation while the other detector element is only exposed to internal or environmental radiation. In another attempt to overcome the accuracy problem, a system with a single detector element has been used together with a chopper which alternately exposes the detector to incident radiation and then to internal radiation only.
Prior patents pertaining to detecting temperatures of an object using radiation detectors include: U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,282 to Loy; U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,598 to Kunz; U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,752 to Herwig et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,748 to Guscott et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,357 to Baker et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,630 to Takahashi; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,631 to Guscott.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,282 to Loy discloses the use of a modulator device which alternately switches the radiation transmitted to a detector between that emanating from a point in a scene and a reference beam which indicates the mean temperature of the scene. Loy requires a plurality of mirrors or lenses for focusing each beam of radiation onto a detector. U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,598 to Kunz discloses a multifaceted mirror structure which focuses light from a plurality of discrete points onto a single radiation detector. The Guscott and Takahashi patents are similar except that a dual mirror system is utilized for focusing radiation.
The patent to Herwig discloses an apparatus for focusing radiation beams from different directions onto a single detector in which a plurality of planar mirrors initially deflect incoming beams onto a concave mirror. The concave mirror reflects the beams onto a further deflecting mirror which directs the beams to a detector.
The patent to Baker et al discloses a differential radiation detection apparatus for determining the level of liquid in a container by measuring the temperature of the container above and below the level of the liquid. In that patent, the radiation from two points on the same object is reflected by a concave mirror to the detection apparatus. A disadvantage of this system is that the apparatus comprises a pair of thermal radiation detectors.
It is an object of this invention to provide a noncontact temperature sensing system and method for accurately determining a temperature differential on the surface of an object.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a temperature differential measurement system and method which is not prone to environmental effects.
It is still another object of the present invention to avoid temperature differential measuring inaccuracies originating from moving the measuring system.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for temperature differential measurement using the same radiation detector to measure the radiation from all points being measured to avoid drifts or tolerances between different detectors. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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An individual with a disease, particularly a chronic disease, may be required to monitor various health parameters on a regular basis in support of any treatment or therapy that he or she is undergoing or receiving. Today, advances in medical research enable a range of therapeutic options to treat a given disease, or ailment and/or their symptoms, where each of the proposed therapies targets a particular biochemical or physiochemical process underlying or associated with the disease to provide either a cure or relief from the disease symptoms. For example, if one were to consider various options available for treating pain symptoms, the possible diagnoses medicaments and therapies are many. It is possible that the therapy/medication a patient receives could be subjective and depend upon the particular doctor/physician, i.e., his/her background, expertise and past experiences. For example, a physiotherapist or an orthopedic physician may treat a pain symptom differently than a physician or pain management specialist. Although a doctor plays a critical role in diagnosing and prescribing the therapy, the patient (and his/her family members or care givers) also has great responsibility in complying with the prescription, and following the course of action for achieving improved health and better quality of life. However, unfortunately, depending upon the patient demographics and nature of the disease, health care management of pain management and implementation of pain management has become a daunting task and an expensive affair.
For example, of the all diseases, chronic pain is one of the most underestimated health care problems in the world today, causing major consequences for the quality of life of the patients and the family members and has been a major burden on the health care system. The most common causes of chronic pain are musculoskeletal problems (fractures, dislocations, soft injuries) and inflammatory conditions, with back pain and arthritis pain symptoms accounting for a significant portion of the overall chronic pain population. The four most common ways to treat pain are: (1) pharmaceutical (e.g., analgesics, aspirin; NSAIDs, Ibuprofen, COX-2 inhibitors, celecoxib; opioids, morphine), (2) procedural (neuro-stimulators, pulsed radiofrequency, intrathecal), (3) psychological (behavioral, cognitive), and (4) physical (e.g., heat, cold, transcutaneous electric nerve simulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, infrared, microwave or shortwave diathermy, electro-magnetic radiation, acupuncture, massage). Although pharmaceutical methods (e.g., drugs) are most widely used for treating pain, individuals on over the counter or prescription drugs for pain are frequently dissatisfied with the results of the pharmaceutical treatment. Further, the adverse side effects that drugs may cause on prolonged usage is shifting the focus away from drugs toward alternate methods for managing chronic pain. The procedural methods are invasive, expensive and their effectiveness has been difficult to quantify. Psychological therapies often lack practicality and their success rates have been limited. Finally, physiotherapy based methods have been proven attractive, but they are inconvenient, require bulky/complex instruments, and regular office/hospital visits, all of which lowers compliance. In addition, these therapies are often not supported by quality clinical data despite tremendous advances made in understanding pathophysiology and pain signaling.
Although, a number of physical medicine/modalities based therapies have been administered to treat musculoskeletal pain, identifying the optimal therapy and dosage for pain symptoms has been elusive. For example, clinical data published in the literature indicates that the application of physical medicine is appropriate/beneficial in some cases and not so beneficial in other cases. The response from patients to these methods is similarly mixed. Given this background, the patient (or his/her doctor) has no way of knowing what is the best treatment method. If one were to consider the combined use of these the application of physical therapies, the possible variations may be several (including dosage, therapy session and duration), but combination therapies may provide an opportunity to fine the therapy to make it efficacious or even personalized, especially when one takes advantage of modem technological advances such as computing, internet of things, sensing, connectivity, big data, and analytics in conjunction with electronic medication/therapy.
Therefore, there exists a need for a medical device and an associated system for offering improved therapies for sustained pain relief that takes into account objective and subjective patient feedback and further takes into account the statistical certainty of obtaining a satisfactory outcome. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to a processing request allocator in a distributed computing system.
There is known a distributed computing system in which a plurality of computers and terminals are coupled by communication channels and the communication between the computers and the sharing in processing service requests between the computers are made so that the overall performance and availability of the system are enhanced. This conventional distributed computing system interprets the names of a program and file necessary for the execution of each service request issued from the terminals or computers, and allots the service request to a computer having such program or file. In this case, a plurality of computers may have such necessary program or file. The decision of which computer the service request is allotted to affects not only the response time to the service request, but also the performance of the whole distributed computing system. In the prior art, any one of the following systems have been used:
(1) When a plurality of computers can process a service request, the problem of which computer the request is to be allotted to is decided by an operator or on the basis of predetermined operational rules.
(2) Each service request is moved along a constant path within the distributed computing system and processed at the first computer which can process the service request on the path.
These systems cannot take into consideration the current load level of each computer or the communication delay at each computer in its decision of allotment. Therefore, there are drawbacks that (1) unequal loads may be applied to the computers, resulting in unfair response time to service requests, (2) the loads to some computers may be too low and thus the utilization efficiency thereof may be lowered, and (3) some service requests may be allotted to computers requiring too long a communication delay and thus the response time may be too long. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to integrated circuits, and more specifically, to level shifters.
2. Related Art
Level shifters are generally for changing the voltage levels of logic signals. One situation where they are commonly used is for programming and erasing of non-volatile memory (NVM) in which the logic, which determines which memory cells are to be programmed or erased, is operated at a much lower voltage than that required for performing the program or erase. For example, it is common for the logic of an integrated circuit to be operated at around one volt while the program or erase function is carried out at about ten volts. Conventional level shifters can generally be designed to be effective in this situation if the program or erase voltage is held within a narrow range. A technique for improving the endurance or reliability of NVM cells is to change the program or erase voltage based on the condition of the NVM. This can be based on the number of program and erase cycles or on the actual measured program or erase condition of a particular NVM cell. The program or erase voltage can be as low as 6 volts or as high as 14 volts. A 6 volt to 14 volt range raises some problems with conventional level shifters. One problem is the lower current drive capability at the lower voltage and the breakdown voltage of the transistors that are used in the level shifter at the higher voltage. Current drive can be increased by increasing the size of the transistors of the level shifter, but this is an undesirable solution because that increases the size of the circuit. Breakdown voltage can be addressed by adding transistors, but that not only increases size but also increases the number of transistors in the output path which increases output resistance and thus reduces speed of operation. Stacking transistors also increases the minimum operating voltage.
Thus there is a need for a level shifter that reduces or eliminates the adverse affects described above. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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For the last sixty years, magnetic tapes have been used for data storage, backup and restoration of analog and digital information. Over these years, data has been stored on magnetic tapes having various tape formats, and using various compression/validation/correction algorithms and with various reading/writing devices. Years after the storage of data on such magnetic tapes, technical obstacles regarding successful reading of old or damaged magnetic tapes have appeared.
One example of such technical obstacles relates to tracks that were written on magnetic tapes by computers that had no operating systems, resulting in a lack of documentation in the mapping of recorded bits to numbers and letters. This is problematic in that the recorded bits were encoded with non-standard character sets, as opposed to standard character sets such as, for example, ASCII and EBCDIC, in use today.
Another example of such technical obstacles relates to tracks on magnetic tapes being misaligned or magnetic tapes that had momentarily shifted in the tape path thereby causing erratic skewing issues. Both of these cases result in missing bits on tracks causing parity errors or bit loss upon reading of the magnetic tape.
An additional example of such technical obstacles relates to the proximity of layers of a magnetic tape on a tape spool. This proximity can cause the imprint of magnetic information of one layer of a tape on an adjacent layer or layers of the magnetic tape, thereby shifting copies of a signal backwards and/or forwards along the magnetic tape. Such shifting of copies of the signal can give false positives for bit determination.
Another example of such technical obstacles relates to the use of induction heads to read magnetic tapes. Induction heads require the magnetic tape to be read at a specific speed for which the magnetic tape was originally designed. In addition, metal oxide present on magnetic tapes might shed from the tape binder due to sticky tape syndrome.
An additional example of such technical obstacles relates to magnetic tapes that have been damaged magnetically and/or mechanically and including print through and bit drop out errors.
Another example of such technical obstacles relates to the presence of weak bits on magnetic tapes.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for reading a magnetic tape that helps in overcoming at least one (and preferably more) of the technical obstacles mentioned above. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The communications revolution of the past few years has seen an explosion in the number of wireless devices. Cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, and other consumer devices are using wireless technology to provide connectivity to their users. Wireless technology is currently being used to provide voice-based services for cellular and PCS (Personal Communication Services) telephones, with increasing need for into building coverage. PDAs and laptops can now access the Internet and local dedicated intranets, giving end users access to not only email but also to World Wide Web based content. The increased demand for access to more services in more locations imposes higher performance demands on the wireless infrastructure.
One major problem facing wireless networks is backhaul data transmission. As cellular and PCS voice utilization inside buildings increases and as the data transfer rate provided to the end user increases, the backhaul network feeding the localized wireless nodes gets heavily burdened. Each local wireless node servicing local wireless end users must be fed traffic from public and/or private, voice and/or data networks. As each end user demands coverage in more areas and higher data throughput, the backhaul network, the network that feeds the localized wireless nodes that actually distribute data traffic to individual end users, has to provide more and more data capacity. Further, as wireless data speed requirements increase, cell sizes—the area serviced by the localized wireless nodes—must shrink. As cell density increases, then, so does the number of backhaul nodes and links that are needed to feed the cells. In fact, the number of backhaul links increases inversely with the square of the wireless nodes' cell radius.
Because of the above, high speed, high capacity wireless networks have generally been limited by backhaul bandwidth. Such bandwidth, previously provided by copper, optical or microwave radio links, comes at a very great cost to the operator and deployer of the wireless network. A wireless backhaul is clearly an attractive alternative. In particular, a wired backhaul is expensive to deploy as physical connections must be run to each node.
One problem with wireless backhaul networks is the need for point to point links between the backhaul nodes in the backhaul network. Installing such backhaul nodes requires extensive set up costs in terms of time and labor as the installation team has to manually point, configure, and setup each backhaul node. Not only that but the process for ensuring that one wireless backhaul antenna lines up with a corresponding antenna at another node may require two teams—one at one node and another at the other node to ensure that data is being received properly at either end of the link.
Another issue with some backhaul wireless networks is their limitation to a two dimensional plane. Obstacles between two backhaul nodes are usually overcome by setting up more nodes that circumvent the obstacles on one plane. The approach usually requires more nodes deployed and increased overhead and increased probabilities of problems.
Based on the above, there is therefore a need for solutions and alternatives that at least mitigate, if not overcome, the limitations of the prior art. Such solutions and alternatives should simplify the installation and configuring process while allowing full backhaul capabilities for a lesser number of nodes. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods used to fabricate semiconductor devices, and more specifically to a method used to form a borderless contact hole to an underlying conductive region
(2) Description of Prior Art
The trend to micro-minituriaztion, or the ability to fabricate semiconductor devices with features smaller than 0.50 micrometers, has presented difficulties when attempting to form narrow diameter, deep contact holes in a dielectric layer, to expose underlying conductive regions. The use of photoresist as a mask for etching of a thick dielectric layer presents selectivity concerns in regards to a fast removal etch rate of the photoresist, in the dielectric layer etching ambient, therefore not allowing only the photoresist shape to be used as the etch mask. Increasing the thickness of the photoresist mask to accommodate the non-selectivity of the etch ambient only reduces the resolution needed to define deep, narrow diameter openings. The use of a hard mask layer, with increased etch rate selectivity to the material being etched, results in additional process cost as a result of the ex-situ removal of the photoresist shape, performed after the photoresist shape had been used to define the desired opening in the hard mask layer. In addition, ex situ removal of the hard mask layer, also results in unwanted additional process cost.
This invention will describe a process for defining a narrow diameter, contact hole opening, in a thick dielectric layer, featuring in situ removal of the defining photoresist shape, after transferring the desired contact hole shape to a hard mask insulator layer. The present invention will then teach a process in which the desired contact hole opening is in situ formed in the thick dielectric layer, followed by an in situ procedure which defines the desired opening in a bottom insulator stop layer, while removing the hard mask insulator layer from the top surface of the thick dielectric layer. This completely in situ, dry etch procedure, allows the attainment of a borderless contact to be realized. Prior art such as Chiang et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,515, describe a process for forming a deep contact hole in a dielectric layer, using a hard mask layer, however that prior art does not teach the complete in situ, selective dry etch procedure, described in the present invention featuring in situ removal of the hard mask insulator layer during definition of the contact hole opening in a bottom insulator stop layer.
It is an object of this invention to define a narrow diameter, deep contact hole opening, in a dielectric layer, using an in situ, dry etching procedure.
It is another object of this invention to initially define the desired contact hole opening in a hard mask insulator layer, using a photoresist shape as an etch mask, followed by the in situ removal of the defining photoresist shape.
It is still another object of this invention to use the hard mask as a etch mask to in situ define the desired contact hole opening in a dielectric layer, with the selective, in situ dry etching procedure terminating on an underlying stop layer.
It is still yet another object of this invention to in situ define a borderless contact hole opening in the stop layer, again using the hard mask insulator layer as an etch mask, exposing an underlying conductive region, and resulting in the in situ removal of the hard mask insulator layer from the top surface of the dielectric layer.
In accordance with the present invention an in situ, dry etch procedure, used to form a borderless contact hole opening in a dielectric layer, is described. After defining a desired contact hole opening in an overlying hard mask insulator layer, via a dry etching cycle using a photoresist shape as an etch mask, the photoresist shape is in situ removed. Another in situ, dry etch cycle is next used to selectively transfer the contact hole opening, defined in the overlying hard mask insulator layer, to a thick dielectric layer, with the selective dry etching procedure terminating at the appearance of an underlying insulator stop layer. Finally another in situ dry etching cycle is used to define the desired contact hole opening in the underlying insulator stop layer, exposing a portion of the top surface of a conductive region, resulting in a borderless contact hole opening. The dry etching cycle used for the opening of the insulator stop layer also results in the in situ removal of the exposed hard mask insulator layer. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The invention is applicable to apparatus in which a transducer modifies an applied electrical signal, in particular piezoelectric transducers, for example a quartz crystal microbalance system, where the transducer vibrates at a frequency at or close to its resonant frequency.
The transducer typically has an active surface on which a receptor group is immobilised. That group has a chemical affinity or reactivity towards the substance to be detected or analysed. The substance to be analysed is normally present in a fluid which is brought into contact with the active surface of crystal.
Physical, chemical and biochemical interactions between the receptor group on the surface and the substance cause a change in the mass attached to the surface (and in other physical properties of the active surface), and these affect the vibrational characteristics, in particular the resonant frequency, of the crystal. Analysis of these effects can be used to obtain qualitative and/or quantitative data on the substance.
In some types of known apparatus, the quartz crystal sensor is formed as part of flow cell which is connected to a sample delivery/removal system for passing a sample to be analysed through the cells so that the sample comes into contact with the crystal. The apparatus will include drive measurement circuitry connected to the crystal and operable to vibrate the crystal and to detect and/or measure the changes in the crystal's vibrational characteristics.
Replacement of the transducer is frequently necessary, particularly in the field of bio-sensors, if a number of different substances in fluid sample are to be analysed or if the receptor coating on the crystal cannot be used more than once.
In that connection it is known to provide the crystal and the flow cell in a single cartridge which may be readily inserted into and removed from apparatus providing the electrical circuitry and the sample delivery/removal system. An easily manufactured flow cell which is disposable, yet easily and robustly mountable into the measurement apparatus is therefore highly desirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,059 shows a cartridge formed from an injection moulded component having an annular rib to which the crystal is adhered. The rib spaces the crystal from an opposed face to define a flow cell, and the injection moulded component also includes recesses for contacts at a position spaced from the crystal. The contacts are connected to crystal by electrical wires, and provide a means of connection between the crystal and the appropriate drive/measurement circuitry.
Such a cartridge is of a relatively complex construction and is therefore relatively expensive, especially since the cartridge is to be used as a disposable unit. In addition, the minimum distance between the crystal and the underlying surface, and hence the volume of the flow cell, is limited by the rib, which provides a lower limit on the height of the flow cell. This can prevent the flow cell from achieving rapid immobilisation times, and this correspondingly limits the speed of response of the apparatus. Additionally the cartridge requires a manual electrical connection operation between the terminal of the transducer and the instrument, which is inconvenient in operation.
In the analysis of biomechanical interactions available volumes of analyte fluid are frequently limited so the volume of the flow cell should be small. It is also known that measurements of kinetic properties of analyte receptor interactions can be limited by the diffusion of analyte to the surface of the transducer. In order to minimise this transport limitation, and preferably overcome it, the dimension of the flow cell in the direction perpendicular to the transducer surface should be minimised.
The mounting of electromechanical piezo-electrical transducers such as quartz crystal oscillators in such a way that the mounted transducer is free of residual stress, and forms a reliable fluid tight seal is an important design objective of such cells. WO2128372 and WO0247246 propose various means intended to achieve stress free mounting, but in these cases there results a relatively complex multipart design for fabricating a leak tight structure, and further, as with U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,059 above this results in a situation where it is difficult to obtain a low volume of the flow cell. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for transmitting data into and out of a computer or the like, suitable for use in a disk drive such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a magnetooptical disk drive, or the like.
Disk drives such as optical disk drives, which are connected to computers or the like for storing various data produced by the computers on disks, have widely been used as data input/output apparatus in the prior art.
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows functional blocks of software functions stored in an optical disk drive. Processing operation of a CPU of the optical disk drive will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. Since the software functions are represented by respective functional block in FIG. 1, the software functions are given hardware titles in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the software system includes a system controller P1 for controlling the system in its entirety, a memory controller P2 for controlling a work memory, an I/O (input/output) driver P3 for inputting and outputting input/output data P4, P5, P6 with tasks TASK#1, TASK#2, TASK#3, and a data transfer buffer P11 for transferring data.
The system controller P1 is a software task referred to as TASK#0 as a main manager for controlling the system while determining whether the I/O driver P3 is normal or not, setting a DMA control circuit, or monitoring data as they are inputted into and out of the work memory and a buffer memory. The tasks TASK#1, TASK#2, TASK#3 are carried out in an SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) environment. The memory controller P2 is a memory manager as a so-called test driver.
A multitask monitor P8 is a software function for operating the tasks TASK#1, TASK#2, TASK#3 apparently simultaneously, and has two features. One of the features is that each software module can be designed uniquely without concern over various factors. The other feature is that a software sequence corresponding to an abruptly occurring event can easily be generated and modified because each of the tasks TASK#1, TASK#2, TASK#3 is of a structure which keeps a waiting condition until an event corresponding to each of the tasks occurs. Due to these features, the multitask monitor P8 is employed in many devices. Denoted at P9-1, P9-2, P9-3 are hardware-initiated interrupt routines.
Operation of the optical disk drive, particularly the software system shown in FIG. 1, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show an operation sequence caused by the system controller P1 shown in FIG. 1 and an operation sequence of the optical disk drive caused by the I/O driver P3 shown in FIG. 1.
In a step S1, the system controller P1 calls the I/O driver to cause the I/O driver to wait for a command. Specifically, when the system controller P1 enters a state of receiving a command, the system controller P1 calls the I/O driver P3 directing it to wait for a command. Then, the I/O driver P3 enters a state of waiting for a command in a step S2.
When the I/O driver P3 receives a command, the system controller P1 analyzes the command in a step S3, and control goes to step S4 or step S5 depending on the analyzed command. Specifically, the system controller P1 analyzes a command from a host computer, and if the command is a data transfer command, then control goes to step S4, and if the command is not a data transfer command, then control goes to step S5.
In step S4, a data transfer memory is acquired, after which control proceeds to step S6. That is, preparations are made in order to be able to use a buffer memory.
In step S5, a command other than the data transfer command is processed. Thereafter, control returns to step S1.
In step S6, a task of a source I/O driver is started, and DMA (direct memory access) transfer is started between the data transfer memory and an I/O, after which control goes to step S8 shown in FIG. 3. That is, the I/O driver P3 (in FIG. 1) effects DMA transfer to the buffer memory.
In step S7, the DMA transfer is started in the I/O driver P3, and an interrupt indicating the end of the DMA transfer is awaited. After step S7, control goes to step S8.
In step S8, a task of the destination I/O driver is started, and DMA transfer is started between the data transfer memory and an I/O, after which control goes to step S9. That is, when the system controller P1 (FIG. 1) recognizes that a certain amount of data is stored in the buffer memory, the system controller P1 starts a task of the I/O driver P3.
In step S9, the DMA transfer is started, and an interrupt indicating the end of the DMA transfer is awaited. Specifically, the destination I/O driver P3 starts DMA transfer from the buffer memory to an I/O, i.e., to an input or output side. When the DMA transfer is ended, the I/O driver P3 informs the system controller P1 of the end of the DMA transfer. The system controller P1 then waits for an end of the data transfer in step S10. If the data transfer ends, then control goes to step S11, and if the data transfer does not end, then control goes to step S6 shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, since all data may not be transferred in one transfer cycle, the system controller P1 controls source and destination I/O drivers P3 to effect DMA transfer while monitoring the DMA transfer of the source and destination I/O drivers P3 until all data to be transferred from the destination I/O driver P3 are transferred from the buffer memory to a destination I/O by the destination I/O driver P3.
In step S11, an end status is given to the I/O drivers, after which control goes back to step S1 shown in FIG. 2. That is, a status indicative of the end of the DMA transfer is given to the source I/O driver P3 and the destination I/O driver P3.
In step S12, the I/O driver P3 reports the result to the I/O which has issued the command. Thereafter, control returns to step S1 shown in FIG. 2. That is, the host computer is informed of the end of the data transfer.
When the processing of the command is finished, the system controller P1 waits for a command again.
