Abstract: A current controlled switching mode power supply is provided. A turn on/off time of a switching device is adjusted by controlling a leading edge blanking (LEB) time and an external drive current of the switching device by means of a switching controller, thus capable of preventing a switching current from being excessive due to a delay of a turn-off time of the switching device, which is caused by a circuit delay during a soft start of the switching mode power supply. Also, it is possible to prevent a switching current from being excessive due to a failure of accurately controlling a turn-off time of the switching device because of a delay caused when an output voltage (a voltage at a secondary winding of a transformer) of the switching mode power supply is designed to have a high voltage.

Abstract: There is provided a zoom optical system having lens elements produced with less difficulty i.e. with substantially the same skill level as the conventional arrangement, with sufficient miniaturization. The zoom optical system includes a first lens group having a negative optical power, and a second lens group having a positive optical power in the order from the object side, the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group being decreased in zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end. The first lens group is constituted of a negative lens element and a positive meniscus lens element. The second lens group is constituted of a biconvex positive lens element and a negative meniscus lens element.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for performing a test on the reagent includes a fill port formed on the chip to inject the reagent into at least one of the channels, one or more heating portions for performing a test on the reagent injected into the channel, and a micropump. An inside of the micropump and a vicinity of the channel connecting to an inlet and an outlet of the micropump are filled with a drive solution that is driven by the micropump, a gas is sealed between the reagent and the drive solution in the channel to prevent the reagent from contacting the drive solution directly, and the micropump directly drives the drive solution in the forward and backward directions, so that the reagent is repeatedly moved to the test portions through the gas in an indirect manner or is repeatedly passed through the test portions through the gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a converter and a driving method thereof. The converter uses an input voltage to generate an output voltage by a main switch's switching and applies power to a load, senses the current flowing to the main switch to generate a sense voltage, uses a first voltage corresponding to the current applied to the load and a sawtooth waveform signal having a first frequency to control a group frequency of the burst mode, controls the main switch's turn-on timing, and uses the first voltage and the sense voltage to determine whether to turn off the main switch, thereby controlling the main switch's switching. The converter determines the start and end of the period for switching according to the result of comparing the first voltage and the sawtooth waveform signal. Therefore, a converter for having a constant group frequency, preventing audible noise, and preventing output voltage ripple, and a driving method thereof, are provided.

Abstract: A digital planetarium apparatus includes an original image generator, an intermediate image generator, and a fish-eye lens. The original image generator is formed of two video projectors and generates semicircular images in display devices inside the respective video projectors. The intermediate image generator optically focuses the two semicircular images generated by the original image generator to thereby generate a circular image. The fish-eye lens projects the circular image generated by the intermediate image generator.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides, designated Apo-2, which are capable of modulating apoptosis are provided. Compositions including Apo-2 chimeras, nucleic acid encoding Apo-2, and antibodies to Apo-2 are also provided.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides, designated Apo-2, which are capable of modulating apoptosis are provided. Compositions including Apo-2 chimeras, nucleic acid encoding Apo-2, and antibodies to Apo-2 are also provided.

Abstract: A projector includes a plane mirror that is disposed at one end side of an end portion of a screen and a projection optical system that is disposed at a position that is separated from a reflection surface side of the plane mirror. A light shielding plate is provided to at least one of two positions; one is between a fourth mirror and the plane mirror of the projection optical system, and the other is between the plane mirror and the screen.

Abstract: Driving techniques are provided for achieving a sufficiently low-speed drive and smooth change in the drive speed. Voltage is applied to an electromechanical element by repeating an output cycle in which one voltage value out of a first voltage value is output during a first period, a second voltage value lower than the first voltage value is output during a second period, a third voltage value lower than the second voltage value is output during a third period, and finally the second voltage value is output during a fourth period. Further, a mechanism for changing the lengths of the respective periods is provided to allow for a sufficiently low-speed drive and smooth change in the drive speed.

Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus has: an illumination optical system generating illumination light; a projection optical system projecting an image light onto a screen; a digital micromirror device (DMD) modulating the illumination light so as to form the image light; and a reflection mirror arranged in a position opposite to an optical path of the illumination light entering the DMD. The reflection mirror reflects an off-light reflected by the DMD in an “OFF” state in a direction separated from a projection light reflected by the DMD in an “ON” state.

Abstract: Human Death Receptor 4 (DR4) antibodies are provided. The human DR4 antibodies may be included in pharmaceutical compositions, articles of manufacture, or kits. Methods of treatment and diagnosis using the DR4 antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of depleting peripheral blood B cells in a human host comprising administering to the host an immunologically active anti-CD20 antibody in an amount effective to deplete peripheral blood B cells in the host.

Abstract: A high voltage integrated circuit contains a freewheeling diode embedded in a transistor. It further includes a control block controlling a high voltage transistor and a power block—including the high voltage transistor—isolated from the control block by a device isolation region. The high voltage transistor includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type on the semiconductor substrate, a buried layer of the second conductivity type between the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxial layer, a collector region of the second conductivity type on the buried layer, a base region of the first conductivity type on the epitaxial layer, and an emitter region of the second conductivity type formed in the base region. The power block further includes a deep impurity region of the first conductivity type near the collector region to form a PN junction.

Abstract: A structure of the steering column device for clamping the outer column to the inner column is simple and its manufacturing cost is reduced. The outer column 1 and the bushing are stopped against rotation to the clamp members and at the same time when the outer column is adjusted in its telescopic position in respect to the inner column, the outer column, clamp members and bushing can be integrally and axially slid. Since the bushing having a low frictional coefficient is present between the inner circumference of the outer column and the outer circumference of the inner column, the outer column can be moved with a light force in respect to the inner column.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polymer actuator that does not need a special member for determining the output direction of the drive force or a support member, and which is simply configured with a small number of parts and is compact and low-cost. The present invention provides a polymer actuator that includes electrodes which are inelastic in a planar direction and sandwich a stretching portion of a dielectric polymer with a gradient in thickness, and also provides an optical system including the polymer actuator.

Abstract: There is provided a pulse wave data analyzing method for extracting vital information out of pulse wave data concerning a living body.

Abstract: First, a position control mechanism having a fixed part and a movable part, and a driver that changes position of the movable part relative to the fixed part is prepared. Next, a manufacturing unit having first and second holders and a coupler that couples the first and second holders is prepared. A conductive actuator is held in tension between the first and second holders. Further, the first holder is attached to the movable part and the second holder is attached to the fixed part. After that, the coupler is cut from the manufacturing unit, the first and second holders are separated from each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power converter system includes an input terminal for an input voltage. A transformer, coupled to the input terminal, has a primary winding and a secondary winding. An output terminal is coupled to the secondary winding. Power is delivered to a load of the power converter system at the output terminal. A first control module, coupled through a relay to a tap terminal to the primary winding of the transformer, operates the power converter system if a magnitude of the input voltage is within a low voltage range. A second control module, coupled at an end terminal of the primary winding of the transformer, operates the power converter system if a magnitude of the input voltage is within a high voltage range.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement method is provided for measuring an object shape in a non-contact manner by using a non-contact sensor and a sensor moving mechanism that changes a position and a posture of the sensor and can operate by numerical control, moving the non-contact sensor in accordance with measurement path information indicating plural positions and postures of the sensor at the respective positions. The measurement path information is set in advance by teaching.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for reducing soft-start delay and ensuring soft recovery from a short circuit or brown out condition in a power converter. The method includes: providing a feedback signal indicative of the output voltage of the power system at a first input terminal of an error amplifier; providing a soft-start reference voltage at a second input terminal of the error amplifier; comparing the feedback signal against the soft-start reference voltage to generate a control signal for regulating an output voltage of the power converter; sourcing current for pre-charging a soft-start capacitor associated with the soft-start reference voltage, thereby reducing soft-start delay; and sinking current for discharging the soft-start capacitor in the event of a short circuit or brown out condition, thereby providing soft recovery after short circuit or brown out events.