Abstract: An isolated polypeptide (JNK) characterized by having a molecular weight of 46kD as determined by reducing SDS-PAGE, having serine and threonine kinase activity, phosphorylating the c-Jun N-terminal activation domain and polynucleotide sequences and method of detection of JNK are provided herein. JNK phosphorylates c-Jun N-terminal activation domain which affects gene expression from AP-1 sites.

Abstract: A sample semiconductor device which is processed and/or observed with the focused liquid metal ion beam can be returned again to the manufacturing process in this invention. The metal ions used in this apparatus are generally Ga ions. Ga ions contaminate a semiconductor device and a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus by auto-doping. An area which is irradiated with a focused liquid metal ion is doped by the metal ions which are subsequently removed by irradiation with a gas ion beam or covered by hard fusing metal.

Abstract: A position reading apparatus and keyboard apparatus using a feedback loop for inputting positional information into an external device. A pointer having a resonant circuit is used to establish a feedback loop having as part of the feedback loop a first coupling device a second coupling device, an amplifier and the resonant circuit. When the resonant circuit approaches the first and second coupling devices electromagnetic coupling is established between the position pointer and the first and second coupling device. As a result, oscillation occurs at a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit establishing an oscillation signal. The oscillation signal information determines the position of the pointer. Switches are used to alter the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit.

Abstract: An automatic performance apparatus able to freely specify any two points A and B during the ALL repeat automatic performance. When the specified point A is closer to the start of the tune sequence being repeated than the point B, the apparatus repeats the performance between the two points A and B. When point B is closer to the start of the tune sequence, the performance skips from point B to point A.

Abstract: An attachment for facilitating servicing of a valve, the valve including: an assembly composed of a valve seat defining a flow path, a flow control member movable relative to the valve seat for blocking or unblocking the valve seat, and a control device including a stem coupled to the flow control member and operable for moving the flow control member relative to the valve seat; a housing for receiving the assembly, the housing having an opening via which the assembly can be removed from, and installed in, the housing, and the housing having a plurality of threaded studs which surround the opening and project away from the housing; a valve housing cover for closing and sealing the opening in the housing, the cover having a first bore for passage of the stem of the control device when the assembly is installed in the housing and a plurality of second bores each located for passage of a respective stud when the cover closes the opening in the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing printing on a substrate on the basis of data representing a pattern composed of a plurality of parallel rows of discrete image elements. In a known manner, successive strips of image elements are formed on the substrate, each strip being constituted by a given number of the parallel rows which extend in a first direction on the substrate and the successive strips being spaced apart at intervals in a second direction on the substrate perpendicular to the first direction such that a boundary exists between each two adjacent strips, adjacent rows in each strip being spaced from one another with an inter-row spacing in the second direction and the interval between strips of parallel rows of image elements having a nominal value substantially equal to the product of the inter-row spacing multiplied by an integer which is one greater than the given number of rows in a strip.

Abstract: In the production of a 124-type or 123-type superconductor by a sol-gel method using alkoxides of respective metals, the use of a compound wherein a sec-butoxy group and a hydroxy group are coordinated with a copper atom gives a superconductor composed of flat particles having a broad C plane. The dimensional ratio defined by l/d is at least 6.7 in the case of the 124-type or is at least 8.4 in the case of the 123-type. It shows a superconducting property at a liquid nitrogen temperature. This superconductor shows a higher critical current density than one obtained by a sintering method.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining a whole gas sample, composed of: a sample vessel having an inlet for receiving a gas sample; a controllable valve mounted for controllably opening and closing the inlet; a valve control coupled to the valve for opening and closing the valve at selected times; a portable power source connected for supplying operating power to the valve control; and a cryogenic coolant in thermal communication with the vessel for cooling the interior of the vessel to cryogenic temperatures.A method of obtaining an air sample using the apparatus described above, by: placing the apparatus at a location at which the sample is to be obtained; operating the valve control to open the valve at a selected time and close the valve at a selected subsequent time; and between the selected times maintaining the vessel at a cryogenic temperature by heat exchange with the coolant.

Abstract: A solids pump apparatus for transporting and metering particulate material including a transport channel having an inlet and an outlet. The transport channel is formed between substantially opposed faces of first and second rotary discs movable between the inlet and outlet towards the outlet and at least one arcuate wall extending between the inlet and outlet. The apparatus further includes an inlet extension and a device provided adjacent the inlet extension for improving the flow of the fine and powdery particulate solids within the apparatus.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of hard tissues of human bones and joints, comprising a porous lamination component of metal thin sheets, each having a plurality of through holes and a thickness of 150 .mu.m or less, and being unharmful to the living body, the porous lamination component being formed such that the sheets are laid over one another and are then diffusion-bonded therebetween into one body by heating so that the through holes communicate with one another in the direction of the thickness thereof, and the prosthesis being entirely or partially composed of the porous lamination component. The present invention also relates to a method of making such a prosthesis. The present invention can provide prostheses which are not required to be replaced again, thereby imposing a less burden to patients.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projector includes a light source, a color filter for adding color projection image, a liquid crystal panel for forming a projection image on it, a projection lens and an optical unit located between the color filter and the liquid crystal panel for optically coupling the color filter and the liquid crystal panel. The color filter is separately located from the liquid crystal, and therefore the increase in temperature on the color filter because of absorbing the light from the light source has less effect on the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: A billet severing apparatus for sugar cane harvesters comprises a conveyor (1) to feed cane longitudinally into a three bladed cutter (5) having cutter blades (7) axially mounted on a hub rotatable about an axis (6) transverse to the direction of feed of the cane stalks. The cutter blades (7) coact with a rotary anvil (11) which counter-rotates relative to the cutter (5). In addition to severing the cane stalks into billets, the rotary anvil (11) serves as a conveyor by throwing the severed billets vertically into a discharge chute (27). The rotary anvil (11) is located in a housing (25) with a close fitting peripheral wall surface extending about part of the swept volume of the anvil whereby a region of reduced air pressure created by rotation of the anvil (11) causes separation and discharge of cane trash through a port (26) in the lower part of the housing (25).

