Abstract: A tilt adjustment control method for a near-field optical system is provided. The method includes the following steps. A gap between a lens and a disc is detected. A gain corresponding to the gap is provided. A tilt signal is detected. A tilt compensation value according to the tilt signal and the gain is obtained. A tilt adjustment control is performed on the lens according to the tilt compensation value.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is presented that includes a controller having a series connection of at least two integrators and an integrator output circuit for deriving an output quantity of the series connection of integrators. The controller also includes an integrator saturator that is operatively coupled to the integrator output circuit and having an operating area for passing through the output quantity and a saturation area for saturating the output quantity. A saturation control mechanism for controlling saturation sets an output quantity of at least one of the series-connected integrators to a neutral value, when the integrator saturator is in the saturation area, except when the output quantity of or an input quantity of at least one of the series-connected integrators has a value such that it would tend to bring the integrator saturator from the saturation area to the operating area.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is presented that includes a controller having a series connection of at least two integrators and an integrator output circuit for deriving an output quantity of the series connection of integrators. The controller also includes an integrator saturator that is operatively coupled to the integrator output circuit and having an operating area for passing through the output quantity and a saturation area for saturating the output quantity. A saturation control mechanism for controlling saturation sets an output quantity of at least one of the series-connected integrators to a neutral value, when the integrator saturator is in the saturation area, except when the output quantity of or an input quantity of at least one of the series-connected integrators has a value such that it would tend to bring the integrator saturator from the saturation area to the operating area.

Abstract: The invention is based on the finding that furin belongs to a family of endoproteolytically active enzymes and relates to a process for the in vitro cleavage of a protein by treating the protein in the presence of Ca2+ ions with furin or a furin-like enzyme, or an endoproteolytically active fragment, derivative or fusion protein of furin or furin-like enzyme. The invention can be used for the (micro)biological production of a protein by culturing genetically engineered cells expressing a proform of the protein as well as furin or a furin-like enzyme and isolating the protein formed. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or adjuvants, as well as an endoproteolytically active amount of furin or a furin-like enzyme, or a fragment or derivative of furin or furin-like enzyme having an endoproteolytic activity.

Abstract: The invention is based on the finding the furin belongs to a family of endoproteolytically active enzymes and relates to a process in the in vitro cleavage of a protein by treating the protein in the presence of a Ca.sup.2+ ions with furin, or an endoproteolytically active fragment, derivative or fusion protein of furin. The invention can be used for the (micro) biological production of a protein by culturing genetically engineered cells expressing a pro-form of the protein as well as furin and isolating the protein formed. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or adjuvants, as well as an endoproteolytically active amount of furin, or a fragment or derivative of furin having an endoproteolytic activity.

Abstract: The invention is based on the finding that furin belongs to a family of endoproteolytically active enzymes and relates to a process for the in vitro cleavage of a protein by treating the protein in the presence of Ca.sup.2+ ions with furin or furin like enzyme, or enzymatically active fragment, derivative or fusion protein of furin or furin-like enzyme.

Abstract: The invention is based on the finding that furin belongs to a family of endoproteolytically active enzymes and relates to a process in the in vitro cleavage of a protein by treating the protein in the presence of Ca.sup.2+ ions with furin, or an endoproteolytically active fragment, derivative or fusion protein of furin. The invention can be used for the (micro) biological production of a protein by culturing genetically engineered cells expressing a pro-form of the protein as well as furin and isolating the protein formed. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or adjuvants, as well as an endoproteolytically active amount of furin, or a fragment or derivative of furin having an endoproteolytic activity.