In order to carry out the above operation effectively, the tasks TASK#1, TASK#2, TASK#3 are assigned respectively to the I/O data P4, P5, P6, respectively, and the multitask monitor P8 shown in FIG. 1 is operated.
The conventional data input/output apparatus described above suffers the following problems:
First, if there are a number of I/O drivers P3 which receive commands, then the software sequence for the system controller shown in FIG. 1 becomes more complex as the number of I/O drivers P3 increases. Inasmuch as it is necessary to monitor whether there is a command from another I/O while a command received by the software sequence for the system controller is being processed, the software sequence for the system controller is essentially of a complex nature.
Secondly, the functional level of the entire system is constrained by the designing capability because the system controller P1 is required to operate while determining the type (source or destination, for example) and status of the tasks of the I/O drivers P3.
The third problem is that when a bug occurs in a certain I/O driver P3, or the software sequence needs to be modified for a functional expansion, no correct change can be made unless the designer understands the overall software sequence.
According to the fourth problem, if a plurality of designers are assigned to design and develop a software system for one storage apparatus, then the software system cannot be designed and developed unless locations for exchanging information between software sequences, including I/O driver interfaces, are clearly indicated.
The fifth drawback is that when a new system is constructed, it has to be newly designed in its entirety.
According to the sixth disadvantage, the number of I/Os that can be handled is limited because the greater the number of tasks that can be controlled by the multitask monitor P8, the slower the processing speed of the system.
According to the seventh problem, since tasks of several I/O drivers cannot be generated independently of each other, all tasks of I/O drivers have to be generated in relation to each other. | {
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The present invention relates to a superconducting integrated circuit using Josephson junctions and, more particularly, to a polarity-convertible Josephson driver circuit capable of injecting a current into a driven line such as a word or bit line of the memory cell array of the superconducting memory integrated circuit and arbitrarily reversing the direction of the current.
FIG. 9 shows an equivalent circuit for explaining a conventionally known polarity-convertible Josephson driver circuit (the Spring National Convention of the Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of Japan, 1988, C-66, "Polarity-Convertible Driver Circuits"). This prior art will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.
As shown in FIG. 9, a conventional polarity-convertible Josephson driver circuit comprises four magnetic coupling Josephson gate circuits G.sub.1 G.sub.2, G.sub.3, and G.sub.4, three resistors R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.L, and a driven line L. In a memory circuit, the driven line L corresponds to the word or bit line of a memory cell array.
In this driver circuit, when a signal is input to a control signal input terminal S.sub.1 while a bias current is supplied to bias input terminals B.sub.1 and B.sub.2, the magnetic coupling Josephson gate circuits G.sub.1 and G.sub.3 are switched from a superconducting state to a voltage state, and the bias current is injected from an output terminal O.sub.1 into the driven line L through the resistor R.sub.1. The bias current flowing in the driven line L flows into ground through the magnetic coupling Josephson gate circuit G.sub.4. With the above operation, an output current can be generated by the driven line L in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9.
On the other hand, when a signal is input to a control signal input terminal S.sub.2, the magnetic coupling Josephson gate circuits G.sub.2 and G.sub.4 are switched from a superconducting state to a voltage state, and a bias current is injected from an output terminal O.sub.2 into the driven line L through the resistor R.sub.2. The bias current flowing in the driven line L flows into ground through the magnetic coupling Josephson gate circuit G.sub.3. With the above operation, an output current can be generated by the driven line L in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9.
As described above, the driver circuit can realize a polarity-convertible operation capable of injecting a current into the driven line L and arbitrarily reversing the direction of the current.
In this prior art, however, since the four magnetic coupling Josephson gate circuits (two-junction SQUID gates) are used, the circuit area is increased, and large-scale integration cannot be easily performed. In addition, since control lines respectively connected to the control signal input terminals S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 must be magnetically coupled to the set of two magnetic coupling Josephson gate circuits G.sub.1 and G.sub.3 and the set of two magnetic coupling Josephson gate circuits G.sub.2 and G.sub.4, respectively, the inductances of the control lines are increased, and the driver circuit cannot be easily operated at high speed.
Since the magnetic coupling Josephson gate circuits are used, an input signal current relatively larger than an output current is required. Furthermore, since the inductances of the control lines are increased, the driver circuit cannot be easily operated at high speed. | {
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The present invention relates to improvements in a stacker apparatus for a food slicing machine, such as a meat slicer or meat slicing station.
Food slicing machines are well known in the art and can be found in meat processors, sandwich shops, delicatessens or “delis”, grocery stores, and the like. Such slicing machines are often used to slice cheese and meats into individual slices of a predetermined thicknesses. As is known in the art, such slicing machines generally include a motorized slicing blade that receives and cuts the food, an input structure for supporting and feeding the food into the blade, a thickness control mechanism for determining the thickness of the food slices, and a discharge mechanism for expelling the food slices from the slicer.
In high throughput settings, such as a meat processing setting, the food slicer may be functionally engaged with or coupled to a food slice stacking device, so that food slices expelled from the slicer are received by the stacker and then transferred to a stacking station, where the slices can be stacked into a food slice stack. Such coupled slicers and stackers are often automated and synchronized, so that the coupled slicer and stacker cooperate to cut and stack a pre-determined number of food slice stacks, wherein each stack includes a pre-determined number of food slices of a defined thickness.
Prior art stackers include a frame supporting several adjacent and vertically aligned downstream spring-loaded pulleys and an equal number of adjacent and vertically aligned upstream sprockets. Each spring-loaded pulley includes an individual pulley engaged with tensioning springs located within an adjacent stainless steel housing. Each of the spring-loaded pulleys is horizontally aligned with one of the sprockets, thereby providing several pulley-sprocket pairs. Each pulley-sprocket pair supports and engages an endless transport loop, such as a chain loop, that includes a plurality of food slice-receiving members, such as sharpened prongs, hooks or teeth. The sprockets are driven by a motor to rotate so that the engaged transport loops move across the front of the stacker, from an upstream end, which includes the sprockets, toward a downstream end, which includes the pulleys. Thus, a food slice pressed onto the front of the stacker is transported or conveyed in a downstream direction to a stacking station, where a transfer fork detaches the slice from the engaged slice-receiving members and then transfers it to a stacking surface, such as a platform, a scale, a conveyor belt, or the like.
To wash and sanitize the stacker, the spring-loaded pulleys and chains must be completely disassembled. After washing, the stacker parts must be reassembled. Disassembling and reassembling the stacker is time consuming and difficult, due to the large number of complex parts. Due to this time consumption and difficulty, users tend to avoid disassembling and reassembling the stacker, and instead wash the assembled stacker. Unfortunately, this practice leads to food particles remaining in the pulleys after cleaning. As is well known in the art, food particles remaining on such food handling equipment can lead to food-born illness. Consequently, practices often associated with prior art stackers may be unsuitable in sanitary food processing. | {
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Current computer applications are generally more graphically intense and involve a higher degree of graphics processing power than predecessors. Applications, such as games, typically involve complex and highly detailed graphics renderings that involve a substantial amount of ongoing computations. To match the demands made by consumers for increased graphics capabilities in computing applications, like games, computer configurations have also changed.
As computers, particularly personal computers, have been programmed to handle programmers' ever increasingly demanding entertainment and multimedia applications, such as high definition video and the latest 3D games, higher demands have likewise been placed on system bandwidth. Thus, methods have arisen to deliver the bandwidth for such bandwidth hungry applications, as well as providing additional bandwidth headroom for future generations of applications.
For these reasons, current computer systems oftentimes include multiple processors. For example, a graphics processing unit (GPU) is an example of a coprocessor in addition to a primary processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), that performs specialized processing tasks for which it is designed. In performing these tasks, the GPU may free the CPU to perform other tasks. In some cases, coprocessors, such as a GPU, may actually reside on the computer system's motherboard along with the CPU, which may be a microprocessor. However, in other applications, as one of ordinary skill in the art would know, a GPU and/or other coprocessing devices may reside on a separate but electrically coupled card, such as a graphics card in the case of the GPU.
A coprocessor such as a GPU may often access supplemental memory, such as video memory, for performing its processing tasks. Coprocessors may be generally configured and optimized for performing specialized tasks. In the case of the GPU, such devices may be optimized for execution of three dimensional graphics calculations to support applications with intensive graphics. While conventional computer systems and coprocessors may adequately perform when running a single graphically intensive application, such computer systems and coprocessors may nevertheless encounter problems when attempting to execute multiple graphically intensive applications at once.
In general, a GPU input may be represented as a stream of primitives, which are basic elements that may represent graphic elements, such as a point, line, circle, triangle, etc., which are two-dimensional primitives. In a solid modeling system, three dimensional primitives include a cylinder, cube and sphere among others, such as, in some instances, a triangle and/or a line as well. The primitives may also constitute predefined patterns with certain rules that are applied by the GPU.
Graphically intense applications can oftentimes include a variety of primitives to be processed by the GPU. A set of primitives may be defined by graphics application programming interface (API) standards, such as OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) and/or D3D (Direct 3D). OpenGL is a standard specification defining a cross-language cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 2D and 3D computer graphics. D3D is a Microsoft® standard used in conjunction with various Windows® systems for rendering 2D and 3D computer graphics.
The GPU may be called upon to process many different kinds of primitives including primitives that are legacy primitives. At the beginning of the GPU pipeline, processing components may communicate the different primitives to the various processing components in a predetermined fashion.
Yet, due to the variety and corresponding complexity of such primitives, GPU pipelines are generally configured with a large number of processing gates so as to handle the multiple types of primitives that may need processing. As some of these types of primitives are complex, the various processing components of the GPU pipeline may include, as a nonlimiting example, 200,000 additional gates so as to be able to process more complex primitives, such as a triangle fan or quad list.
By increasing the number of gates in each of the processing components of the GPU pipeline, the costs of manufacturing such GPU pipelines is expensive, but is otherwise needed in the GPU if certain types of primitives are to be processed in the GPU pipeline. But if the processing components of the GPU pipeline can be configured with a less number of gates while still somehow handling the variety of primitives that may come via the input stream to the GPU, then the associated cost of the processing components is less.
Thus, there is a heretofore-unaddressed need to overcome these deficiencies and shortcomings described above. | {
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A number of catalysts are known to be effective for the oxidation of acrolein or methacrolein to acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, respectively. However, the yields obtained using the catalysts for the preparation of methacrylic acid are low. West German Provisional Pat. No. 2,048,620 discloses catalysts containing the oxides of molybdenum, phosphorus, and arsenic for the oxidation of methacrolein and acrolein to methacrylic acid and acrylic acid, respectively. U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,516 discloses catalysts containing oxides of molybdenum, arsenic and phosphorus on a support, especially Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, having external macropores and a surface not greater than 2 m.sup.2 /g.
The present invention is a result of a search for more efficient and desirable catalysts for the production of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Unexpectedly higher yields of and selectivities to acrylic acid and methacrylic acid are obtained by the vapor phase oxidation of acrolein and methacrolein, respectively, with molecular oxygen in the presence of the new and useful catalysts of the present invention. | {
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The continual demand for enhanced integrated circuit performance has resulted in, among other things, a dramatic reduction of semiconductor device geometries, and continual efforts to optimize the performance of every substructure within any semiconductor device. A number of improvements and innovations in fabrication processes, material composition, and layout of the active circuit levels of a semiconductor device have resulted in very high-density circuit designs. Increasingly, dense circuit design has not only improved a number of performance characteristics, it has also increased the importance of, and attention to, semiconductor material properties and behaviors.
Through use, the operation of a transistor may degrade over time. There are currently several known modes of transistor degradation. One type of degradation mechanism involves channel hot carriers. In general a high electric field within a transistor causes degradation in the gate oxide. Another degradation mechanism is referred to as negative biased temperature instability degradation.
Commonly device manufacturers specify or define a number of boundary device design parameters (e.g., max/min voltage, max/min current) within which a desired device reliability level may be achieved, or even guaranteed. For example, a semiconductor device may be guaranteed an operational life of 10 years if its supply voltage is maintained at or below 5 Volts over that life. Often, such specifications are derived from a number of characterization tests and simulations performed on sample devices or device structures.
Many end equipment applications demand a guaranteed operational lifetime for a device operating at some fixed set or range of operating conditions. Where a semiconductor manufacturer is supplying devices utilizing a mature fabrication technology, a certain amount of historical data on the actual performance or degradation of the devices over some given lifetime may be available. Frequently, however, the manufacturer is producing the devices utilizing a new, state-of-the-art fabrication technology. In many cases, such technologies have not been in existence long enough to have actual lifetime performance or degradation data compiled. The device manufacturer must, nonetheless, determine some operational device lifetime that it will guarantee.
Manufacturers thus commonly rely on accelerated stress testing of sample device structures or devices. Such structures are dynamically stressed to levels far above their intended operating conditions, and data on critical operational or behavioral parameters at those dynamic stress levels is compiled. That data is then evaluated to develop characterizations or profiles of the device technology, from which the manufacturer may extrapolate to provide some guaranteed lifetime at normal operating conditions.
Unfortunately however, the ability of a manufacturer to accurately characterize certain device operational or behavioral parameters independently has been somewhat limited by conventional characterization methodologies. Depending upon the manufacturing technology and upon the particular device structures being characterized, conventional characterization schemes may limit a manufacturer's ability to vary certain parameters independently during stress testing. As a result, characterizations of two or more parameters are often interdependent. Certain assumptions must then be made regarding the behavior of those parameters with respect to one another in order to evaluate and extrapolate characterization data. In a number of cases, those assumptions introduce a certain margin of error into characterization data. This margin of error can result in, for example, an overestimation or underestimation of the operational lifetime of a production device. Either situation is undesirable, subjecting either the device or end equipment manufacturer to unnecessary system failures or yield losses.
As a result, there is a need for a dynamic stress characterization system that effectively and accurately assesses accelerated testing parameters independently—decoupling variances in operational or behavioral parametric values from one another and providing optimal device characterization in an easy, efficient and cost-effective manner. | {
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1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to architecture of integrate circuits and operation thereof, and more particularly relates to a memory array structure that is suitably applied to a virtual-ground memory array, and to a method of operating a memory.
2. Description of Related Art
For non-volatile memory (NVM), a virtual ground array structure can be adopted to save the array area due to removal of device isolation. However, there are some drawbacks for the virtual-ground array if source side sensing is adopted in the reading.
FIG. 1 depicts a virtual-ground NVM array in the prior art. For, example, when the left side of the cell X1 is selected to read, the word line WLn is biased between the threshold voltages of two storage states, the select line SEL2 set high to pass the drain voltage Vd from the global bit line GBL0, and SEL1 set high to pass the source-side charging voltage which is used to judge the cell current 110. The global bit line GBL1 is charged from ground to a certain voltage (Vs) according to the magnitude of the cell current, and the sensing is done as GBL1 is at about 50-200 mV.
However, when the cells X2-X5 are all at the lower-Vt state, their channels are all turned on by the voltage on WLn so that a current path 120 is formed, through the select transistor coupled to SEL2 and the global bit line GBL2, to charge GBL2, and another current path 130 is also formed. The charging-induced voltage on GBL2 couples to the neighboring GBL1, so that the loading capacitance of GBL1 is changed. As a result, wrong read behavior is easily caused, especially when the sensing window is narrower in a multi-level cell (MLC) application.
The variation of the loading capacitance can be reduced by setting more select lines and increasing the distance between the possibly charged global bit lines and the two global bit lines for reading. FIG. 2 depicts such a virtual-ground NVM array in the prior art. For example, when the left side of the cell X1 is to be read with the global bit lines GBL1 and GBL2 biased, a cell current 210 is formed, and two charging currents 220 and 230 may be formed. The nearest possibly charged global bit line is GBL5, which is quite distant from GBL2 and does not affect the latter if charged.
However, there is still considerable variation in GBL loading capacitance for the above memory array structure. For example, as shown in Table 1 below, when the left side of X1 is to be read, GBL1 is the source side, GBL2 is the drain side, and GBL0 neighboring to GBL1 is floated. When the left side of X3 is to be read, GBL3 is the source side, GBL0 is the drain side, GBL4 neighboring to GBL3 is floated, and GBL1 and GBL2 are floated. Accordingly, the source-side and drain-side GBL loading capacitances are changed when a different memory cell is to be read. Thus, wrong read behavior is still easily caused, especially when the sensing window is narrower in an MLC application.
TABLE 1GBL0GBL1GBL2GBL3GBL4GBL5GBL6GBL7Left side of X1aFVsVdFFFFFLeft side of X3VdFFVsFFFFaF = Floated | {
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A database is a collection of organized data. One type of database includes a distributed database in which storage devices are not all attached to a common CPU. The data may be stored in multiple computers located in the same physical location or may be dispersed over a network of interconnected computers. A distributed database with multiple computers or storage devices may provide more storage. In some instances, having multiple computers or storage devices may negatively impact retrieval time of data from the various computers or storage devices. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a brake with a rotating element, with a magnet wheel, which is held on the rotating element in such a way that
it rotates with the rotating element about an axis of rotation,
a first side of the magnet wheel, which lies transversely to the axis of rotation, faces the rotating element, and
a second side of the magnet wheel, which lies transversely to the axis of rotation, faces away from the rotating element, and with a first axial stop that interacts with a first stop section located on the first side of the magnet wheel and a second axial stop that interacts with a second stop section located on the second side of the magnet wheel for limiting the axial movement of the magnet wheel relative to the rotating element to a first predetermined amount.
2. Description of the Related Art
Brakes of the type referred to above are well known and are described, for example, in DE 42 30 012 C2 and EP 0 666 478 B1.
In a first embodiment described in DE 42 30 012 C2, the magnet wheel has an integrated spring, which axially pretensions the magnet wheel in the direction of the rotating element, which in this case is a brake disk. In accordance with a second embodiment, an end section of the magnet wheel is radially widened towards the outside and engages a corresponding recess in the brake disk, which likewise produces axial pretensioning of the magnet wheel in the direction of the brake disk.
In accordance with EP 0 666 478 B1, axial pretensioning of the magnet wheel against the rotating element, which in this case is also a brake disk, is achieved by providing the magnet wheel with spring-like projections that fit into grooves.
In the previously known brakes, the mount for mounting the magnet wheel on the rotating element tends to experience rust creepage. This can lead to distortion of the magnet wheel. Furthermore, it is difficult to change the magnet wheel. In addition, the previously known mounts for mounting the magnet wheel on the rotating element do not allow compensation for differences in material expansion when the brakes become hot, which means that there is the risk that the magnet wheel will fail to remain in its proper position.
The object of the invention is to refine a brake of the above-mentioned type in such a way that the risk of rust creepage is eliminated and space is available for the consequences of differences in material expansion.
In accordance with the invention, this object is met by providing that, along each line that is parallel to the axis of rotation and extends through the first or the second axial stop, the distance between the first stop section and the second stop section is smaller than the distance between the first axial stop and the second axial stop.
The invention is based on the surprisingly simple recognition that the problems arising in the state of the art are minimized, if the axial pretensioning of the magnet wheel against the rotating element is practically eliminated. In other words, in accordance with the invention, the magnet wheel is supported in a quasi-xe2x80x9cfloatingxe2x80x9d way. Specifically, since the distance between the first stop section and the second stop section is smaller than the distance between the first axial stop and the second axial stop, the magnet wheel always rests at most against one axial stop or the other, but never against both axial stops at the same time. This leads to considerable reduction or even elimination of rust creepage. Furthermore, it is self-evident that the xe2x80x9cfloatingxe2x80x9d bearing or mounting of the magnet wheel on the rotating element also tolerates differences in material expansion under the influence of heat, so that these differences in expansion do not cause distortion of the magnet wheel.
In accordance with the invention, it is preferred for the second axial stop to be formed on a separate retaining device. In this way, the magnet wheel can have a much simpler design, especially compared to the design described in EP 0 666 478 B1.
In another preferred embodiment, the first axial stop may be formed on a separate retaining device. This allows a simpler design of the rotating element. It is also not necessary for cooling vanes possibly present on the rotating element to be simultaneously used for the originally unintended purpose of retaining the magnet wheel, as is the case, for example, in the design specified in DE 42 30 012 C2.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotating element has a recess for at least partially receiving the retaining device. The formation of this type of recess on the rotating element is a very simple design measure that otherwise entails no disadvantages with respect to the construction of the rotating element.
In a preferred and especially simple development of the invention, the retaining device has a snap ring or spring ring. A snap ring or spring ring combines the advantages of especially simple installation and removal, on the one hand, and an especially high degree of reliability, on the other hand.
Additionally or alternatively, it is possible, in accordance with the invention, for the retaining device to have an anchoring device that lies parallel to the axis of rotation. This makes it especially easy to install and remove the retaining device and thus the magnet wheel, because the anchoring element needs to be moved only in the axial direction to accomplish these tasks.
A design in which the second axial stop lies at a free end of the anchoring element is preferred as an especially simple design. In other words, use is made, for example, of the principle of a screw with a screw head, such that the underside of the screw head serves as the axial stop.
To that extent, it is further preferred, in accordance with the invention, for the second axial stop to be formed in one piece with the anchoring device.
Alternatively, however, the second axial stop may also be formed on a disk penetrated by the anchoring device. In this way, especially the surface of the second axial stop can be enlarged beyond the standard size of, for example, screws, which further increases flexibility.
In accordance with an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the first stop section is formed on an axial extension of the rotating element, which covers an angular sector about the axis of rotation of less than 360. Compared to a design with a first stop section that is closed like a ring, this decreases the stop surface, which reduces to a minimum both heat transfer from the material of the brake to the magnet wheel and the possibility of incipient rusting. Furthermore, lateral surfaces of the axial extension that are directed in the peripheral direction may serve the purpose of rotational coupling with the magnet wheel.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the brake has a radial stop that interacts with a third stop section of a peripheral surface of the magnet wheel for limiting movement of the magnet wheel relative to the rotating element in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation to a second predetermined amount, which is greater than zero.
In other words, in this embodiment of the invention, the magnet wheel is supported in a quasi-xe2x80x9cfloatingxe2x80x9d way not only in the axial direction, but also in the direction transverse to the axis of rotation. Therefore, this embodiment also contributes to the prevention of rust creepage and to tolerance of differences in material expansion due to heating.
A centering device for guiding the magnet wheel during mounting on the rotating element is especially preferred in accordance with the invention.
Finally, the invention provides that the rotating element is a brake disk. In other words, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the magnet wheel is mounted on the brake disk. In this way, the information acquired with the magnet wheel regarding the current angle of rotation and the current rotational speed of the brake disk and thus the wheel is especially accurate. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nitride semiconductor laser chip and a method of fabrication thereof; in particular, the present invention relates to a ridge-waveguide type nitride semiconductor laser chip and a method of fabrication thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
As materials for light-emitting chips for use as short-wavelength light-emitting chips such as semiconductor laser chips and light-emitting diode (LED) chips, nitride semiconductor materials such as GaN have been researched and developed. Generally, GaN-based semiconductor laser chips using a nitride semiconductor material have a structure in which an InGaN layer is included in an active layer, and such laser chips are already in practical use as light sources for data reading in optical disc devices.
Nitride semiconductor laser chips for use in optical disc devices and the like usually have a ridge portion for confining light in the horizontal direction, and this ridge portion is formed to have a real index guide structure in which the ridge portion is buried under an insulating film such as a SiO2 film.
