Abstract: A laser level with temperature control device (2) and the temperature control method thereof are disclosed. The temperature control device includes a thermal insulation chamber (22), a thermoelectric cooler (25), a control unit (21), and first and second temperature sensors (23, 24). The second temperature sensor is received in the thermal insulation chamber together with a tilt sensor (12). The control unit controls operation of the thermoelectric cooler according to the external and internal temperature signals respectively output by the first and second temperature sensors, so as to adjust the internal temperature inside the thermal insulation chamber to be a calibration temperature point close to the external temperature. Accordingly, the temperature drift problem can be addressed, and the working temperature of the tilt sensor can be maintained in a stable range. Further, the acceptable ambient temperature range within which the tilt sensor works can be expanded.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) for use in a flat display monitor (120) includes a base seat (10), a pivotal shaft (20) and a plurality of washers (30, 40, 50, 60, 70). The base seat includes a first end portion (12) and a second portion (14), which are substantially perpendicular to each other. The first end portion has a retaining hole (122) therein. A protrusion (124) of the first end portion extends into the retaining hole. The pivotal shaft includes a pivotal portion (24). The pivotal portion has at least one flat surface (242) pivotally engaging with the protrusion. The pivotal shaft passes through the retaining hole of the base seat and the plurality of washers, allowing the elements of the hinge assembly to be fastened together.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (9) includes a shell (1), a coil spring (2), a shaft (3), and two bolts (4). The shell defines a cavity (12) therein, with one end of the shell being closed and the other end being open. Two holes (14) are defined in the shell near the open end. The shaft includes a cam (32), a soleplate (38), and an interconnecting neck (34). The cam includes a cam surface (324) at one end thereof, the cam surface including peaks and valleys. The spring and the shaft are received in the shell, but with the soleplate exposed outside. The spring biases the cam surface against the bolts no matter what part of the cam surface abuts the bolts. Because the hinge assembly of the present invention is effectively an integrated, modular structure, it is easily incorporated into a portable foldable device such as a mobile phone.

Abstract: An in vitro method of producing stem cells with potential to develop into cardiovascular myocytes is disclosed which comprises culturing myogenic stem cells obtained from the stromal or mesenchymal compartment of adult adipose tissue in a medium that favors myogenic development of the cells. These myogenic stem cells highly express telomerase and myocardin. A composition comprising fat-derived myogenic stem cells and/or differentiated cardiovascular myocytes and a method for treating a mammalian subject suffering from a cardiovascular disorder are also disclosed.

Abstract: A 2×2 opto-mechanical switch is disclosed. A first embodiment of the present invention utilizes a transmitting compact parallel prism and four or two pieces of the 45-degree prism to increase the beam separation. The compact parallel prism keeps a much smaller load to the relay arm. This makes the current invention less sensitive to the ambient shock and vibration. A second embodiment of the present invention utilizes a similar transmitting compact parallel prism and two wedge prisms which has similar advantages. The compact prism applies a small loading force to the relay arm. Both of these embodiments also feature superior thermal and mechanical stability. An opto-mechanical switch in accordance with the present invention utilizes a transmitting design and thus is more stable to ambient thermal or mechanical change. The embodiments of the present invention also feature much better repeatability than the conventional 2×2 optical switches.