Abstract: An A/D circuit to convert an analog signal to a digital signal. The circuit includes a low noise analog-to-digital conversion chip and a precision voltage reference source. The voltage reference source includes a diode with two terminals and a passive attenuation circuit. The attenuation circuit and the diode are coupled in parallel between the two terminals to provide a voltage reference signal for use by the analog to digital conversion chip. The analog to digital chip uses the voltage reference signal to set the full scale input range for the signal conversion, and the voltage reference signal is attenuated to correspond to the full scale range of the analog signal. The A/D converter circuit has a passive temperature compensation feature to substantially eliminate or reduce the effects of thermal drift and of operating at different temperatures.

Abstract: An arterial filter includes a filter housing provided with a uniquely shaped housing cover. The housing cover is in the shape of a toroid which forms a coil-like tunnel which is enlarged midway about the circumference of the housing cover. The highest point of the toroidal channel is at the periphery of the housing cover, approximately 180.degree. from the inlet valve. A gas vent is located at this highest point on the top of the toroid-shaped housing cover. At the center of the housing cover is an indentation which is provided to both retain a cylindrical filter element inside the filter housing, as well as allow visibility directly through the central axis of the arterial filter to verify proper operation of the filtration process. As inlet blood circulates through the toroidal tube forming the filter housing cover, gaseous matter is allowed to buoyantly escape out of the gas vent located at the top of the raised section of the toroidal channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium with phase change ink, the printing medium providing a printing area composed of a plurality of parallel pixel rows extending in a first direction, with a uniform spacing, p, between pixel rows in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, with each row being made up of a plurality of elemental pixel areas. Printing is effected with a print head having at least one set of N nozzles for projecting drops of phase change ink onto the printing area, N being an integer and the nozzles having a uniform spacing, in a direction corresponding to the second direction when the print head faces a printing area, equal to s.multidot.

Abstract: An optical disc recording device includes a motor for rotating an optical disc, a rotation speed control circuit connected to the motor for controlling a rotation speed of the optical disc, a data recording device for, during an irradiation time, irradiating a laser beam on the rotating optical disc in accordance with digital data to be recorded, wherein a pit having a length is formed on the optical disc, a recording speed setting device for designating a desired recording constant linear velocity, an irradiation time control circuit for controlling an actual irradiation time of the data recording device in accordance with a designated recording speed, wherein the actual irradiation time compared with predetermined irradiation time corresponding to a pit to be recorded is shortened in accordance with the designated recording speed, and a laser power control circuit for controlling a laser power of the laser beam to be irradiated for obtaining a predetermined pit length at the actual irradiation time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, in which a photo-sensitive member is exposed by exposure means accommodated therein, and development is done substantially simultaneously with the exposure.Three time elements, that is, charging time constant C, i.e., time until reaching of a predetermined charging potential on of the photo-sensitive member in a brushing contact region between the photo-sensitive member and a toner holder after the start of charging, exposure time constant R, i.e., time until the charging potential is attenuated by the exposure to a latent image potential, and development time or time T, during which the photo-sensitive member passes by the brushing contact region, are appropriately determined.

Abstract: A peptide-specific monoclonal antibody derived from an immunogenic peptide from the extracellular hydrophilic region of the human C5 a receptor (C5aR) is useful for blocking C5a from binding to C5aR.

Abstract: A new, small form factor power supply is disclosed that provides a regulated DC power supply in a package that radiates relatively little heat and that occupies 2.75" by 4.5" by 0.75". The secondary coil of the transformer is positioned at the summing node of the flux of the primary coils and the phase of the drive signals provided to the secondary coils is regulated to control the current and voltage provided by the secondary circuit. Preferably, all circuit components are surface mount devices and the transformer cores are E block planar cores mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device, comprising: first row lines; selecting transistors driven by the first row lines; second row lines; memory cells driven by the second row lines and connected in series with the selecting transistors; first selecting means for selecting the first row lines; second selecting means for selecting the second row lines; column lines connected to the selecting transistors; data detecting means connected to the column lines, for detecting data stored in the memory cells; first switching means connected between the first selecting means and the second row lines, for selecting the second row lines in response to the second selecting means; and second switching means connected between a potential supply terminal for supplying a predetermined potential and the second row lines, for selecting the second row lines in response to the second selecting means.