Author: claimsbot

We claim:

1. A process for producing photomasks for optical lithography, which comprises the steps of:
providing a transparent substrate;
applying a layer of a mask material on the transparent substrate;
applying a layer of photoresist on the layer of the mask material, the photoresist comprising:
a film-forming polymer containing acid-labile groups to be cleaved under action of acid for liberating groups resulting in an increase in solubility of the film-forming polymer in aqueous alkaline developers, and further containing anchor groups for linkage of amplification agents;
a photo acid generator; and
a solvent;

heating the layer of the photoresist to remove the solvent resulting in a photoresist film being obtained;
writing a structure in the photoresist film using a focused electron beam resulting in an exposed photoresist film having exposed parts, in which a strong acid is liberated from the photo acid generator, and unexposed parts, in which no acid has been liberated;
heating the exposed phototresist film so that, in the exposed parts, acid-labile groups on the film-forming polymer are cleaved and polar groups are liberated resulting in a contrasted resist film being obtained;
developing the contrasted resist film using a developer resulting in a structured resist having lands and trenches disposed between the lands and in which the mask material is bare;
adding an amplification agent to the structured resist, the amplification agent having at least one reactive group which can react with the anchor groups of the film-forming polymer resulting in the amplification agent bonding to the film- forming polymer contained in the lands, so that an amplified resist is obtained;
removing any excess amplification agent; and
etching away bare mask material resulting in the structure being transferred to the layer of the mask material.
2. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises providing a quartz glass substrate as the transparent substrate.
3. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises forming the layer of the mask material as a chromium layer.
4. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises irradiating the photoresist film with the electron beam having a dose of 1 Ccm2 to 40 Ccm2.
5. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises forming the photoresist to contain a sensitizer.
6. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises forming the photoresist to contain a base.
7. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises forming the amplification agent with a silicon-containing group.
8. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises forming the amplification agent with at least two reactive groups.
9. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises applying the amplification agent in a form of a solution to the structured resist.
10. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises:
applying a layer of a photoinsensitive bottom resist to the layer of the mask material; and
applying the layer of the photoresist to the layer of the photoinsensitive bottom resist.
11. The process according to claim 1, which further comprises using protected anchor groups as the anchor groups.

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 pig extraction tool for withdrawing a pig from an open end of a pig receiver of a pipeline, the tool comprising:
an elongated reach portion having a longitudinal axis defining a lengthwise direction;
a pig retrieval element carried at a respective end of the elongated reach portion for pulling of the pig from the open end of pig receiver after insertion of the respective end of the elongated reach portion into the pig receiver a sufficient distance to engage the pig retrieval element with the pig; and
a support portion that is connected to the elongated reach portion at a location spaced from the retrieval element in the lengthwise direction and that projects laterally to a side of the elongated reach portion in a lateral direction transverse to the longitudinal direction for manual support of the tool from a lateral position spaced from the elongated reach portion.
2. The tool of claim 1 comprising a hand guard on the support portion on a side thereof facing toward the pig retrieval element in the longitudinal direction.
3. The tool of claim 2 wherein the support portion comprises a main support projecting in the lateral direction and a hand grip projecting from the main support behind the hand guard at a distance from the reach portion.
4. The tool of claim 3 wherein the main support projects beyond the hand grip in the lateral direction.
5. The tool of claim 4 wherein the main support comprises a branching portion extending laterally from the reaching portion to the hand grip, and an offset handle portion located beyond the hand grip in the lateral direction and offset to a side of branching portion opposite the pig retrieval element in the longitudinal direction.
6. The tool of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the respective end of the elongated reach portion is extendable and retractable relative to the support portion in the longitudinal direction.
7. The tool of claim 6 comprising a telescopic mechanism operable to extend and retract the respective end of the elongated reach portion relative to the support portion.
8. The tool of claim 6 or 7 comprising lock and release mechanism operable from a distance laterally outward of the elongated reach portion to selectively unlock the reach assembly from a normally locked state in order to selectively enable extension or retraction of the respective end thereof.
9. The tool of claim 8 wherein the lock and release mechanism comprises an actuator positioned at the distance laterally outward from the elongated reach portion and operable to retract a lock member from a normal locking position engaged with a movable member of the reach assembly that is displaceable black and forth in the longitudinal direction when not engaged by the lock member.
10. The tool of claim 9 wherein the lock member is disposed internally of the support portion.
11. The tool of claim 10 wherein the actuator comprises a trigger projecting to an exterior of the support portion via a slot therein for pulling of the lock member away from the reaching portion against a biasing action of a spring that forces the lock member toward the reaching portion.
12. The tool of any one of claims 6 to 12 wherein the reach assembly comprises a first member displaceable back and forth in the longitudinal direction relative to the support portion and a second member displaceable back and forth in the longitudinal direction relative to the first member.
13. The tool of claim 12 comprising a lock unit selectively switchable between a first locking state locking the first member in place relative to the support portion and a second locking state locking the second member in place relative to the first member.
14. The tool of any one of claims 1 to 13 comprising a mirror carried on the reaching portion or the support portion in a position facing toward the retrieving element at the first end of the reaching portion.
15. A method of extracting a pig from a pig receiver of a pipeline, the method comprising using a manually operated retrieval tool to withdraw the pig from the pig receiver via an opening thereof from a location radially outward of said opening.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the tool comprises an elongated reach portion and a support portion. connected to and extending laterally from the elongated reach portion, and the method comprises manually carrying the support portion of the tool thereof at the location radially outward of the opening of the pig receiver, and sliding and end of the longitudinal portion of the tool into the opening of the pig receiver, engaging an element at the end of the longitudinal portion of the tool with the pig, and with the pig engaged to the element, pulling the elongated reach portion of the tool, and the pig engaged thereto, out of the pig receiver via the opening.