Abstract: A method of enhancing survival and differentiation of stem cells, and cells of myogenic lineage derived from said stem cells, when the cells are exposed to an inflammatory or apoptotic stimulus comprises culturing stem cells in vitro in a medium containing a statin, to produce statin-pretreated cells with enhanced resistance to inflammatory or apoptotic stimuli. Additionally, the statin-pretreated cells may be caused or allowed to differentiate into statin-pretreated cells of myogenic lineage (e.g., cells having a vascular or cardiac myocyte phenotype). The resulting inflammation- and apoptosis resistant cells may then be used for cell therapy, as in treating an ischemic or infarcted vessel or heart.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser tilt apparatus and the method thereof. The present invention comprises an input device, a tilt sensor, a motor, a microcontroller unit, and at least a laser module. The input device is used to input a tilt value. The tilt sensor supplies a tilt signal to represent the levelness of the laser tilt apparatus. The motor, electrically connected to the tilt sensor, adjusts the levelness of the laser tilt apparatus. The microcontroller unit samples the tilt signal to judge the levelness of the laser tilt apparatus. When leveling, the microcontroller unit drives the motor to adjust the tilt apparatus until the tilt signal matches the tilt value. After adjusting, the power supplied to the tilt sensor and the motor is suspended. The laser module is used to transmit laser light.

Abstract: A laser level with temperature control device (2) and the temperature control method thereof are disclosed. The temperature control device includes a thermal insulation chamber (22), a thermoelectric cooler (25), a control unit (21), and first and second temperature sensors (23, 24). The second temperature sensor is received in the thermal insulation chamber together with a tilt sensor (12). The control unit controls operation of the thermoelectric cooler according to the external and internal temperature signals respectively output by the first and second temperature sensors, so as to adjust the internal temperature inside the thermal insulation chamber to be a calibration temperature point close to the external temperature. Accordingly, the temperature drift problem can be addressed, and the working temperature of the tilt sensor can be maintained in a stable range. Further, the acceptable ambient temperature range within which the tilt sensor works can be expanded.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjusting method of a tilt meter. First, multiple holding signals of the same direction output from a tilt sensor, respectively, are differentiated to obtain at least a tilt signal. Then, a first judging step is performed to determine whether the tilt signal is in a predetermined range or not and a rough tuning step is executed to limit the voltage of the tilt signal in the predetermined range. Then, the voltage of the tilt signal in the predetermined range is amplified by a predetermined multiple. Afterwards, a second judging step is performed to determine whether the tilt signal after amplification is equal to a level voltage or not and a delicate tuning step is proceeded to adjust the voltage of the tilt signal to become equal to the level voltage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser tilt apparatus and the method thereof. The present invention comprises an input device, a tilt sensor, a motor, a microcontroller unit, and at least a laser module. The input device is used to input a tilt value. The tilt sensor supplies a tilt signal to represent the levelness of the laser tilt apparatus. The motor, electrically connected to the tilt sensor, adjusts the levelness of the laser tilt apparatus. The microcontroller unit samples the tilt signal to judge the levelness of the laser tilt apparatus. When leveling, the microcontroller unit drives the motor to adjust the tilt apparatus until the tilt signal matches the tilt value. After adjusting, the power supplied to the tilt sensor and the motor is suspended. The laser module is used to transmit laser light.

Abstract: An adjusting method of a tilt meter is described. The adjusting method of the tilt meter comprises the following steps. First, a plurality of level measuring signals is input to the tilt sensor, and the tilt sensor outputs a series of output signals. Then, the output signals are divided into a plurality of holding signals. Next, the holding signals of the same direction are differentiated to obtain at least a tilt signal and a first judging step is then proceeded to limit the tilt signal to within a predetermined range. Then, the tilt signal in the predetermined range is amplified, and a second judging step is proceeded to make the tilt signal equal to a predetermined level voltage. When the tilt signal equals the predetermined level voltage, the tilt meter is level.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) for use in a flat display monitor (120) includes a base seat (10), a pivotal shaft (20) and a plurality of washers (30, 40, 50, 60, 70). The base seat includes a first end portion (12) and a second portion (14), which are substantially perpendicular to each other. The first end portion has a retaining hole (122) therein. A protrusion (124) of the first end portion extends into the retaining hole. The pivotal shaft includes a pivotal portion (24). The pivotal portion has at least one flat surface (242) pivotally engaging with the protrusion. The pivotal shaft passes through the retaining hole of the base seat and the plurality of washers, allowing the elements of the hinge assembly to be fastened together.

