A spatial light modulator includes a mirror plate comprising a reflective upper surface, a louver surface having a recess in the lower surface, a first cavity having an opening on the lower surface, and a cantilever situated under the recess and connected with the lower portion of the mirror plate. The mirror plate can tilt around a hinge component extending into the first cavity. The hinge component is supported by a stationary substrate. The tilt movement of the mirror plate can be stopped when the cantilever comes to contact with a stationary object.

The present disclosure relates spatial light modulators.
In general, a micro mirror array is a type of spatial light modulator (SLM) that includes an array of cells, each of which includes a micro mirror plate that can be tilted about an axis and, furthermore, circuitry for generating electrostatic forces that tilt the micro mirror plate. In one implementation, for example, a digital mode of operation, there are two positions at which the micro mirror plate can be tilted. In an "on" position or state, the micro mirror plate directs incident light to an assigned pixel of a display device. In an "off" position or state, the micro mirror plate directs incident light away from the display device.
A cell typically includes a first structure and a second structure configured to mechanically stop the cell's micro mirror plate at the "on" position and the "off" position, respectively. These structures are referred to in the present specification as mechanical stops. The SLM generally operates by tilting a selected combination of micro mirrors to project light to form appropriate image pixels in a display image. A display device based on SLM is usually required to refresh image frames at high frequencies typical of video applications. Each instance of image frame refreshing can involve the tilting of all or some of the micro mirrors to new respective orientations. Providing fast response tilt movement by the mirrors is therefore crucial to any functional SLM-based display device. One issue with the mirror response rate is related to the stiction, i.e., the contact-surface adhesion, between the lower surface of the mirror and the mechanical stops, which can cause a delay in the mirror tilt response or prevent a mirror from tilting to a new orientation.

Spatial light modulator having a cantilever anti-stiction mechanism


A thermosensitive recording material has a support, a thermosensitive recording layer formed thereon, containing an electron-donating coloring compound, an electron-accepting compound a binder resin, and a protective layer formed on the thermosensitive recording layer, which contains an ultraviolet-curing resin and a copolymer resin containing a silicone component as a copolymerizing component.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermosensitive recording material with light transmission properties, capable of forming colored images therein by a coloring reaction between an electron-donating coloring compound and an electron-accepting compound, more particularly to a thermosensitive recording material which can be used as a film of a block copy, that is, an image formation film for gravure printing, offset printing, and screen process printing; a block copy film for screen textile printing; an image formation film for use with an overhead projector (OHP); and an image formation film for use in the system of computer aided design (CAD).
2. Discussion of Background
There is widely known a thermosensitive recording material capable of producing a colored image therein by the coloring reaction between an electron donating compound (hereinafter referred to as a coloring agent) and an electron accepting compound (hereinafter referred to as a color developer).
Generally, such a thermosensitive recording material is prepared by providing on a support such as a paper, a synthetic paper or a plastic film, a thermosensitive recording layer which comprises as the main component a thermosensitive coloring composition. A colored image can be formed in the thermosensitive recording material by the application of heat thereto using a thermal head, thermal pen or laser beam. This type of recording material is advantageous over other conventional recording materials because the recording can be speedily achieved by a simple process without complicated development and image fixing steps, using a relatively compact device. Noise development and environmental problems can be minimized, and the manufacturing cost of the recording material is low. Owing to the above-mentioned advantages of the thermosensitive recording material, it is utilized in a wide number of fields such as electronic computer terminals, facsimile machines, and recorders and automatic vending machines for labels and tickets.
The above-mentioned thermosensitive coloring composition for use in the thermosensitive recording material comprises a coloring agent, and a color developer capable of inducing color formation in the coloring agent upon application of heat thereto. To be more specific, colorless to light-colored leuco dyes with a lactone or lactam, or a spiropyran ring are employed as the coloring agents; and a variety of acidic materials such as an organic acid and a phenolic compound are conventionally used as the color developers. The recording material employing the combination of the above-mentioned coloring agent and color developer is capable of producing colored images with clear tone, with maintaining a high degree of whiteness of the background. In addition, the weather resistance of the obtained colored images is superior.
In recent years, the thermosensitive recording system has replaced the conventional recording systems. Further, in line with the increase of demand for the thermosensitive recording system, there is an increasing demand for the improvement of quality of a thermosensitive recording material for use with the above-mentioned thermosensitive recording system. For example, there is a demand for a transparent or translucent thermosensitive recording material capable of producing an image with high image contrast, which can be used as an image formation film for the OHP, a diazo intermediate paper, a film for design drawing, and a block copy film for gravure printing, offset printing, and screen process printing.
A transparent thermosensitive recording medium is proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 1-99879. To prepare such a transparent thermosensitive recording medium, a coating liquid of an emulsion dispersion comprising a coloring agent in microcapsule form and a color developer which is dissolved in an organic solvent that is insoluble or slightly soluble in water is coated on a transparent support.
Another method for preparing a transparent thermosensitive recording medium is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 5-104859. According to this application, the first thing is to chose a solvent in which an organic acid to be employed as the color developer is slightly soluble or insoluble, and a coloring agent and a binder resin to be employed are soluble. A dispersion prepared by finely dispersing the organic acid serving as the color developer in the above-mentioned solvent, and a solution prepared by dissolving the coloring agent and the binder resin in the above-mentioned solvent are mixed and stirred, so that a coating liquid for a thermosensitive recording layer is obtained. The coating liquid thus obtained is coated on a transparent support, thereby obtaining a thermosensitive recording layer. Then, a protective layer mainly comprising a resin is provided on the thermosensitive recording layer in order to fill up the minute surface roughness of the thermosensitive recording layer. By this method, a thermosensitive recording medium with high transparency can be obtained.
In addition, a thermosensitive recording medium which is applicable to a block copy film for printing is proposed as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 8-118811.
However, the matching properties of those conventional transparent or translucent thermosensitive recording media to the thermal head are almost ignored because too much stress is laid on the transparency of the recording media. For instance, a thermofusible material for use in the thermosensitive recording medium is fused during the thermal printing operation, and such fused dust is attached to the thermal head. As a result, the image thus obtained becomes blurred, and the thermal head is worn away and short-circuit occurs between the electrodes of the thermal head. In addition, there occurs the so-called sticking phenomenon that the thermosensitive recording medium sticks to the thermal head by the application of heat load thereto, and consequently, abnormal images are produced. As mentioned above, the head-matching problems of the conventional transparent or translucent thermosensitive recording medium are more serious than those of the general-purpose thermosensitive recording paper, so that the improvements are highly desired. Particularly, when the thermosensitive recording medium is used as a block copy film for printing, the improvement of the head-matching properties of the thermosensitive recording medium is one of the most important topics because dimensional accuracy of images independently formed on block copy films with different colors is required when these block copy films with different colors are incorporated.
From the functional viewpoint, it is desirable that the problem of the head-matching properties be compensated by the protective layer provided on the thermosensitive recording layer. A material with high heat resistance, excellent thermal releasability, and sufficient binding properties is preferably employed for the protective layer for the purpose of improving the head-matching properties. Furthermore, the protective layer works to improve the transparency of the recording medium, and impart the chemical resistance, water resistance, light resistance and wear resistance to the recording medium. Selection of the materials for the protective layer is therefore very important when the above-mentioned functions of the protective layer are taken into consideration.
Furthermore, there remains the problem of fogging, that is, one of the problems concerning any thermosensitive recording materials, and the improvement of the fogging is eagerly desired.


An apparatus (10) for positively preventing misengagement of multipoint connector elements includes a mounting rack (26) having a pivot slot (18) and a stepped guide surface (32), along with an associated receptacle element (34) of a multipoint connector. The apparatus (10) also includes a housing (44) having a pivot pin (20) and a stepped guide surface (50), along with an associated plug element (54) of multipoint connector. Only when the pivot pin (20) is fully seated in the pivot slot (18) will the receptacle (34) and plug (54) elements be able to engage. Otherwise, the stepped guide surfaces (32, 50) act to positively prevent such engagement. Also, the stepped guide surfaces (32, 50) are concentrically mated to provide angular engagement and disengagement paths that result in a plurality of plug pin contacts (68) and receptacle socket contacts (70) engaging and disengaging in a sequential order, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for insuring that multipoint connector elements are properly aligned and engaged and, more particularly, to an apparatus for positively preventing misengagement of multipoint connector elements when they are not properly aligned.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of multipoint connectors is well known in the art of electrical connection. Such use allows a plurality of electrical signals to be transmitted from a conventional male-type element, or plug, of a multipoint connector to a conventional female-type element, or receptacle, of a multipoint connector, and vice versa. Of course, for these electrical signal transmissions to occur, the plug and receptacle elements of the multipoint connector must be properly aligned and engaged.
Several prior art techniques have been used to positively insure proper alignment and subsequent proper engagement of multipoint connectors. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,665, describes a technique where a receptacle element of a multipoint connector provides a projecting arm having a curved pivot surface that fits into an aperture formed in a corresponding plug element. When inserted through the aperture, the projecting arm guides a pivot movement between the receptacle and the plug elements to positively insure a proper alignment and engagement. Also, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,605, a technique is described where a plug element of a multipoint connector provides a pivot pin and an alignment tongue that fit into a pair of alignment slots and an opening, respectively, provided by a corresponding receptacle element. The angle of the alignment tongue when inserted through the opening is such to cause the pivot pin to be firmly seated in the alignment slots, thereby positively insuring a proper alignment and engagement of the connector elements.
Although both of the above-mentioned patents describe valid techniques for positively insuring proper alignment and subsequent proper engagement of multipoint connector elements, neither describes a technique for positively preventing misengagement of multipoint connector elements when they are not properly aligned. Such positive prevention is addressed by the present invention described herein.