1. A head driving device of an inkjet printer, comprising:
a nozzle driving unit for turning at least one of on and off a plurality of thermal elements that correspond to a plurality of nozzles and heat ink discharged from the plurality of nozzles;
a data processing unit for processing printing data and outputting a nozzle select signal corresponding to an image to the nozzle driving unit; and
a head logic unit for receiving the printing data externally, dividing the printing data of at least one address group into a plurality of data groups, transmitting the divided plurality of data groups to the data processing unit via different data buses corresponding to the divided plurality of data groups, respectively, and controlling the data processing unit to process the divided printing data.
2. The head driving device according to claim 1, wherein the data buses corresponding to the divided plurality of data groups are arranged separately for the respective data groups.
3. The head driving device according to claim 2, wherein the head logic unit divides the printing data of at least one address group into first group data and second group data, and
wherein the data buses comprises a first data bus which the first group data are transmitted and a second data bus which the second group data are transmitted.
4. The head driving device according to claim 3, wherein the data processing unit comprises a first data processing unit for processing the first group data transmitted via the first data bus and a second data processing unit for processing the second group data transmitted via the second data bus, the first data processing unit and the second data processing unit being arranged separately.
5. The head driving device according to claim 4, wherein the first data processing unit and the second data processing unit are arranged in left and right sides of the nozzle driving unit, respectively.
6. The head driving device according to claim 5, wherein the data processing unit comprises a shift register for delaying the nozzle select signal corresponding to the image to be recorded, according to a clock synchronization signal, and a latch for latching the nozzle select signal according to a latch clock.
7. The head driving device according to claim 6, wherein the head logic unit converts serial data transmitted externally into parallel data.
8. The head driving device according to claim 4, wherein the data processing unit comprises a shift register for delaying the nozzle select signal corresponding to the image to be recorded, according to a clock synchronization signal, and a latch for latching the nozzle select signal according to a latch clock.
9. The head driving device according to claim 8, wherein the head logic unit converts serial data transmitted externally into parallel data.
10. An inkjet printer comprising:
a system head controller for processing printing data transmitted externally; and
a head comprising a nozzle driving unit for turning at least one of on and off a plurality of thermal elements that correspond to a plurality of nozzles and heat ink discharged from the plurality of nozzles, a data processing unit for processing the printing data and outputting a nozzle select signal corresponding to an image to the nozzle driving unit, and a head logic unit for receiving the printing data from the system head controller, dividing the printing data of at least one address group into a plurality of data groups, transmitting the divided plurality of data groups to the data processing unit via different data buses corresponding to the divided plurality of data groups, respectively, and controlling the data processing unit to process the divided printing data.
11. The inkjet printer according to claim 10, wherein the data buses corresponding to the divided plurality of data groups are arranged separately for the respective data groups.
12. The inkjet printer according to claim 11, wherein the head logic unit divides the printing data of at least one address group into first group data and second group data,
wherein the data buses comprises a first data bus which the first group data are transmitted and a second data bus which the second group data are transmitted, and
wherein the data processing unit comprises a first data processing unit for processing the first group data transmitted via the first data bus and a second data processing unit for processing the second group data transmitted via the second data bus, the first data processing unit and the second data processing unit being arranged separately.
13. The inkjet printer according to claim 12, wherein the first data processing unit and the second data processing unit comprises a shift register for delaying the nozzle select signal corresponding to the image to be recorded, according to a clock synchronization signal, and a latch for latching the nozzle select signal according to a latch clock.
14. The inkjet printer according to claim 13, wherein the first data processing unit and the second data processing unit are arranged in left and right sides of the nozzle driving unit, respectively.

