Abstract: This invention relates to &agr;-ketoamide inhibitors of multicatalytic protease (MCP), to compositions including such inhibitors, and to methods for the use of MCP inhibitors. The MCP inhibitors of the present invention are useful, for example, to retard loss of muscle mass incident to various physiological states.

Abstract: A switching power converter capable of operation in either Nonconversion, Stepdown, or Stepup Mode. Included is a parallel circuit of three serial connections of a first, a second and a third pair of switches. The junction between the first pair of switches is connected to an a.c. input terminal via an inductor, the junction between the second switch pair grounded, and the junction between the third switch pair connected to an a.c. output terminal via another inductor. The first and third switch pairs are driven at the frequency (e.g. 50 Hz) of an a.c. input voltage, and the second switch pair at a higher frequency (e.g. 20 kHz), in Nonconversion Mode; the first switch pair at the low frequency, and the second and third switch pairs at the high frequency, in Stepdown Mode; and the first and second switch pairs at the high frequency, and the third switch pair at low frequency, in Stepup Mode. The second switch pair is invariably driven at the high frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing three-phase alternating current on a printed circuit board are provided. The system comprises a connector having a plurality of pins and a corresponding trace on the printed circuit board for each of the pins. The spacing between adjacent traces satisfies a first minimum spacing requirement, and the spacing between alternating traces satisfies a second minimum spacing requirement larger than the first minimum spacing requirement. When the system is employed in an environment that imposes the second minimum spacing requirement, the traces are defined such that the different phases of the alternating current are carried on alternating traces with the traces in between defined as neutrals. When the system is employed in an environment that imposes the first minimum spacing requirement, the traces can be defined such that the different phases of the alternating current are carried on adjacent traces.

Abstract: A torque-limiting assembly includes a collar, a locking ring, and a sleeve member. The collar is co-axially and rotatably coupled to a fitting. The locking ring is non-rotatably coupled to the collar, and includes a plurality of elongate tangs arranged circumferentially around the ring. The sleeve member is non-rotatably and co-axially coupled to the fitting, and has a plurality of contact surfaces that form an outer circumference of the sleeve member. Torque is applied to the collar by way of a plurality of substantially flat surfaces disposed along an outer circumference of the collar. The torque is transferred to the locking ring by way of the fixed geometric relationship between the collar and the ring. The locking-ring tangs securely grasp the sleeve-member contact surfaces when the applied torque is below a predetermined amount, and thereby transfer a substantial entirety of the applied torque to the fitting.

Abstract: A disk drive with steering magnets that reduce the magnetic flux leakage from the actuator magnets of a linear actuator is disclosed. The steering magnets reduce flux leakage in the area of the magnetic disk where magnetic information is read and record, thereby enabling disk drive size to be reduces. The steering magnets are arranged along the sides of the outer return path. Like poles of the steering magnets face inward toward like poles of the actuator magnets.

Abstract: A storage disk cartridge comprises a storage disk, a shell, a linear shutter, and a compression spring. The shell has first and second main walls generally parallel to the storage disk and encasing the storage disk there between. The storage disk is rotatable within the shell. The shell also has a side wall extending between the first and second main walls. A head access aperture is formed in the side wall. The aperture enables a head to be inserted into the shell to be positioned in operative relationship with respect to the storage disk. The linear shutter is mounted to the shell, and is generally linearly movable between a closed position where the shutter covers the aperture and an open position where the shutter exposes the aperture. A compression spring is coupled to the shell and to the linear shutter and biases the shutter to the closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are selected indolocarbazole derivatives which are represented by the general formula: The compounds are useful for enhancing the function and/or survival of a trophic factor responsive cell. They inhibit interleukin-2 production and have immunosuppressive activity.

Abstract: A carriage assembly for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium is provided. The carriage assembly includes a carriage body that defines a sidewall having a first opening and a second opening with a passage extending therebetween. A coil is securely coupled with the carriage body sidewall. The carriage assembly rides on a central guide track when the carriage assembly is mounted within a disk drive. The carriage assembly is free to rotate about the central guide track. A first in-rigger extends laterally from the carriage body and a second in-rigger extends laterally from the carriage body. Each of the in-riggers has a protrusion extending from an inner surface. If the carriage assembly rotates sufficiently in one direction one of the protrusions will contact a magnet of the disk drive to prevent further rotation of the carriage assembly in that direction.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases amenable to modulation of the production of selected proteins. In accordance with preferred embodiments, oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs are provided which are specifically hybridizable with a selected sequence of RNA or DNA wherein at least one of the 2′-deoxyfuranosyl moieties of the nucleoside unit is modified. Treatment of HIV, herpes virus, papillomavirus and other infections is provided.