Apparatus for positively preventing misengagement of multipoint connector elements


The present disclose relates to a mobile telephone, including a main body, a light source and an optical element. The main body defines a cavity. The light source is received in the cavity. The optical element is removably mounted on the main body and located at a pathway of the light source. Light emitted from the light source is converged by the optical element to outside.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to electronic device, and particularly to a mobile telephone.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, a mobile telephone includes a photoflash lamp for supplementing light when taking photography. A lens, such as a Fresnel lens is located at the light pathway of the photoflash lamp for diverging light. However, the light diverged angle of the photoflash lamp of the mobile telephone is too large to use as a flashlight.
Therefore, what is needed is a mobile telephone which can overcome the described limitations.


A photodetection device for a rotary laser system for projecting at least two fan-shaped beams tilted at a known angle with respect to a horizontal plane and having a known spreading angle, comprising at least three photodetectors arranged in a known relationship.

The present invention relates to a photodetection device for receiving a laser beam projected by rotary irradiation and for measuring an operating position according to photodetecting condition.
In the past, as a representative system for forming a reference plane by projecting a laser beam in rotary irradiation, a system has been known, which comprises a rotary laser system and a photodetection device installed at a measuring point for receiving a laser beam from the rotary laser system.
The rotary laser system projects a laser beam each having a spot-like cross-section by rotary irradiation and forms a reference plane. For instance, by projecting a laser beam within a horizontal plane by rotary irradiation, a horizontal reference plane is formed. By projecting the laser beam within a vertical plane, a vertical reference plane is formed. By projecting the laser beam within a tilted plane, a tilted reference plane is formed.
The photodetection device has a photodetector for receiving and detecting the laser beam. Based on the laser beam detected by the photodetector, a horizontal reference position, a vertical reference position, etc. are measured. Further, when the rotary laser system projects the laser beam in rotary irradiation, the photodetection device detects the laser beam. Based on the result of detection, a distance between the photodetection device and the rotary laser system is measured.
In general, the photodetection device comprises a photodetector with a predetermined length mounted at a predetermined position on a rod-like body. The relation between the photodetection device and the reference plane is detected according to a photodetecting position of the laser beam by the photodetector, and the photodetection device is moved to an adequate position. The photodetection device is erected for installation at a measuring point by an operator. The photodetector receives the laser beam when the operator moves the photodetection device as necessary up and down, for example. Thus, the photodetector must have a certain length.
However, when civil engineering work is carried out for a wider range, a distance between the rotary laser system and the photodetection device will be longer, and the length of the photodetector also will be longer in view of the working efficiency.
In this respect, JP-A-2002-39755 proposes a measuring system, which can detect positional relation between the photodetector and the laser beam only by the photodetection device, which merely comprises a spot-like photodetector.
According to JP-A-2002-39755, a rotary laser system projects a plurality of tilted fan-shaped laser beams by rotary irradiation to facilitate the receiving of the laser beams by the photodetection device, and deviation of the laser beams from a reference position is detected according to time difference caused when the photodetector receives the plurality of fan-shaped laser beams. This makes it possible to perform communication between the photodetection device and the rotary laser system when communication data are superimposed on the laser beams. An amount of deviation and a direction of deviation are transmitted to the photodetection device, and a position of the photodetection device can be accurately adjusted.
However, the invention described in JP-A-2002-39755 is based on the assumption that the photodetection device is held at the vertical position. This means, for example, the system has to be constructed in such manner that a tilt sensor or the like should be provided on the photodetection device side, and that an operator must hold the photodetection device at the vertical position. As a result, the photodetection device must have complicated structure. Also, there are such complicated procedures that the operator must hold the photodetection device at the vertical position while paying attention to the tilt sensor. When a distance is measured by the photodetection device and the rotary laser system, a lower end of the photodetection device acts as a measuring point. When the photodetection device is tilted, there has been such problem that the deviation between the lower end and the photodetection device may directly cause a measurement error.
Further, there has been a problem in that there must be provided measuring means separately for the measurement of the distance between the rotary laser system and the photodetection device.

Photodetection device for rotary laser system


An apparatus comprises a die comprising a plurality of switch/router circuits; and a plurality of additional dies. Each respective one of the plurality of additional dies comprises: a respective network interface, which is electrically coupled to a respective one of the plurality of switch/router circuits; and a respective interconnection test logic, which is electrically coupled to the respective network interface and the interconnection test logic in at least one other one of the plurality of additional dies.

Design-for-Test (DFT) is used throughout the semiconductor industry for digital circuits, using a structural test paradigm. Rather than determine overall functionality of a circuit, structural test determines whether the circuit has been assembled correctly from low-level building blocks as specified in a structural netlist. For example, a DFT test may determine whether all specified logic gates are present, operating correctly, and connected correctly. If the netlist is correct, and structural testing confirms the correct assembly of the circuit elements, then the circuit should function correctly.
IEEE std. 1149.1/4/6 and IEEE std. 1500 are standard serial interfaces for DFT testing. DFT testing requires a long testing time, as large numbers of individual components and nodes are checked. An open circuit in a serial chain will stop further testing.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A projection device includes a main body, a light source, a light valve, and a lens module. The light source produces an illumination beam. The light valve converts the illumination beam into an image beam. The lens module disposed at the main body includes a lens barrel and a lens. The lens barrel has an inner wall, a containing space and a riveting portion. The inner wall surrounds the containing space. The riveting portion is located in the containing space. There is a gap between the riveting portion and the inner wall. The lens disposed in the containing space has a light emitting surface and a side surface. The side surface leans against the riveting portion. An end of the riveting portion extends to the light emitting surface to limit the lens in the containing space The image beam passes through the lens to form a projection beam.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to an optoelectronic device and an optical module, and more particularly, to a projection device and a lens module.
2. Description of Related Art
The projection device is a display device for producing a large-size screen frame. The imaging principle of the projection device is to convert an illumination beam produced by a light source into an image beam through a light valve, followed by projecting the image beam through a lens onto a screen or a wall surface to form images. Along with the progress of the projection technology and the decrease in manufacturing cost, the application of the projection device has been gradually expanded to the domestic use from the commercial use.
In general, the projection device includes a projection lens module, and the projection lens module includes a lens barrel and at least one lens disposed in the lens barrel. In the prior art, the lens is fixed at the lens barrel mostly by using a pressured ring, glue or a wire spring. However, these ways of fixing the lens have shortages of high manufacturing cost, poor assembling accuracy or low reliability, so that some projection lens modules fix the lens by a riveting process. Nevertheless, many projection lens modules have implementation limit on the above-mentioned riveting process due to the original design.
Taiwan Patent No. 582561 discloses a method of fixing the lens. Herein, a riveting knife is used to form folded pieces at the lens barrel in a destructive way. However, the proposed scheme still fails to reduce the traditional shortage of high manufacturing cost, poor assembling accuracy or low reliability.

Projection device and lens module having riveting portion extending onto light emitting surface of lens


An apparatus for automated vehicle lane-keeping in which a laser sensor is used to detect three points on a retroreflective paint stripe, and the three points are used to estimate the position of the lane centerline relative to the vehicle, as well as the geometry of the roadway. The position of the lane centerline and the curvature of the roadway are then used to determine a lateral error signal for feedback control, and the roadway curvature for feedforward control, both of which are combined to produce a steering control signal for the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains generally to Automated Highway Systems (AHS), and more particularly to a lateral vehicle control apparatus using a laser sensor which can be used for automated lane-keeping applications including automated lane-keeping in Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) systems.
2. Description of the Background Art
Interest in Automated Highway Systems is strong in the United States, and interest in Advanced Vehicle Control systems (AVCS) for automobiles is high throughout the world. As a result, a number of technologies for automated vehicle control have emerged. Many of these technologies, however, rely on installation of a reference system which requires significant modification of the current highway infrastructure, thus making deployment of the AHS technologies more difficult than necessary. Therefore, there is a need for an alternative approach to the lateral control of automobiles which does not require specialized roadway reference markers and, therefore, is economical to install and maintain. The present invention satisfies those needs, as well as others, and overcomes deficiencies in previously developed AHS or AVCS technologies.

