Abstract: A mechanism for a unique isopeptide bond formation between polypeptides is disclosed as well as sequence motifs used in such bond formation and methods of using such sequence motifs.

Abstract: An optical system and a projector utilizing the optical system can prevent tilted projection, hence ensuring that keystone distortion will not occur. The inventive optical system includes a lens group and a reflection layer. The lens group has a plurality of lens elements, and is utilized for guiding an input light beam. A shape of each of lens elements is substantially identical to a shape of a half of a rotationally symmetrical lens. The reflection layer is disposed under the lens group, and utilized for reflecting an incident light beam. As a result, the optical system is configured for guiding the output light beam derived from the input light beam to be projected onto an area substantially higher than a common line.

Abstract: An optical system and a projector utilizing the optical system can prevent tilted projection, hence ensuring that keystone distortion will not occur. The inventive optical system includes a lens group and a reflection layer. The lens group has a plurality of lens elements, and is utilized for guiding an input light beam. A shape of each of lens elements is substantially identical to a shape of a half of a rotationally symmetrical lens. The reflection layer is disposed under the lens group, and utilized for reflecting an incident light beam. As a result, the optical system is configured for guiding the output light beam derived from the input light beam to be projected onto an area substantially higher than a common line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of animation planning for a dynamic graph is provided. A first method includes grouping changed nodes into atomic partitions according to the relationships between the changed nodes and existing nodes. The next step is clustering the atomic partitions according to clustering distances between the atomic partitions to generate a running list for planning animation of node changes in the dynamic graph. The running list includes elements selected from the group consisting of clusters of atomic partitions and atomic partitions. The present invention is able to plan a multi-stage animation demonstration of changes of a dynamic graph and has a improved readability and animation speed.

Abstract: A layout method in a display area for multiple graph components in a dynamic network. The multiple graph components are sorted according to their importance into a first subset S1 and a second subset S2 according to the order of their importance. The first subset S1 is divided into an upper subset Cp including only the most important graph component and a lower subset Cm. The display area is divided into display portions S1? and S2? proportionally according to the importance values of the first subset S1 and the second subset S2. Display portion S1? is divided into display portions Cp? and Cm? proportionally according to the importance values of the upper subset Cp and the lower subset Cm. The first division and the second division and the corresponding division of the display area are executed iteratively until the aspect ratio of display portion Cp? is close to 1.

Abstract: Low cost methods for fabricating microneedles are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the fabrication method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a metal-containing seed layer on the top surface of the substrate; forming a nonconductive pattern on a portion of the seed layer; plating a first metal on the seed layer and over the edge of the nonconductive pattern to create a micromold with an opening that exposes a portion of the nonconductive pattern; plating a second metal onto the micromold to form a microneedle in the opening; separating the micromold with the microneedle formed therein from the seed layer and the nonconductive pattern; and selectively etching the micromold so as to release the microneedle. In another embodiment, the micromold is not required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an auxiliary supporting unit for a boarding bridge, a boarding bridge with the same and method for improving stability of boarding bridge. The auxiliary supporting unit includes a leg support which can be driven to extend and retract; and a foot portion attached to one end of the leg support, wherein the foot portion can be supported on the ground when the leg support being extended and can leave the ground when the leg support being retracted.

Abstract: A trolley and parking system using the trolley for transporting cars and the like. The present trolley includes a main body, capable of moving; and a clamping apparatus, having at least a first and a second moving plate and at least a pair of clamping claws. The present parking system includes a loading table, a differential table moving relative to the loading table, a trolley moving relative to the differential table, a longitudinal driving device, a power tube line transmission mechanism, and a power valve station and an electric control system thereof.

Abstract: An electric meter having a detachable measuring bar includes a main body, a first measuring bar and a second measuring bar assembly. One end of the main body is formed with a supporting portion. The first measuring bar has a connecting portion and a probe formed at the other end of the connecting portion. The connecting portion is detachably connected with the supporting portion of the main body. The second measuring bar assembly comprises a second measuring bar and a lead. Both ends of the lead are connected to the main body and the second measuring bar. Via this arrangement, when the first measuring bar is worn or damaged in use, the first measuring bar can be replaced, thereby reducing the purchasing cost of the electric meter.