Here, it is known that, in semiconductor laser chips, increasing the amount of electric current injected with a view to raising the optical output will cause the semiconductor laser chips to oscillate (lase) not only in the fundamental mode but also in higher-order modes. For this reason, in conventional nitride semiconductor laser chips, to suppress higher-order modes and for other purposes, the ridge portion is designed to have a ridge width as small as about 1.5 μm.
With a view to further suppressing higher-order modes, in other conventionally proposed semiconductor laser chips, a light absorption layer is formed in contact with a nitride semiconductor layer. Such nitride semiconductor laser chips are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-H11-186650, JP-A-2002-270967, JP-A-2005-223148, and JP-A-2008-91910.
In optical disc devices, laser light is shone on a disc, and the reflected light is received by a light-receiving element, and thereby the recorded information is read out. Here, for some reason, the reflected light may return to the semiconductor laser chip. If this returning light enters the active layer, the semiconductor laser chip will become unstable, causing fluctuation in light intensity and other inconveniences, thereby producing noise. For this reason, in cases where semiconductor laser chips are used in optical disc applications, they are driven by use of a high-frequency superimposition circuit as a measure against noise.
Inconveniently, however, with the conventional nitride semiconductor laser chips mentioned above, since they have high device resistances, unless high-frequency superimposition is applied amply, optical disc devices do not operate properly. Thus, a high-frequency superimposition circuit needs to be one that can drive a semiconductor laser chip at high frequency and large amplitude, and is therefore expensive. This, inconveniently, makes cost reduction difficult. Moreover, the high device resistances of the conventional nitride semiconductor laser chips require high operating voltages, and hence, inconveniently, lead to high electric power consumption.
On the other hand, in some conventionally proposed nitride semiconductor laser chips, to reduce the operating voltage, an electrode is formed so as to cover the top surface and side walls of the ridge portion. Such nitride semiconductor laser chips are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2010-34246. In this nitride semiconductor laser chip, the electrode is formed so as to be electrically in contact with the side walls of the ridge portion but out of contact with the semiconductor layer in a side-bottom part of the ridge portion. With this structure, the electric charge resulting from spontaneous polarization and piezoelectric polarization of the nitride semiconductor layer is canceled out, and the operating voltage is reduced. JP-A-2010-34246 also discloses a structure in which the ridge portion is given a ridge width larger than 1.5 μm.
With the structures disclosed in JP-A-2010-34246 mentioned above, however, it is certainly possible to reduce the operating voltage, but, inconveniently, it is difficult to suppress higher-order modes. In particular, in cases where the ridge width is increased, higher-order modes are likely to occur, and this inconveniently tends to result in degraded device characteristics and lower reliability. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Light emitting diode (LED) with the energy saving feature, and the light, thin, short and compact design is used widely in all kinds of lighting equipment such as an LED garden light used in gardens, at home, outdoor restaurants, or outdoor leisure venues, and these are examples of the place where you can see the use of LEDs.
However, the LED light source is highly directional and limited by the structural design of being installed on a single side of a circuit board, so that the LED garden light can project light in a single direction only and provide a small illumination range. Whenever another area requires lighting, it is necessary to turn the lamp head of the garden light towards the intended area or install another garden light, and thus the overall outdoor lighting design is limited and a wonderful brilliant lighting effect cannot be provided. In addition, when a solar power supply module is used as the power supply of the garden light, the angular movement of the sun must be taken into consideration to provide a better light collection effect of the solar power supply module.
Therefore, it is a main subject of this disclosure to find a way of projecting the light of a garden in different directions, providing a brilliant diversified lighting effect, and maximizing the light collection effect of the solar power supply module. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an air flow sensor for an internal combustion engine and more particularly to an improved air flow sensor which samples a part of the total air flow and which is adjustable in order to compensate for any mass production tolerances and for any dirt or the like which induces a deviation from the correct air flow indication.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a known arrangement a hot wire type air flow sensor has been disposed in the induction system of an internal combustion engine to sense the total amount of air inducted into the engine. However, this type of arrangement requires relatively bulky air flow rectifiers to be place both upstream and downstream of the hot wire sensing element and accordingly causes the resistance of the air flow to the engine to be undesirably increased giving rise to pumping losses. Further, the overall length of this arrangement has proven excessive and thus has been difficult to locate in the limited space available in the engine compartment of a vehicle. | {
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Olefin polymerization catalyst or catalyst components comprising geometry metal complexes having a silyl amine moiety bound to the metal center preparation are described in the prior art. See, e.g., WO 98/49212 (references cited at page 1, lines 6-15). Typical syntheses of such complexes entail treatment of a lithiated ligand precursor with Cl.sub.2 Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2. See, e.g., WO 98/27103 (Example 5c). Disadvantages of these procedures include a requirement for excess Cl.sub.2 Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2 and the production of undesirable by-products with consequent need for expensive purification procedures.
Certain silyl triflates and amino substituted silyl triflates are reported to show reactivity towards nucleophiles and, hence, to constitute useful silylating reagents and transmitters of amino silyl groups. Uhlig, et al. (1994) J. Organometallic Chem. 467(1):31-35. Diisopropyl and diisobutyl ditriflates are described in Corey (1990) Tetrahedron Letters 31(5):601-604.
Mesylates of the formula (CH.sub.3 SO.sub.3).sub.2 -Si(t-Bu).sub.2 are described in Matyjaszewski (1998) J. Organometallic Chem. 340:7-12.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,250 describes trifluoromethane sulfonic (triflate) and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro ethane sulfonate used .beta.-lactam silylating agents.
However, the prior art is not known to describe any silyl amine compound which forms a covalent bond with the metal center of any complex. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A number of mobile payment systems have been developed in which a mobile device can be used to pay for goods or services at a payment terminal. In some systems, the mobile device does not communicate directly with the payment terminal. Rather, the transaction is conducted between a mobile device payment infrastructure and a merchant payment infrastructure (e.g., cloud-to-cloud). Integrating these complex and widely-divergent infrastructures, however, can often be cost-prohibitive.
Other systems involve direct communication between the mobile device and the payment terminal. In such systems, sensitive user data such as payment and loyalty information is transmitted as cleartext, raising a number of security issues. For example, the sensitive user data can be intercepted by unscrupulous third parties. This can be of particular concern in fueling environments, where the payment terminal is often disposed in an unmanned, outdoor setting where there is an elevated risk of snooping or tampering. Users can be discouraged from using such systems for fear that the payment terminal may have been compromised.
Many existing mobile payment systems also require user interaction with the mobile device before, during, or after a transaction. For example, the user must retrieve the mobile device and launch a digital wallet application or otherwise interact with software executed on the mobile device to begin a transaction. The user must also hold the mobile device up to the payment terminal to place the mobile device in close proximity to the payment terminal.
Existing mobile payment systems can thus be unsecure and cumbersome or time consuming for the user, and a need exists for improved mobile payment systems. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Woven polypropylene geosynthetic fabrics are utilized to diminish the flow rate of water and maintain soil retention. Often such fabrics are used to establish a stable base for road ways. Thus, water flow through the fabric and soil retention by the fabric are important attributes. Moreover, the fabric should have sufficient tensile for durability, particularly when the fabric is subjected to loads.
However, water flow rate and soil retention are at odds with fabric strength. Typically, to increase strength, the pores of the fabric are reduced. As a result, the fabric is limited to the amount of water that can pass through the fabric and, as a result, the size of the soil particulates it can retain. If higher flow rates and larger particle size retention are desired, the fabric must yield on strength due to lower fabric density. Accordingly, there is a need for a woven geosynthetic fabric which has improved strength for durability while maintaining relatively high flow rates and particle retention. It is to solving this and other needs the present invention is directed. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Wireless charging of portable electronic devices is a feature that is increasingly being supported. While the technology has not yet been widely adopted, we are already starting to see the development of new forms of the technology, which have varying interface requirements. This creates challenges for device manufacturers, that need to decide how they are going to support a particular feature. More specifically, do you support the newer technology, the older technology, or both. If you shift your support to the newer technology, customers that adopted the older technology may be frustrated that previous charging investments may no longer be supported. In some cases, they may not be aware of the fact that there are multiple technologies, and that their new device may not function with their old charger, or vice versa. Consequently, there may be a motivation for manufacturers of wireless charging solutions to support multiple forms of a feature including both newer and older forms of a technology.
Still further, there is an incentive to try and make the experience associated with the same type of activity as similar as possible even though it may involve different forms of the technology, as users tend to develop habits in line with certain types of tasks. Correspondingly, there may be a motivation to try and co-locate disparate solutions including the operation and interface related to similar activities even if they use different technologies.
Another factor is the limited amount of device space available for supporting different types of device interactions. So, an ability to co-locate disparate solutions for related types of activities may be beneficial. Still further, given the limited device interface space, there may be a further desire to be able to co-locate still further forms of device interactions, such as support for near field communications proximate support for wireless charging solutions. At least one relatively widely accepted solution has placed support for near field communications proximate the back surface of the device. Similarly, at least some forms of wireless charging have also tended to interact with a device through the back surface of the device.
The present inventors have correspondingly recognized that coil designs that are adapted to solutions which integrate support for both near field communications, as well as multiple forms of wireless charging in the same or similar space would be beneficial. | {
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The conventional hand tools are required to be compact and easily used. One of the hand tools comprises a handle to which different types of blades, screw bits or sockets are connected. In order to secure the screw bit to the handle such that when rotating the handle, the screw bit is not rotated independently from the handle, the connection unit is required to secure the screw bit to the handle in the rotational direction. In the meanwhile, the screw bit should be easily removed from the handle in the axial direction.
For blades such as the saw blades, because the saw blades are operated in the axial direction of the handle, so that the connection unit is required to ensure that the saw blades are not loosened from the handle when using the saw blades.
The present invention intends to provide a hand tool with a connection unit which securely connects the saw blade to the handle. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor process, and more particularly, to a method of fabricating a dual damascene structure.
2. Description of Related Art
As the integration of the integrated circuit (IC) increases, the number of interconnection is consequently increased. Therefore, more than two layers of metal layer become necessary design for most integrated circuit. As the integration of the integrated circuit continually increases, the difficulties of forming metal inter-connections with high yield and reliability increase as well. Dual damascene technique is therefore proposed. Dual damascene technique satisfies the requirement of high yield and reliability by the process steps, including etching metal interconnection trenches in the dielectric layer and then filling metal into the trenches. As a result, dual damascene technique becomes the best choice of sub-quarter micron interconnection fabrication.
FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C illustrates the fabrication process of a conventional dual damascene. Referring to FIG. 1A, on a substrate 10, a conductive layer 14 is formed. The conductive layer 14 is used for coupling the substrate 10 to other desired structures (not shown). An inter-metal-dielectric layer 12 is also formed to prevent undesired close or coupling of the conductive layer 14 and other desired structure at undesired points.
Next, an oxide layer 16 is formed to cover the conductive layer 14 by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). A mask layer 18 is then formed to cover the oxide layer 16 by LPCVD. The mask layer 18 is a silicon nitride layer usually. Using the same LPCVD, an oxide layer 20 is formed to cover the mask layer 18. Next, a photoresist layer 21 is coated to define the oxide layer 20 to expose a portion of the oxide layer 20. The exposed portion of the oxide layer 20 is corresponding to the conductive layer 14.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the exposed oxide layer 20 is etched, using conventional photolithography and etching. The etching process is continued until the mask layer 18 is etched through to form an opening 22 exposing the oxide layer 16. The photoresist layer 21 is then removed, by oxide plasma. Next, a second photoresist layer 24 is coated to further define the oxide layer 20 so that the opening 22 and a portion of the oxide layer 20, including the oxide layer at two sides of the opening 22, are exposed.
Referring to FIG. 1C, the exposed oxide layer 16 at the opening 22 is further etched, by conventional photolithography and etching, so that the mask layer 18 is further exposed. Also, a portion of the oxide layer 20 uncovered by the photoresist layer 24 and a portion of the oxide layer 20 at the periphery of the opening 22 are etched to form an opening 26 and an opening 28, respectively, exposing the mask layer 18. The opening 28 further includes the opening 22.
Next, the photoresist layer 24 is removed by oxide plasma. A conductive layer 30 is formed by sputtering or CVD to fill the opening 22 and the opening 28 to contact with the conductive layer 14 and also to fill the opening 26.
Then, several continuous processes are performed to accomplish the dual damascene structure.
However, the conventional dual damascene technique requires more than two steps of photoresist coating and photolithography so that the processes are more complicate and misalignment tends to occur. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The invention relates to a device for fastening a rail to a carrier.
Rail fasteners consist, especially in the region of switches, of numerous complicated and costly small parts. For local transportation routes, use is made of ties provided with anchoring rails, and the rail fastener can be fastened variably to the tie by way of these anchoring rails. Successive rail fasteners can thus be fixed in a slightly skewed manner with respect to one another.
In order to position the rail flexibly with respect to the carrier, all conventional rail fasteners have a component that consists of a number of individual parts and has a slot through which the horizontal load dissipation takes place. This slot allows rotation of the rail fastener within certain limits with respect to the carrier. In this way, rails in the region of switches can be fastened in a non-perpendicular position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carrier, which can be in the form for example of a track slab or tie. However, the slot provided in conventional components results in a considerable reduction in vertical load introduction when a fastening means, for example a hammer-head bolt, is tightened. Since in practice the fastening means are frequently tightened excessively during fitting, the anchor rail can pull out, with the result that the corresponding tie becomes unusable. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A mobile terminal is a portable communication device which may be configured to perform various functions. Examples of the various functions include data and voice communications, capturing still and video images via a camera, recording audio files, playing back music files via a speaker system, and displaying images and video on a display. Some mobile terminals include additional functionality which supports game playing, while other mobile terminals are configured as multimedia players.
Recently, mobile terminals have been configured to receive broadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing of content such as videos and television programs.
Efforts are ongoing to further support and increase the functionality of mobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardware improvements, as well as changes and improvements in the structural components which form the mobile terminal. Other efforts include mobile terminals having the capability of inputting key signals using a touch screen. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Current Standard Wind Power Generators (ERDA-NASA)
The contemporary “industry gold standard” for the wind generation of electricity is a propeller design with a directional mechanism to keep it facing the wind, sometimes called an ERDA-NASA design. Over time, a number of serious drawbacks and disadvantages of this design have emerged which imply that this design may not be the best way to meet the challenge of a rapidly accelerating demand for electrical power. These deficiencies include the following:
a. While thought to be more efficient than its known alternatives mostly because of its high “tip-speed ratio” (explained below), the ERDA-NASA design may not derive sufficient power from the wind to make it particularly cost-effective in the long run. It has been estimated that generating enough power for a single residential dwelling may require a propeller at least 25 feet in diameter. Other estimates suggest that very large diameter designs, from 125-200 feet, may be needed to achieve outputs in the 100 kilowatts-1000 kilowatts range. As size increases, production, installation, and maintenance costs rise very quickly. Also, given the higher stresses encountered with large, heavy units, failure rates rise making total replacement costs more likely. In addition, the efficient utilization of wind power by an ERDA-NASA unit requires supplementary control mechanisms for: turning (or orienting) the unit; feathering its blades; and overspeed braking in high winds. These control mechanisms use energy to operate—thus decreasing efficiency and further complicating design and production/maintenance costs. Units must be spaced apart roughly 10 times the rotor diameter to avoid turbulent interference with each other. Consequently, wind farms will occupy considerable acreage for a sizeable number of units. For example, one estimate requires 90 square miles for propellers 125 feet in diameter to produce 100 megawatts. Thus, for any proposed wind farm site, it remains a serious question whether ERDA-NASA units are economically feasible.
b. Safety considerations are also a factor. The higher tip speeds of today's propellers and greater dynamic strains and stresses on the materials used to make same all contribute to metal fatigue, increasing the risk of catastrophic failures. In addition, there are already abundant concerns about the detrimental effects on wildlife, especially birds and migratory fowl and raptors. ERDA-NASA units located near dwellings, or on the tops of tall buildings, also pose potentially serious hazards to human and animal life as well as to property. The tops of tall buildings are ideal sites for wind generators since wind speeds are proportionally greater at higher altitudes. In addition, the desire to develop “green” buildings gives ample motivation for incorporating rooftop wind generators into future architectural plans. Unfortunately, ERDA-NASA generators may not be the best answer because of safety issues alone.
c. ERDA-NASA units are not able to utilize wind power efficiently over a wide range of wind speeds. Current models of the ERDA-NASA wind turbines typically operate at a preferred constant wind speed of 40 rpm in a range between 6 and 60 mph. The propeller blades are feathered to prevent damage in high winds (i.e., above 60 mph). Consequently, there are significant energy losses at speeds in excess of 18 mph because the propeller blades feather to maintain a preferred constant rotation at 40 rpm. There are also significant energy losses at wind speeds less than 18 mph because generator changes (changes in load) must be made to keep that constant 40 rpm rotation. As wind speeds are highly variable, having such a narrow window of optimal wind velocities decreases expected efficiency.
d. High variation in wind speeds is not the only problem. The direction of wind current is itself in constant flux and unpredictable, especially in a small region over periods of great turbulence. Efficient wind turbines must be able to rapidly adjust to sudden directional changes over a full range, i.e., 360 degrees. Today's ERDA-NASA devices gradually reposition to take account of directional fluctuations, but by no means exhibit quick responsiveness to such directional changes.
e. Some wind generators have better applicability in smaller locations with lower electrical power demands. Individual dwellings, recreational vehicles, or marine uses may not readily accommodate smaller scale ERDA-NASA generators in terms of available physical space, safety and/or aesthetics.
Because of these disadvantages, alternatives to today's ERDA-NASA type generators should be sought for addressing the aforementioned problems.
2. Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines
Numerous patents have been granted in a category of wind turbines called “vertical-axis” turbines. These turbines are so-named because they have vanes or blades displayed outward from a vertically mounted, central axis, contrary to the horizontal axis of rotation for ERDA-NASA generators. The type of device installed on many home rooftops to improve attic air circulation is a good example of a vertical-axis turbine. An anemometer is another. An immediate advantage of such devices is that they need not be rotated to always face the wind. Whatever direction the wind comes from, these devices can immediately absorb wind energy and convert it to rotational power. Such devices are sometimes technically described as having their axis of rotation transverse to the flow of fluid medium.
Previous designs of vertical axis windmills generally fall into two categories, the Darrieus rotor and Savonius rotor types. Many variations of the two have been designed over the years.
Darrieus-Type Wind Turbines—
One category of vertical-axis wind turbines is based on the original Darrieus device (U.S. Pat. No. 1,835,018). A traditional Darrieus rotor is essentially two or more long thin blades with their ends connected at the top and bottom to a vertically rotating shaft. The cross-section of long blades has an airfoil shape, and this aerodynamic feature provides the transformation of wind flow energy into rotational energy. Since the original Darrieus design, numerous devices have attempted to utilize aerodynamic thrust as the driving force for wind turbines.
Darrieus-type turbines suffer from several disadvantages. Many, especially those closely based on the original, are not self-starting. They require an auxiliary power source to reach operational speeds. Darrieus turbines have an outside rotor speed of 4 to 6 times the wind speed. Thus, in winds of 25 mph, the exposed knife blade-like rotors will be traveling in excess of 100 mph. Such an arrangement is hardly “avian friendly,” and indeed might pose extreme hazards to life and property. Moreover, efficiency of the original Darrieus design has been estimated to be only 30% to 40%. While alternative designs have meant to address some of these shortcomings, it is unlikely that any Darrieus-type design that depends on converting aerodynamic thrust to rotational energy will significantly improve these efficiency issues. The size of Darrieus-type turbines that could produce economically feasible capacities of electricity would have to be quite large posing other challenges to construction, cost-effectiveness and aesthetics.
Savonius-Type Wind Turbines—
The original Savonius wind turbine, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,697,574, was essentially a pair of opposing concave vanes rotating around a central vertical axis. The classic Savonius rotors are open in the center and permit crossing fluid flow in an S-shape, past the inner edges of these rotating vanes. Later wind turbine designs have increased the number of vanes, attached vanes directly to the central shaft or other blades to prevent crossing fluid flow, and/or incorporated fixed vanes (or “stators”) that do not rotate but serve to advantageously direct wind towards the rotating vanes. Some designs have added rotating housings that orient to the direction of wind for permitting wind flow only to those vanes presenting concave surfaces and deflecting wind away from the vanes returning upwind. These housings were meant to increase overall efficiencies. Still other designs have included complex mechanisms for rotating or modifying the vanes when moving toward the wind so as to reduce resistance and improve efficiency. All such innovations share one common essential with the original Savonius patent: they all depend on the fact that wind force applied to a rigid concave surface is greater than the same or lower wind force (or static wind resistance) applied to a physically connected, yet opposed rigid convex surface. This is evidenced in the operation of a simple anemometer. The concave cup surface facing the wind will capture more wind power than the other cups presenting their back convex surfaces causing the anemometer to rotate. As this is the essential energy transformation feature in all such designs, they will all be included in the category of “Savonius-type” designs for present discussion purposes.
Due to this common design feature, most Savonius-type devices share a major disadvantage of energy loss from “drag.” Drag is the resistance resulting from moving a rigid surface against the wind or fluid medium. Because all of the vanes are surrounded by air when rotating, there is constant drag that resists their movement even against the convex backs of downwind vanes moving away from the wind. When vanes are moving upwind and presenting their rear convex surface to the wind, the effect of drag is amplified by the added applied force of the wind. The existence of drag considerably reduces the efficiency of this type of wind generator.
As noted above, ingenious devices have been designed to compensate for drag. These devices may incorporate “stators” (stationary vanes arranged symmetrically around the rotor) to: (a) funnel wind flow into the vanes moving downwind; and (b) deflect wind flow from vanes moving upwind. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,989. This can improve efficiency by decreasing the amplification effect of drag caused by wind forces acting on the vanes rotating upwind. Rotating housings that orient to the direction of the wind accomplish the same thing permitting wind flow only to the vanes moving downwind. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,385. However, these designs do nothing to eliminate or diminish the basic form of drag. Motion of the convex surfaces of the rigid rotating vanes against even stationary air in a stator- or housing-protected rotor still produces drag, thus decreasing efficiency. Further ingenuity has produced devices with complex mechanisms that decrease the surface area of vanes not moving downwind. See generally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,494,007 and 7,094,017. Notable among these are opening and closing “clam-shell” designs, which open to catch the wind in a downwind course before closing to present less surface area during the rest of the rotation. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,302. Similar to these are the “sail-furling” devices with vanes made of sail cloth. They are intended to open downwind, but quickly furl or fold for the other part of rotation as per U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,916. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,983. These latter devices seem to effectively address the problem of drag, but at a cost. Rotational energy, or some other energy source, must be spent to operate these opening and closing mechanisms thereby compromising the efficiency of such devices. This is especially true when those devices add a wind direction sensor for synchronizing changes to the shapes of their vanes. It is doubtful that such complex drag-compensating innovations produce an overall increase in efficiency. Intuitively, it should require more energy to modify vane shapes by complex and/or synchronized mechanical means than would be gained through drag reduction. In any case, such complex mechanisms add greatly to manufacturing and maintenance costs in any commercial application.
Another serious disadvantage of the stator and protective-housing Savonius designs is the threat they pose to birds. The rotating vanes usually require minimal clearance between the edges of their stationary wind deflecting panels and vanes, creating a drastic sheering effect. From a bird's perspective, it would be as if someone had constructed a huge “meat grinder” in its path. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,380,149, 6,740,989 and 6,849,964. A rotating housing design offers a less severe sheer factor, but can still trap birds in its rotor mechanism with little chance of passing through unscathed.