Lateral vehicle control apparatus and method for automated highway systems and intelligent cruise control

The Regents of the University of California


A bracket for removeably attaching a memory storage device to an equipment side includes a frame attachable to the memory storage device, the frame including a front portion, a first rail and a second rail. A handle is pivotally mounted to the front portion of the frame and includes a guide slot and, at one end thereof, an ejection member. A slide member has a catch at one end, and includes a travel member protruding therefrom, which travel member is inserted in the guide slot. As the handle is manually pivoted away from the front portion to an open position, the travel member travels within the guide slot causing the slide member to slide against the front surface, the catch to retract and the ejection member to pivot with the handle to eject the bracket from the slide.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to brackets which interconnect memory storage devices with a memory storage device system. More particularly, this invention relates to a memory storage device mounting bracket having a pivoting lever to facilitate ejection and retraction of a memory device from an equipment slide.
2. Previous Art
A host system (e.g. a computer system) often requires memory storage capacity to enable mass storage and access of data, software, etc. In some host systems, the concept of "hot swapping" of memory storage devices has been introduced. "Hot swapping" allows a memory storage device, typically a hard disk, to be removed from or connected to the host system while the host system continues to operate. During "hot swapping", the host system need not be shut down.
A host system typically includes a circuit board which physically attaches to a memory storage device, or a memory storage device controller. The circuit board has a multi-pin connector which electronically connects the memory storage device with the circuit board.
Memory storage device housings have been developed which include equipment slides and memory storage device brackets. The circuit board of the host system physically attaches to the slide. The bracket slides onto the slide to facilitate the rapid installation and removal of the memory storage device into and out of the slide. Accordingly, the bracket and slide align and interconnect memory storage devices with the circuit board of the host system.
One bracket currently known includes a pair of rails, a face and a folding door. The door rotates between open and closed positions. In the open position, the bracket may be inserted into or removed from the slide. In the closed position, the door aligns with the face and locks the bracket with the slide. Both ends of the door lock to hold the memory storage device with the equipment slide.
One disadvantage of this particular type of bracket is that there is no facility for aiding the removal of the memory storage device from the slide. In order to remove the memory storage device, one must grasp the memory storage device and exert considerable force, thereby risking damage to the connectors. What is desired is a bracket which is easily and safely removed from a slide both physically and electronically. What is also desired is a bracket which facilitates manual retraction and extraction of the bracket from the slide.

Memory storage device bracket having releasing and extracting handle


The use of licenses is monitored in a computer or communication system which has a plurality of terminals and in which at least one license is associated with at least one user. The use of the license or licenses by each user is recorded during a defined period after the license starts to run. Based on the recording result, a message is generated and sent to the user's terminal at least if the scope of use falls short of a predeterminable value.

The invention relates to monitoring the use of licenses and to evaluation and control of licenses.
Programs for electronic data processing installations or computer systems are normally licensed according to the number of users using the programs. A computer system requires as many program licenses as there are users using the program. This is referred to as user-related licensing which can be very cost-intensive. However, one or more of the cost-generating licenses often remains unused, since it is not always the case that all the users who wanted to or were supposed to use the program and who were therefore taken into account when purchasing the program license actually use the program.
One solution for better utilization of program licenses involves setting up "license pools". Particularly in larger computer systems, in particular in large computer networks, these are useful for limiting the number of program licenses required and hence for reducing costs. A license pool manages all available licenses such that, for example when a user calls a program, an administrator is asked for a free license in the pool. If a free license is available, it is assigned to the requesting user and is blocked for further use by third parties. However, such license pools, particularly the programs for managing the pools, are very complex in terms of the computer resources required and the maintenance involved. They are therefore generally suitable only for very expensive program licenses which need to be used to the full in the best way, and/or in large computer networks in relatively large companies in which there are sufficient computer resources available. In smaller computer systems, for example in the Small Office Home Office sector (SOHO sector), and for relatively simple programs, such as office packages, relatively small databases, graphics programs or the like, the complexity involved in this regard is generally too great.
A simpler solution is the automatic production of license statistics and periodic evaluation thereof by a system administrator. Such a license statistic can show, by way of example, which user uses his assigned licenses for various programs how often and for how long. The license statistic needs to be evaluated manually, however, which requires a relatively high level of work input. The evaluation can then be used to plan the redistribution, repurchasing and/or return of program licenses. The level of work input associated with this is also high, which means that this solution is also cost-intensive and is therefore of little suitability for smaller companies, in particular.
In addition, the known solutions are known only for managing licenses in computer systems. By contrast, solutions which allow simultaneous management of licenses in computer and communication systems are not known.

System for computer-aided monitoring of the use of licenses


In some embodiments, a method includes generating blurred copies of an object by applying multi-texturing to the object during one pass through a graphics processing pipeline. In some embodiments, a graphics pipeline includes a texture memory and a graphics processor coupled to the texture memory. The texture memory provides a location to store texture information. The graphics processor provides processor to process the texture information by shifting and blending the texture information in one pass through the graphics processor to obtain shifted and blended texture information.

The demand and desire for animation or the portrayal of motion in computer systems continues to increase. For example, it is sometimes desired to reduce an open window in a computer system display to an icon. One process for producing this effect includes removing the window from the display and substituting the icon for the window. However, a more attractive visual effect is obtained by reducing the open window to an icon using animation. Animation includes the rapid display of a series of image frames during the transformation of a first image, such as a window, into a second image, such as an icon. To avoid undesired stroboscopic effects and jerkiness in the animation, the image frames are displayed at a rate of between about one-hundred frames per second and about two-hundred frames per second. Unfortunately, the current processes for generating and displaying image frames at these rates are expensive because they include large, high-speed memories and fast processors. In addition, some new and existing computer systems do not have the large, high-speed memories and fast processors required by the current processes for producing animations that are free of stroboscopic effects and jerkiness.

Method and apparatus for producing animation


A converter for an amplifying device having a first amplifier and a second amplifier is provided. The first amplifier and the second amplifier have a first tail current and a second tail current respectively. The converter includes a first compensating device and a second compensating device. The first compensating device is connected to the first amplifier, and under the control of the first tail current, determines whether to convert the first tail current to the second amplifier. The second compensating device is connected to the second amplifier, and under the control of the second tail current, determines whether to convert the second tail current to the first amplifier. There are two current paths between the first compensating device and the second compensating device and the converter can maintain the transconductance of the amplifying device at a substantially constant value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an amplifying device and converter thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an amplifying device and converter thereof having a rail-to-rail input and a substantially constant transconductance.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional operational amplifier can be used to amplify the difference between two input signals. In general, the output voltage of a voltage operational amplifier is equal to the difference between the non-inverted input voltage and the inverted input voltage with multiplication by the voltage gain of the operational amplifier. For an ideal voltage operational amplifier, the input impedance is relatively high and the output impedance approaches zero. On the other hand, the output current of an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) is equal to the difference between the non-inverted input voltage and the inverted input voltage with multiplication by the transconductance gain of the operational amplifier. For an ideal operational amplifier, both the input impedance and the output impedance are relatively high.
To obtain an operational transconductance operation amplifier with rail-to-rail input using the conventional technique (that is, the output voltage range is quite close to the voltage range of the input power), the input range has to be expanded. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional operational transconductance amplifier. As shown in FIG. 1, the operational transconductance amplifier 100 is formed by connecting a P-channel operational transconductance amplifier 102 and an N-channel operational transconductance amplifier 104 together. The non-inverted input terminal (the non-inverted signal being V+) of the operational transconductance amplifier 100 is connected to the non-inverted input terminals of the operational amplifiers 102 and 104. The inverted input terminal (an inverted signal being V−) of the operational transconductance amplifier 100 is connected to the inverted input terminals of the operational amplifiers 102 and 104. The output terminal of the operational transconductance amplifier 100 is connected to an output terminal Iout.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the common mode signal Vcom (defined as the average value between V+ and V−) of the input signals V+ and V− is high enough to approach the highest voltage of the input power source of the operational transconductance amplifier 100, the P-channel operational transconductance amplifier 102 is shut down and yet the N-channel operational transconductance amplifier 104 can still be in operation. Contrarily, when the common mode signal Vcom is low enough to approach the lowest voltage of the input power source of the operational transconductance amplifier 100, the N-channel operational transconductance amplifier 104 is shut down and yet the P-channel operational transconductance amplifier 102 can still be in operation. Therefore, the input range of the operational transconductance amplifier 100 is larger than that of the operational amplifier 102 or the operational amplifier 104.
However, in addition to expanding the input range of the operational amplifier, the transconductance of a conventional operational amplifier must be maintained to have a substantially constant value. Because of this, there is a need to improve the operational transconductance amplifier in FIG. 1 so that a substantially constant transconductance is obtained. Aside from improving the design of a conventional operational amplifier, it is important to reduce the complexity of circuit design and minimize the layout area of devices so that the operational amplifier can be produced at a lower cost.


A MOSFET switch with a gate formed in a trench has a drain which includes a region of relatively high resistivity adjacent the trench and a region of relatively low resistivity further away from the trench. The drain may also include a "delta" layer having even lower resistivity in a central region of the MOSFET cell. The high resistivity region limits the strength of the electric field at the edge of the trench (particularly where there are any sharp corners) and thereby avoids damage to the gate oxide layer. The central "delta" layer helps to insure that any breakdown will occur near the center of the MOSFET cell, away from the gate oxide, and to lower the resistance of the MOSFET when it is in an on condition.