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 peptide conjugate having the formula I
R1\u2014Za-La-Ya\u2014R2\u2003\u2003(I)

wherein
R1 is H, C1-4 alkyl, acetyl, formyl, benzoyl or trifluoroacetyl; and
R2 is OH or NH2;
Za is a peptide sequence having the formula Ia
His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Z9-Leu-Ser-Z12-Z13-Z14-Glu-Z16-Glu-Ala-Val-Z20-Leu-Phe-Ile-Z24-Z25-Leu-Z27-Z28\u2003\u2003(Ia)
wherein
Z9 is selected from Asp and Glu;
Z12 is selected from Lys, Arg and Orn;
Z13 is selected from Gln and Tyr;
Z14 is selected from Met and Leu;
Z16 is selected from Glu, Arg, Orn, Cys and Lys;
Z20 is selected from Arg, Lys and Orn;
Z24 is selected from Arg, Orn, Lys and Glu;
Z25 is selected from Trp, Lys, Cys and Phe;
Z27 is selected from Lys, Arg and Orn; and
Z28 is selected from Asn and Asp or is absent;
La is a peptide sequence having the formula Ib
L1-L2-L3-L4\u2003\u2003(Ib)
wherein
L1 is selected from Orn, 8Ado, Cys, Lys and Gln or is absent;
L2 is selected from Orn, 8Ado, Cys, Lys and Gln or is absent;
L3 is selected from Orn, 8Ado, Cys, Lys and Gln or is absent; and
L4 is selected from Orn, 8Ado, Cys, Lys and Gln or is absent;
and at least one of L1, L2, L3 and L4 is 8Ado;
Ya is a peptide sequence having the formula Ic
Y12-Y13-Y14-Y15-Asp-Y17\u2003\u2003(Ic)
wherein
Y12 is selected from Tyr and Ala or is absent;
Y13 is selected from Gly and Ala or is absent;
Y14 is selected from Trp, 1Nal and Phe;
Y15 is selected from Met, Leu, Nle, Thr and Phe; and
Y17 is selected from Phe and 3-(3-pyridyl)-alanine;
wherein at least one of Lys, Orn or Cys in formula Ia and Ib is further conjugated to a lipophilic andor a biotinyl substituent andor pegylated;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
2. A peptide conjugate according to claim 1 wherein
Za is a peptide sequence having the formula IIa
His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Z9-Leu-Ser-Lys-Z13-Z14-Glu-Z16-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Z25-Leu-Lys-Z28\u2003\u2003(IIa)
wherein
Z9 is selected from Glu and Asp;
Z13 is selected from Gln and Tyr;
Z14 is selected from Met and Leu;
Z16 is selected from Glu, Cys and Lys;
Z25 is selected from Lys, Phe, Cys and Trp; and
Z28 is selected from Asn and Asp or is absent;
La is a peptide sequence having the formula Ib;
Ya is a peptide sequence having the formula IIc
Tyr-Gly-Trp-Y15-Asp-Phe\u2003\u2003(IIc)
wherein
Y15 is selected from Leu and Thr; and
wherein at least one of Lys or Cys in position Z16 or Z25 of formula IIa is further conjugated to a lipophilic andor a biotinylic substituent andor pegylated;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
3. A peptide conjugate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 1 wherein the sequence of the peptide of formula I is selected from
H-HGEGTFTSDLSKQLEEEAVRLFIEWLKN-8Ado-K(hexadecanoyl-isoGlu)-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSDLSKQLEEEAVRLFIE-K(hexadecanoyl-isoGlu)-LKN-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSDLSKQLE-K(hexadecanoyl-isoGlu)-EAVRLFIEWLKN-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKN-8Ado-C(Biotin-Mal)-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSDLSKQLEEEAVRLFIE-C(Biotin-Mal)-LKN-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSDLSKQLE-C(Biotin-Mal)-EAVRLFIEWLKN-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIE-K(hexadecanoyl-isoGlu)-LK-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2; and
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIE-K(hexadecanoyl-isoGlu)-LK-8Ado-QQYGWLDF-NH2.
4. A peptide conjugate having the formula III
R1\u2014Zb-Lb-Yb\u2014R2\u2003\u2003(III)

