Abstract: The invention relates to a family of hexapeptide compounds exhibiting activity with regard to the ORL-1 receptor. The compounds share a general formula of Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Trp-Arg, and may be constructed having modifications or substitutions at any position, and may include modifications of the amino- and carboxy-termini of the hexapeptide. These compounds include agents exhibiting agonist activity and antagonist activity when exposed to the human ORL-1 receptor. As such, the hexapeptides may be useful as analgesics, anxiolytics, diuretics, and anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: Media and kits are disclosed for use in processes requiring microbial culture. More specifically, the invention provides carrageenan-stabilized agar-based microbial culture media and kits constructed using the media. The media and kits of the invention may allow the construction of kits with increased shelf stability and useful life. Further, the media and kits of the invention may be used in kits and methods useful in the manual determination of the type of infection present in a specimen in periods of about 24 hours. The stabilized culture media of the invention are useful in a broad variety of applications. In an embodiment, the media contains both an agar medium and iota carrageenan.

Abstract: A method in a scalable encoder for reducing the average latency associated with randomly accessing an encoded digital video signal is disclosed. This method may include converting a digital video signal into a first layer having a first degree of quality and a second layer having a second degree of quality that is higher than the first degree of quality. The method may also include encoding the first layer at a first intra-frame rate, and encoding the second layer at a second intra-frame rate that is lower than the first intra-frame rate. A method in a scalable decoder for reducing the average latency associated with randomly accessing an encoded digital video signal is also provided. The method includes accessing a first layer of a digital video signal. The first layer includes the digital video signal encoded at a first degree of quality and a first intra-frame rate. The method also includes accessing a second layer of the digital video signal.

Abstract: A thin film transistor for use in an active matrix liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a source and a drain regions, and at least a gate electrode. The substrate includes therein a plurality of intrinsic regions, at least one first doped region and two second doped regions. The first doped region is disposed between the plurality of intrinsic regions. The plurality of intrinsic regions are linked together to form a connection structure via the first doped region, and the two second doped regions are disposed at both ends of the connection structure, respectively. The source and the drain regions are coupled to the two second doped regions disposed at both ends of the connection structure, respectively. The gate electrode is disposed over the plurality of intrinsic regions, such that the periphery of each of the plurality of intrinsic regions and the periphery of a corresponding gate electrode are substantially aligned with each other.

Abstract: A method for saving electrical power for a physical layer (PHY) device including a plurality of sub-circuits is disclosed. The method includes the steps of outputting a plurality of link pulses, asserting a plurality of disabling signals between two adjacent link pulses for disabling the sub-circuits, respectively, and deasserting the disabling signals for enabling the sub-circuits, respectively. The disabling signals are asserted separately for disabling the sub-circuits at different time points. A physical layer device for use in a chip for saving electrical power is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a class of porphyrins and metal chelated porphyrins for use as inhibitors of heme iron uptake. The porphyrin/metal chelated porphyrin molecules of the invention are tetra-positively charged porphyrins based on meso-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphines. Several such agents are shown herein to cause inhibition of iron uptake in vivo and in vitro. The invention further provides therapeutic compositions including the porphyrins and/or metalloporphyrins of the invention. In addition, methods of inhibition of heme iron uptake in vivo are taught, as well as methods of treatment of diseases characterized by iron-overload. These methods include the administration of a porphyrin or metalloporphyrin in a therapeutic composition of the invention to prevent uptake of heme iron, thus preventing replenishment of a patient's iron stores.

Abstract: A current steering folding circuit is provided. The current steering folding circuit includes a load and at least one current source for drawing a current from the load. The current steering folding circuit also includes a first output signal terminal for providing a first output signal, and a second output signal terminal for providing a second output signal. A current steering section is also provided. The current steering section steers the current between the first output signal terminal and the second output signal terminal based on an input signal. The first output signal is substantially equal to the second output signal for N values of the input signal. Advantageously, the number of current sources does not exceed N.

Abstract: An inflator (1) is disclosed for use in a safety device within a motor vehicle, for example, for inflating an air-bag. The inflator comprises at least one gas outlet (23) having an initial predetermined gas flow area. The or each gas outlet incorporates a deformable part (41) which is configured to deform, in response to a predetermined gas pressure, so as to increase the gas flow area of the gas outlet. The deformable part (41) may be surrounded by a slot (40) which initially constitutes the outlet. The deformable part includes a neck (42) which bends so that the deformable part (41) opens like a flap. The invention is particularly suited for incorporating in a hybrid multi-stage gas generator comprising two or more pyrotechnic charges that can be actuated in combination or independently. The variable-area gas flow outlet provides an arrangement to vary the cross-section or area of a gas flow passage in response to a high pressure of gas.

Abstract: A battery ground fault detecting circuit applied to an uninterruptible power system is disclosed. The uninterruptible power system has a controller and is connected to a battery box having a ground terminal. The battery ground fault detecting circuit is employed for detecting whether a ground fault is occurred in a battery mounted in the battery box, so that the controller can execute a corresponding protection procedure.