Power MOSFETs are widely used in numerous applications, including automotive electronics, disk drives and power supplies. Generally, these devices function as switches, and they are used to connect a power supply to a load. It is important that the resistance of the device be as low as possible when the switch is closed. Otherwise, power is wasted and excessive heat may be generated.
A common type of power MOSFET currently in use is a planar, double-diffused (DMOS) device, illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. An electron current flows laterally from source regions 12 through channel regions formed within P-body regions 14 into an N-epitaxial layer 16. Current flow in the channel regions is controlled by a gate 18. After the current leaves the channel regions, it flows downward through N-epitaxial layer 16 into an substrate 20, which forms the drain of the device. A parasitic junction field effect transistor (JFET) is formed by the existence of P-body regions 14 on either side of an intervening region of N-epitaxial layer 16. A depletion zone 22 adjacent the junction between each of P-body regions 14 and N-epitaxial layer 16 tends to squeeze the current and thereby increase the resistance in this area. As the current proceeds downward through N-epitaxial layer 16 it spreads out and the resistance decreases.
In an alternative form of vertical current flow device, the gate is formed in a "trench". Such a device is illustrated in FIG. 2A, which is a cross-sectional view of a single cell of a MOSFET 100, and in FIG. 2B, which is a plan view of the cell. Gates 102 and 104 are formed in trenches and surrounded by gate oxide layers 106 and 108, respectively. The trench gate is often formed in a grid pattern including an array of polygonal shapes (one section of which is shown in FIG. 2B), the grid representing a single interconnected gate (gates 102 and 104 being the same), but a trench gate may also be formed as a series of distinct parallel stripes.
MOSFET 100 is a double-diffused device which is formed in an N-epitaxial layer 110. A N+ source region 112 is formed at the surface of epitaxial layer 110, as is a P+ contact region 114. A P-body region 116 is located below N+ source region 112 and P+ contact region 114. A metal source contact 118 makes contact with the source region 112 and shorts the source region 112 to the P+ contact region 114 and P body region 116.
The N-epitaxial layer 110 is formed on a substrate 120, and a drain contact (not shown) is located at the bottom of the substrate 120. The contact for the gates 102 and 104 is likewise not shown, but it is generally made by extending the conductive gate material outside of the trench and forming a metal contact at a location remote from the individual cells. The gate is typically made of phosphorus or boron doped polysilicon.
A region 111 of N-epitaxial layer 110 between the substrate 120 and the P body 116 is generally more lightly doped with N-type impurities than substrate 120. This increases the ability of MOSFET 100 to withstand high voltages. Region 111 is sometimes referred to as a "lightly doped" or "drift" region ("drift" referring to the movement of carriers in an electric field). Drift region 111 and substrate 120 constitute the drain of MOSFET 100.
MOSFET 100 is an N-channel MOSFET. When a positive voltage is applied to gate 102, a channel region within P-body region 116 adjacent the gate oxide 106 becomes inverted and, provided there is a voltage difference between the source region 112 and the substrate 120, an electron current will flow from the source region through the channel region into drift region 111. In drift region 111, some of the electron current spreads diagonally at an angle until it hits the substrate 120, and then it flows vertically to the drain. Other portions of the current flow straight down through drift region 111, and some of the current flows underneath the gate 102 and then downward through drift region 111.
The gate 102 is doped with a conductive material. Since MOSFET 100 is an N-channel MOSFET, gate 102 could be polysilicon doped with phosphorus. Gate 102 is insulated from the remainder of MOSFET 100 by the gate oxide 106. The thickness of gate oxide 106 is chosen to set the threshold voltage of MOSFET 100 and may also influence the breakdown voltage of MOSFET 100. The breakdown voltage of a power MOSFET such as MOSFET 100 would typically be no greater than 200 volts and more likely 60 volts or less.
One feature that makes the trench configuration attractive is that, as described above, the current flows vertically through the channel of the MOSFET. This permits a higher packing density than MOSFETs such as the planar DMOS device shown in FIG. 1 in which the current flows horizontally through the channel and then vertically through the drain. Greater cell density generally means more MOSFETs per unit area of the substrate and, since the MOSFETs are connected in parallel, the on-resistance of the device is reduced.
In MOSFET 100 shown in FIG. 2A, the P+ contact region 114 is quite shallow and does not extend to the lower junction of the P-body region 116. This helps ensure that P-type dopant does not get into the channel region, where it would tend to increase the threshold voltage of the device and cause the turn-on characteristics of the device to vary from one run to another depending on the alignment of the P+ contact region 114. However, with a shallow P+ region 114, the device can withstand only relatively low voltages (e.g., 10 volts) when it is turned off. This is because the depletion spreading around the junction between P-body region 116 and drift region 111 does not adequately protect the corners of the trench (e.g., corner 122 shown in FIG. 2A). As a result, avalanche breakdown may occur in the vicinity of the trench, leading to a high generation rate of carriers which can charge or degrade the gate oxide 106 or even, in an extreme case, cause a rupture in the gate oxide 106. Thus the MOSFET 100 shown in FIG. 2B is at best a low voltage device.
FIG. 2C illustrates a modification of MOSFET 100 in which the P+ body contact region 114 is extended downward slightly beyond the lower junction of P-body region 116. The higher concentration of P ions in this region increases the size of the depletion area, and this provides some additional shielding around the corner 122 of the trench. However, if this device is pushed into breakdown, the generation of carriers will still most likely occur near gate oxide layer 106, and this could lead to the impairment of the gate oxide as described above.
The breakdown situation was significantly improved in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, which was described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,266 to Bulucea et al. In MOSFET 300, the P+ region 114 is extended downward below the bottom of the trench to form a deep, heavily-doped P region at the center of the cell. While this provides additional shielding at corner 122, the primary advantage is that carrier generation occurs primarily at the bottom tip 302 of the P+ region 114. This occurs because the electric field is strengthened beneath the tip 302, thereby causing carriers to be generated at that point or along the curvature of the junction rather than adjacent the gate oxide 106. This reduces the stress on gate oxide 106 and improves the reliability of MOSFET 300 under high voltage conditions, even though it may reduce the actual junction breakdown of the device.
FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the left half of the cell shown in FIG. 3A, as well as portions of the adjoining cells. FIG. 3C shows a comparable P-channel device. FIG. 3D illustrates how a gate metal 121 may be used to form a connection with gates 102 and 104.
The deep central P+ region 114 in MOSFET 300, while greatly reducing the adverse consequences of breakdown, also has some unfavorable effects. First, an upward limit on cell density is created, because with increasing cell density boron ions-may be introduced into the channel region. As described above, this tends to increase the threshold voltage of the MOSFET. Second, the presence of a deep P+ region 114 tends to pinch the electron current as it leaves the channel and enters the drift region 111. In an embodiment which does not include a deep P+ region (as shown in, for example, FIG. 2A), the electron current spreads out when it reaches drift region 111. This current spreading reduces the average current per unit area in the N epitaxial layer 110 and therefore reduces the on-resistance of the MOSFET. The presence of a deep central P+ region limits this current spreading and increases the on-resistance.
What is needed, therefore, is a MOSFET which combines the breakdown advantages of a deep central P+ region with a low on-resistance and a good current distribution in the epitaxial layer.

Trench MOSFET with multi-resistivity drain to provide low on-resistance


An underground digital locating system includes a receiver capable of acquiring a signal produced by an underground object and displaying a digital representation of the orientation of underground object and of its depth. The system includes a carrying case for the digital locating receiver, the carrying case further including a transmitter for energizing underground objects to emit a magnetic field. A method of locating an underground object using the described system is also disclosed, as well as methods of measuring a flux field and translating a flux field signal of an underground object into a visual representation of the underground object on the display screen of the locating receiver.