Abstract: Seven novel antibiotic substances could be produced by cultivation of a microbial strain which has been isolated from a soil sample and which is designated as Microbispora sp. A 34030 (deposited under an access number FERM BP-10505 in terms of Budapest Treaty). These seven antibiotic substances are named as bispolide A1, bispolide A2, bispolide A3, bispolide B1, bispolide B2a, bispolide B2b and bispolide B3, respectively. These bispolides are each novel compounds which have a chemical structure as collectively represented by the general formula (III) shown below. These bispolides have each a high antibacterial activity against a variety of bacteria, particularly Gram-positive bacteria and their antibiotic-resistant strains, and hence these bispolides each are effective and useful for therapeutically treating bacterial infections of Gram-positive bacteria in human and animals.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for animating transition among a dynamic graph series including a preceding graph and a succeeding graph which are temporally sequentially displayed. The method includes: selecting an unchanged node which is the nearest to a removed node and merging through animation the removed node with the unchanged node, thereby animating removal of the removed node; and selecting an unchanged node which is the nearest to an added node and splitting through animation the added node from the unchanged node, thereby animating addition of the added node. During the animation, the moving distances of the nodes can be shortened, and the crossing of movement paths and the crossing of graph edges can be prevented during the movement of the nodes, thereby visualizing smoothly and clearly transition among dynamic graph series.

Abstract: A method of applying a pattern on a topography includes first applying a polymer film to an elastomer member, such as PDMS, to form a pad. The pad is then applied to a substrate having a varying topography under pressure. The polymer film is transferred to the substrate due to the plastic deformation of the polymer film under pressure compared to the elastic deformation of the PDMS member. Thus, upon removal of the pad from the substrate, the PDMS member pulls away from the polymer layer, thereby depositing the polymer layer upon the substrate.

Abstract: A micromachined strain gauge comprising a plastically deformable piezoresistive microstructure formed on a surface of a substrate so that deformation of the substrate plastically deforms the microstructure to thereby change the resistance of the microstructure. The stress in the substrate can be determined from the change in the resistance of the microstructure.

Abstract: An electric meter having a detachable measuring bar includes a main body, a first measuring bar and a second measuring bar assembly. One end of the main body is formed with a supporting portion. The first measuring bar has a connecting portion and a probe formed at the other end of the connecting portion. The connecting portion is detachably connected with the supporting portion of the main body. The second measuring bar assembly comprises a second measuring bar and a lead. Both ends of the lead are connected to the main body and the second measuring bar. Via this arrangement, when the first measuring bar is worn or damaged in use, the first measuring bar can be replaced, thereby reducing the purchasing cost of the electric meter.

Abstract: A stepwise contraction and adsorption nanolithography (SCAN) patterning process can shrink complex microstructures (produced by current microfabrication technology) into the nanometer region. The basis of SCAN is to transfer a pre-engineered microstructure onto a extended elastomer. This extended elastomer is then allowed to relax, reducing the microstructure accordingly. The new miniaturized structure is then used as a stamp to transfer the structure onto another stretched elastomer. Through iterations of this procedure, patterns of materials with pre-designed geometry are miniaturized to the desired dimensions, including sub-100 ran. The simplicity and high throughput capability of SCAN make the platform a competitive alternative to other micro- and nanolithography techniques for potential applications in multiplexed sensors, non-binary optical displays, biochips, nanoelectronics devices, and microfluidic devices.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring peptides/polypeptides/proteins comprising the crosslinking motif, Tyr-X-Tyr, wherein X is any amino acid, and methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: An auxiliary supporting unit is provided for a boarding bridge, a boarding bridge with the same and method for improving stability of a boarding bridge. The auxiliary supporting unit includes a leg support which can be driven to extend and retract; and a foot portion attached to one end of the leg support, wherein the foot portion can be supported on the ground when the leg support is extended and can leave the ground when the leg support is retracted.

Abstract: A trolley and parking system using the trolley for transporting cars and the like. The present trolley includes a main body, capable of moving; and a clamping apparatus, having at least a first and a second moving plate and at least a pair of clamping claws. The present parking system includes a loading table, a differential table moving relative to the loading table, a trolley moving relative to the differential table, a longitudinal driving device, a power tube line transmission mechanism, and a power valve station and an electric control system thereof.

Abstract: A method of applying a pattern on a topography includes first applying a polymer film to an elastomer member, such as PDMS, to form a pad. The pad is then applied to a substrate having a varying topography under pressure. The polymer film is transferred to the substrate due to the plastic deformation of the polymer film under pressure compared to the elastic deformation of the PDMS member. Thus, upon removal of the pad from the substrate, the PDMS member pulls away from the polymer layer, thereby depositing the polymer layer upon the substrate.

Abstract: An improved animal pill or cow magnet that is inserted into the stomach of a bovine animal to attract and hold tramp metal ingested by the animal so as to prevent the adverse condition commonly referred to as “hardware disease.” The disclosed device has at least a pair of NdFeB magnets separated by a carbon steel section within the stainless steel outer casing. The resulting magnetic field for the overall animal pill magnet has a single polarity, which by design can be either N or S.