Abstract: An angled coaxial connector module for being mounted to a circuit board is disclosed. The connector module has a housing with a contact side for mating with a corresponding connector and a connecting side for mounting the connector module to the circuit board. The housing is constructed of an electrically insulating material. At least one electrical contact element extends through the housing between the contact side and the connecting side. The contact element has an electrically conductive inner center contact, an electrically conductive outer shielding tube surrounding the inner center contact at least within the housing, and an insulating member surrounding the inner center contact at least within the housing and electrically isolating the inner center contact and the outer shielding tube.

Abstract: A connector making electrical contact with a mating connector includes a base which is slidable in the housing in initial movement to plug or unplug the connector into the mating connector. This initial movement cams the tension arms mounted on the printed circuit board of the connector to rotate hooks on the connector to unlock it from its mating connector. The connector includes a second set of contacts having a different electrical configuration which allows a hot-swappable connection.

Abstract: A process for cleaning plastic materials is disclosed, in which foreign materials adhered on and internally intruded into the plastic materials are cleaned to recycle the plastic materials. The process for cleaning plastics to recycle them according to the present invention includes the following steps. (1) A first cleaning is carried out on roughly crushed plastics of a size of 2-3 cm by using a solvent within a dumbler. (2) The solvent is discharged out of the dumbler after the first cleaning. (3) A second cleaning is carried out on the plastics by using a solvent within the dumbler after the first cleaning. (4) The solvent is discharged out of the dumbler after the second cleaning. (5) The plastics are dried after the second cleaning by injecting a heated nitrogen gas into the dumbler. (6) The nitrogen gas is discharged out of the dumbler under a reduced pressure, whereby contamination materials adhered on surfaces and internally intruded are cleaned.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a TV camera relative to a patterned panel being viewed by the TV camera including the steps of: identifying a plurality of edge points of the pattern from the video signal produced by said camera and using these edge points to calculate the perspective of the pattern relative to the camera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting defects on a surface of a recording medium in a magnetic disk apparatus. An idling state of the magnetic disk apparatus is detected and a determination is made of the duration that the recording medium has been in use. The presence/absence of defects on the surface of the recording medium is then sequentially detected, responsive to the duration and the idling state, beginning at a start location of the recording medium. Data located at a detected defect is reallocated to a predetermined storage area, and the detected defect is mapped in a defect location map.

Abstract: The camera of this invention may include a first viewfinder lens disposed in the front of the camera and a second viewfinder lens disposed in the back of the camera. Preferably, these viewfinder lenses are affixed to the camera and are non-moveable. A camera of this invention may further include a flash that is moveable between a stored position and an operable position. The stored position is preferably defined by a viewfinder air space and is defined at least in part by a space between the first and second viewfinder lenses. In its operable position, the flash moves relative to the viewfinder air space so that a camera user can focus on an object whose picture is being taken through the viewfinder lenses. The camera may further include a lens and a lens cover. The lens cover is preferably moveable between a covered position, in which it covers the lens and an uncovered position, in which it does not obstruct the path of light through the lens.

Abstract: An electronic package and contacts therefor are disclosed. The package includes a planar base and a plurality of conductive pads positioned on one planar side of the base. Each contact is formed as a generally unitary body from a conductive material, and is conductively coupled to a respective one of the pads. Each contact has a coupling tab and a longitudinally extending blade coupled to the tab. The tab extends along the respective pad and is coupled thereto. The blade extends perpendicularly with respect to the one planar side of the base.

Abstract: A wear-resistant piece 29 is attached to a swash place 20 supported for inclination according to the present invention. The maximum inclination angle of the swash plate 20 is defined by the contact of rotary support 19 rotatable together with a rotary shaft 18. The rotary shaft 18 rotates in the arrowed direction Q, and the position at which the wear-resistant piece 29 is attached is contained in a discharge stroke region De on the swash plate 20 wherein a piston 26 carries out the discharge operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for preventing clogging in impulse inkjet printers. It has been found in accordance with the invention that ink clogging during quiescent periods can be prevented by providing an ink that has the property of forming a barrier of higher viscosity ink where the ink contacts the ambient air. As a result, the viscous barrier shields the remaining ink from the effects of air exposure during the quiescent period. Thereafter, the barrier is removed by a series of sub-pulses that re-homogenize the viscosity barrier and clear the nozzle.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge has a recording medium and a door covering an opening in the shell. The door is opened when the cartridge is inserted into the drive and closed when the cartridge is removed from the drive. A movable member rotates in cooperation with a stationary member by an actuating arm that is coupled to the door. Preferably, a screw/nut mechanism is operated by the opening and closing of the door to actuate a clamping mechanism which clamps the recording against a planar wall of the shell when the cartridge is removed from the drive.