Abstract: A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a projection objective which images an object onto an image plane and has a lens with a curved surface. In the projection objective there is a liquid or solid medium which directly adjoins the curved surface over a region which is usable for imaging the object. The projection exposure apparatus also has an adjustable manipulator for reducing an image field curvature which is caused by heating of the medium during the projection operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device for an illumination system, especially for the correction of the illumination of the illuminating pupil, including a light source, with the illumination system being passed through by a bundle of illuminating rays from the light source to an object plane, with the bundle of illuminating rays impinging upon the filter device, including at least one filter element which can be introduced into the beam path of the bundle of illuminating rays, with the filter element including an actuating device, so that the filter element can be brought with the help of the actuating device into the bundle of illuminating rays.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improving the performance of a network system having one or more sending systems and one or more receiving systems may include determining the digital signature of a received digital file, comparing the digital signature against stored digital signatures of digital files accessible to the receiving system, and determining whether to store the received digital file and/or a location identifier for the stored version of the received digital file based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Isolated sulfotransferase nucleic acid molecules that include a nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant are described, as are sulfotransferase allozymes. Methods for determining the sulfonator status of a subject also are described. In addition, methods for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of a compound in a subject are described, as are methods for estimating the dose of a compound to be administered to a subject.

Abstract: A method and device for implanting an endoprosthesis within the lumen of a body passageway. A tubular, elongated endoprosthesis having a small outer diameter for intraluminal delivery of the selected body passageway, is capable of being progressively permanently deformed to an expanded diameter by application of outwardly acting force. The endoprosthesis is provided on a catheter having an inflatable, radially expandable balloon, the axial dimension of which is shorter than the axial dimension of the endoprosthesis. The elongated prothesis is inserted in unexpanded state into a desired location within the body passageway and with the catheter positioned so that its expandable portion registers inside a first portion of the endoprosthesis, the inflatable portion of the catheter is inflated to cause deformation of the first portion of the endoprosthesis to an expanded diameter.

Abstract: A circuit includes a switched current source having a switching transistor coupled in series to a bias transistor. An isolation transistor is coupled in series to an output of the switched current source. The width of the switching transistor is greater than the width of the isolation transistor.

Abstract: An IC socket adapted to establish an electrical connection between an IC package and a printed board includes a socket body having a mount portion on which the IC package is mounted, a number of contact pins disposed on the socket body in substantially equally adjacent arrangement, each of the contact pins having one end to be connected to a terminal of the IC package and another end to be connected to the printed board, and an interval widening member provided for the socket body for widening a pitch interval between the other ends of adjacent contact pins so as to provide a predetermined distance therebetween.

Abstract: A roller includes a metal core, a cylinder including polyurethane, and a conductive adhesive between the metal core and the cylinder. The polyurethane includes a solid solution of a transition metal halide salt and includes less than 5% of salt by weight. The transition metal halide salt provides the polyurethane with a uniform conductivity and a uniform resistivity of between 1012 ohm-cm and 105 ohms-cms.

Abstract: A mouse CDNA encoding a protein comprising a serine/threonine protein kinase region was isolated by effecting PCR using a synthetic DNA corresponding to the kinase-conserved region as a primer and a rat cDNA as a template. A mouse cDNA library was screened using the DNA fragment thus obtained as a probe. The multiple human and mouse cDNAs having the similar structure to the isolated mouse cDNA were successfully isolated based on the sequence of the isolated mouse cDNA. An antisense DNA against the isolated mouse cDNA was synthesized, and its effect on a nerve cell was studied to confirm that the antisense DNA inhibits axonal elongation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for treating nephritis and a TGF-&bgr; inhibiting agent comprising as an effective ingredient a pyridylacrylamide derivative represented by the following formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl group, Ar2 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, R1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group, R2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cyano group or an alkoxycarbonyl group, R3 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, X is an oxygen or sulfur atom, A and B are same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group or an alkylthio group, or A and B together form an oxo or thioxo group, or a group represented by the formula: ═N—Y in which Y is a dialkylamino, hydroxyl, aralkyloxy or alkoxy group, or a group represented by the formula: —Z1—M—Z2— which Z1 and Z2 are same or different and each represent an oxygen or sulfur atom or

Abstract: A carrier which permits preparation of a catalyst possessed of excellent catalytic performance and used for the production of ethylene oxide, a catalyst obtained by using this carrier, endowed with excellent catalytic performance, and used for the production of ethylene oxide, and a method for the production of ethylene oxide by the use of the catalyst are provided. The carrier is obtained by mixing &agr;-alumina having an alkali metal content in the range of 1-70 m.mols/kg (&agr;-alumina) with an aluminum compound, a silicon compound, and an alkali metal compound and calcining the produced mixture. The carrier which has an aluminum content as reduced to Al in the range of 0-3 mols/kg of carrier, a silicon compound content as reduced to Si in the range of 0.01-2 mols/kg of carrier, and an alkali metal content as reduced to alkali metal in the range of 0.01-2 mols/kg of carrier is used for the deposition of a catalyst for use in the production of ethylene oxide.

Abstract: In a centrifugal rotor (2) for freeing a liquid from solid particles suspended therein and being heavier than the liquid there is delimited a separation chamber (20), in which one or more conveyor screws (29) are arranged to supply separated particles axially along a surrounding wall (17) of the rotor. Each conveyor screw (29) is connected with a drivable bearing member (31) through a transmission shaft (38) extending out through one end wall (13) of the rotor. This bearing member (31) is journalled in the centrifugal rotor (2) and is situated in a transmission chamber (47) formed between said end wall (13) and a further wall (46).

Abstract: Permanent aqueous marker inks are provided which include surfactant, a pigment, a film-forming polymer, and water. The surfactant may be a combination of a hydrocarbon, preferably an alkylphenol ethyoxylate and a fluorocarbon, or it may be a silicone.

Abstract: An electrical contact has a general flat sheet metal support with a pad portion that is twisted (e.g., by about 90 degrees) out of the plane of the metal support, and a contact body attached to the pad portion. The contact may be made by welding a contact body on a pad portion of the contact support while the contact support is essentially in its original flat state; and using one progressive stamping die to isolate the pad portion, form a twist, and stamp out the contact, so that the pad portion is in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the contact support.