G. J. M. Darrieus, the inventor of the rotor discussed above, was among the first to note how the Savonius rotor suffers from a relatively lower, less efficient “tip speed ratio.” At best, the furthest outside section (i,e., part of the rotor furthest from the vertical axis of rotation) for a Savonius device cannot exceed the speed of ambient wind flow. This means that they have a maximal tip speed ratio of 1:1 as compared to the ERDA-NASA or Darrieus rotor tip speed ratios of 3:1 or higher. Higher tip speed ratios and rotation speeds allegedly make the latter turbines more suitable for the efficient production of electricity. This serious deficit of the Savonius design, together with the problems with drag, have been used to condemn such devices as impractical for purposes of serious power generation.
3. Gravity-Flap, Savonius-Type Wind Turbines
Compounding the above considerations produces a knockdown argument against Savonius-type turbines. However, recent innovations in two Savonius-type wind turbines make possible a design that may be able to address many of the above objections. The newer category makes use of large “flaps” held in a downward position by gravity to capture wind force. To be termed “gravity-flap Savonius wind turbines” in the present invention, they are shown and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,037 and Published U.S. Application No. 20040086373. The basic principle of these devices is that gravity and the force of the wind will cause a rectangular vane, hinged at the top, to naturally swing down. A frame or stopping mechanism blocks that vane from moving further when wind force pushes against the vane thereby providing a driving power to the rotor. This vane is made of lightweight material, however. When it rotates further so that its front face is no longer affected by the wind force, the vane is not blocked in that range of pivoting and can swivel up on its hinge to permit air to flow through. When the vane encounters air resistance on its rear surface, it pivots up and allows air or wind to pass by unimpeded. This greatly reduces drag resistance even in static air. When the vane travels through the upwind cycle, the wind force acting on it can raise the vane even further, allowing more wind to spill through and further increasing turbine efficiency.
The latter published U.S. application has intuited something important about wind power. It includes a detailed assessment of the amount of wind force that may be captured and converted to torque at the axis-hub. Using reasonable estimates and calculations, this inventor opines that “incredible forces” may be generated by such a device and the “leverage principle” it incorporates. What is lacking beyond one brief reference to how much horsepower an ERDA-NASA generator requires to produce a certain amount of electricity, however, is a detailed comparison to see how that prior art gravity-flap Savonius design stacks up against a comparable ERDA-NASA turbine. The omission of such a comparison is understandable since it is hard to see on what basis the two can be compared.
Many Savonius-type devices have been invented, all flying in the face of traditional considerations of efficiency that condemn them as immediately stillborn. Hence, the question arises why there has been such stubborn persistence in improving such devices. A possible answer is that most Savonius-type inventors have shared the same belief that, in some way, Savonius-type wind turbines more successfully extract wind energy than their Darrieus or horizontal-axis turbine counterparts. The question remains whether this bare, unexpressed intuition can be articulated in such a manner to show that it is not only plausible, but true.
4. Wind Energy Extraction-Effectiveness vs. Efficiency
Some effort along these lines will now be made to conceptualize a basis for an energy-extraction comparison of Savonius-type wind turbines with horizontal-axis, particularly ERDA-NASA, wind turbines. This will take the form of a thought experiment.
Suppose we are considering an arbitrarily selected vertical square plane 100 ft.×100 ft., aligned transverse to the wind. The area of this hypothetical square area is 10,000 sq. ft. The amount of wind force varies according to altitude, drag coefficient, wind velocity squared, and surface area impacted. If we assume a sea level application with the value 0.0034, a drag coefficient of 1.5, and a wind velocity of 10 knots, the force of the wind over the 10,000 sq. ft. area is:Fw=0.0034×1.5×(10)2×10,000=5100 pounds of wind force.
Given an ideal wind turbine in some possible world, all 5100 pounds would be capturable and translated into rotational energy. Of course, such a turbine cannot exist in our world. At best, any real Savonius-type vertical-axis turbine can present no more than 50% of its transverse plane surface to the wind as a “working” surface—i.e., a surface capable of extracting wind energy. And only the surfaces of rotor vanes moving downwind (roughly half of the vanes employed) will capture wind energy. In practice, given the need for vane clearances and other structures, this capture area will be much less than 50%. So, let us suppose we construct a hypothetical Savonius-type turbine for the 100 ft.×100 ft. square that presents only 35% of its surface in the square as a “capture” area. That is, only 35% of the total 10,000 sq. ft. area consists of downwind moving vane surface area capable of extracting wind energy. Then, even if the working surfaces were 100% efficient, the maximum wind force the turbine could capture in principle would be 35% of 5100 pounds, or 1785 pounds. In practice, vertical axis turbines are thought to be very inefficient. “Efficiency” is here defined in the standard way: how much total wind energy impacting the turbine's working surfaces gets transformed into rotational energy. Let us suppose our hypothetical Savonius-type wind turbine makes a poor showing in this regard and is only 20% efficient. It will only capture 20% of the 1785 pounds impacting its vane surfaces for a final total of 357 pounds. Out of a total possible of 5100 pounds striking the 10,000 sq. ft. area, the hypothetical turbine extracts only 357 pounds or 7% total. So far, that doesn't sound promising.
How does it compare with an ERDA-NASA propeller turbine? First, let us ask the more specific question: “How large a propeller would we need in an ERDA-NASA turbine to capture the same amount of wind force, 357 pounds?” Assume we have a turbine with an unrealistically high efficiency rating of 80%. To then capture 357 pounds of wind force, the propeller would need a total working or capture surface area of 357/0.80=446.25 sq. ft. There are three blades to each propeller, so the capture surface area of each propeller would be 446.25/3=148.75 sq. ft. Making the comparison work even more favorably to the ERDA-NASA unit, let us assume that the three propeller blades are not feathered and that each blade has an overall average width of 2 ft. In that case, each blade is a little over 74 ft. long. At this point, we encounter a serious conceptual problem with the initial attempt at comparison. The blade is approximately the radius of a circular area swept by the propeller. So, if a propeller has a radius of 74 ft., the circular area it sweeps out is around 17, 203 sq. ft. Unfortunately, that is a much larger area than the hypothetical 10,000 sq. ft. we're assuming for the comparison basis. The conclusion we are driven to given initial assumptions is that one cannot possibly construct an ERDA-NASA propeller capable of extracting the same amount of energy as the hypothetical Savonius-type turbine in any given area transverse to the wind.
Is it possible to manipulate the figures even more favorable to an ERDA-NASA propeller for achieving some basis of comparison? To cut to the chase, let us first calculate what maximum size ERDA-NASA propeller could be fit into a 10,000 sq. ft. area. Neglecting the need for a supporting tower or any other structures or components (such as the central hub), a 10,000 sq. ft. circular area has a radius of approximately 56.42 ft. Assume then, that each propeller blade has a length of 56.5 ft. Furthermore, let's give each such propeller an (unrealistic) efficiency rating of 90%. Then, to capture the same 357 pounds of wind force, the working surface area of the propeller would need to be 357/0.90=396 sq. ft. Each of the three blades would, therefore, need to have a surface area of 396/3=132 sq. ft. For a surface area of 132 sq. ft. from a propeller blade 56.5 ft. in length, the average width of each blade would need to be 2.34 ft. and completely unfeathered at all wind speeds. These proportions are at least feasible, even if the other conditions are not. Thus, if we make a comparison with ERDA-NASA wind turbines based on several unrealistic assumptions in their favor, it would still seem to require ERDA-NASA propeller blades almost 60 ft. in length and roughly 2.34 ft. in average width, much wider than normal for this kind of generator.
For another, more realistic comparison, let us suppose that a Savonius-type wind turbine actually presents 40% of its surfaces as wind energy capturing surfaces, a percentage that seems easily achievable. Further, suppose that the hypothetical generator is capable of achieving 30% efficiency. Under these still modest assumptions, the total wind energy extracted would be 5100 pounds×40%×30% or 612 total pounds. Further suppose that the ERDA-NASA turbine efficiency is a more realistic (but still generous) 60%. In that case, the working surface area of the propeller, to capture the identical 612 pounds, would need to be 612/0.60=1,020 sq. ft. Each of the three blades would have an area of 1,020/3=340 sq. ft. As it is unrealistic to assume that these propellers have no support structure, let's suppose at least 20% (or 2,000 sq. ft., a still modest estimate) of the total 10,000 sq. ft. transverse area of the turbine is committed to area occupied by the support tower and/or other auxiliary structures. Then, a propeller swept, circular area of 8,000 sq. ft. would need a radius of approximately 50.5 ft. Assuming this as the maximum blade length and given the single blade area of 340 sq. ft., each blade would then have an average width of almost 7 ft., always unfeathered, all of which is absurd given today's conventional ERDA-NASA designs.
What the above comparison illustrates is that the current designs of ERDA-NASA wind turbines, with their relatively narrow, tapered, and often feathered blades, cannot hope to present sufficient energy-capturing surfaces to the wind to compete with Savonius-type turbines. ERDA-NASA turbines would need to undergo significant redesign, greatly increasing blade area through much wider blades, in order to compete with the wind energy extraction capabilities of known Savonius-type turbines. The essential point is that while the aerodynamic properties of ERDA-NASA turbines permit them to achieve higher tip-speed ratios, they do so only after sacrificing a vast amount of available wind energy that flows through their rotors untapped. Savonius-type wind turbines present a far greater surface area—a differential of several magnitudes—for wind energy capture than ERDA-NASA wind turbines of any reasonably comparable size. The implication of this disparity in wind energy capture potential is that even less efficient Savonius-type turbines will always beat out highly efficient ERDA-NASA turbines in terms of total wind energy harnessed. This startling comparison suggests that methods of wind generator choice need to consider more than claimed efficiency ratings. Perhaps a new rating along the lines of “effectiveness of fluid energy extraction” would be more suitable. Efficiency of a device, as typically calculated, is only one measure of the effective transference of available wind energy into rotational mechanical energy. In terms of the generation of electrical or pumping energy, it may be the least important. Given that Savonius-type generators could capture more energy than ERDA-NASA generators, easily by a factor of 10, then even the loss of some of that energy through transmission devices to yield higher rotational speeds (thus compensating for lower tip-speed ratios) would still produce greater quantities of electricity.
Gravity-flap Savonius turbines designed with the 40% minimum working surface of the hypothetical example and with the flap mechanism, purport to yield higher efficiencies than the assumed 30%. Thus, in terms of the effective and efficient capture of wind energy, this type of turbine could be highly superior to ERDA-NASA turbines in principle. The ultimate goal in the wind generation of power should be to harvest the maximum possible wind energy available in a given three-dimensional space containing wind flow. ERDA-NASA turbines are simply not designed with that objective in mind.
Unfortunately, the two gravity-flap turbines discussed above, U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,037 and Published Application No. 20040086373, suffer from a feature that makes them seriously less efficient in capturing wind energy. The main problem with their design is that their gravity-flap vanes are exposed, flat planes. Significant amounts of wind force striking the surface can flow laterally off the vane and past their vane edges. Only a small portion of the wind energy available in striking the vanes would be captured by such designs in contrast with a standard “cup” design which limits lateral wind flow. The assumption made by inventors of those devices is that wind forces impacting their respective vanes will strike them with full force and be fully captured. In reality, as in any fluid flow system, blocked vanes will only serve as an obstacle causing a diversion of flow around them. The diverted fluid flow will carry away with it much of the contained fluid flow energy. Thus, instead of the high energy-capturing efficiency assumed by the inventors of these gravity-flap devices, the more realistic expectation should be that the devices will have energy-capturing efficiencies that are much lower. Only if one can trap the fluid flow and prevent lateral flow around the vane can one hope to have significant proportions of the fluid energy transferred into a catchment vane.
Downwind moving, Savonius-type vanes provide means for trapping fluid flow energy and more effectively capturing the wind energy impinging on their concave working surfaces. The wind cannot readily flow sideways but must deliver more of its energy into the vane surface. The concave surfaces of a Savonius-type vane prevent the easy lateral flow of wind around them. Roughly, the more concave the surface, the more energy that is not lost to lateral flow and instead gets transferred into the vanes as rotational energy. Of course, as seen above, Savonius-type turbines with rigid rotor vanes suffer from drag resistance on all but the downwind part of the cycle (and perhaps even there in principle). There is thus a need for a wind turbine able to capture wind energy as effectively as a Savonius-type wind turbine, with concave surfaces restricting lateral flow, which can achieve greater efficiency by use of a gravity-flap system for overcoming drag resistance. | {
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The present invention relates to the activation of Notch receptor signaling to decrease cancer cell proliferation.
Notch encodes a large protein with a single transmembrane domain, a large extracellular domain that has many tandem EGF-like repeats. Notch receptor is a signaling molecule that functions in cell development and differentiation. The Notch family includes several members for the receptor as well as ligand. Binding of ligand to a Notch receptor triggers the cleavage of the receptor at a site in the intracellular domain (ICD), releasing the activated form of the receptor which then migrates to the nucleus.
For men, prostate cancer is the second most fatal cancer after lung cancer. In advanced stages, prostate cancer metastasizes to the bone. Depending on the stage of the cancer, prostate cancer treatment involves one or a combination of the following therapies: surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, androgen deprivation (e.g., hormonal therapy) in the case of prostate cancer. The majority of patients who undergo hormone therapy progress to develop androgen-independent disease. Currently, there is no effective treatment for the 20-40% of prostate cancer patients who develop recurrent disease after surgery or radiation therapy, or for those in whom the cancer has metastasized at the time of diagnosis. Chemotherapy has its toxic side effects, especially in elderly patients. There is a need for new forms of prostate cancer therapy.
The present invention provides alternative methods of treating cancer that overcome the limitations of conventional therapeutic methods as well as offer additional advantages that will be apparent from the detailed description below.
In one embodiment, the invention concerns a method of decreasing the proliferation of prostate cancer cells by activating the Notch receptor.
In other embodiments, the invention provides for methods of detecting, diagnosing and alleviating prostate cancer by contacting biological samples suspected of prostate cancer. Detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer in the biological sample may include determining level of Notch expression, effects of Notch ligands on Notch receptor, or probing the biological sample with Notch receptor. Treatment may include contacting the biological sample with agonists to Notch 1 receptor or administration of a soluble Notch ligand.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an antibody which binds, preferably specifically, to Notch1. Optionally, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, humanized antibody, antibody fragment or single-chain antibody.
Another embodiment of the invention concerns agonists and antagonists of Notch receptor as defined herein. In a particular embodiment, the agonist is an anti-Notch1 antibody, a soluble Notch1 ligand, or a small molecule.
In a still further embodiment, the invention concerns a method of identifying agonists to Notch receptor which comprise contacting the Notch receptor with a candidate molecule and monitoring a biological activity mediated by said Notch receptor. Preferably the Notch receptor is a native Notch receptor.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the use of constitutively active Notch receptor, or an agonist thereof, for the preparation of a medicament useful in the treatment of a condition which is responsive to the constitutively active Notch receptor or an agonist thereof. | {
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There are various dosage forms for medicines. In the case of aqueous preparations such as injections, it is desirable to put them in the form of solution, which is a final form, at a time of preparation. However, not a few medical substances are unstable in dissolved state. Therefore, such medical substances are generally dissolved at a time of use and applied, that is a dissolving method in use. Further, some medical substances cannot be obtained in crystals or are highly hygroscopic. In such cases, the medical substances are often practically used in the form of freeze-dried powder. In the case of injections, for example, a method is generally used in which freeze-dried powder is placed in a vial bottle or the like, dissolved by putting a solvent thereinto, and drawn up through an injection needle. However, it is more convenient to contain the solvent and freeze-dried powder in a syringe from the beginning. For use in a surgical operation, it is necessary to take maintenance of sterilized condition into consideration particularly.
Methods have been proposed in which a medical substance and solvent are contained in a syringe from the beginning, and dissolution is effected within the syringe immediately before use. Specifically, in such methods, a medical substance in the form of freeze-dried powder or the like is placed in the bottom of a syringe adjacent an injection needle connecting portion, and a solvent for the medical substance is placed in a plunger rod attaching portion of the syringe. The medical substance containing chamber and solvent containing chamber are partitioned in an appropriate way. The solvent and medical substance are mixed in an appropriate way for dissolution at a time of use (Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-4992, Japanese Patent Publication Kokai No. 60-72561, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-14465).
However, freeze-dried powder tends to be charged with static electricity and often is in a trace quantity. Therefore, it is not easy to place the powder in the syringe accurately. In order to improve such drawbacks, it is conceivable to carry out freeze-drying in the syringe. Usually the syringe has an inner wall coated with a silicone oil solution having a concentration of 1-5% (W/V) in order to enable smooth movement of gaskets and a plunger rod in use. A solution of medicine becomes turbid when freeze-dried after placement in a silicone-coated syringe in the above concentration and then redissolved as a freeze-dried powder in a solvent. The product is then not suitable as a medicine.
On the other hand, in a known form of such a two-compartment syringe, gaskets are used to partition between the powder containing chamber and solvent containing chamber and between the solvent containing chamber and ambient air, respectively, as in the publications noted above. However, there is a risk that expansion of interior air in the powder containing chamber is caused by an increase of temperature, and pushes up the gaskets, whereby the gaskets fall off. A syringe is also known which includes a flange-like finger hook formed integral with an outer peripheral surface thereof for pushing in the plunger rod to mix the powder and solvent and to push the solution out of the syringe.
However, a two-step operation is necessary with a two-compartment syringe, and there has been a problem in securely supporting the syringe to give an injection to an affected organ exactly.
The objects of the present invention are to provide a two-compartment syringe capable of suppressing turbidity occurring when freeze-dried powder is dissolved in a solvent to a degree not obstructive to use while maintaining movement of the gaskets and plunger rod in a smooth condition with silicone coating applied to the inner wall of the syringe. A further object of the present invention is to provide a two-compartment syringe having excellent operability and devised to be capable of preventing the gaskets from falling off caused by air expansion in the powder containing chamber and capable of mixing the powder and solvent. Another object is to provide a syringe for injecting the resulting liquid mixture easily and accurately. | {
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This invention relates to an illuminated speedometer display or speed indicator display.
Every automobile, and most operating machinery having the necessity of an operator governing its speed of operation, contains some means of visual depiction of the relative speed of operation of the machine in comparison to some standard. Thus, the standard automobile speedometer indicates the speed of travel of the automobile, usually in miles per hour over the road, and legal limits are established with regard to this measurement. In order to emphasize the importance of and to ease the operator's burden in determining the performance against these speed ranges of the machine, various illumination methods have been developed for illuminating the scales of such displays.
Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,452 to Frey discloses an instrument panel for motor vehicles in which a remote light source is provided. Light is conducted to the various instruments and indicators on the instrument panel by means of a glass fiber cable or fiber optic cable, which may be divided to provide patterns of illumination for the purpose of illuminating strips along an arm.
A significant number of patents relate to the illumination of instruments by the use of lights in conjunction with light pipes. In this context U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,294 to Blackwell discloses an illuminated indicating instrument in which a light pipe structure is disclosed for illuminating a plastic transparent pointer on the face of the instrument. The invention discloses the use of multiple illuminating lamps as a failure protection mode against the burnout of a single lamp. The invention also teaches that various colored lights may be used, providing different uniform colorations of light through the light pipe to the instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,902,770 to Kadlec shows the construction of a light-transmitting dial pointer having a multiple part construction so that it may be illuminated at night and so that in the daytime it presents a high contrast color visibility from reflection.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,847 to Cresko discloses a light pipe construction in which the reflectance of light at the visible end of the pipe is highly attenuated so as to give an unambiguous light or dark (on/off) indication either at night under artificial light or in the daytime under high ambient daytime illumination.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,655 to Bouverand teaches the use and construction of a dashboard indicator in which essentially the entire panel substrate is constructed of a light transmissive material, in which interchangeable extensions are used to provide for the control of illumination.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,306 to Sell shows an illuminated instrument panel including a speed indicator in which a light guide plate is used to provide illumination to a liquid crystal display. The construct provides for a liquid crystal display including, in the depicted version, a speed indicating instrument in which color is provided. The patent teaches color coding of the light display to indicate varying conditions based upon a varying overall display color; the device is described as being suitable as an automotive instrument display.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,524 to Leveraus shows an alternate form of display panel in which positioning of lights driven by integral cables is used in lieu of fiber optics.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,361 to Gibson discloses as part of a display mechanism and a television tuner concept a mechanism which interposes a moveable mask between a light pipe source and a receiving series of fiber optic cables so that as the mask is rotated, varying displays are presented upon a flat, illuminated face showing a condition or information to the user. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to digital cameras, and in particular, to image capturing methods based on face detection.
2. Description of the Related Art
Face detection is a prevailing technology commonly used for focus control of a digital camera. Conventionally, a digital camera may enable a sensor to obtain an image, and employ a face detection algorithm to identify faces in the image. When one or more faces are identified, the focus of the camera is adjusted to lock on to the faces, such that a sharp picture of faces can be taken. The face detection algorithm may be accomplished through various approaches, such as identification of colors and shapes. Since there is ongoing research in face detection, technique details are not introduced herein.
As known, a typical camera can take photos spontaneously by setting a time clock, so a photographer can setup the count down time and walk into the lens range to wait for the shutter to trigger. However, in the count down mode, it is difficult to control the composition of a picture since there is no photographer behind the camera. People to be photographed may stand in a wrong position because of a lack of bearing. Therefore, an enhanced functionality for autonomic image capturing method is desirable. | {
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The invention relates to a biosensor for measuring changes in viscosity or density in a test fluid, such as the coagulation of blood. The biosensor includes a housing surrounding a measuring chamber in which a piezoelectric element, and in particular a quartz crystal operating in a shear mode of vibration, is disposed. The piezoelectric element constitutes an oscillating unit with a measuring surface adapted to be wetted with a measuring mixture comprising the test fluid and a reaction component. Changes in the parameters of the oscillating are evaluated by a suitable electronic evaluation circuit.
European Patent EP-B 177 858, discloses a biosensor arrangement with which the coagulation rate of blood can be measured. A quartz crystal which is connected in the capacity of a resonant circuit to an oscillator having a fixed frequency is disposed in a measuring chamber which can be closed with a lid. The test fluid, which comprises the blood to be examined, is initially mixed with a coagulation component and applied to the measuring surface of the quartz crystal, upon which the coagulation rate of the blood is measured by evaluating a decrease in the vibration amplitude of the quartz crystal caused by a damping or mistuning of the resonant circuit by the coagulating blood. The elapsed time from the time the blood is mixed with the coagulation component up to the time of coagulation is measured by an electronic stopwatch. One disadvantage of the above arrangement is that, after a measurement has been made, the measuring chamber of the biosensor or the measuring surface of the quartz crystal can be cleaned only with great difficulty. Another disadvantage of this arrangement is that the elapsed time from the time the blood is mixed with the coagulation component until its application to the measuring surface must be carefully taken into account and monitored to avoid incorrect measurements. Yet another disadvantage of the above arrangement is the necessity for the relatively complicated procedure of initially mixing the blood with the coagulation component before applying it to the piezoelectric element. Similar devices are also disclosed in Japanese Patent Publications JP-A 62/153761 and JP-A 40/32767.
