1. A spatial light modulator for use in display applications, the spatial light modulator comprising:
a support substrate;
a flexible member coupled to the support substrate;
a mirror plate coupled to the flexible member and characterized by an activated position, wherein the flexible member is adapted such that the mirror plate is capable of rotating in relation to an axis of the flexible member from the activated position to a second position at an average angular rotation rate greater than 4.0\xb0\u03bcs.
2. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the mirror plate is capable of rotating from the activated position to the second position at an average angular rotation rate greater than 4.0\xb0\u03bcs free from an electrode voltage.
3. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the mirror plate is capable of rotating from the activated position to the second position at an average angular rotation rate greater than 6.0\xb0\u03bcs.
4. The spatial light modulator of claim 3 wherein the mirror plate is capable of rotating from the activated position to the second position at an average angular rotation rate greater than 12\xb0\u03bcs.
5. The spatial light modulator of claim 4 wherein the mirror plate is capable of rotating from the activated position to the second position at an average angular rotation rate greater than 24\xb0\u03bcs and less than 100\xb0\u03bcs.
6. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the mirror plate is characterized by a perimeter of less than 80 \u03bcm.
7. The spatial light modulator of claim 6 wherein the mirror plate is characterized by a perimeter of less than 50 \u03bcm.
8. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the flexible member is a torsion spring hinge.
9. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the support substrate comprises complementary electrodes associated with opposing portions of the mirror plate.
10. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the flexible member is aligned with a diagonal of the mirror plate.
11. The spatial light modulator of claim 10 wherein the axis of the flexible member is collinear with the diagonal of the mirror plate.
12. A spatial light modulator for use in display applications, the spatial light modulator comprising:
a support substrate;
a flexible member coupled to the support substrate;
a mirror plate coupled to the flexible member, wherein the flexible member is characterized by a torsional stiffness in a predetermined range from 10 \u03bcN-\u03bcm to 100 \u03bcN-\u03bcm.
13. The spatial light modulator of claim 12 wherein the flexible member is characterized by a torsional stiffness from 40 \u03bcN-\u03bcm to 100 \u03bcN-\u03bcm.
14. The spatial light modulator of claim 12 wherein the mirror plate is characterized by a perimeter of less than 80 \u03bcm.
15. The spatial light modulator of claim 14 wherein the mirror plate is characterized by a perimeter of less than 50 \u03bcm.
16. The spatial light modulator of claim 12 wherein the flexible member is a torsion spring hinge.
17. The spatial light modulator of claim 12 wherein the support substrate comprises complementary electrodes associated with opposing portions of the mirror plate.
18. The spatial light modulator of claim 12 wherein the flexible member is aligned with a diagonal of the mirror plate.
19. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the flexible member is characterized by a torsional stiffness in a predetermined range from 10 \u03bcN-\u03bcm to 100 \u03bcN-\u03bcm.
20. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the flexible member is characterized by a torsional stiffness in a predetermined range from 40 \u03bcN-\u03bcm to 100 \u03bcN-\u03bcm.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of treating liver disease in an individual in need thereof, said method comprising a step of administering an antagonist of an alpha 2a adrenergic receptor (ADRA2a).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said individual is suffering from chronic liver disease.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said individual is suffering from liver cirrhosis.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method is for treating or preventing liver failure.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the individual is suffering from, or is at risk of one or more of the following, when compared to a subject not suffering from liver disease: (a) splanchnic vasodilation and normal, reduced or increased cardiac output; (b) portal hypertension; (c) reduced mean arterial pressure; (d) reduced hepatic arterial blood flow; (e) increased intra-hepatic resistance; (f) increased plasma ammonia; (g) hepato-renal dysfunction; (h) increased brain water; (i) increased plasma creatinine; (j) increased plasma lactate; (k) alcoholic cirrhosis; andor (l) non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein either or both of: (i) the individual is not suffering from active hepatitis, and (ii) the individual has no significant inflammation of the liver.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said antagonist leads to one or more of:
(a) decreased expression of ADRA2a in the liver of the individual;
(b) decreased levels of ADRA2a in the liver of the individual;
(c) decreased activity of ADRA2a in the liver of the individual;
(d) decreased signalling via ADRA2a in the liver of the individual.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said antagonist is selected from BRL-44408, Yohimbine and Rauwolscine.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said antagonist is one or more of:
(a) a specific antagonist of ADRA2a;
(b) a selective antagonist of ADRA2a;
(c) not an antagonist of ADRA2b;
(d) not an antagonist of ADRA2c;
(e) not an antagonist of ADRA1;
(f) not an antagonist of ADRB.
10. (canceled)
11. A method of identifying an agent for treating liver disease, the method comprising determining whether a test agent is capable of decreasing an ADRA2a amount or an ADRA2a activity, wherein an ability to decrease the amount or activity of ADRA2a indicates that the agent is suitable for treating liver disease.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the amount or activity of ADRA2a is assessed in one or more of:
(a) liver, or in tissue or cells derived from the liver;
(b) kidney or heart or cells derived from the kidney or heart;
(c) platelets or neurons; and
(d) another cell or tissue that expresses ADRA2a.
13. The method according to claim 11, comprising the step of administering a test agent to an animal model of portal hypertension or cirrhosis and determining whether presence of the test agent leads to a decrease in the amount or activity of ADRA2a in liver of a rat.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the animal model is a bile duct ligated rat.
15. The method according to claim 12, comprising the step of administering a test agent to an animal model of portal hypertension or cirrhosis and determining whether presence of the test agent leads to a decrease in the amount or activity of ADRA2a in liver of a rat.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the animal model is a bile duct ligated rat.