Many common construction and utility operations that require soil excavation depend on the operator's knowledge of the orientation and depth of underground utility lines, pipelines and cable lines. Because contact by excavating equipment is almost invariably damaging to underground lines, it is very important to know the exact position of those lines prior to commencing digging activities. Knowledge of underground line position allows the operator to avoid coming in contact with and damaging such lines.
There are several known locating systems that are currently used to locate underground lines. Most of the known locators involve receiver detection of a magnetic field derived from electrical current directly fed or induced onto an underground line.
The magnetic field lines emanating from a line are essentially cylindrical in shape with the center of the cylinder being the current-carrying line itself. As the current flows along the line, losses occur as a result of displacement and induction of currents into the soil. When the rate of loss along the line length is not great, depth can be computed through the use of a signal strength ratio. For lines that run straight underground along a certain depth, the magnetic field strength is inversely proportional to the distance from the line to the receiver. Depth is typically determined by taking two signal strength readings at different locations directly above the line.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,784 to Mercer et al. describes a locator/monitor that is capable of locating a boring tool and monitoring the progress of the tool for control purposes. The locator/monitor described in Mercer achieves its goals through the operation of an antenna assembly that features one cluster of two orthogonal antennas that are in spatial proximity to each other and not a fixed distance apart.
The locator/monitor described in Mercer operates in the following way: (1) an operator locates the underground transmitter (mounted on a boring tool); (2) operator deploys the receiver/locator at a first height above the transmitter location and measures the magnetic field strength emanating from the transmitter; and (3) deploys the receiver at a second height to measure the magnetic field strength emanating from the transmitter. Although this device may be accurate, its use is time-consuming, as the operator has to take measurements at two different heights.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,768,307 to Brune et al. describes a system for flux plane locating that includes a boring tool with a transmitter that transmits a locating field such that the locating field exhibits a pair of locate points in relation to the surface to the ground and a portable locator that is used to measuring the intensity of the locating field. The locator contains one antenna cluster that contains three orthogonally disposed antennas, two in a horizontal plane, and one disposed in a vertical plane. As with the previous device, the use of this locator suffers from the disadvantage of being time consuming, as it forces the operator to move the locator to several positions before arriving at the final determination of line location or depth.
There are also presently known line-locating devices that employ two antennas and logic circuitry to determine depth. The antennas are separated by a fixed distance. Because the separation distance is known, cable depth can be computed by interpreting the magnetic field strength.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,194 to Lewis et al. describes a locator that has spaced antennas that detect electromagnetic signals from an underground line. The locator contains a processor that analyzes the electromagnetic signals and determines the separation of the locator and the underground line, both in terms of the direction corresponding to the spacing of the antennas and the perpendicular direction to the underground line. The display on the device shows the separation of the locator and the object.
This device suffers from several disadvantages. First, because the device determines the separation between itself and the underground line by measuring the angles between its antennas and the surface of the underground solenoid, the angle of the positioning of the locator becomes critical. Lewis et al. attempts to solve that problem by including a tilt sensor in its device, which in all likelihood makes the device more expensive.
Also, the locator is preferably a ground penetration probe that is driven into the ground to maintain a constant angular position during measurements. This may be impractical in certain locations where the ground is difficult to penetrate. A further disadvantage of this locator is that it provides a relatively precise measurement only after requiring the operator to measure the separation of the locator and the underground line at two different locator positions and comparing the two results. Thus, the operation of the device in Lewis is time consuming and prone to unnecessary errors if the locator is not identically positioned at both measurement locations.
Measurement accuracy in devices of the prior art is often affected by differential drifting of the electronics associated with the antennas as well as by differential responses of the antennas themselves. To increase sensitivity, ferrite rods are sometimes employed to enhance the effective capture area of the antennas. As a result of the antenna separation, both antennas may not experience the same thermal environment. This can be a problem because the characteristics of ferrite vary measurably with temperature and are not consistent between rods.
There are other problems to be overcome when measuring AC flux fields using multiple ferrite antennas. For example, synchronization is a major problem. Because AC signals are characterized by amplitude and phase, both must be accounted for to get accurate results. If the phases of signals being measured on separate antennas are somehow shifted relative to each other without account, then there is no way of knowing at any given instance what the actual relative responses of those antennas are. Often, amplifying and filtering circuits will by their very nature introduce phase shifts that are not controllable enough to maintain accurate resulting signals on the back end. A second problem of using ferrite antennas is measurement accuracy and calibration. This is because of variations in ferrite permeability, winding anomalies, etc.
Therefore, a need exists for a digital locating system that can not only accurately predict the location, orientation and depth of an underground line using simple and quick procedure, but one that can also adequately account for anomalies in the ferrite antennas and component tolerance errors in the processing circuitry itself.

Method of displaying digital image for digital locating system and device for underground object detection


An oily stick-shaped cosmetic containing (A) a partially hydrogenated jojoba ester, (B) Japan wax, (C) a higher fatty acid, and (D) a dimer acid ester.

Oily stick-shaped cosmetics are used as core materials for eyebrow pencils, eyeliner pencils, lip liner pencils, and the like. Since an oily stick-shaped cosmetic is usually produced by extrusion molding or cavity molding, an oil agent is blended in the cosmetic so that it can be molded into a desired core shape. As oil agents adapted to molding, Japan wax, high fatty acids, and the like are used for many oily stick-shaped cosmetics (see, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. H6-99284).


The present invention relates to a method of identification and quantification of proteins, isoforms of angiotensin I converting enzymes (ACE), 190-kDa, specially of 90kDa in tissues, cells and biological fluids, specially in urine, genetic marker and prognostic agent of hypertension and primary or secondary renal lesion and kit for using in the diagnosis, risk stratification and therapeutical decision in arterial hypertension. One the aims of the present invention is to check the potential of the 90 kDa isoform as a hypertension genetic marker isoform and as a prognostic for hypertension.

The existence of two systems of vasoactive polypeptides, a hypertensor and a hypotensor, in mammal organism is quite new. The fundamental bases for understanding the hypertensor system, renin-angiotensin system were established through papers of Houssay and Fasciolo (1937), Houssay and Taquini (1938), Braun-Menendez, Fasciolo, Leloir and Munoz (1939) and Kohlstaedt, Helmer and Page (1938). On the other hand, the hypotensor system, kallikrein-kinin system are based on Frey, Kraut and Werle papers, carried out in the 1930 decade (Frey, Kraut and Schultz, 1930; Kraut et al, 1930; Werle, 1936; Werle et al, 1937) as well as Rocha and Silva, Beraldo and Rosenfeld (1949) and Prado, Beraldo and Rocha e Silva (1950).
In the two systems the vasoactive peptide is released to its plasmatic protein precursor through limited proteolysis according to the following general scheme:

Several papers on purification and characterization of proteases and substrates involved in these two systems allowed the clarification of several steps necessary for releasing the active peptide. However, the physiological role of the latter, as well as its catabolism is not totally clarified yet.
The Renin-Angiotensin System
Renin is an acid protease (E.C. 188.8.131.52), produced and stored by juxtaglomerular cells from afferent arteriole of the renal glomerulus (Kohlstaedt et al, 1938; Hartroft, 1963 and Tobian, 1960). The subtract under which this enzyme acts is a plasmatic α2-globulin, angiotensinogen, from which part of the N-terminal sequence is known (Braun-Menendez et al, 1939; Bumpus et al, 1958; Schwyzer and Turrian, 1960) which corresponds to: Asp3-Arg2-Val3 -Tyr4-Ile5-His6-Pro7-Phe8-His9-Leu10-Leu11 -Val12-Tyr13-Ser14.
When renin hydrolisates the Leu10-Leu11 bond in the angiotensinogen molecule, decapeptide angiotensin I, which is as not very potent vasoconstrictor, is released. A second enzyme, described by Skeggs et al (1956), called converting enzyme, is the responsible by the hydrolysis of the Phe8-His9 bond and by releasing octapeptide angiotensin II, which is pharmacologically active, being inactivated by angiotensinases.
The Kallikrein-Kinin System
The kallikrein-kinin system comprises kininogenases which hydrolisates an inactive precursor, the kininogen, and releases kinins, which are inactivated by kininases.
The expression kininogenase comprises proteases, such as: kallikreins, trypsin, pepsin, some bacterian proteases and snake poison (Prado, 1970; Rocha e Silva et al, 1949; Suzuki and Iwanaga, 1970). Among these enzymes, kallikreins are specifics for the system: these are serine—proteases that release kinins of the kininogen, by limited proteolysis (Neurath, 1975) and have low proteolitic activity on other proteins. Two types of kallikreins are found in mammals: glandular and plasmatic, which are different each other concerning to physical-chemical and immunological proprieties, reaction velocity with kininogen and synthetic subtracts, types of kinins released and responds to a great variety of synthetic and natural inhibitors.
On the other hand, kininogens are acid glycoproteins which contains a bradykinin molecule in the C-terminal or next to it (Pierce, 1968); they are hydrolisated by glandular kallikreins, releasing lysyl-bradykinin, as well as by plasmatic releasing bradykinin (Rocha e Silva, 1974). Lysyl-bradykinin is converted to bradykinin by the existing aminopeptidases contained in plasma (Erdös and Yang, 1970) as well in tissues (Hopsu et al, 1966 a, b; Borges et al, 1974; Prado et al, 1975).
Two kininogens functionally different have been described in plasma, namely, a high molecular weight kininogen, which is subtract for the two kallikrein (plasmatic and glandular), and a low molecular weight, which is a good subtract only for glandular kallikrein (Werle and Trautschold, 1963; Prado et al, 1971).
Bradykinin (BK=Arg1-Pro2-Pro3-Gly4-Phe5-Ser6-Pro7-Phe8-Arg9), lysyl-bradykinin and methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin are strong physio-pharmaco-pathological agents, which produces hypotension and vasodilation, pain, contraction of the smooth muscle, increases vascular permeability and leukocyte migration (Erdös and Yang, 1970; Pisano, 1975).
Physiological Role of Kinins:
The action of kinins in the organism is not totally clarified, although some attributions have been indicated them as participating in several physiological functions, either at systemic or tissular levels.
It is proposed its mediation in different processes such as: peripheric vasodilatation and mediation in inflammatory phenomena; interaction with the synthesis system and prostaglandins release; mobility of spermatozoids; renal flux regulation; mediation in the sodium reabsorption by nephron (Wilhelm, 1973; Terragno et al, 1975; Baumgarten et al, 1970; Schill and Haberland, 1974; Levinsky, 1979).
In order to clarify the exact role carried out by kinins in this process, it is important to know not only the mechanism that leads to its release but also to its catabolism.
Catabolism of Kinins:
The responsible enzymes for inactivation of kinins are generically known as kininases. Under this acronym it is comprised a series of peptidases which are capable to hydrolysate the bonds in BK molecule or its derivatives, not being necessary or prove to be participant of the kinins catabolism.
Observations on the existence of such class of enzymes have been carried out since the initial researches of the kinins system and have been described in several organs, tissues and physiological liquids by many researchers groups.
Plasma
Two types of kininases have been characterized already in the human plasma: kininase I (arginine carboxypeptidase, E.C. 22.214.171.124) and kininase II (peptidyl-dipeptidase, E.C. 18.104.22.168).
Kininase I is a carboxypeptidase type enzyme, which was purified for the first time from Cohn fraction IV (Erdös e Sloane, 1962). This enzyme hydrolysates the Phe8-Arg9 bonds of BK. It was originally called carboxypeptidase-N because of its proprieties, which make them different of pancreatic carboxypeptidase B. Although its official name, arginine carboxypeptidase, this enzyme catalyses better the lysine C-terminal hydrolysis than arginine, in many substrates (Oshima et al, 1975).
Among synthetic substrates used in the purification and specificity studies of such enzyme it can be cited the HLA (Oshima et al, 1975).
The second enzyme having kinin activity, described in plasma, is the kininase II, which inactivate BK by hydrolysis of the Pro7-Phe8 bonds and releases Phe-Arg dipeptides (Yang and Erdös, 1967).
Later, it was observed that such enzyme is identical to the angiotensin I converting enzyme (AI) of the renin-angiotensin system (Yang et al, 1970a and Yang et al, 1970b), therefore, being, responsible by hydrolysis of the Phe8-His9 bond of the AI molecule. One of the features of such enzyme is that it is inhibited by potentiator peptides of BK (BPP), described by Ferreira (1965), and Ferreira (1966).
It was also described in other animal species enzymes with similar specificity to those kininases I e II from human plasma (Erdös and Yang, 1970).
Lung
Great importance has been attributed to lung in which concerns BK elimination; many papers published by the literature describes the inactivation by this organ, regarding the high percentage of BK infused (Ferreira and Vane, 1967; Biron, 1968 and Dorer et al, 1974).
The kininase II has been already purified in hog lung (Dorer et al, 1972 and Nakajima et al, 1973) rabbit lung and rat lung (Soffer et al, 1974 and Lanzillo and Fanburg, 1974).
Studies of Ryan et al have contributed to clarify the mechanism of inactivation of this organ. BK would be inactivated, while AI would be converted into AII during the circulation, by an enzyme kininase II type that was in the pynocitotic vesicles of the vascular endothelium. Ryan et al, also observed that BK is much more easily hydrolyzed than LBK-BK and MLBK. Their theory is that these bigger kinins have a more difficult access to the vesicles. According to Ryan et al statement the BK hydrolysis products which were found after the lung circulation would be consequence not only from the action of the first cited enzyme but also from the action of other enzymes contained in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells (Ryan et al, 1968 and Ryan et al, 1975).
Liver:
Erdos and Yang attributed almost exclusively to the plasmatic and pulmonary kininases the responsibility for the kinin catabolism "in vivo". Researches carried out by Prado et al (1975) show, however, that other organs are able to inactivate kinins when they are perfused in weak rats, in which lung circulation was excluded from the perfusion circuit. In the referred paper when liver is perfused "in situ", it was shown that the organ inactivates considerable quantity of BK.
Following these researches, Borges et al (1976) observed that BK inactivation by the perfused liver "in situ" is due to, at least, two enzymes: a peptidyl dipeptide hydrolase and a second one that hydrolyzes the Phe5-Ser6 bond of BK. This enzyme could be a membrane peptidase, since it was removed from the perfused liver through the use of Triton X-100 in the perfusion liquid. According to the authors, the kinin activity obtained in this research is, very low when compared to those found in the supernatant of the total homogenate of the organ.
Mazzacoratti (1978) have worked with a preparation of this type, that is, homogenized liver from rats. It was purified two serine-proteases having different molecular weight which hydrolisates the Phe5-Ser6 bond of BK.
Brain
It has been studied by many researchers the metabolism of kinins in brain extracts (Iwata et al, 1969; Camargo et al, 1969).
Kininases from homogenized rabbit brain have been systematically studied by Camargo et al (1973), Oliveira et al (1976). Two thiol-endopeptidases optimum pH 7.5 were purified from the supernatant fraction. The first enzyme, kininase A, hydrolyzes the Phe5-Ser6 BK bond and has a molecular weight of 71 kDa; while the other, kininase B, hydrolysates Pro7-Phe8 as kininase II, but it has a molecular weight of 6900. This enzyme would be different from the converting enzyme (kininase II), since preliminary studies did not show the conversion of AI into AII.
Wilk, Pierce and Orlowiski (1979) described two enzymes from brain tissue which differs from the referred above. One of the enzymes, which was extracted from the bovine pituitary, also hydrolysates the Phe5-Ser6 Bk bond, however because of its molecular weight (higher than 100000) and because it is inhibited by Na+ and K+ it differs from kininase A. The second enzyme described, which was extracted from rabbit brain, is specifically for hydrolysis of those peptide bonds in which proline contributes with carboxyl group. This enzyme firstly hydrolyses the Pro7-Phe8 BK bond and secondly, the Pro3-Gly4 bond.
Kidney:
The kininase activity of kidney is higher than found in plasma or liver (Erdös and Yang, 1970).
Several enzymes have been purified, in this organ, with kininase activities. Researches of Erdos et al, have identified three different enzymes in the kidney: one, carboxypeptidase type, which releases arginine C-terminal of BK, which differs from some properties of plasmatic kininase I, this is why it was called kininase p (Erdös and Yang, 1966); another enzyme, which hydrolisates the Pro7-Phe8 bond (Erdös and Yang, 1967), and a third one, characterized as an imidopeptidase, which inactivates BK by hydrolysis of the Arg1-Pro2 bond (Erdös e Yang, 1966).
Koida and Walter (1976) purified, from sheep kidney, an enzyme that hydrolysates Pro-x bonds type in the molecule of several peptides, among which the BK. It was observed that the x aminoacid cannot be proline and that its catalysis is faster if x is a lipophilic aminoacid.
The kinin catabolism by the kidney has been studied by methods aiming at to identify the inactivation sites of such peptides. These studies indicate that, besides the BK hydrolysis that occurs at vascular network level, the catabolism of kinins by enzymes located at renal cortical cells seems to have great importance (Erdös and Yang, 1967).
The kininase activity is very low in the glomerulus, but a type II kininase is found in great concentration in brush border of the proximal convoluted tubule (Holl et al, 1976, Casarini et al, 1997). In agreement with this discovery, Oparil et al (1976) observed that a high percentage of BK microinfused is inactivated in the proximal tubule. Considering that the kinin generation in kidneys should occur close to the distal tubule, where kallikrein is synthesized (Ørstavik et al, 1976), it seems to be logical to suppose that from this point, other kininases should be present and the nephron or in the intratubular fluid.
Urine
A carboxypeptidase was well characterized by Erdös et al (1978), in human urine; it releases BK C-terminal arginine and differs from the plasmatic one as to molecular weight, inhibitors action and immunological proprieties. However, kinetic and inhibition similarities to renal enzyme are shown.
Ryan et al described, in 1978, three enzymes contained in urine: one enzyme hydrolyzates the Pro7-Phe8 BK bond and transform AI into AII; another enzyme, having 63 kDa molecular weight, which breaks the Phe8-Arg9 BK bond, is not inhibited by BPP9a.
Figueiredo et al (1978) also described, a kininase having molecular weight of 250 kDa, which is inhibited by chelate agents that would be similar to the third among those described by Ryan. This enzyme hydrolysates C-terminal arginine, although it does nor hydrolysates the HLA synthetic substrate.
With the exception of Erdös et al, 1978, research that have purified and characterized a carboxypeptidase from urine, all researches, however, the described enzymes were only partially purified and/or characterized. Due to these contradictory data, the present invention aims at to characterize the different kininase activities that are the ACE in human urine.
One of the forms of low molecular weight (LMW) of the angiotensin I converting enzyme of 91 kDa was observed during the preparation of such enzyme from rat lung homogenate [Lanzillo et al, 1977]. This LMW form from ACE was also observed in human lung [Nishimura et al, 1978], hog kidney [Nagamatsu et al 1980] and human kidney [Takada et al, 1981]. Iwata et al (1983) and Yotsumoto et al (1983) have shown that ACE LMW of 86-90 kDa can be obtained from rabbit lung and human plasma, respectively, after treatment with bases. In the 90′ Lantz et al (1991), described three different ACE isoforms having molecular weights of 150 kDa, 80 kDa and 40 kDa characterized in the human cerebrospinal fluid. All the previously referred are similar to somatics. Casarini et al, 1991, 1995, 2001, described the 65 kDa and 90 kDa isoforms, both N-domain in hypertense patients urine and 65 kDa on normal persons. Deddish et al (1994) purified an ECA with 108 kDa molecular weight in ileal fluid, which is also an N-domain isoform of ACE.
It has been described the purification of several isoforms of ACE [Ryan et al, 1978; Kokubo et al, 1978; Skidgel et al, 1987; Casarini et al, 1983, 1987]. Kokubo et al (1978) found three different forms of ACE normal human urine. Two forms with high molecular weight of >400 kDa and 290 kDa and a third one, molecular weight of 140 kDa. Ryan et al (1978) described a kininase II human urine that was separated in two forms. The first co-cromatography with somatic ACE of 170 kDa, and the second was similar to a protein having molecular weight of 90 kDa. Casarini et al (1983, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2001) described he ACE in human urine of normal persons and hypertense patients with molecular weights of 190 kDa, 90 kDa and 65 kDa and also in rat urine (Casarini et al 1987). Alves et al, 1992 also described isoforms of 170 kDa, 90 kDa and 65 kDa in urine of normal persons and hypertense patients. Costa et al, 1993, 2000 described in normal persons urine, ACE with different molecular weights of 170 kDa, 65 kDa and 59 kDa, and in the hypertense patients, renovasculares enzymes with molecular mass of 55 kDa, 57 kDa e 94 kDa. The ACE activity in urine is not from the plasma but from the renal tubule (Casarini et al, 1997) and can be used as a reference for the renal tubular damage, since there is a considerable level increasing in renal and infections of upper urinary treat diseases [Baggio et al, 1981; Kato et al, 1982].
It was also recently described, two ACE isoforms in intracellular and extracellular medium of mesangial cells in culture, having molecular weight of 130 kDa and 65 kDa (Andrade et al, 1998). It was still observed the presence of 190 kDa and 65 kDa isoforms in children urine but in premature children only 65 kDa isoforms ACE, being the latter similar to the N-domain portion of the same. In premature children, it was found, in a period of 1 to 30 days after they were born, that these 190 kDa isoform would appear only in the thirtieth day (Hattori et al, 2000).