Biosensors for detecting antigen-antibody reactions which work with piezoelectric elements, for instance with a quartz crystal are also known. In such biosensors, an antigen-antibody is applied to the measuring surface of the piezoelectric element, upon which the piezoelectric element is dipped into the test fluid in order to measure and evaluate the resultant mistuning of the piezoelectric element as an oscillating circuit. Biosensors of this kind are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,236,893 and 4,735,906. These biosensors have the disadvantage that the selectively absorbent layer of the oscillator surface must be cleaned before each new use, which procedure is very tedious and can gradually destroy the absorbent layer. Moreover, blood coagulation sensors of the above type in which the reaction component is initially applied to the measuring surface of the piezoelectric element would have the disadvantage that the piezoelectric element would be pre-strained by the reaction component, such that it would no longer be possible to make a measurement of the oscillating frequency of the piezoelectric element in the unstrained state. | {
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Various scientific and patent publications are referred to herein. Each is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
To monitor the health of patients, identify infectious diseases, screen for cancer, and monitor the safety of water and food supplies, it is often desirable or even necessary to concurrently detect and measure the concentrations of multiple analytes in a given sample. Such analytes can include various chemicals, proteins, viruses, DNA, RNA, cells, bacteria, antibodies, and other biological and non-biological markers.
It is known that accurate and reliable biomarker-based cancer screening requires the concurrent quantification of multiple proteins, and, in certain cases, can entail the establishment of a gene profile of cancer and pre-cancer cells. In the latter case, one takes advantage of the fact that precancerous and cancerous cells exhibit a change in the transcription levels of many genes. Accordingly, the detection of the deviations in mRNA levels provides an informative target for cancer diagnostics. Establishing a gene profile, however, requires the quantification of from about 10 to about 30 genes, which quantification, in turn, is most efficiently accomplished by the use of an array of multiple sensors.
Existing devices for performing such analyses have certain drawbacks, and often require the use of large, complex devices, including cameras, fluorescence meters, optical scanners, and the like. The size and complexity of such devices renders optical detection techniques ill-suited for use in portable devices.
Because of the limitations inherent in multiple analyte detection systems that rely on optical detection, there is a need for devices capable of detecting multiple analytes on a non-optical basis. There is also a related need for methods of fabricating such devices. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a surface-acoustic-wave parametric device for use as a variable-frequency selecting device. More particularly, this invention relates to a surface-acoustic-wave parametric device wherein a plurality of pumping electrodes are arranged in the direction of propagation of surface acoustic waves, and values of DC bias voltages or pumping voltages for forming parametric interaction regions, which are to be applied to the respective pumping electrodes, are differentiated from each other so as to correspond to a desired output frequency characteristic, thereby enabling desired design of a frequency characteristic of the variable-frequency selecting device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One of the inventors of the present invention has already disclosed, in Japanese Laying-Open No. 54-41089 (1979), a surface-acoustic-wave device having a variable frequency selecting function as illustrated in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 1, numeral 1 designates a semiconductor substrate, and an insulator film 2 and a piezoelectric layer 3 are laminated on the semiconductor substrate 1. A rectangular pumping electrode 4 to which a DC bias voltage and a pumping voltage are applied and input and output transducers 5 and 6 are arranged on the piezoelectric layer 3.
Numeral 7 designates a DC power source for applying a DC bias voltage, 8 designates an inductor for AC blocking, 9 designates a high-frequency power source for applying a pumping voltage, 10 is a capacitor for DC blocking, and 11 and 12 designate surface-acoustic-wave absorbing members for preventing undesired reflection of surface acoustic waves at the ends of the device.
The DC bias voltage is applied from the DC power source 7 to the pumping electrode 4 so as to create a suitable depletion-layer capacitance at a surface portion of the semiconductor substrate 1 under the pumping electrode 4. Further, the pumping voltage having a frequency which is twice that of a center frequency fo of a desired frequency band is applied from the high-frequency power source 9 to the pumping electrode 4 so that the depletion layer capacitance is oscillated and modulated at the frequency 2fo.
When an electric signal is applied to the broad-band input transducer 5, the input electric signal is converted into a surface-acoustic-wave signal which is propagated on the surface of the piezoelectric layer 3 rightwardly and leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 1.
When a signal component of the surface-acoustic-wave input signal 13 propagating in the rightward direction and having a frequency around fo passes through an operating region under the pumping electrode 4, the piezoelectric potential thereof is subjected to a parametric interaction with the pumping voltage due to the depletion layer capacitance non-linearity effect on the surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 so that the component is amplified. This amplified surface-acoustic-wave signal 14 is converted into and outputted in the form of an electric signal by the output transducer 6.
At the same time, a surface-acoustic-wave signal 15, which has a frequency fi (fi=2fo-fs, fs: a frequency of the input signal) corresponding to the amplitude of the surface-acoustic-wave input signal 13, is also produced from the pumping electrode 4 and propagated leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 1. This surface-acoustic-wave signal 15 may also be outputted as an output signal.
The frequency characteristics 14a, 15a, 14b and 15b of the respective output surface-acoustic-wave signals 14 and 15 are shown, in FIGS. 2 and 3, in relation with the input signal 13 whose amplitude is shown as 1 in the figures. FIG. 2 shows the case where the pumping voltage is relatively small and FIG. 3 shows the case where the pumping voltage is relatively large.
As apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, in the surface-acoustic-wave device having a rectangular pumping electrode, a response at a signal passing band and a spurious response are substantially determined when an output at a desired center frequency fo is selected. By this reason, when the conventional surface-acoustic-wave device is used as a frequency selecting device, the frequency characteristic cannot be designed freely. And yet, the spurious response is still too high to be practically used. | {
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A lead frame like a semiconductor chip is one of components included in a semiconductor package. The lead frame serves as both a wire for connecting the semiconductor chip to an external circuit and a supporting form for mounting the semiconductor chip and fixing the same at a static state.
A conventional lead frame is manufactured by a pre-plating method. According to the pre-plating method, a lead frame is pre-plated with plural metal layers which have an excellent wettability at soldering processes so that lead plating process is not required to outer lead frame of the semiconductor package at post treatment. Herein, wettability related to mold compound adhesion and moisture performance is measure of how well the solder joins the device lead or terminal to a board. Thus, it is possible to manufacture a no-lead or leadless semiconductor package.
The pre-plating method without the lead plating process may reduce some fabrication steps at the post treatment as well as have an advantage to prevent environmental contamination.
However, since a lead frame is plated with high-priced metals, cost of production for semiconductor package manufactured by the pre-plating method increases. | {
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Semiconductor (SC) devices are often encapsulated in molded plastic. The molded plastic surrounds and protects the semiconductor die, supports the bonding wires and external leads and imparts ruggedness and shock resistance to the device. Plastic packaged devices are widely used. FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view through prior art molded plastic package 20 containing semiconductor (SC) die 22. SC die 22 is conveniently but not essentially mounted on heatsink 23. Metal contact regions 24-1, 24-2 (collectively 24) are provided on SC die 22 to which external leads 26-1, 26-2 (collectively 26) are coupled by wirebonds or other means 25-1, 25-2 (collectively 25). Conductors and interconnections (e.g., metal traces) 31 on die surface 32 are also shown. Plastic encapsulant 27 is molded around SC die 22, conductors 31, wirebond pads 24, wirebonds 25, inner portions 28-1, 28-2 (collectively 28) of external leads 26, so that, in this example, lower surface 21 of heatsink 23 remains exposed on the lower face of package 20, but having surface 21 exposed is not essential. While plastic encapsulation, such as is illustrated in FIG. 1 and equivalents, is widely used, it suffers from a number of disadvantages and limitations well known in the art. Among these are that plastic encapsulation 27 surrounding SC die 22 and leads 25 and 28 and covering conductors 31 has a significantly higher dielectric constant εe and loss tangent δe than does air or vacuum. For example, commonly used plastic encapsulants for semiconductor devices often have dielectric constants εe in the range 3.5 to 5.0 and loss tangents δe in the range 0.005 to 0.015 for the frequency ranges of interest. These are sufficient to cause significant degradation of performance, especially at high frequencies and high voltages. Fringing electric field 29 (created when voltage is applied) extends into plastic encapsulant 27 between various conductors 31 and 24 on surface 32 of SC die 22. This results in capacitive coupling (e.g., “cross-talk”) and power loss (e.g., heat dissipation) in encapsulation 27. These increase as the dielectric constant εe and loss tangent δe of encapsulation 27 increase. Such cross-talk and loss are undesirable.
In the prior art, the capacitive coupling and loss associated with this fringing electric field extending outside of the SC die has been mitigated or avoided by, for example: (i) using a Faraday shield (not shown) over the die, and/or (ii) using hollow ceramic or metal packages that provide an air or vacuum space over the die sensitive surface with conductors 24, 31 and also usually around the wirebonds and inner package leads. A Faraday shield constrains the fringing fields but at the cost of additional die complexity due to the additional conductor and masking layers required. A vacuum or airspace package is illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows hollow package 30 having air or vacuum space 37 surrounding die 32. Die 32 is mounted on, for example, metal, ceramic or plastic base 33-1 to which are attached external leads 36-1, 36-2 (collectively 36). Wirebonds or other connections 35-1, 35-2 (collectively 35) couple bonding pads 34-1, 34-2 (collectively 34) on die 32 to inner portions 38-1, 38-2 (collectively 38) of package leads 36-1, 36-2 (collectively 36). Cap 33-2 is placed over substrate 34, die 32, wirebonds or other connections 35 and inner portions 38 of package leads 36. Having air or vacuum space 37 around die 22 means that fringing electric field 39 is not in contact with any encapsulant. Therefore, an increase in coupling capacitance and/or loss caused by a plastic encapsulant in contract with the die surface and the various conductors is avoided. The dielectric constant εo and loss tangent δo of air or vacuum are low and so cross-talk and dielectric loss are minimized. However, such hollow packages are significantly more expensive and often not as rugged as plastic encapsulation. Wirebonds or other connections 35 can become detached if the finished device is subjected to large acceleration forces.
Thus, there continues to be a need for improved semiconductor devices and methods that provide plastic encapsulated devices with reduced encapsulation related capacitive cross-talk and loss. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved semiconductor devices with plastic encapsulation having lower dielectric constant εbl and/or loss tangent δbl material in contact with the die surface. In addition, it is desirable that the improved plastic encapsulation materials, structures and methods allow a substantially solid structure to be formed surrounding the semiconductor die, die leads and bonding wires so as to provide a mechanically rugged package. It is further desirable that the improved devices be achieved using fabrication technology already available on or easily added to a typical semiconductor device manufacturing line so that only minor modification of the manufacturing process is required. It is still further desirable that these advantages be obtained at low cost. Other desirable features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. | {
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Technical Field
This disclosure relates generally to information security on network-connected appliances.
Background of the Related Art
Security threats are continually evolving. With the rapid growth of cutting-edge web applications and increased file sharing, activities that may have been considered harmless in the past could become potential openings for attackers. Traditional security means, such as anti-malware software and firewalls, have become easier to bypass. Thus, there is a significant need for more advanced, proactive threat protection that can help provide comprehensive security against new and emerging threats.
Network-connected, non-display devices (“appliances) are ubiquitous in many computing environments. For example, appliances built purposely for performing traditional middleware service oriented architecture (SOA) functions are prevalent across certain computer environments. SOA middleware appliances may simplify, help secure or accelerate XML and Web services deployments while extending an existing SOA infrastructure across an enterprise. The utilization of middleware-purposed hardware and a lightweight middleware stack can address the performance burden experienced by conventional software solutions. In addition, the appliance form-factor provides a secure, consumable packaging for implementing middleware SOA functions. One particular advantage that these types of devices provide is to offload processing from back-end systems. To this end, it is well known to use such middleware devices to perform computationally expensive processes related to network security. For example, network intrusion prevention system (IPS) appliances are designed to sit at the entry points to an enterprise network to protect business-critical assets, such as internal networks, servers, endpoints and applications, from malicious threats. Such devices can provide inline content inspection and modification for various purposes, such as to neutralize or eliminate from network traffic malicious, offensive or otherwise objectionable content, decrypt encrypted (SSL/TLS) network traffic to perform security inspection, inject content (e.g., advertisements, and security notifications), and the like.
Traditional network content and inspection and modification has been performed using network proxies, which often suffer from poor performance and lack of scalability, and that require either client reconfiguration or deployment of a transparent gateway device. Performance in such devices is impacted negatively by the proxy's requirements for data copying, buffering, context switching, and connection termination and re-origination. The lack of scalability is a consequence of the proxy's connection termination and re-origination, as well as its dependency on often-limited operating system resources such as network buffer, file descriptors, socket handles, and TCP ports. TCP session handling in such devices requires full implementation of the TCP/IP stack, including TCP timers. Terminating network proxies typically also require manual configuration, which increases deployment and maintenance costs, as a connection proxy requires two separate IP addresses. Depending on where the device must be deployed, the cost may be significant. Such devices also are not easily provisioned into cloud-based deployments. | {
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The present invention relates generally to a process for operating a plasma arc torch, and more particularly to a shut down process that significantly extends the life of the electrode and nozzle.
The operation of conventional plasma arc torches is well understood by those in the art. The basic components of these torches are a body, an electrode mounted in the body, a nozzle defining an orifice for a plasma arc, a source of ionizable gas, and an electrical supply for producing an arc in the gas. Upon start up, an electrical current is supplied to the electrode (generally a cathode) and the pilot arc is initiated in the ionizable gas typically between the electrode and the nozzle, the nozzle defining an anode. Then, a conductive flow of the ionized gas is generated from the electrode to the work piece, wherein the work piece then defines the anode, and a plasma arc is thus generated from the electrode the work piece. The ionizable gas can be non-reactive, such as nitrogen, or reactive, such as oxygen or air.
A significant problem with conventional plasma arc torches is wear of the electrodes and nozzles. Typically, the electrodes include a hafnium or a zirconium insert. These materials are desired for their material properties, but are extremely costly and require frequent replacement.
It has been found that a significant percentage of the electrode wear and damage actually occurs during shut down of the torch. It is believed that on cut off of electrical current to the electrode, wear results from a complicated interaction between molten surfaces of the electrode and the pressurized flow of the plasma gas through the nozzle. The phenomena is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,227.
It is also understood that the electrodes, and particularly the inserts, have a limited number of cycles or "pierces." A "pierce" refers to the starting up and initial cutting or piercing of the arc through a work piece. For each pierce there is obviously a prior shut down of the torch. Plasma torches utilizing conventional shut down methods have an electrode life of generally between about 1,000 to 1,500 pierces.
The industry is constantly seeking methods for improving the plasma torches, and particularly for extending the life and improving the wear characteristics of the electrodes. The present invention concerns just such an improved method. | {
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Conventionally, in a disc apparatus, such as a CD player for reproducing a compact disc (DC) having concentric tracks in which digital audio data are recorded as a train of pits, a laser beam is irradiated along a track on the disc driven by a spindle motor at a constant linear velocity (CLV), and the digital audio data are reproduced by detecting changes in the intensity of the reflected light caused by the presence or absence of the pits.
Although the bit error rate during data reproduction may reach a value in an order of 10.sup.-5, an error correcting operation is performed with the acid of error detection and error correction codes to obviate any inconveniences which might otherwise arise under usual operating environments.
Meanwhile, in a CD player provided with an optical reproducing head, it is a frequent occurrence that the servo systems such as the focusing servo or tracking servo for the reproducing head is out of order so that regular data playback cannot be achieved. In such case, error correction cannot be made even with the use of the error detection or error correction code, so that data playback is discontinued transiently.
In a car-laden or portable CD player, which may be subjected to extremely large impacts or vibrations in a manner different from a stationary CD player for domestic use, a mechanical vibration proofing system is provided to prevent the servo system from falling into disorder in the above described manner.
On the other hand, in a so-called CD-I(CD-Interactive) system in which video data and letter or character data are recorded simultaneously on the compact disc (CD) in addition to the audio information, seven modes as shown in FIG. 1 are standardized as audio information.
In the CD-DA mode in which the sound quality level corresponds to the current 16-bit PCM, linear pulse code modulation (PCM) with the sampling frequency of 44.1 Khz and the number of bits of quantization equal to 16, is employed. In the A level stereo mode and the A level monaural mode having the sound quality corresponding to the long-playing record, adaptive differential pulse code modulation (ADPCM) with the sampling frequency of 37.8 kHz and the number of bids of quantization equal to 8, is employed. In the B level stereo mode and the B level monaural mode having the sound quality corresponding to FM broadcasting, ADPCM with the sampling frequency of 37.8 kHz and the number of bits of quantization equal to 4, employed. Finally, in the C level stereo mode and the C level monaural mode, having the sound quality corresponding to the AM broadcasting, ADPCM with the sampling frequency of 18.9 Khz and the number of bits of quantization equal to 4, is employed.
That is, turning to FIG. 1, in the A level stereo mode, as contrasted to the CD-DA mode, the bit reduction ratio is 1/2 and data are recorded at every two sectors (represents a sector where data recording in made) with the reproducing time for a disc being about two hours. In the A level monaural mode, the bit reduction rate is 1/4 and data are recorded at every four sectors, with the reproducing time being about four hours. In the B level monaural mode, the bit reduction ratio is 3/8 and data are recorded at every eight sectors, with the reproducing time being about eight hours. In the C level stereo mode, the bit reduction ratio is 1/8 and data are recorded at every eight sectors, with the reproducing time being about eight hours. In the C level monaural mode, the bit reduction ratio is 1/16 and data are recorded at every sixteen sectors, with the reproducing time being about sixteen hours.
Heretofore, the rotational velocity of the disc in each of the above modes is the same, that is, the transfer rate of recordable data per second on the transfer rate of reproducible data per second is 75 sectors. When recording audio data on a disc in the B level stereo mode, for example, the data transfer rate in the B level stereo mode is 18.75 (75.div.4) sectors/second, audio data are discretely recorded at every four sectors, from the first sector of the innermost track towards the outermost track on the sector-by-sector basis and, after audio data are recorded on the outermost track, audio data are again recorded at every four sectors from the second sector of the innermost track towards the outermost track. That is, audio data are recorded on the disc from the innermost track towards the outermost track, from the innermost track towards the outermost track, from the innermost track towards the outermost track and from the innermost track towards the outermost track. Thus, during reproduction, data are not reproduced when the reproducing head jumps (or reverts) from the outermost track towards the innermost track, so that reproduction of a piece of music is discontinued.
There has hitherto been provided a disc recording apparatus adapted for recording digital data conforming to the above described CD or CD-I standard on a write-once optical disc or overwrite type magneto-optical disc. However, with such disc recording apparatus, the servo system for focusing servo or tracking servo of the recording head tends to be disengaged or out of order due to mechanical disturbances, such as vibrations or impacts, such that recording is discontinued transiently.
In view of the above described status of the conventional disc apparatus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a data recording method in which the rotational velocity of the disc remains the same for each mode, in which data may be recorded continuously on a track of the disc which is rotated at a rotational velocity faster than the rotational velocity corresponding to the data transfer rate, when the rotational velocity of the disc is faster than the rotational velocity corresponding to the data transfer rate, as in data recording in the B level stereo mode, and in which continuous data reproduction may be made at the time of data reproduction. It is another object of the present invention to provide a data recording method in which data may be recorded continuously on a recording track of the disc-shaped recording medium even though the servo system is in trouble due to disturbances.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a data reproducing method in which data continuously recorded on a track of a disc rotated at a rotational velocity faster than the rotational velocity corresponding to the data transfer rate may be reproduced at a predetermined data transfer rate. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a data reproducing method in which data may be continuously reproduced from a recording track on a disc-shaped recording medium even though the servo system is in trouble due to disturbances. | {
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As the advancement of the aging society in recent years, the number of patients suffering from inflammatory diseases such as cancers, lifestyle related diseases and circulatory diseases is increasing, and as a result, there arises a social problem of, for example, the increase of medical expenses. In order to solve the problem, there is a demand for a diagnostic method with which an inflammatory disease can be detected at an early stage or an effective treatment method with which an inflammatory disease can be cured before becoming severe. An inflammatory disease is considered to be caused and become serious when inflammation becomes chronic. There are, however, many unknown parts in the chronic inflammation, and the mechanism has not been clarified yet. Therefore, studies for purpose of clarifying the mechanism of the chronic inflammation are being earnestly prosecuted inside and outside Japan.
As one of cell types playing a significant role in the chronic inflammation, attention is recently paid to macrophage, that is, a type of leucocytes. It is currently known that there are at least two subtypes of macrophage, that is, one having a function to accelerate inflammation (M1 macrophage) and one having a function to inhibit inflammation (M2 macrophage).
It has been revealed that the macrophage subtypes (hereinafter referred to merely as the subtypes; herein, the term “subtype” refers to the macrophage subtype) are significantly related to pathologic change in inflammatory diseases such as cancer, type II diabetes mellitus related to fatness, arterial sclerosis, and nephritis. There are a large number of reports on the relation between the subtype and the pathology. For example, it is known that the number, the density, the balance or the like of the subtypes reflects the pathology. Accordingly, identification of a subtype is expected to be applied to diagnosis and treatment.
As a method for identifying a subtype, a method in which a fluorescent dye-labeled antibody is used for identifying a protein marker specifically expressed on cell surfaces of each subtype (hereinafter referred to as the fluorescent antibody method) is known (NPL 1).
On the other hand, an exemplified method in which a porphyrin compound is used to be specifically incorporated into macrophages infiltrated into an inflammatory site in a pancreatic island is disclosed (PTL 1).
If identification and evaluation of a subtype, and evaluation, analysis and screening of influence of a substance on the subtype can be simply performed, the roles of the subtype played in an inflammatory disease will be understood in more detail. An effective diagnostic method for an inflammatory disease can be expected to be developed based on the identification and evaluation of the subtype. Besides, if the subtype is controlled in a disease site or a specific subtype having been adjusted in vitro is administered based on the identification, evaluation, analysis and screening of the subtype, an early treatment method for the inflammatory disease can be developed. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a lithographic apparatus and a method of manufacture of a device using lithographic apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to a scatterometry method measuring a back focal plane diffraction intensity image and a measurement system.
2. Background Art
A lithographic apparatus applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). A patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g., comprising part of, one, or several dies) of a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively patterned. Known lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto a target portion at one time, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through a radiation beam in a given direction (the “scanning”-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti parallel to this direction. It is also possible to transfer the pattern from the patterning device to the substrate by imprinting the pattern onto the substrate.
Angular-resolved scatterometry for critical dimension (CD) metrology measures the back focal plane diffraction intensity as obtained from dedicated test gratings. Typically multi-parameter shape-profiles of trapezoidal gratings lines are retrieved from the diffraction intensities. Examples of this measurement technique operate at best at a diffraction limit of around 70 nm for the width of a single line (0.25/NA) for UV-light with=280 nm and NA˜1. This implies that on-product structures and structured patterns that are typical for hot-spot areas generate intensities only in the 0-th order of diffraction, which is detected within the aperture. These are the so-called propagating waves. Higher-order diffraction intensities only exist within the medium, but are not detectable (and are called the evanescent waves). Still, the 0-th order beam may carry enough information such that by using a-priori knowledge of what structure has been written on the wafer, but the parameters of such a high-frequency structure may be retrieved only up to a certain extent, in particular up to a certain accuracy.