Abstract: A valve containment assembly for an irrigation system may have a first side wall unit, a grate, a second side wall unit, and a lid. The first side wall unit may be disposed on the floor of a hole. The grate may be positioned in the first side wall unit to support a manifold. The second side wall unit rests on the first side wall unit to cover the manifold and the lid may be disposed on top of the side wall unit. The first side wall unit and the grate elevate the manifold above the floor of the hole to reduce interference of soil and water with the manifold. Additional side wall units may be used to provide additional height. Any of the side wall units may have frangible portions that break away to permit passage of conduits into the valve containment assembly.

Abstract: A method for scaling an image frame by an off-screen technology is provided. An image frame consisting of n rows and m columns of data is stored into a storage device. The image frame is divided into a plurality of image portions. Then, the plurality of image portions are picked in sequence to a frame buffer register. An image scaling operation is performed for each picked image portion, and then the scaled image portion is cleared from the frame buffer register.

Abstract: A vehicular turning indicator is used for automatically showing a turning degree of a vehicle. The vehicular turning indicator includes a sensor sensing a turning angle of the vehicle; a control device asserting a control signal according to the turning direction, the turning angle and optionally the speed of the vehicle; and a plurality of lightening units in communication with the control device brightening to constitute a variable pattern in response to the control signal. The vehicular turning indicator can be implemented by currently existent vehicular lamps such as indicator light, brake light or head-up display, be incorporated into an existent vehicular accessory such as rearview mirror module or auxiliary brake light module, or independently mounted to the vehicle. Preferably, special flashing effects are performed to make the turning indication prominent.

Abstract: A modular power supply system incorporating a power status signal generator circuit to detect the voltage sag of the input peak voltage within a short period is proposed. The power status signal generator circuit mainly includes a peak detector that detects a peak value of an input voltage, wherein the peak detector comprises a first comparator that compares the input voltage with a predetermined reference voltage and sends an output signal according to a comparison result thereof, a RC network connected to the first comparator and is configured to charge and discharge the capacitor according to the output signal of the first comparator, and a second comparator connected to the resistor-capacitor network that compares a terminal voltage of the capacitor of the resistor-capacitor network with the predetermined reference voltage and generates a power status signal according to a comparison result thereof.

Abstract: A clock generating apparatus is provided for producing an output clock signal responsive to a source clock signal with a source frequency and a reference clock signal with a reference frequency. The clock generating apparatus includes a counting sequence generator, a measuring value generator and a ratio counter. The counting sequence generator is used for outputting a series of counting values in response to a triggering signal with a specified period determined by the source frequency of the source clock signal and a predetermined counting value. The measuring value generator generates a measuring value by operating the series of counting values according to a predetermined formula. The ratio counter produces the output clock signal with a frequency determined by the source frequency of the source clock signal and the measuring value.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated setting tool for use in setting a plug or other component in a wellbore, and which is responsive to a supply of input actuating pressure to actuate the tool. An elongate tool housing has an inlet to receive the supply of actuating pressure, and an actuator element is axially displaceable relative to housing and also engageable with the plug or other component to set and release the component with respect to the wellbore. A pressure multiplier arrangement includes a hydraulically operated low pressure and high volume output piston which performs initial loading of the tool, and a high pressure, low volume output piston which provides a multiplied hydraulic force applied to the actuator element to set the plug or other component in a required position in the wellbore.

Abstract: A connector is provided. The connector comprises a casing having an open end defined by a first cavity and a second cavity adjacent to the first cavity, wherein a cross-section area of the first cavity is bigger than that of the second cavity, a first retaining plate and a second retaining plate disposed in the casing and having a specific distance away from the open end, wherein the first retaining plate and the second retaining plate cooperate with each other to form an opening and a receiving space, and the first retaining plate and the second retaining plate respectively form a gap with the inner sidewall of the casing, and a conductive terminal with one end disposed in the receiving space formed by the first retaining plate and the second retaining plate. In addition, a connector assembly, which is assembled with the above-mentioned connectors, is also provided.

Abstract: An assembling structure of an electronic apparatus and the assembling method thereof are disclosed. The assembling structure of an electronic apparatus comprises a casing having a receiving space, a plurality of conductive terminals, a printed circuit board and at least an electronic element. The plurality of conductive terminals are disposed on the casing, and each conductive terminal has a first part extending to the outer side of the casing and a second part extending to the inner side of the casing, wherein the second part has a through hole. The printed circuit board is disposed in the receiving space and has at least a conductive element and a plurality of conductive pads, wherein the plurality of conductive pads contact the second parts of the plurality of conductive terminals.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition includes a base latex and a thermoplastic ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) copolymer latex. The base latex includes one or at least one of a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex and a carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber (C-SBR) latex. A process for producing an elastomeric article having an interpenetrating network structure included the following steps. Firstly, a mold is contacted with such elastomeric composition. Then, the elastomeric composition on the mold is allowed to perform a vulcanization reaction, thereby forming the elastomeric article having the interpenetrating network structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel optical reader device and method for calibrating the device. The device executes a calibration module that locates the actual coordinates for a targeting symbol in a captured image. The coordinates are stored as calibration coordinates in the memory. During normal operation of the reader device, the stored calibration coordinates are used to locate a target, such as a bar code. In order to locate the targeting symbol, the calibration module may overlay a template on clusters that may be the targeting symbol. A reasonable accurate comparison identifies the cluster as the targeting symbol. Alternatively, the calibration module may approach a cluster from four frames of the image and identify the cluster's tangents and perimeter. Geometrical calculations are used to identify the center of an identified targeting symbol.