Method of identification and quantification of proteins, isoforms of the angiotensin I converting enzyme

Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo - UNIFESP


Systems and methods for manipulating a spinal construct are provided herein. In general, the system includes first and second sleeves extending from vertebrae and a fulcrum that can be releasably coupled to the sleeves. In certain aspects, the fulcrum can receive a portion of the sleeves therein and can allow the sleeves to pivot about the fulcrum in response to an applied force. The fulcrum can releasably couple to the sleeves in a variety of ways, and a position of the fulcrum relative to the sleeves can vary depending on whether there is an applied distracting, compressing, and/or derotating force. In some embodiments, user can manipulate the first and second sleeves relative to the fulcrum, using one hand, to distract, compress, and/or derotate the vertebrae.

For a number of known reasons, spinal fixation devices are used in orthopedic surgery to align and/or fix a desired relationship between adjacent vertebral bodies. Such devices typically include a spinal connector, such as a relatively rigid fixation rod, that is coupled to adjacent vertebrae by attaching the connector to various anchoring devices, such as hooks, bolts, wires, or screws. The connector may have a predetermined contour that has been designed according to the properties of the target implantation site, and once installed, the instrument holds the vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship, either until healing or spinal fusion has taken place, or for some longer period of time.
Spinal connectors can be anchored to specific portions of the vertebrae. Since each vertebra varies in shape and size, a variety of anchoring devices have been developed to facilitate engagement of a particular portion of the bone. Pedicle screw assemblies, for example, have a shape and size that is designed and configured to engage pedicle bone. Such screws typically include a threaded shank that is adapted to be threaded into a vertebra, and a head portion having a receiving element, usually in the form of a U-shaped head. A set-screw, plug, or similar type of fastening mechanism is used to lock the spinal connector, e.g., a spinal rod, into the receiving head of the pedicle screw. In use, the shank portion of each screw is threaded into a vertebra, and once properly positioned, a rod is seated through the receiving member of each screw. The rod is locked in place by tightening a cap or other fastener mechanism to securely interconnect each screw and the spinal rod.
Minimally-invasive devices and methods for implanting spinal fixation devices are advantageous because such devices and methods utilize fewer and/or smaller incisions for introducing and implanting anchoring devices and spinal connectors at a target site within a patient's spine. Such procedures offer advantages over invasive techniques because they reduce the amount of damage to surrounding tissue and muscle and the amount of time required to complete the procedure. During minimally invasive surgery (MIS), percutaneous extensions are often mated to or formed on a bone anchor. The extensions can be used for guiding tools and devices to the implant site and, once the bone anchor is implanted, the extensions can be manipulated from outside of the patient's body to distract or compress vertebrae. However, these manipulation steps can be cumbersome as the working area tends to be crowded and the required instrumentation can be difficult to position, adjust, and/or maintain at a desired location. The size and configuration of the extensions can also make it difficult to achieve the desired compression or distraction, particularly when the extensions intersect and are criss-crossed.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved methods and devices for manipulating one or more bone anchors implanted in a patient's spine.


Structures for transitioning between two layers of differing lattice parameters are disclosed. In some embodiments, the structures are in the form of a superlattice that serves as a strain relieving transition between two layers of differing lattice parameters. By controlling the properties of the superlattice, the superlattice can exhibit desirable properties such as transparency to light and lattice matching to one of the two layers of differing lattice parameters. Optoelectronic devices such as light emitting diodes including such superlattices are also disclosed.

Misfit dislocations often arise when a second thin film layer is deposited on a first thin film layer. This is particularly true in instances where the first and second thin film layers have different in-plane lattice parameters. In such instances, initial growth of the second thin film layer may be commensurate to the in-plane lattice parameters of the first layer. As growth of the second thin film layer continues, misfit strain may build within the second thin film layer due to the difference in lattice parameters between the first and second layers. Eventually, misfit or other dislocations will arise in the second thin film layer to relieve this strain. The thickness at which misfit dislocations arise in a thin film layer is known in the art as the "critical thickness."
With the foregoing in mind, thin film technology is often used to produce optoelectronic devices such as light emitting diodes. For example, some LEDs may be formed from a plurality of thin film layers that are deposited on a substrate. Due to differences in the lattice parameters of the substrate and the layers grown thereon (or between subsequent successive layers), misfit dislocations may arise. Such dislocations can reduce the optical efficacy of the LED, and may increase the electrical resistance of n and p type semiconductive layers/regions used therein. This is particularly problematic in the case of LEDs that include active regions designed to emit ultraviolet light, wherein misfit dislocations may play a significant role as non-radiative recombination centers.

Strain relief superlattices and optoelectronic devices including the same


Fiber bundle reinforced composite material useful for various high temperature structural members having excellent strength, toughness and resistance to oxidation and a process for producing the same. The fiber bundle reinforced composite material is reinforced with fiber bundles each having a plurality of continuous inorganic fibers bundled with medium such as carbon, being oriented in one, two or three directions, or randomly in the matrix which is reinforced with nano-sized particles precipitated. The fiber bundle reinforced composite material has a desired orientation of fibers and enables production of fiber bundle reinforced composite members having excellent strength and toughness.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing a ceramic reinforced with fiber useful as materials for heat-resistant parts requiring high thermal durability such as gas turbine members (combustor and the like), nuclear fusion furnace walls, space system members (tiles for space return craft and the like); materials for structural members requiring high strength and rigidity such as aeroplane members and internal combustion engine parts; and various slidable parts.
2. Description of the Related Art
Development of high temperature structural materials is an indispensable technical requirement for improvement of members such as those for gas turbines, nuclear fusion furnaces, aerospace system and the like. These structural members are inevitably susceptible to high thermal load and thermal impact, and therefore, required to be structured with a material having excellent high temperature strength and thermal impact resistance.
A great interest has been directed to ceramics as high temperature materials, but the ceramics alone are brittle enough to have a low reliability and do not satisfy the above requirements for high temperature structural materials, which discourages the ceramics to put in practical use.
An attempt has been made to overcome the above difficulties by developing a composite material comprising a matrix having reinforcing fibers dispersed therein. For the reinforcing fibers light weight inorganic fibers having thermal durability (ceramic fibers) are suitable in view of the objects and applications of the composite materials. Some fiber reinforced ceramics have been proposed which have mostly a composite structure comprising a matrix having starting short fibers dispersed therein. However, the short fibers are liable to scatter into air in the process for production thereof causing serious problems from the standpoints of safety and environmental health hazards.
On the other hand, attention has been focused to a technique of dispersing nano-sized particles in a matrix in to improve the strength of the ceramics. There is, however, a problem that the necessity of using the nano-sized particles limits starting materials and adds to cost.
In order to use ceramics as high temperature structural materials, it is indispensable to enhance their reliability which requires a compatibility of high strength and high toughness. Specifically there are desired such materials as exhibiting non-linear fracture configuration which is capable of suppressing propagation of cracks, thereby inhibiting abrupt destruction. As means of achieving such materials one may make mention of a process for reinforcing ceramics by forming a composite of the ceramic matrix with short inorganic fibers as reinforcing material as well as a process for dispersing nano-sized particles in a matrix to be reinforced.
The reinforcement of composite ceramic matrix with inorganic fibers as reinforcing material tends to increase deficiencies such as stress concentration at ends of the fibers which may cause reduction in strength property for the structure where only short fibers are dispersed in the ceramic matrix. For the composite structure, therefore, such a structure as having long continuous fibers oriented in a matrix is desired.
The orientability of reinforcing fibers has fundamentally a great influence on the properties of resultant composite materials. For this reason, the orientability of fibers should be taken into consideration and controlled depending upon the application and desired characteristics of the resultant composite materials. Dispersing uniformly short fibers of a few micrometers in diameter throughout a matrix may be technically difficult. The short fibers of a few micrometers in diameter are apt to scatter into air and may adversely affect human body by aspiration and the like. Therefore, there is a need of a method without using short fibers as starting material.
On the other hand, the dispersion of nano-sized particles requires the use of nano-sized raw materials which in turn limits raw materials to be used, resulting in a sintered body in the form of restricted dispersion. Moreover, the raw materials must be reduced in size causing a problem of high costs so that there is a need for a method of dispersing nano-sized particles, other than the conventional methods.