Moreover, information about structures that is beyond the diffraction limit is intrinsically more difficult to be retrieved, and parameters of the diffracting pattern may be highly correlated such that unambiguous and robust reconstruction may be hampered, just because of the fact that the information about the diffracting structure that is present in the back focal plane intensities is just too sparse. | {
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The present invention generally relates to semiconductor devices and processes for producing semiconductor devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for producing a semiconductor device, the process including forming a pattern by printing. The present invention also relates to a semiconductor device produced by the process.
In recent years, semiconductor devices including active layers containing organic semiconductor materials have been receiving attention. In such a semiconductor device including the organic semiconductor material, it is possible to form the active layer composed of the organic semiconductor material by application at a low temperature. Thus, the semiconductor device including the organic semiconductor material has an advantage in view of cost reduction. Furthermore, the semiconductor device can be formed on a low-heat-resistant flexible substrate, such as a plastic substrate. Moreover, a gate insulating film, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode in addition to the active layer can be formed by patterning using printing with application materials, thus leading to further cost reduction.
An inkjet printing has been studied as a method for forming a pattern with such an application material. Various materials can be applied by the inkjet printing as long as the materials each have a viscosity of several centipoises. However, in the inkjet printing, in view of the difficulty in controlling the amount of ink discharged and the precision of the position into which the ink is discharged, printing precision is about 20 μm at the present time. Thus, to increase the precision, a method for forming banks composed of polyimide or the like at the periphery of a position into which the ink is discharged has been proposed.
On the other hand, in addition to such an inkjet printing, a method for forming a fine pattern by printing, such as screen printing, which uses a template (screen), has been studied. Among printing with such a template, a nanoimprinting in which a fine structure is formed by pressing a stamp having a relief pattern against an uncured film formed by application is described by Michael D. Austin and Stephen Y. Chou [Appl. Phys. Lett., Vol. 81, 4431 (2002)] (Non-Patent Document 1). A method of using an elastomeric stamp having a relief pattern is proposed in PCT Japanese Translation Patent Publication No. 2003-509228 (Patent Document 1). Furthermore, microcontact printing using a stamp made by transferring a fine pattern formed by lithography into an elastomeric plastic is proposed in A. Kumar, G. M. Whiteside et al. [Langmuir, Vol. 10, 1498 (1994)].
However, in applying the above-described printing methods to production processes of semiconductor devices, there are problems described as follows.
In forming a fine pattern by inkjet printing, it may be essential to form banks at the periphery of a region into which the ink is discharged, as described above. Thus, it may be necessary to perform many additional steps, such as an applying step of applying a material constituting the banks, for example, polyimide, and a patterning step of patterning the applied film by photolithography, thereby disadvantageously complicating the production process.
In screen printing, it is difficult to form a film having a thickness of 1 μm or less. Thus, for example, when an active layer pattern composed of an organic semiconductor material is formed by screen printing, a step height of 1 μm or more occurs at the surface. Therefore, when a multilayer interconnection is formed on the active layer pattern, a portion not covered with an interlayer insulating film easily occurs at a side wall of the step, thereby possibly causing a short circuit between an upper lead and an lower lead.
In contrast, in nanoimprinting and microcontact printing, it is possible to form a fine pattern having a step height of 1 μm or less. However, in these printing methods, there are limits to the compatibility (adhesion) between an application material and a stamp and between the material and a substrate on which a fine pattern is formed by printing. Thus, any material cannot be always used for pattern formation by these printing methods. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising rotational driving means for an optical disc for rotating an optical disc at a constant linear velocity, tracking servo means for controlling the tracking of the optical disc on the recording track on the optical disc, and translating means for translating said optical pickup along the radius of the optical disc.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, in an optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus, employing an optical disc as a recording medium, the recording track of the optical disc is scanned by a laser beam, as the disc is rotated at a constant linear velocity or at a constant angular velocity by disc rotating means, so that information signals are recorded or reproduced along the recording track. The optical head is moved along the radius of the disc by feed means for scanning the totality of the recording tracks on the disc. The optical pickup is controlled by focusing servo or tracking servo to permit the recording tracks on the optical disc to be scanned accurately by the laser beam.
The tracking servo controlling means for applying tracking servo to the optical head operates for producing a tracking error signal proportionate to the deflection in the track pitch direction of the recording tracks from the detection output of the optical pickup and feeding the tracking error signal feed back to the tracking actuator to perform a tracking control for coinciding the center of the spot of the laser beam with the center of the track. Among the methods known for detecting the tracking error in the optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus, there are a so-called three-beam method, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,842 and a so-called pushpull method, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,608.
With the optical disc apparatus for recording and/or reproducing the information signals by scanning the recording tracks with a laser beam, an optical head access control of translating the optical head to a desired track position is performed by a track jump control method, according to which, with the tracking control means remaining in operation, the optical pickup is shifted at a time by plural tracks, such as by 100 tracks, towards the desired target position. On the other hand, with an optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus in need of high speed accessing, the optical head is translated by translating means at an elevated velocity to close to the desired track position, with the tracking control means remaining standstill, after which the tracking servo control means is operated for accessing the target track position by track jump control.
With a so-called compact disc for audio or an optical video disc, the optical disc is rotated at a constant linear velocity along a recording track according to a constant linear velocity (CLV) system for rendering the recording density constant for the overall disc surface.
Meanwhile, certain optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus, such as an optical video disc, has a larger mass, and yet is in need of a high velocity rotation, such as 1,800 rpm. The mechanical system supporting the optical pickup of such apparatus is subject to considerable vibrations at a period corresponding to the period of rotation of the disc.
Among the transmission characteristics of tracking of the optical pickup is a resonance frequency of, as shown for example in FIG. 1.
In the optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus, employing the CLV system optical disc as a recording medium, it occurs frequently that the resonance frequency f.sub.0 of the optical pickup be included in the range of fluctuations of the rotational frequency of the optical disc rotated at a constant linear velocity by disc rotating means. With an optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus in which the resonance frequency f.sub.0 of the optical pickup is included in the range of fluctuations of the rotational frequency of the optical disc, if, with the tracking control means remaining standstill, the optical pickup is first translated at an elevated velocity to close to the target track position by optical pickup feed means, and tracking controlling means is subsequently operated for having access to the target track position by track jump control, the optical pickup unit may be vibrated with rotation of the optical disc in resonance with vibrations of a mechanical deck on which disc rotating means, optical pickup and translating means etc. are mounted, so that, if the tracking control means is actuated in such state of resonance, the tracking control means is driven into vibrations to render it impossible to operate the tracking servo control means in a regular manner. Object and Summary of the Invention
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an optical disc access control apparatus comprising disc rotating means for an optical disc for rotating an optical disc at a constant linear velocity, tracking servo means for controlling the optical disc in tracking the recording track on the optical disc and translating means for translating said optical pickup along the radius direction of the optical disc, wherein an accessing control may be performed so that the optical pickup may be moved stably and quickly to a target track position.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising disc rotating means for rotating an optical disc at a constant linear velocity, tracking servo control means for causing an optical pickup to track a recording track on said optical disc, translating means for translating the optical pickup along the radius of the optical disc, detection means for detecting if the rotational frequency of the optical disc is included within a frequency range in the vicinity of a resonance frequency of the optical pickup, and accessing control means for switching between a track jump control of translating the optical pickup to a target track position on the optical disc with the tracking controlling means in the energized state and a high speed accessing control of shifting the optical pickup by the translating means to the target track position on the optical disc with the tracking control servo means in the deenergized state for effecting accessing control of the optical pickup, wherein the operation of said accessing control means is switched depending on a detection output by said detection means so that the track jump control is effected when the rotational frequency of the optical disc is included in the frequency range in the vicinity of the resonance frequency of the optical pickup and high speed accessing control is effected by the translating means when the rotational frequency is outside of the frequency range in the vicinity of the resonance frequency of the optical pickup.
With the present optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus, it is detected by detection means whether or not the rotational frequency of the optical disc by the disc rotating means is included within the frequency range in the vicinity of the resonance frequency of the optical pickup and the operation of the accessing controlling means is switched depending on a detection output of the detection means, in such a manner that, if the rotational frequency of the optical disc is in the vicinity of the resonance frequency of the optical pickup, a track jump control is performed for translating the optical pickup to the desired track position on the optical disc, with the tracking control means remaining in operation, and that, if the rotational frequency of the optical disc is outside the range of frequency in the vicinity of the resonance frequency of the optical pickup, high-speed accessing control is performed by the translating means. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to multi-layered gasket assemblies for internal combustion engines and to methods of manufacturing such multi-layered gasket assemblies.
2. Related Art
Multi-layered gaskets are often used to form a seal between two mating surfaces of a mechanical system or device, such as an internal combustion engine, to prevent leakage of combustion gasses, cooling water, lubricating oil, and the like. One common application involves placing the multi-layered gasket between an engine block and a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. Such cylinder head gaskets typically extend around a plurality of cylinder bores in an engine block to seal high-pressure combustion gasses within the cylinder bores as well as to seal oil and coolant passages. Once installed, the multi-layered steel gaskets assembly bears the load from a bolted connection of the engine components and relies upon this load to provide adequate seal therebetween. | {
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This invention relates to an image reading apparatus for scanning and optically reading a document image and outputting electronic data. More particularly, this invention relates to a structure of an automatic document feeder for transporting documents to a determined reading station and for discharging documents.
Image reading apparatus optically read images on a document, convert the images to electronic data, and transmit that data to image forming apparatus, such as an external personal computer, a copier or a facsimile machine. Many image forming apparatus are equipped with such image reading apparatus.
Image reading apparatus are provided with a light source for irradiating light onto a document that is pulled out and transported by an automatic document feeder one at a time and image sensors that receive the light reflected from the surface of the document.
However, it has been demanded recently that the automatic document feeder apparatus disposed on image reading apparatus be compact, lightweight and comprise fewer parts. Such an improved apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication 62-179271 shows a structure that has discharge rollers immediately after the document reading station so that these discharge rollers discharge documents to a discharge tray. This apparatus shortens the path to transport documents, and due to a configuration using least minimum number of rollers required in the transport of the documents, the structure for the transport of documents can be compact, lightweight and has fewer parts.
This apparatus is provided with a detection means to detect documents between a reading position for reading documents and discharge rollers. In general, there are two types of detection means; a lever type sensor detection method (or a lever type sensor) detects a motion of a detection lever disposed in the transport path swung by a sheet of document; and a reflective type sensor detection method (or a reflective type sensor) detects an interruption of light caused by a sheet of document. The light is emitted from a light-emitting unit, and is configured to be reflected by a reflective plate and returned to a light reception unit.
However, when employing the former lever type detection method, having a detection means between the document reading station and the discharge roller causes a problem, where a shock of the document striking the lever distorts images while being read because the documents is in a free state when the edge of the document hits the lever.
In particular, when the image sensor is a contact image sensor (CIS) type using a SELFOC lens, not only distortion of the image but out-focus can occur since the focus depth of CIS type sensor is extremely shallow compared to a reduction type sensor.
Also, when the latter reflective type sensor is employed, the light generated by the light source for the reading means can be mistakenly detected.
Particularly, if the image sensor is a reduction type for reading images via a plurality of mirrors reflected from a document surface, there is a greater chance of such error due to higher intensity of light.
An object of the present invention is to provide a document reading apparatus that it will not create a shock to documents while being read even though a reading apparatus is compact and lightweight. Another object of the present invention is to provide a document image reading apparatus that prevents a detection error during document transportation and achieves reliable detection.
This invention comprises a transport path for sequentially feeding documents from a sheet supply tray, a reading station for reading images on the documents disposed in the transport path, a photoelectric conversion means for photo-electrically converting images on documents moving over the reading station, a discharge tray for storing documents coming from the reading station, a first transport roller disposed at a front position in the transport direction of the reading station, a second discharge roller disposed at a back position in the transport direction of the reading station, a first detection means arranged upstream of the transport roller and a second detection means arranged at a position on the discharge tray side from the point at which the second paired transport rollers contact each other.
Furthermore, the second detection means has a stick-shaped lever member hanging downward that is capable of being swung by an edge of document abutting thereon at a position on the side of the discharge tray from the point at which the second transport rollers contact each other. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for automatically controlling interference in a broadband wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for automatically controlling interference in a broadband wireless communication system considering various communication environments, by communicating interference measurement information between adjacent cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
Because an outdoor mobile communication environment and an indoor short-range communication environment have different conditions, different communication systems support communications for the respective communication environments. For example, outdoor mobile communication systems such as Global System for Mobile telecommunication (GSM), Industry Standard-95 (IS-95), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) and Code Division Multiple Access-2000 (CDMA-2000) have been developed for the outdoor mobile communication environment, and indoor short-range communication systems such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b and Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) have been developed for the indoor short-range communication environment. The outdoor mobile communication systems and the indoor short-range communication systems have been developed and used in accordance with their respective purposes and communication environments. That is, the outdoor mobile communication systems have been used mainly for voice communication in a mobile environment, and the indoor short-range communication systems have been used mainly for notebook computer-based data communication in an indoor environment.
However, since users' requirements are becoming increasingly diversified and complicated, the next-generation communication systems must be able to integratedly and simultaneously provide a variety of voice/data communication services anywhere in both the indoors and outdoors. In the current environment where an outdoor mobile communication system and an indoor short-range communication system are separate from each other, a scheme of integrating the two separate systems into one system can be easily conceived to satisfy the aforesaid requirements. This scheme, however, has the following problems.
Firstly, the interworking between the two systems is complex and a processing delay may occur. A vertical handover technology such as a Media Independent Handover (MIH) technology is being developed to address this problem, but it still requires a complex protocol and process. Secondly, because the two systems use different frequency bands, it is difficult to use a flexible frequency band. For example, the indoor short-range communication system uses an unlicensed band and the outdoor mobile communication system uses a licensed band. Therefore, it is difficult for the indoor short-range communication system to use a licensed band in order to increase the indoor communication reliability. Thirdly, because a Mobile Station (MS) must have a function for using both of the two systems, the implementation complexity of the MS increases.
One of the methods for addressing the above problems is to miniaturize a mobile Base Station (BS) of the outdoor mobile communication system and install the miniaturized mobile BS indoors. Hereinafter, the miniaturized mobile BS will be referred to as a micro BS. This technique does not experience the problems caused by the interworking between the heterogeneous systems, and enables the service provider to flexibly use the frequency resources. However, according to the above technique, a communication system adapted to the outdoor mobile communication environment is used indoors without modification, and it has a lower efficiency than a system adapted to the indoor short-range communication environment. In addition, the outdoor mobile communication system operates based on a Global Positioning System (GPS), but the indoor short-range communication system has difficulty in using GPS.
A self-configuration function for automatically selecting a variety of optimal parameters in a given communication environment is desired in order to reduce the initialization cost and to implement the efficient operation of the indoor short-range communication system. However, even with the self-configuration function, there are still many unaddressed problems. In particular, the problem of controlling the interference between adjacent cells may greatly affect the system performance. What is therefore desired is the development of an interference control technique using the self-configuration function. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an integrated distribution and transaction system and method, and more particularly, to a mobile integrated distribution and transaction system and method for NFC (Near-Field Communication) services, and a mobile electronic device thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a new, short-range wireless connectivity technology that evolved from a combination of existing contactless identification and interconnection technologies. Products with built-in NFC will dramatically simplify the way consumer devices interact with one another, helping people speed connections, receive and share information and even make fast and secure payments.
Operating at 13.56 MHz and transferring data at up to 424 Kbits/second, NFC provides intuitive, simple, and safe communication between electronic devices. NFC is both a “read” and “write” technology. Communication between two NFC-compatible devices occurs when they are brought within four centimeters of one another: a simple wave or touch can establish an NFC connection, which is then compatible with other known wireless technologies such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The underlying layers of NFC technology follow universally implemented ISO, ECMA, and ETSI standards. Because the transmission range is so short, NFC-enabled transactions are inherently secure. Also, physical proximity of the device to the reader gives users the reassurance of being in control of the process.
NFC can be used with a variety of devices, from mobile phones that enable payment or transfer information to digital cameras that send their photos to a TV set with just a touch. The possibilities are endless, and NFC is sure to take the complexities out of today's increasingly sophisticated consumer devices and make them simpler to use. | {
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Conventional speed spinning involves take-up speeds of 3,000 meters per minute or less. Recently, consideration has been given to developing processes for high-speed spinning, that is involving take-up speeds of greater than 3,000 meters per minute, e.g. with yarn winding speeds of about 6,000 to 7,000 meters per minute for highly oriented, fully drawn polyester yarns (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate yarns) and of over 5,000 meters per minute for highly oriented, fully drawn polyamide yarns. Most conventional spin finishes have been found not to be suitable for the high speed spinning processes being developed simply because the higher speeds do not provide sufficient time for wetting of the filaments being treated resulting in deficient finish pickup on yarn and hence poor frictional characteristics during yarn processing which often results in broken filaments. Furthermore, the higher roll temperatures required for preparing low shrinkage polyester yarn with said high speed spinning processes cause conventional spin finishes to deposit on processing machinery (e.g., draw and relaxation rolls) necessitating frequent cleaning. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tablet having the shape of a capsule, as well as a process and a device to carry out preparation of said tablets.
2. State of the Art
It is well known that many pharmaceutical compositions, more particularly those in which it is necessary to mask taste and/or odor, or where the composition should reach intact stomach or intestine like drugs with sustained or retarded action, are prepared for administration in the form of capsules, comprising an outer envelope, which can be either hard or soft and generally made of gelatine or similar neutral materials, containing the granules or pellets of active substance or raw material.
However these capsules are rather big and many persons have difficulties to swallow them, the neutral material of the envelope gives rise to troubles either in the stomach or in the intestine, and their manufacture and preparation requires several operations and apparatuses, making said capsules relatively expensive in comparison with other simpler forms of conventional administration.
On the other hand it would be impossible to make a normal tablet containing granules or microgranules of active substance, more particularly those with sustained or retarded action which must not be damaged in order not to alter time and manner of releasing the active substance, because the conventional tabletting machines, exerting a strong compression on a wide and short discoid, would destroy integrity of most granules or microgranules. | {
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Integrated circuits using an SOI (silicon on insulator) substrate where a thin single-crystal silicon layer is formed over an insulating layer, instead of using a bulk silicon wafer, have been developed. By taking advantage of features of a thin single-crystal silicon layer, transistors in the integrated circuit can be formed in such a way that the transistors are electrically isolated for each element completely. Further, since the transistors can be formed as fully depleted transistors, a semiconductor integrated circuit can be manufactured to have high added value such as high integration, high-speed driving, and low power consumption.
As one method of manufacturing an SOI substrate, there is a known method of manufacturing an SOI substrate in accordance with a bonding technique in which a hydrogen ion implantation step and a separation step are combined. In this method, an SOI substrate is manufactured mainly by the following process. Hydrogen ions are implanted into a silicon wafer to form a damaged region at a predetermined depth from the surface. A silicon oxide film is formed by oxidizing another silicon wafer which serves as a base substrate. The silicon wafer with the hydrogen ions implanted therein is bonded to the silicon wafer with the silicon oxide film formed therein, so that the two silicon wafers are attached to each other. Heat treatment is performed thereon so that the wafers are cleaved from each other at the damaged region. Another heat treatment is performed in order to improve bonding force of a silicon layer attached to the base substrate.
Moreover, there is another known method of manufacturing an SOI substrate, in which a silicon layer separated from a silicon wafer is attached to a glass substrate (see Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2004-087606 and Patent Document 2: Japanese Published Patent Application No. H11-163363). | {
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There are known in the prior art devices which receive bills such as currency notes which are examined for authenticity and if genuine are accepted, and in return for which change may be given or articles or services provided. Associated with these bill acceptors are bill stacker devices which are adapted to receive bills from the acceptor and to arrange them in a relatively compact stack until the stacker reaches its capacity. One such bill stacker is illustrated in Okkonen et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,260, issued Nov. 4, 1975.
In most instances, bill handling apparatus of the type just described is installed at an unattended location, normally behind the locked door of a merchandising machine or the like. At timed intervals a service person visits the location to service the machine and to remove whatever money has been accepted by the machine and return it to the home office. It is of course desirable that this operation be carried out in as simple and expeditious as well as safe method as is possible. To that end, it is desirable that the cash receptacle be readily removable from the remainder of the bill acceptor structure. It is further desirable that the bill acceptor cash box be automatically locked against access to the bills therein upon its removal from the acceptor. In this way dishonest persons will not have access to the notes which have been collected. It is further desirable that the bill acceptor be disabled when the stacker box is not in operative position with relation thereto. | {
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Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of display technology, and specifically, to a display panel, a method of manufacturing the same, and a display device.
Description of the Related Art
With development of wireless mobile communication, information display devices and display panels are widely used as communication terminal devices. At the same time, to solve a problem that a glass substrate will be broken when the device falls, a material of the substrate of the terminal device having a mobile communication function has been changed from glass to plastic, such that a flexible display becomes possible.
In a typical display device, characteristics such as response speed, contrast ratio, visual angle, brightness uniformity and the like are associated with the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, i.e., the spacing between substrates. Therefore, to maintain a uniform spacing between substrates in typical display device, spherical pads are arranged within the space between the substrates.
However, as a plastic substrate is flexible, when the plastic substrate is bent or curled like a paper, the spherical pads are very likely to be moved to arbitrary positions, such that agglomeration of spherical pads occurs in an active region. On one hand, it may lead to non-uniformity in brightness in a certain tone during displaying, and on the other hand, the spherical pads distributed in the space between the substrates for maintaining the spacing of the substrates will lead to a small adhering area between the substrates, resulting in a small bonding strength. | {
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The use in diverse applications of bar codes (one-dimensional, such as UPC, Code 39, Code 128; two-dimensional, such as PDF 417, Code 49, Code 16K; etc.), matrix codes (Data Code, Code 1, Vericode, MaxiCode, etc.) and graphic codes (Glyph, etc.) which may be printed or etched on paper, plastic cards and metallic and other items is well known. In addition to such optically machine readable graphics, data is commonly recorded in other machine readable forms, such as optically via invisible ink bar codes or matrix codes and magnetically via magnetic stripes or magnetic ink MICR fonts, on credit cards, checks and identification badges. Similarly, data is recorded electromagnetically via RF tags in a growing variety of forms and applications. Also, in the area of optical character recognition machine readable dataforms take the form of special OCR type fonts and MICR fonts, as well as text including words and numbers formed in the course of ordinary typing and word processing operations. In addition to printing, etching and magnetic recording, other methods of forming or transferring dataforms include engraving, ion doping (for semiconductor wafers), stamping, tattooing (for skin), biochemical binding, etc. For present purposes, all arrangements whereby data is fixed in some form of machine readable copy are termed "dataforms".
In the utilization of dataforms, the data originally encoded is recovered for further use in a variety of ways. For example, a printed bar code may be optically scanned to derive reflectance values which are digitized, stored in buffer memory and subsequently decoded to recover the data encoded in the bar code. Thus, regardless of the particular type of dataform, an image is typically acquired and stored as pixel data for further processing. An image of a bar code or matrix code existing as a graphic image can be acquired by use of a CCD scanner, a laser scanner, a CMOS camera, or other suitable device. For a dataform recorded in a magnetic strip, invisible ink or other medium, magnetic and other techniques available for use with such dataforms are effective for reading the dataform in order to acquire pixel data representative of the elements of the dataform which represent encoded data. The resulting pixel data is stored in an image buffer memory or other medium in bit map or other form which, while representative of a pixel data image, may utilize any appropriate data storage format.