Abstract: A portable power supply includes a first shell, a second shell disposed on the first shell, an electronic device removably disposed in the first shell, a power supply assembly disposed in the second shell, a power indicator disposed on the second shell for displaying remaining power of the power supply assembly, a charging socket, a power socket for connecting to and supplying power to the electronic device, a computer port for communicating data between a computer and the electronic device, and a switch. The power supply assembly includes a rechargeable battery, a battery switching device, a booster circuit, a charging circuit, a battery protecting circuit, and a battery power sensing circuit.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for inhibiting, deterring or preventing apoptosis of cardiac myocytes, transplanted stem cells, vascular stem cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells by means of expressing or synthesizing clusterin. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for producing recombinant clusterin, or its biologically active peptides, and for induction of clusterin-associated lipoproteins or enzymes for deterring or preventing inflammatory injury and apoptosis induced by oxLDL, oxysterols, cytokines, and Fas Ligand. Also disclosed is an induction method and composition for enhancing expression of ALDH and ALDH-associated enzymes or co-factors to prevent cytotoxicity or detoxification. Therapeutic methods providing new expression or overexpression of clusterin in vascular or cardiac tissue are expected to inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, stabilize existing atherosclerotic plaques, and repair failing or damaged cardiac tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a portable power supply enclosed in a housing including first and second compartments. The power supply comprise a power supply assembly disposed in the second compartment, a rechargeable battery received in the first compartment for supplying power to an electronic device held by the second compartment, a power indicator disposed on a top of the second compartment for displaying remaining power of the power supply assembly, a charging socket disposed in the second compartment for electrically interconnecting to a charger in the power supply assembly, a power socket disposed in the second compartment for connecting to and supplying power to the electronic device, and a plurality of ports disposed on the second compartment, each port adapted to communicate data with an external computer coupled thereto.

Abstract: A portable power supply comprises a first compartment, a second compartment disposed on the first compartment, an electronic device removably disposed in the first compartment, a power supply assembly disposed in the second compartment, a power indicator disposed on the second compartment for displaying remaining power of the power supply assembly, a charging socket, a power socket for connecting to and supplying power to the electronic device via a cord, and a computer port for connecting to a computer via a cable for communicating data between the computer and the electronic device. The power supply assembly comprises a battery, a battery switching member, a booster circuit, a charging circuit, a battery protecting circuit, and a battery power sensing circuit.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for joining a cover to a main body of a foldable device includes a hollow housing (10), a spring (20), a shaft (30), and a positioning pin (40). The housing includes an open end, an opposite rear end (11). The spring is received in the housing. The shaft includes a cam portion (34) received in the housing, and a shaft portion (32) passing through the spring and extending out through the rear end. One end of the spring biases the cam portion, and an opposite end of the spring biases the rear end. The pin is transversely retained in the housing near the open end, and is rotatable relative to the shaft and movably engaged with a cam surface of the cam portion. When the rear end is urged in an axial direction by the spring, the cam surface causes the pin to rotate the housing.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (9) includes a shell (1), a coil spring (2), a shaft (3), and two bolts (4). The shell defines a cavity (12) therein, with one end of the shell being closed and the other end being open. Two holes (14) are defined in the shell near the open end. The shaft includes a cam (32), a soleplate (38), and an interconnecting neck (34). The cam includes a cam surface (324) at one end thereof, the cam surface including peaks and valleys. The spring and the shaft are received in the shell, but with the soleplate exposed outside. The spring biases the cam surface against the bolts no matter what part of the cam surface abuts the bolts. Because the hinge assembly of the present invention is effectively an integrated, modular structure, it is easily incorporated into a portable foldable device such as a mobile phone.

Abstract: Syndiotactic polypropylene is blended with isotactic polypropylene and the blend melt processed into medical articles. The blends have molding cycle times which are up to 12 times shorter that for pure syndiotactic polypropylene.