Process for producing fiber reinforced composite


The invention relates to an arrangement for a stereomicroscope, having an illumination apparatus (20) whose light lies in a regulatable spectral region. This illumination apparatus can be freely supplemented by at least one further illumination apparatus (30) whose light lies in likewise regulatable spectral regions identical to or different therefrom.

Fluorescence is a well-known method that, with the aid of tuned filters, conveys a defined excitation spectrum to a specimen, spectrally separates the response signal radiated by the specimen from the excitation light, and passes that signal on for observation and analysis. In the clinical field, for example, many applications are known which assist surgical operations and which mark, by way of the emitted fluorescence, the tissue that is to be resected. One particular example of the application of such a method using fluorescence devices integrated into a microscope are surgical microscopes for neurosurgery, which use photodynamic medications, known e.g. under the names aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or meso-tetrahydroxyphenyl chlorine (mTHPC), to permit more complete excision of certain tumors.
Another application relates, for example, to infrared angiography, in which light from the near-infrared (NIR) region is used for excitation, in order then to observe the specimen in the longer-wavelength spectral region. Other applications make use of invisible ultraviolet light. Other spectral regions, from ultraviolet to blue light and from there to red and on into the far infrared, are likewise possible.
At the point where a tissue or a specimen needs to be excited, a sufficiently intense excitation spectrum is of essential importance. When working, for example, with blue excitation light in the range from 380 to 420 nm, a specific fluorescence signal (e.g. 635 nm with ALA) will be obtained depending on the fluorescence ingredient that is used. 300-watt xenon light sources are generally used for this; they make available both normal microscopy white light and the blue light necessary for fluorescence, the latter by filtering and optimizing the spectral region from 380 to 420 and by careful selection of the xenon element. The same analogously applies, of course, to other spectral regions. Examples of such known microscopes or surgical microscopes are found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,338 or DE-A-195 48 913, in which the light of the illumination device is conveyed to the specimen being observed via optical waveguides and other optical devices.
A problem with these known microscopes is that in selecting the illumination source, a compromise must be made whose ultimate result is that the white-light quality cannot be optimized for observation, and that on the other hand, specifically when the blue-light component is enhanced and optimized, other spectral regions are underrepresented and then lead to color casts in the standard white light situation. The color cast can theoretically be corrected using filters, but that then also causes a reduction in intensity. On the other hand, true-color observation of a surgical field is important not least for diagnostic purposes. It is not possible to raise the intensity by way of an increase in lamp output, however, because of the limited aperture of the microscope's illumination optics as well as other effects.

Fluorescence/infrared device for surgical microscopes


Procedure for the installation of a landing door, in which a threshold module is mounted on the lower edge of a door opening of the elevator shaft, whereupon side posts are mounted at the edges of the opening and a lintel connecting the side posts as well as an overhead supporter for the suspension of the door panels are mounted in the upper part of the opening. The equally long side posts are mounted on top of the threshold module while the side posts are connected to each other by the lintel mounted on top of them. The overhead supporter is lifted up onto the lintel and fixed to the wall by its ends.

The present invention relates to a procedure for installing a landing door and to an installation system.
Traditionally, to install a landing door for an elevator, a threshold module is mounted on the lower edge of the door opening, in a horizontal position and at the correct distance from the elevator car. Next, the side posts are mounted at the side edges of the door opening to form door jambs, in a position as accurately vertical as possible and in alignment with the threshold module. The side posts can be connected by their upper ends together by a lintel, which can also be fastened by its ends to the edges of the door opening. After this, the overhead supporter is fixed to the upper part of the door opening by lifting it up to its position and fastening it with bolts to the edges of the door opening in a position as accurately horizontal as possible, i.e. parallel to the threshold module.
The prior-art procedure involves several drawbacks. Installation must be carried out by resorting to welding and observing relatively accurate measurements, so it imposes strict requirements regarding the dimensioning of the door opening. Installation is difficult and slow because practically every part of the door must be measured separately and mounted in the correct position relative to the door opening. The relatively heavy overhead supporter must be supported manually during the mounting and measurement. In addition, especially in high-rise elevator shafts, tolerance problems are encountered because the door openings must be relatively accurately positioned and sufficiently small to allow the door parts to be accurately installed in position.
The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks described above. A specific object of the invention is to present a new type of procedure and a corresponding system that makes it possible to assemble the landing door in as simple a manner as possible and without welding and laborious or difficult operations. A further object of the invention is to reduce the tolerance requirements regarding the construction of elevator shafts.
In the procedure of the invention for the installation of a landing door, a threshold module is mounted on the lower edge of the door opening, in a position as accurately horizontal as possible and in a suitable position relative to the depth dimension of the door opening. After this, according to the invention, side posts of a length as precisely equal to each other as possible are mounted on top of the threshold module and attached to the threshold module by their lower ends, while the top ends of the side posts are connected to each other by a lintel mounted on top of them. Next, the overhead supporter is lifted up and allowed to rest on the lintel. The overhead supporter remains in position as it is supported by the lintel and thus it can be easily fixed to the wall by its ends.
It is possible to leave the overhead supporter resting on the lintel by its own weight, held in position only by suitable fitting parts and brackets, but preferably the overhead supporter, after being placed in position on the lintel, is attached to the lintel e.g. using suitable bolts.
In an embodiment of the invention, the cross-measure of the door opening formed by the side posts and the lintel is taken and the door opening is straightened and attached to the wall before the overhead supporter is lifted into position. Another possibility is to lift the overhead supporter into position on the lintel and cross-measure the door opening only when the overhead supporter is being attached to the wall.
The essential point in the procedure of the invention is that, after the threshold module has been mounted in position, no accurate measurements to determine the vertical or horizontal alignment of different parts are required, but the parts can be simply put together and bolted to the wall of the elevator shaft after only taking the cross-measure. The heavy overhead supporter need not be measured and fitted into position, but simply lifting it onto the lintel will suffice to make sure that the overhead supporter is in the correct position.
The system of the invention for the installation of a landing door comprises a threshold module to be mounted on the lower edge of the door opening, side posts, a lintel and an overhead supporter, from which the door panels are suspended. According to the invention, the lintel mounted on top of the side posts comprises fitting parts and the overhead supporter comprises corresponding brackets so that the overhead supporter can be lifted into position on the lintel, the overhead supporter remaining in its final mounting position on the lintel. After this, the overhead supporter can be locked or fixed to the lintel and also to the wall without having to be otherwise supported during the mounting operation.
The fitting parts of the lintel preferably comprise slots, openings, sleeves, supporting pins or equivalent elements or areas for the brackets of the overhead supporter. Likewise, the brackets preferably consist of tongues, pins, lugs or equivalent projections adapted to the fitting parts. Moreover, the brackets can advantageously be shaped in different ways and different supporting structures can be added to the lintel. Of course it is obvious in the framework of the inventive idea that the fitting parts and brackets may be arranged the other way round on the lintel and overhead supporter, in other words, the essential point is that the lintel and the overhead supporter are provided with mutually corresponding elements that enable the overhead supporter to rest on the lintel by its own weight.
The ends of the overhead supporter are preferably provided with fixing points by which the overhead supporter, resting on the lintel in precisely the correct position relative to the door opening, can be fixed to the wall.
The lintel is preferably likewise provided with mounting brackets by which the lintel, resting on the side posts, can be attached to the wall after the cross-measurement of the door opening formed by the side posts and the lintel. The mounting brackets or their attachments to the wall are preferably of a flexible or sliding type to permit the assembly formed by the lintel and side posts to be moved to a suitable distance from the wall, i.e. to a precisely vertical position over the threshold module.
The system of the invention for the installation of a landing door allows the door frame to be assembled from parts that need no welding. Thus, it will be possible to use pre-coated sheet material, resulting in obvious cost savings. The invention can be implemented using a lintel of a light structure that is easy to mount and adjust in position on the side posts while at the same time serving as a mounting jig and support for the overhead supporter. Therefore, the overhead supporter can be allowed to rest on the lintel and it can then be permanently fixed to the wall by its ends. Moreover, the invention simplifies the process of constructing the elevator shaft as a whole because the entire door structure is measured and installed based on the lower edge of the door opening. Thus, the side and top edges of the door opening are not subject to any strict requirements regarding dimensional accuracy.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description

Procedure for installing a landing door, and a corresponding installation system