The resolution capabilities, and thereby the cost, of the scanning device or other sensor, as well as the data storage medium, are directly dependent upon the resolution required in the overall decoding process. On a basic level, the resolution characterizing both the pixel data image acquisition and storage must be adequate to permit detection of the position of the smallest image element of interest. For present purposes, the smallest image element of interest is termed a "cell". If, for example, the width of a cell is many times larger than the size of a pixel within the acquired pixel image, it will be appreciated that such cell width will be represented by many pixels and its position will be correspondingly easy to detect. Thus, the resolution, which may be measured in pixels-per-cell, will be high relative to the cell width. Conversely, if a cell dimension is smaller than the size of one pixel in the pixel data image it will not be possible to detect the cell position with accuracy adequate to enable reliable recovery of data encoded in the dataform.
Established sampling theory holds that an image of the present type can be unambiguously represented by samples of the image so long as the image contains no elements or features representative of spatial frequencies greater than one-half the sampling frequency. For present purposes, this translates to a requirement that the width of the cell previously referred to must be no smaller than the dimension represented by two side-by-side pixels in the pixel image. This is another way of expressing the current state of the art standard for bar code decoding, which holds that detecting of a bar code or other dataform requires, as a minimum, at least two pixels-per-cell along one axis. This state of the art minimum requirement is illustrated in FIG. 1a, which shows bar code cells and the pixel size relationship for a few pixels within an overall image. The individual pixels may be in any lateral positioning relationship with the bar code cells and the provision of a least two pixels-per-cell enables determination of the relative cell positions to permit decoding. For the two-dimensional case, as for cells of a matrix code dataform wherein both lateral and vertical positioning of square cells are employed for encoding data, state of the art detecting requires a resolution of at least two pixels per cell along two perpendicular axes, which equates to four pixels-per-cell. This is illustrated in FIG. 1b.
Thus, for a one-dimensional (1-D) laser scanner, CCD scanner or CMOS camera, if a cell width of 0.1 inch is to be detected, for example, the required resolution must be represented by a pixel size no greater than 0.05 inch. For a two-dimensional (2-D) laser scanner, CCD scanner or CMOS camera the same resolution/maximum pixel size requirement applies in each dimension, resulting in the four pixel-per-cell requirement. To achieve the desired decoding resolution, the storage or memory medium must have at least the same resolution capability of storing at least two pixels-per-cell for one axis and four pixels-per-cell for the 2-D case. These standards, together with the overall size and image cell content of a complete dataform to be decoded, determine the overall size, resolution and cost of the sensor unit and storage medium necessary to acquire and store the pixel data image.
As examples of prior patents which describe machine readable dataforms and systems for coding and decoding such dataforms, attention is directed to the following. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,113,445 and 5,243,655 cover two-dimensional bar code coding and encoding inventions of a present inventor. Earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,354 covers production and reading of two-dimensional data code matrices.
Objects of the present invention are to provide new and improved methods for detecting the position of an image element represented in a pixel data image, and to provide such methods operable with resolutions lower than two pixels-per-cell, thereby achieving subpixel accuracy in cell position detection. | {
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1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a method for making a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
A fuel cell is a power generating device which can convert chemical energy into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. The fuel cells are usually classified as alkaline fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, and proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Recently, the proton exchange membrane fuel cells are rapidly developed and have attracted great interests.
A membrane electrode assembly is an important component of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell and includes a proton exchange membrane and two electrodes. The proton exchange membrane is sandwiched between the two electrodes. The electrode commonly includes a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer is sandwiched between the gas diffusion layer and the proton exchange membrane. The catalyst layer commonly includes a catalyst, a catalyst carrier, a proton conductor, and adhesive. In general, the catalyst carrier is carbon particles, and the catalyst is nano-scale precious metal particles uniformly dispersed in the catalyst carrier. A catalytic efficiency of the catalyst layer can influence the property of the fuel cell. The catalytic efficiency can be increased by increasing the three-phase reaction interfaces between the precious metal particles and reaction gas, and protons and electrons. Specifically, the reaction gas such as hydrogen can reach the surfaces of the precious metal particles through gas passages and generate protons and electrons from a catalytic reaction. The protons can move toward the proton exchange membrane through proton passages defined by a network composed of the proton conductor. The electrons can transfer toward the gas diffusion layer through a conductive network composed of the catalyst carrier. If the transfer passages are obstructed, the electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell will be frustrated.
The catalyst layer is commonly formed on the surfaces of the gas diffusion layer and the proton exchange membrane by brush coating, spraying, or printing. The catalyst layer has a disordered stack structure composed of a plurality of aggregates. It is difficult to catalyze the electrochemical reaction because the precious metal particles are embedded in the aggregates. Thus, the utilization rate of the catalyst in the catalyst layer having the disordered stack structure is low.
What is needed, therefore, is to provide a method for making a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly having a high catalyst utilization rate. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor device, more specifically a semiconductor device being capable of compact its wiring.
2. Description of the Related Art
A vertical type double diffusion metal oxide field effect transistor (D-MOSFET), a kind of power MOSFET is known very well as a semiconductor device for power source to a person skilled in the art. FIG. 12 is a plane view of the D-MOSFET in the prior art. As shown in FIG. 13 illustrating plane P1--P1, the D-MOSFET 2 comprises a drain region D consist of a substrate 4 and an epitaxial growth layer 6, a plurality of channel formation region 8 formed in the epitaxial growth layer 6 and source regions S formed within each of channel formation regions 8 in dough nut shape.
A source wiring 10 made of aluminum is positioned so as to cover center part of the D-MOSFET 2 (see FIG. 12). The source wiring 10 is connected with each of the source regions S through each source contact 12. A source pad 24 is provided with a part of the source wiring 10 (see FIG. 12).
A part of the each channel formation regions 8 functions as channel regions 14. A plurality of gate G made of polysilicon is positioned on each of the channel regions 14 through a gate oxidation layer 16. All the gate G formed on the each of the channel regions 14 are connected each other. A part of the gate G is connected to a gate pad 22 through a gate electrode 18 made of aluminum and a protective resistor 20. Besides, a drain electrode 26 is provided under the substrate 4.
Thus, a high output currency can be obtained between the source pad 24 (see FIG. 12) and the drain electrode 26 by connecting a plurality of the MOSFET in parallel using the gate pad 22 as a control input terminal.
However, since the gate G are connected to the gate electrode 18 in part. So that, voltage drop in accordance with electric resistance of polysilicon is caused around a part located far from the gate electrode 18 (for instance, vicinity of a part P2 in FIG. 12) when a voltage is applied to the gate pad 22. The part located far from the gate electrode 18 can not be operated properly when large amount of voltage drop occurred.
As shown in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B both of which enlarge vicinity of the part P2, in order to prevent occurrence of voltage drop at the perimeter of the D-MOSFET 2, a perimeter gate wiring 28 made of aluminum having lower electric resistance is composed as follows. The perimeter gate wiring 28 is positioned to vicinity of perimeter of the D-MOSFET 2 thorough a perimeter gate contact 30 so as to contact to a gate perimeter portion 32.
In the same manner, in order to maintain a voltage among the source regions S studded over a wide range, the perimeter diffusion layer 34 is formed in the epitaxial growth layer 6 positioned vicinity of perimeter of the D-MOSFET 2. And the perimeter source wiring 38 made of aluminum is positioned on the perimeter diffusion layer 34 through an insulation layer 40 so as to contact the perimeter source wiring 38 with the perimeter diffusion layer 34 through a perimeter source contact 36.
Thus, it is possible to maintain the gate voltage substantially uniform to all over the chip of D-MOSFET 2 by applying the voltage direct to the gate perimeter portion 32 located far from the gate electrode 18 with the perimeter gate wiring 28 made of aluminum. Also, source voltage can be maintained substantially uniform to all over chip of the D-MOSFET by applying the voltage directly to the perimeter diffusion layer 34 with the perimeter source wiring 38 made of aluminum.
However, the D-MOSFET described in the above has following problem to resolve. It is necessary to provide the perimeter source wiring 38 connected with the perimeter diffusion layer 34 through the perimeter source contact 36 in vicinity of perimeter of the chip. Further to that, the perimeter gate wiring 28 connected with the gate perimeter portion 32 through the perimeter gate contact 30 must be provided in parallel to the perimeter source wiring 38.
In that case, it is necessary to design a width of the perimeter source wiring 38 as a width of tolerance for mis-alignment of the perimeter source contact 36 in addition to a width of the perimeter source contact 36. Also, it is necessary to use same design rule to a width of the perimeter gate wiring 28. Further, it is necessary to design a space having certain width between the perimeter source wiring 38 and the perimeter gate wiring 28 for providing an insulation region 42. So that, a space for these wirings need to be secured in vicinity of perimeter of the chip. Therefore, size of the chip becomes large. | {
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This invention relates to methods and apparatus for synchronizing multiple electric motor driven generators and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for connecting multiple alternating current motor driven generators to a common output bus, where the type of generator is synchronous, the type of motor is either synchronous or induction, and the motors are driven from either a common source bus, or from separate but phase-related source busses.
A wide variety of alternating current motor driven generators have been designed over the years to, for example, generate AC power having a frequency which is different from the frequency of the utility supplied AC power. A typical application for such motor driven generators is to provide four-hundred hertz power to a load when only a sixty hertz power source is available. Another application is to provide uninterrupted power to a load in the event of a short term outage of the utility supplied power. In this instance, the mechanical inertia of the rotating portions of the motor driven generator is relied upon to provide power during the outage.
In the use of motor driven generators, it is often necessary to connect more than one motor driven generator to a common output bus without interrupting power to the load. For example, it may be necessary to provide more power to the load than is available from a single generator, or it may be necessary to transfer the load from one generator to another without interrupting power to the load. When a second synchronous generator is connected to an output bus which is already carrying power from a first synchronous generator it is necessary that the output voltages of the two generators be approximately equal, and it is also necessary to make the connection at a time when the voltage from the second generator is in phase with the output bus voltage. Connecting an out-of-phase generator to the output bus can cause series disturbances to the load, as well as cause damage to the rotating elements.
The task of phase synchronizing a synchronous generator is further complicated if that generator is driven by a synchronous motor. This type of motor poses the additional constraint that it must be phase synchronized to the source voltage for proper operation. In those applications where the source frequency and the generator output frequency are not the same, phase synchronization becomes an even more difficult task.
One way in which phase synchronization of motor driven generators has been accomplished in the past is to use a mechanical alignment system. In this system, the second motor driven generator is brought up to speed, and the motor stator is then physically rotated with respect to the generator stator. This rotation has the effect of shifting the phase of the output voltage of that generator. The stator rotation is continued unitl the second generator voltage is in phase with the output bus voltage. A major problem with this arrangement is the need for complicated and expensive mechanical apparatus such as bearings, gearboxes, control motors and control logic. Generally, this type of mechanical alignment system is limited to vertical motor driven generator configurations in which the motor is mounted above the generator. Horizontal configurations create difficult alignment and support problems with respect to providing a rotatable motor stator.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved methods and apparatus for synchronizing multiple motor driven generators.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for synchronizing multiple motor driven generators which do not require rotatable stators.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for synchronizing multiple motor driven generators using a microprocessor control system. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In connection with weight reduction of a vehicle, the use of aluminum material has become more prevalent, and accordingly, research has been undertaken regarding how to conjoin steel and aluminum materials. The two materials are difficult to conjoin together because of their material differences, and therefore a vehicle body is usually formed entirely of steel or of aluminum. To overcome this problem, generally by conjoining different materials such as steel and aluminum, electromagnetic forming has been proposed.
However, prior art conjoining schemes for steel and aluminum using electromagnetic forming of steel have only been applicable to the case in which an aluminum member is disposed exterior to a steel member. This is because a sufficient induced magnetic field is formed only at the aluminum. That is, the steel does not form a sufficient induced magnetic field, so the aluminum should be disposed exterior to the steel or the capability of a conjoining apparatus must be very high in order to enable conjoining of an exteriorly disposed steel member therewith.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Various known methods were proposed to facilitate remote diagnosis of medical conditions, such as heart problems. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0194762 describes a method for displaying patient electrocardiogram (ECG) data. The method includes receiving ECG data including an ECG waveform; receiving analyzed ECG data including arrhythmic events; generating an indication of the detected arrhythmic event; and displaying the indication of the detected arrhythmic event in relation to the ECG waveform at a position associated with a time of the detected arrhythmic event. A system for displaying patient ECG data is also disclosed.
As another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2013/0231947 describes an adaptive system for medical monitoring that distributes data processing among computing devices connected to a network, to optimize usage of computational resources, network communication speed and user experience. Data processing is distributed into several levels with bi-directional communication between the levels (computing devices) to coordinate and adjust data compression, filtering, and analysis, as well as the size of buffered data available for transmission and/or receiving.
U.S. Patent Application Publication 2017/0300654 describes telemedicine systems and methods. A controller of the system can establish, using the transceiver, a telemedicine session with the operations center using a Transport Morphing Protocol (TMP), the TMP being an acknowledgement-based user datagram protocol. The controller can also mask one or more transient network degradations to increase resiliency of the telemedicine session. The telemedicine system can include a 2D and 3D carotid Doppler and transcranial Doppler and/or other diagnostic devices, and provides for real-time connectivity and communication between medical personnel in an emergency vehicle and a receiving hospital for immediate diagnosis and treatment to a patient in need. | {
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The function of an optical modulator is to transduce an electronic modulation signal received from an electrical circuit into phase modulation of a light beam traversing through a waveguide. For high performance optical modulators, Annealed Proton Exchanged (APE) Lithium Niobate (LiNbO) material is typically used for fabrication of the waveguide and phase modulator. Electrodes embedded within the APE Lithium Niobate are connected to an electrical circuit that provides a modulation signal. Modulation is accomplished by varying an electric field across a portion of the waveguide. This varying electric field causes variations in the index of refraction for that portion of the waveguide, imparting a phase shift to the light beam. APE Lithium Niobate is widely used for optical phase modulators across several optical technology fields, such as communications and fiber optic gyroscopes, because it displays a desirable frequency response across a wide range of operating frequencies. That is, the gain of the modulator (i.e., the amplitude and phase shift of its output) is fairly flat (i.e., constant) over a wide frequency range of input signals.
A problem exists, however, when attempting to use APE Lithium Niobate for low frequency applications, especially where the optical modulator is exposed to high temperature or near vacuum or other desiccating environments. Under such conditions, the gain of the modulator for low frequency signals starts to diminish or otherwise vary from the high-frequency gain. The longer the modulator is exposed to vacuum, the more the degradations will continue to spread upward and affect higher frequencies. For communications applications, where signals are typically in the hundreds of megahertz, degradation of modulator performance at lower frequencies may not adversely affect performance. However, for navigation gyroscope applications that measure rotations starting in the sub-hertz range, such changes in the frequency response can render the gyroscope unacceptable for performing precise navigation functions.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification, there is a need in the art for systems and methods for environmentally insensitive high-performance fiber-optic gyroscopes. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus that irradiates a subject with excitation light or visible light and receives reflected light from the subject by a plurality of pixels to perform photoelectric conversion, to thereby output image information.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, in medical fields, an endoscope system is used for observing an interior of an organ of a subject. In general, the endoscope system, which is a kind of an imaging apparatus, inserts an elongated and flexible insertion section into a body cavity of a subject such as a patient, and irradiates body tissues in the body cavity with white light through the inserted insertion section and receives reflected light by an imaging unit provided at a distal end of the insertion section, to thereby capture an in-vivo image. An image signal of the biological image taken by the endoscope system is transmitted to an image processing device outside the subject body through a transmission cable inside the insertion section and subjected to image processing in the image processing device and is, thereby, displayed on a monitor of the endoscope system. A user such as a doctor observes the interior of the organ of the subject through the in-vivo image displayed on the monitor.
As such an endoscope system, there is known technology capable of performing fluorescence observation that irradiates body tissues into which a fluorescence agent including a fluorescence marker is introduced with excitation light of a specific wavelength to capture fluorescence light or normal observation that irradiates body tissues with normal light in a visible wavelength range to capture reflected light (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-61435). In this technology, a brightness level of a fluorescence image is automatically adjusted with a brightness level of an image captured using the normal light set as a target value, whereby it is possible to display the fluorescence image with proper brightness without imposing burden on a user. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present application relates generally to the field of driver alcohol detection systems.
In-car alcohol detection systems use various technologies to prevent a motor vehicle from moving if the driver registers a blood alcohol content above a predetermined threshold, such as 0.08 or greater. However, an intoxicated driver may be able to bypass the system by having a passenger or a bystander interface with the alcohol detection system.
There remains a need for an in-vehicle alcohol detection system with increased capabilities to screen out false readings given by an individual or device other than the driver. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Reliance is made generally upon the normal printing technique for formation of images on objective bodies. For the execution of the printing technique, provision and use of printing plates (forms or blocks) are requisite. No matter how simple the image-printing is, the plate-making is a very time-consuming the laborious procedure. This is much more so in the printing of various and complexed image combinations, such as those of graphic or portrait images combined with characters, letters or barcodes, as an example, representing extremely complicated and troublesome work.
Further, in the normal printing operation, various operating conditions including ink selection and the like, must be carefully considered, depending upon the kind and nature of the printing object, thus the best selection thereof is highly delicate and not as simple as expected.
The present invention is proposed upon careful consideration of the foregoing facts, and an object of the invention is to provide a unique process for the formation of sharp and clear images regardless of the kind and nature of the object to be printed upon, and usable and effective materials and apparatuses for carrying out this unique process.
The method of thermal image transfer (sublimation image transfer) on clothes or fabrics with the use of thermal transfer dyestuffs has been practiced for a long time. In this conventional process, a dyestuff picture layer carrying thermal transfer dyestuff is formed on a substrate sheet which is then subjected to heat in an overlapped state on a cloth or fabric, the dyestuff thereby being transferred thermally onto the latter for forming the desired images thereon. By utilizing this technique, and with recent development of the image forming technology concerning fine thermal printers and the like, various fine image forming processes have been proposed to provide fine images which are comparable to photographic images and are transferred onto plastic films from thermal transfer sheets carrying thermal transfer dyestuffs.
According to these recently proposed processes, various images of cameras, or TVs, graphic images of personal computers and the like can be reproduced easily in the form of hard copies on the surface of a transferred material such as a paper or the like sheet carrying thereon a fixedly attached layer of polyester resin, as an example. These images thus reproduced represent an amply high level comparable to those obtained by photography or fine printing arts.
The thermal transfer process so far set forth has an advantage in that it can form any image in a convenient manner yet entails a problem in that it is limited to image-transferred products preferably of polyester and the like materials which must be dyed with thermal transfer dyes. On the other hand, the image-transferred products must be limited to specifically selected shapes, preferably film, sheet or the like configuration, and thus, such materials as wood, metal, glass or ceramics cannot be formed with images in this way. Further, even if the material is plastics such as polyester or the like, and when the image-forming surface is curved or undulated, or physical body other than sheet, even if it represents a plane surface, it is almost impossible to reproduce images precisely thereon, which naturally constitutes a grave problem in the art.
With recent development and enlargement of utilizing fields of various card-style products, such as cash-cards, telephone-cards, prepayment cards; and ID-cards, there are increasing demands for providing these cards with images, symbols and codes, so as to give various other functional and/or decorative effects. Most of these cards are of planar form, but they are frequently not pliable and/or have uneven rough portions due to provision of characters and symbols, resulting in great difficulty in the scheduled image formation relying upon the thermal image transfer process.
There is therefore an urgent demand among those skilled in the art for the provision of a unique technique capable of forming sharp and clear images of desired patterns on the surface of an objective body of any preferred kind of material and having any shape and configuration and surface condition of any kind, and indeed, for combining and unifying image- and decoration effects. | {
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1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to semiconductor light-emitting devices, and more specifically to processing a semiconductor light-emitting device for mounting.
2. Description of Related Art
Semiconductor light-emitting devices such as light-emitting devices (LED's) provide efficient sources of light and are more robust than incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes. Advancements in LED technology and processing have facilitated the use of such devices as replacements for traditional lighting sources in commercial and residential lighting applications, for example.
LED's may be encapsulated using various materials that may enhance the light output and/or protect the device. Such materials may improve electrical isolation between contacts, heat transfer to a sub-mount, mechanical mounting reliability, and/or improved coupling of light from the device.
There remains a need for improved processes for encapsulating light-emitting devices. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of imaging a two-dimensional field of regard. More particularly, the present invention relates to imaging of the full-Earth disk by a spacecraft that scans the field of view of an imager across the full Earth disk.
2. Background Information
One of the most common uses for artificial planetary satellites is to produce images of the planet""s surface. Many Earth-orbiting satellites capture images of Earth for purposes ranging from military intelligence to weather forecasting. Orbital imaging for weather forecasting and for scientific purposes demands images of vast areas of the Earth at once.
It is common to image a planet (e.g., Earth) from space using an imaging electro-optical sensor constructed from a telescope that collects radiation from a remote source and brings it to focus on one or more focal plane arrays (FPA""s) with each FPA containing many detector elements. A scanning sensor moves the image of the scene over one or more FPA""S, each FPA usually having many detector elements perpendicular to the direction of the scan motion. Each element converts the radiation from an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) in the scene into an electronic signal. The image of the scene in the spectral band of the sensor is reconstructed from these electronic signals.
The angular field of view (FOV) of the telescope multiplied by its effective focal length (EFL) equals the dimensions of the telescope""s focal plane, which contains the FPA. For application in which an imaging sensor must cover a two-dimensional field of regard (FOR) that exceeds the telescope""s FOV, a plane scan mirror may be located in front of the imaging sensor""s telescope to scan the FOV across the FOR. For example, the Earth subtends a circle approximately 17.4xc2x0 in diameter from geosynchronous altitude. An instrument that is capable of imaging the full-Earth disk must have a field of regard (FOR) that not only includes this full-Earth disk, but also allows it to view deep space to measure the background signal in each channel. Most multispectral instruments that image the Earth from this altitude use a large, reflective telescope with a field-of-view (FOV) that is much smaller than the required FOR. A two-dimensional raster scanning procedure is required to cover the FOR, and is usually implemented with a plane mirror in front of the telescope""s aperture.
A number of geosynchronous weather satellites, including the EUMETSAT and GOES-1 through GOES-7 satellites, are xe2x80x9cspinnersxe2x80x9d that rotate about the north-south axis. The imager on each of these spinning satellites has a telescope that is aligned with the north/south axis of the spacecraft. A plane mirror with a single rotational axis, perpendicular to the spin axis, reflects the optical axis of the telescope towards the Earth. The spacecraft""s rotation scans the line of sight (LOS) in the east/west direction. To form a two-dimensional map of the Earth, the plane mirror is only required to step in the north/south direction. The main disadvantage of a spinning satellite is that it only allows the imager to view the Earth""s surface for less than 5% of its total duty cycle.