wherein
R1 is H, C1-4 alkyl, acetyl, formyl, benzoyl or trifluoroacetyl;
R2 is OH or NH2;
Zb is a peptide sequence having the formula IIIa
His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Glu-Leu-Ser-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Z25-Leu-Lys-Z28\u2003\u2003(IIIa)
wherein
Z25 is selected from Phe and Trp; and
Z28 is selected from Asn and Asp or is absent;
Lb is a peptide sequence having the formula IIIb
L5-L6-L7-L8\u2003\u2003(IIIb)
wherein
L5 is selected from 8Ado, 8Aoc, Ala, Gly and Gln or is absent;
L6 is selected from 8Ado, 8Aoc, Ala, Gly and Gln or is absent;
L7 is selected from 8Ado, 8Aoc, Ala, Gly and Gln or is absent; and
L8 is selected from 8Ado, 8Aoc, Ala, Gly and Gln or is absent;
and at least one of L5, L6, L7 and L8 is 8Ado;
Yb is a peptide sequence having the formula IIIc
Y10-Y11-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Y15-Asp-Phe\u2003\u2003(IIIc)
wherein
Y10 is Glu or is absent;
Y11 is Ala or is absent; and
Y15 is selected from Leu and Thr;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof;
provided that formula III is not
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIEFLK-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2; or
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIEFLK-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2.
5. A peptide conjugate according to claim 4 wherein
Zb is a peptide sequence having the formula IVa
His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Glu-Leu-Ser-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Z25-Leu-Lys-Asn\u2003\u2003(IVa)
wherein
Z25 is selected from Phe and Trp; and
Lb is a peptide sequence having the formula IIIb;
Yb is a peptide sequence having the formula IVc
Tyr-Gly-Trp-Y15-Asp-Phe\u2003\u2003(IVc)
wherein
Y15 is selected from Leu and Thr;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
6. A peptide conjugate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 4 wherein the sequence of the peptide of formula III is selected from
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIEFLK-8Ado-QQYGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIEFLKN-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIEFLKD-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIE-K(hexadecanoyl-isoGlu)-LK-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSDLSKQLEEEAVRLFIEC(PEG5K)LKN-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIEC(PEG10K)LK-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIEC(PEG20K)LK-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2;
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIEC(PEG40K)LK-8Ado-8Ado-YGWLDF-NH2; and
H-HGEGTFTSELSKYLEEEAVRLFIEFLKN-8Ado-8Ado-YGWTDF-NH2.
7. A peptide conjugate according to claim 1 wherein Ya has at least 70%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 90%, 94% or 95% identity to native human gastrin17 andor gastrin6.
8. A method of inducing \u03b2-cell neogenesis, islet neogenesis, \u03b2-cell survival, andor \u03b2-cell proliferation andor inhibiting \u03b2-cell apoptosis andor necrosis in the pancreatic islets in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject a peptide conjugate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 1.
9. A method of treating or inhibiting the development of a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of:
obesity, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, Insulin resistance syndrome, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), disease states associated with elevated blood glucose levels, hyperglycemia, hypertension, atherogenic dyslipidemia, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, macrovascular disease, coronary heart disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke, microvascular disease, gastric disease, metabolic syndrome, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and kidney failure in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide conjugate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 1.
10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide conjugate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, according to claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or vehicle.
11. A method of inhibiting weight gain, promoting weight loss, improving circulating glucose levels, improving glucose tolerance, improving circulating cholesterol levels, lowering circulating LDL levels, increasing an HDLLDL ratio, andor treating a condition caused by excess body weight in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject a peptide conjugate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 1.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the peptide conjugate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered as part of a combination therapy with a proton pump inhibitor or an agent for treating or inhibiting diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, or hypertension.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the agent for treating or inhibiting diabetes is metformin, a sulfonylurea, a glinide, a DPP-IV inhibitor, a glitazone, insulin or an insulin analogue.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the agent for treating or inhibiting obesity is a glucagon-like peptide receptor 1 agonist, peptide YY, cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist, lipase inhibitor, melanocortin receptor 4 agonist, or melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonist.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the agent for treating or inhibiting hypertension is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor blocker, diuretic, beta-blocker, or calcium channel blocker.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the agent for treating or inhibiting dyslipidaemia is a statin, a fibrate, a niacin andor a cholesterol absorption inhibitor.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the proton pump inhibitor is a benzimidazole agent or a derivative thereof or a imidazopyridine agent or a derivative thereof.
18. A method of manufacturing a peptide conjugate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 1 by solid phase or liquid phase peptide synthesis techniques.
19. A device comprising at least one peptide conjugate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 1 for delivering the at least one peptide conjugate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a subject.
20. A kit comprising at least one peptide conjugate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 1, and packaging or instructions for use.