Beginning with GOES 8, the geostationary weather satellites operated by the United States (developed for NOAA by LORAL with instruments from ITT) have been three-axis stabilized. In this configuration, the imager continuously points toward the Earth, permitting it to operate at a high duty cycle and to be far more flexible than a spinning satellite in imaging arbitrary areas of the Earth""s surface. These prior art GOES imagers routinely produce 3000 km by 5000 km images of the contiguous United States (CONUS) and 1000 km by 1000 km images of severe storms. Scanning is performed by a plane scan mirror mounted on a two-axis gimbal. Rotation of this mirror about the inner gimbal axis scans the LOS in the east/west direction. Between scan lines, incremental rotations about the outer gimbal axis move the LOS from north to south. When scanning the Equator, the GOES imager projects its detector arrays onto the Earth""s surface in the optimal manner, with the cross-scan axis of each detector array (its long axis) projected in the north-to-south direction. When scanning north of the Equator, the projection of this axis is tilted in the northeast-to-southwest direction; when scanning south of the Equator, the projection is tilted northwest-to-southeast. The tilt angle varies from zero at the Equator to 8.7xc2x0 at the North and South Poles. This phenomenon, known as image rotation, is an intrinsic problem in a two-axis scanning system that uses a single scan mirror in object space. See J. J. Shea, xe2x80x9cImage correction via lunar limb knife-edge OTF""sxe2x80x9d, Proc. SPIE, Earth Observing Systems III, vol. 3439, Jul. 19-21, 1998, pp 165-186.
Referring to FIG. 1, the geometric configuration of the GOES 8 and 9 imager is illustrated. The GOES convention for spacecraft coordinates is portrayed by a set of orthogonal coordinates 10 wherein +x=east, +y=south, and +z=nadir. For simplicity of illustration, the GOES telescope is represented as a single lens 12 and crossed axes 14 represent the image as presented at the focal plane array. Note that the lens 12 inverts the image of the axes 14. The telescope""s optical axis 16 points due east along the x-axis. The scan mirror 18 is an optical flat with an elliptical cross section and has a reflective surface (not visible from the viewpoint of FIG. 1) that directs light from the Earth (shown in phantom) into the telescope 12. The scan mirror 18 is mounted on a first axle 20 that provides an inner axis of rotation with respect to which the inner gimbal angle (iga) is measured. The inner axis of rotation is coincident with the short dimension of the ellipse and perpendicular to the normal vector of the mirrored surface. The first axle 20 permits the scan mirror 18 to rotate about the inner axis of rotation with respect to a yoke 22. The yoke 22 has a second axle 24 that is perpendicular to the first axle 20. The second axle 24 lies along the extension of the optical axis 16 of the telescope 12, along the x-axis, and allows the yoke 22 to rotate about this outer axis of rotation that is fixed with respect to the telescope 12, and with respect to which the outer gimbal angle (oga) is measured. The orientation of the first axle 20 always remains perpendicular to the x-axis, but rotates in the y-z plane when the yoke 22 is pivoted about the second axle 24.
Referring to FIG. 2, projections 42, 44, 46, 52, 54, 56 of the crossed axes in the focal plane 14 onto the Earth""s surface 30 are illustrated. The line with the arrowhead 14xe2x80x2 is parallel to the z-axis and corresponds to the along-scan direction of the array. The line with the circle 14xe2x80x3 is parallel to the y-axis and corresponds to the cross-scan direction of the array.
The intersection of the crossed axes is projected onto the equator 32 when the position of the yoke 22 on the outer axle 24 aligns the inner axle parallel to the y-axis. This angle can be defined as the home position of the outer axle, at oga=0. When the outer axle 22 is fixed at this position and the scan mirror 18 is rotated about its inner axle 20, the projection 42, 44, 46 of the focal plane 14 is scanned along the equator 32. The y-axis of the focal plane remains perpendicular to the direction of the scan and the z-axis of the focal plane is projected along the direction of scan.
When the yoke 22 is rotated about the outer axle 24 in the +oga direction, the crossed axes in the focal plane 14 are projected 52, 54, 56 into the Northern Hemisphere. The array""s projection 52, 54, 56 rotates clockwise, as viewed from space. When the oga remains fixed and the scan mirror 18 is rotated about the inner axle 20, the z-axis of the focal plane is no longer projected along the direction of scan but it is tilted away from this position by an angle equal to oga, reaching an angle of 8.7 at the North and South poles. When the oga less than 0 (not shown), the focal plane 14 is projected into the Southern Hemisphere with a counterclockwise rotation equal to the magnitude of the oga.
The GOES 8 and GOES 9 imagers scan the Earth in a series of alternating east-to-west and west-to-east lines proceeding from North to South. The GOES 8 and 9 imagers only maintain the optimal relationship between the direction of the opto-mechanical scan and the orientation of the array when they scan the equator. However, rotation of the mirror about a second axis rotates the projection of the focal plane onto the Earth""s surface. This is a disadvantage of the prior art because it precludes use of a resolution enhancing technique known as Time Delay and Integration (TDI). The fundamental aspects of TDI technique are explained as follows, along with an explanation of why TDI is incompatible with the prior art systems that suffer from image rotation.
TDI is a prior art technique in which a two-dimensional detector array is scanned like a linear array. TDI achieves the angular resolution of a single detector element in the array combined with a dwell time that is N times longer, where N is the number of columns in the along-scan direction. Referring to FIG. 3, TDI is illustrated, showing the projection of a 4xc3x974 array onto object space, with the solid square, ▪, representing a single charge packet. One each cycle, the charge packet in each detector element of the array accumulates photo-electric charges generated by absorption of radiation from the scene and is then transferred to the detector element in the same row that lies immediately to its right. The column on the far right of the array is also read out at the end of each cycle. At the end of cycle 4, the charge packet represented by the solid square contains the sum of the charges accumulated by the four detector elements in the second row: column: #1 (the far left column) in cycle 1, column #2 in cycle 2, column #3 in cycle 3, and column #4 in cycle 4.
The opto-mechanical scan motion of the LOS must be coordinated with the electronic scan of the charge packets so that the LOS from each charge packet corresponds to a single pixel in object space. The linear velocity of the electronic scan, from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the array, must match the linear velocity of the opto-mechanical scan. Referring to FIG. 4,the projection of the row or detector elements in object space is illustrated, where the right-to-left opto-mechanical scan cancels the left-to-right electronic scan, so that the image of a charge packet remains at a fixed angle in object space, corresponding to a fixed IFOV on the Earth""s surface. The effective dwell time is equivalent to the dwell time of a single IFOV multiplied by N (N=4 in this example), so that radiometric signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is enhanced by a factor of N1/2 (2 in this example) in comparison to a single column FPA scanned at the same opto-mechanical rate.
The goal of TDI is to accumulate all of the photo-electric charges in each charge packet from the same instantaneous field of view (IFOV) on the Earth""s surface. To achieve this condition, the LOS of the present invention is scanned opto-mechanically so that the projection of the array moves horizontally, from left-to-right, with its velocity parallel to the rows of the array. At the same time, the array is electronically scanned so that a charge packet moves along each row from right-to-left. The electronic and opto-mechanical scan vectors are substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to maintain image quality.
To achieve the desired match between opto-mechanical and electronic scans, two conditions need to be satisfied for all scan angles within the FOR. Ideally, the projection of the TDI axis of each FPA onto the Earth""s surface must always lie along the direction of the opto-mechanical scan. Without this provision, the pixels in the image will be blurred in the cross-scan direction. Also according to the ideal case, the angular scan speeds of the LOS due to the electronic scan and the optical rate and the scan rates must be also equal. Without this provision, the pixels will be blurred in the along-scan direction. If both of these conditions are satisfied, then the outputs from the array will have the angular resolution as a single detector element but an effective dwell time per pixel equal to N times the integration period of a single cycle, where N is the number of columns summed in the TDI (N=4 in the illustrated example).
Thus, in order to obtain the potential advantages of the TDI technique, the image rotation problem of the above-described prior art imaging system needs to be solved.
Another problem with the prior art has to do with how errors are inherently introduced across each scan line by variations in emissivity of the scan mirror. The GOES imager measures its IR background by viewing deep space on one side of the Earth""s surface at the end of each scan line. This background is subtracted from the raw scene measurements to determine the net radiance from the scene. Unfortunately, the emissivity of the GOES imager""s scan mirror varies as a function of the angle of incidence and this angle of incidence varies by about 9.5xc2x0 on each scan line. Because the background from the scan mirror is not constant during a scan line, the raw data exhibits east/west shading with errors of several degrees Kelvin in data from the Earth""s surface. The error caused by this variation in emissivity over a single scan line is reduced, but not eliminated, by calibration. See M. Weinreb, et. al, xe2x80x9cOperational calibration of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-8 and -9 imagers and soundersxe2x80x9d, Applied Optics, vol. 36, no. 27, Sep. 20, 1997, pp 6895-6904.
Referring to FIG. 5, the projection of a 2-D FPA into object space on alternate scan lines in a bi-directional scan is illustrated. The FPA is fabricated with a read-out column on each side of the active photo-detector array. Reversing the phasing of their charge-coupled transfer reverses the direction of motion of the charge packets in a row. These bi-directional TDI arrays permit bi-directional scanning, so the end of one scan line in an image can be in close angular proximity to the beginning of the next scan line. Between these two scan lines, both the opto-mechanical and electronic scan directions along the TDI axis must be reversed and the optical LOS must be offset in the cross-scan direction by an angle equal to (or slightly less than) the cross-scan angular subtense of the array.
There are other applications beside TDI that require that a sensor""s opto-mechanical scan motion to lie along a fixed axis of a focal plane. For example, a multispectral scanner may have a focal plane that contains a series of linear FPA""s, arranged as columns in the focal plane, each with a unique spectral filter. To achieve co-registration among corresponding detector elements in several spectral channels, the same IFOV in the image must be scanned over the corresponding detector element in each FPA.
In prior scan mirrors on gimbal systems, including the GOES 8/9 imager, there is a variable relationship between the direction of scan produced by rotation about a single axis and the projection of the axes of the focal plane. In order to scan the image at a constant velocity (speed and direction) in the focal plane, it would be necessary to perform simultaneous, coordinated scanning at variable rates about the two gimbal axes. The outer gimbal must be capable of scanning over the full range of angles required to cover the FOR, continuously or in increments that are small in comparison to the IFOV of the sensor.
When the mirror is rotated about its inner axis, it changes the moment of inertia of the mass that is being rotated about the outer gimbal axis. Also, the outer gimbal axis cannot be a principal axis of the system for all mirror angles unless the mirror motion is compensated by a counter-rotating mass.
In most gimbal implementations, the outer gimbal must support the motor that drives the inner gimbal""s rotation as well as an encoder or a resolver to make precision measurements of the inner gimbal""s angle. Electric power and signals must be transferred cross the outer gimbal axis (e.g., by flexible cable or slip ring), increasing the rotational friction about the outer gimbal axis. Since highly accurate pointing is required, it is difficult to implement the necessary scan pattern by simultaneous rotations about both axes during the active portion of the scan.
Thus, what is needed is a scanning imager that avoids the problem of image rotation so that TDI may be effectively used. What is also needed is a scanning imager that has a reduced variation in emissivity of the scanning optics across each scan line. What is also needed is a scanning mechanism that requires rotation about only one axis, preferably the inner axis, during the data-taking portion of the scan pattern.
The subject invention is a method and apparatus for scanning a two dimensional field of regard with a single plane mirror in the object space of a telescope, maintaining a fixed relationship between the rotational direction of scan and the projection of the telescope""s focal plane. The two dimensional FOR is covered by a series of conical arcs, each arc being scanned by rotation at constant angular velocity about the inner axis of the two-axis system. This scanning system can accommodate applications such as TDI that require an opto-mechanical scan with a constant linear velocity (magnitude and direction) in the focal plane.
Shading of IR images is particularly hard to correct because the observed radiance has a component that varies with both the temperature of the scan mirror and its reflection angle. Calibration measurements, determined by viewing a source of known radiance, can mitigate this problem, but the time between calibration and scene measurements must be as short as possible or the calibration will be degraded by thermal drifts and 1/f noise in the detector and electronics.
In the subject invention, the reflection angle""s dependence of the rotational angle reaches a minimum at the center of each arc in the FOR, and exhibits only a slow, quadratic increase towards each end of the arc as a the scan mirror is rotated about the inner gimbal""s axis. The large variations in scan angle occur between arcs rather than within an arc. In the geosynchronous imager application, measurements of dark space, taken at the ends of the scan line, are used to subtract the instrument""s background from the raw signals. The space measurements taken on each side of each arc may be used for calibration of that arc, mitigating the shading problem. It is also an option to place one or more calibration sources, such as blackbodies with precision temperature-monitoring apparatus, in positions where they can be viewed between scan lines.
The only rotational motion during the active arc scanning is the rotation of the mirror at a constant angular velocity about its principal axis of minimum angular momentum. Because the outer axis of rotation remains fixed during the active portion of the scan, dynamic errors (jitter) in the outer gimbal""s rotation and cross-coupling between the rotational motions about two axes are eliminated. Because the angular velocity is constant, torque disturbances due to angular acceleration about the inner axis are also eliminated during the active portion of the scan. All of these factors tend to reduce or eliminate errors in the pointing accuracy of the system.
Between these arcs, the orientation of this inner axis is offset by rotation about the outer gimbal axis. The outer gimbal needs only to be capable of holding a small number of fixed positions, with the mechanical angle between positions no greater than one-half of the optical width (cross-scan) of the scanned arcs. These factors tend to simplify the apparatus required to measure and control the rotational angle of the outer axis. The position of the outer gimbal must be-known to the same level of accuracy as that of the inner gimbal, however. The angular velocity of the mechanical scan is held constant during any given arc. However it is preferable to change the angular velocity from arc-to-arc, in order to maintain the same optical scan rate for each arc.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a scanning imager that avoids the problem of image rotation so that the along-scan and cross-scan axes of the scan pattern correspond to fixed axes in the focal plane throughout the field of regard.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a scanning imager that substantially eliminates image rotation so that TDI may be effectively used.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a scanning imager that has a reduced variation in emissivity of the scanning optics across each scan line.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for scanning an imager that compensates for the problem of image rotation.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imaging satellite that images a planet""s surface while compensating for the problem of image rotation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a scanning imager that allows for effective co-registration among multiple detector arrays.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a scanning imager that permits multi-spectral imaging using multiple detector arrays.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a scanning imager that permits hyperspectral imaging.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a scanning imager that allows the outer axis of a two-axis scanning gimbal to remain stationary during the data-taking portion of the scan pattern.
Some of the above objects are achieved by a method of scanning a field of view of an imager across a field of regard using a scan mirror mounted on a gimbal having an inner axis and an outer axis. The method includes sweeping the field of view across the field of regard in a selected direction by rotating the gimbal about the inner axis while maintaining the gimbal at a fixed angle with respect to the outer axis. The method further includes progressing to a subsequent scan position by rotating the gimbal about the outer axis by a predetermined increment angle while maintaining the gimbal at a fixed angle with respect the inner axis, Additionally, the method includes repeating the act of sweeping such that the selected direction is chosen alternately from a first direction and a second direction that is opposed to the first direction. The method further includes repeating the act of progressing prior to each repeated act of sweeping, wherein there is substantially no rotation, with respect to the instantaneous direction of scan, of an image formed on the imager.
Others of the above objects are achieved by an apparatus for scanning a two dimensional field of regard. The apparatus includes a telescope having a focal plane and a field of view, and one or more image sensors disposed at the focal plane. It also includes a single optically flat mirror disposed in the object space of the telescope, wherein the flat mirror scans the field of view across the field of regard while maintaining a fixed relationship between the rotational direction of scan and the projection of the telescope""s focal plane.
Some of the above objects are obtained by an apparatus for imaging a two dimensional field of regard. The apparatus includes an imager having a field of view along a line of sight, the field of view being substantially smaller that the field of regard, as well as a scan mirror disposed so as to cast the line of sight onto the field of regard. The scan mirror causes the line of sight to be scanned across the field of regard in a conical arc. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to boresight alignment issues in bidirectional fiber coupled systems with asymmetric fiber core diameters, e.g., free space optical communication systems, and more specifically, it relates to techniques for combining and separating the optical output from multimode and single mode fiber coupled sources.
2. Description of Related Art
Free space optics (FSO) is a telecommunication technology that uses light propagating in free space to transmit data between two points. The technology can be useful where the physical connection of the transmit and receive locations is difficult. For example, in cities, the laying of fiber optic cables can be expensive and, in some instances, impractical based upon the infrastructure already built.
Free space optics can also be used to communicate between spacecraft, since outside of the atmosphere there is little to distort the signal. Such systems can also be used in aircraft if the system is designed to track the position of the first location (e.g., the vehicle) with respect to the position of the second location (e.g., a ground station receiver or transceiver). In some instances, the optical links use infrared laser light. Communication is also possible using light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light sources, in some systems. The beams of light in FSQ systems are transmitted by light focused on receivers. These receivers can, for example, be telescopic lenses able to collect the photon stream and transmit digital data. The data can be any item of information that can be transmitted on a communication system. For example, types of data can include one or more application programs (i.e., sets of executable instructions), files to be executed by such programs, or data, among other types. Files to be executed can, for example, take the form of Internet messages, video images, radio signals, or computer files, among other items.
Boresight alignment of dual core fiber ports has been a significant issue in free space optical communications systems. It is desirable to simplify the current optical systems and to significantly reduce their weight and power usage. It is also desirable to improve the performance of the current systems. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to a light beam scanning device for scanning a laser beam in an application where a delicate and precise operation is to be carried out with the laser beam under an operating microscope.
To perform a delicate and precise operation on the human body with a laser knife, in general, a light beam scanning device incorporating a movable mirror is mounted on the front part of an operating microscope and a laser beam is reflected by the movable mirror into the field of vision of the microscope to illuminate the desired location. In order to direct the laser beam to a desired point in the field of vision, it is necessary to scan the laser beam by slightly turning the movable mirror vertically or horizontally. In general, the movable mirror is disposed on the optical axis of the objective lens of the operating microscope and in front of the objective lens forming an angle of 45.degree. with the optical axis. After being reflected by the movable mirror, the incident laser beam advances along the optical axis to the desired point of illumination.
On the other hand, it is necessary for the operator to locate the part to be operated on in the field of vision of the microscope at all times and hence the laser beam must be collimated and accurately applied. Moreover, the movable mirror should not obstruct the field of vision.
The right and left sides of the circular field of vision of the objective lens of the microscope are filled by the rays which form the fields of vision of the right and left eyepieces of the microscope, respectively, and the upper part of the circular field of vision of the objective lens is used to apply light for illuminating the field of vision. Accordingly, in the field of vision of the objective lens, only the central part and a slit-shaped part below the center are available for the reflection of the laser beam.
Taking these facts into account, movable mirrors have been designed having various configurations and dimensions. A conventional movable mirror is provided with a transparent glass plate large enough to cover the diameter of the objective lens. The central portion of the transparent glass plate is formed as a small circular portion on which a metal film is deposited by vacuum evaporation with the circular portion being large enough to reflect a laser beam. Such a movable mirror, which is necessarily large in size, is supported by a mirror supporting frame which includes a mechanism for rotating the mirror around the horizontal and vertical axes thereof. Accordingly, the mirror supporting frame must be larger than the movable mirror. The rotating mechanism is, in general, a gimbal mechanism and the movable mirror is turned by operating an operating lever which is rotatable around the gimbal fulcrum.
In such a light beam scanning device, the space in front of the objective lens is occupied by the large movable mirror and therefore the gimbal part is disposed at the righthand side in the housing of the device. Accordingly, the device is quite long in the widthwise direction.
Light beam scanning devices of this type have been disclosed by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 8085/1974 and 8997/1979.
It is desirable to reduce the size and weight of the device by decreasing both the width and depth as much as possible due to the following reasons. An operation using a laser beam under microscope is often carried out with the aid of an endoscope extended to the part to be operated on. The focal distance of the objective lens of the device ranges from 200 mm to 400 mm. However, it is desirable that the distance between the objective lens and the incidence end of the endoscope be long enough to facilitate the operation. The endoscope requires a minimum length to be suitable for performing most operations. Accordingly, the depth of the light beam scanning device, namely, the thickness in the direction of the optical axis, must be made as small as possible. Furthermore, the width of the device should be as small as possible because the spaces on the right-hand side and left-hand side of the objective lens are used to carry out auxiliary operations during the operation.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a light beam scanning device small in size and light in weight in which its movable mirror is so dimensioned as not to obstruct observation through an operating microscope and the illumination range of the microscope, its width and depth are so small that the device does not obstruct an operation, and the rotational movement of the movable mirror around any one or both of the horizontal and vertical axes is smoothly carried out without interference. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Currently, several financial management systems are available to help an individual user, or an authorized party acting on behalf of an individual user, obtain the user's financial data, process/analyze the user's financial data, and generate various reports for the user.
Financial management systems typically help users manage their finances by providing a centralized interface with banks, credit card companies, and other various financial institutions, for electronically identifying and categorizing user financial transactions based on electronic data representing the financial transactions. Currently, financial management systems typically obtain the electronic transaction based information, such as payee, payment amount, date, etc. via communication with banks, credit card providers, or other financial institutions, using electronic data transfer systems such as the Open Financial Exchange (OFX) specification, or various other systems for transferring financial transaction data.
Typically a financial management system's ability to identify and categorize specific financial transactions is what allows the financial management system to provide the features that are of interest to the user. Typically, the ability to categorize specific financial transactions is, in turn, dependent on an ability of the financial management system to obtain the electronic financial transaction data necessary to identify and categorize specific financial transactions.
For this reason, currently available methods and systems of automatic categorization of financial transactions based on payee name are only applicable to electronic transactions, or financial transactions that are represented by electronic financial transaction data. However, while many financial transactions involving individual consumers do generate electronic financial transaction data, many other financial transactions still rely on the use of paper checks. Currently, these check-based transactions are largely excluded from the automatic categorization process. Therefore, currently, the data related to a check-based financial transaction, such as payee, payment amount, date, etc., must be manually entered into financial management systems.
In addition, the payee associated with a given financial transaction is not always discernible from financial transaction data, and some payee names can be misleading so that a categorization of the check-based financial transaction cannot be accurately determined even after the financial transaction data has been obtained. For example, a payee name associated with a check-based financial transaction may be absent altogether, unreadable, coded, or represent the name of a parent company that indicates nothing about the actual merchant or products that are the subject of the financial transaction.
In addition, some payee names are misleading and can easily confuse an automatic, or even a manual, categorization system. For example, a fast food restaurant having a 50's drive through theme may be named “The Auto Shop” or “Pit Stop.” In this case, a currently available automatic categorization system, or even a user manually entering the financial transaction data, is likely to categorize the financial transaction as an automotive expense based on the payee name, as opposed to the proper categorization as a food/dining expense.
Unfortunately, in most cases, the correction of an incorrect categorization of a given financial transaction takes more user time, and more user manual entry, to fix than it would have taken to manually enter the correct categorization of financial transaction in the first place.
As a result of the current situation, and limitations of current automatic categorization systems, check-based financial transactions are currently largely excluded from methods of automatic categorization of financial transactions, and/or any attempts to automatically categorize check-based financial transactions are often inaccurate and fail to correctly and reliably categorize the check-based financial transactions.
As a result, using current financial management systems, the user is often forced to perform significant manual data entry. This is particularly problematic given that experience has shown that an average user is far more likely to adopt, and continue to use, any financial management system if the amount of manual data entry, i.e., data entry made via any user interface device, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, or any other device that requires input from the user, is minimized In addition, anytime manual data entry is required there is an opportunity for error introduction.
What is needed is a method and system that allows a financial management system to automatically, and reliably, categorize check-based financial transactions. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
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