Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting cell survival and/or promoting cell death following exposure to cytotoxic agents and stress such as radiation or chemotherapy exposure through inhibition of V-H+-ATPase. In particular, the formation and/or acidification of acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) may be prevented or decreased by inhibiting the activity of vacuolar proton ATPase (“V-H+-ATPase”). The methods and compositions of the invention are based on the observation that (i) following irradiation surviving cancer cells accumulate AVOs and that their acidification is mediated by V-H+-ATPase; (ii) surviving colonies of cells contain higher levels of AVOs; and (iii) inhibition of V-H+-ATPase decreases the clonogenic survival of cells irradiated or exposed to chemotherapeutic agents. These observations led to the conclusion that V-H+-ATPase activity and AVO function serve to protect cells from radiation and chemotherapy damage.

Abstract: A new method of cryopreservation based on the very fast cooling rates achieved by the direct contact of small droplets of vitrification solution containing biological sample with a very cold solid surface.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a holographic laser and an optical pickup, with which it is possible to read from and write to a plurality of types of optical disks with different read wavelengths, and to achieve a more compact apparatus. The holographic laser includes for example a package, two semiconductor laser elements and a photodiode for reading out signals accommodated within the package, a holographic element positioned proximate to or in close contact with the top of a glass window, and a wavelength separating element positioned proximate to or in close contact with the top of the holographic element. The holographic laser is integrally formed as a single component.

Abstract: The video camera has an opening for removal of a cassette tape. The video camera includes a cassette detecting portion 2 detecting ejection of the cassette tape from the opening, and a cassette insertion preventing mechanism 5 preventing re-insertion of the cassette tape when the cassette detecting portion 2 detects ejection of the cassette tape. As such, a video camera for a recycling system can be provided where a recording medium or the like with a recorded content is easily and rapidly available to a user and a dedicated reproducing device is not required.

Abstract: An optical communication module including: an emission member for emitting a transmission light beam; and a connection member for detachably connecting an optical fiber for external communication with the emission member, the connection member including a tubular accommodation part for coaxially receiving and fixing an end of the optical fiber to be connected, wherein the emission member and the connection member are arranged such that the transmission light beam intersects with an optical axis of the optical fiber at a predetermined angle to enter an end face of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is connected and the transmission light beam collides with an inner wall of the accommodation part when the optical fiber is detached.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel having pixel-forming portions that are assigned dispersedly to two mutually adjacent rows of pixels sandwiching the scanning signal line Lg from above and below, in a horizontally periodical pattern having a cycle of “up down, up” or “down, up, down” as to which of the up row and the down row is selected in the assignment of three pixel electrodes. This staggered structure provides a quasi dot inversion driving method while reducing vertical shadow when displaying e.g. the “checker back”.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of: responsive to satisfaction of a prescribed condition including updating of a program at a download site, requesting transmission of server and the client programs to a program distribution site specified by management information, from a gateway; receiving the server and the client programs from the program distribution site to the gateway; transmitting the received server program from the gateway to a server node; and transmitting the received client program from the gateway to the client nodes.

Abstract: A pesticidal composition comprises, as the sole pesticidally active component, a storage-stable aerated gel composition comprising 30 to 97% by weight of water, 0.2 to 5% by weight of a gelling agent selected from xanthan gum, sodium alginate and neutralized carboxyvinyl polymer and 2 to 5% by weight of fine particulate, hydrophobic silicone-treated silica having a surface area of from 80 to 300 m2/g. The composition is in the form of fine particles of an aqueous gel containing the water and gelling agent, the surfaces of which fine particles are coated with a coating of the finely particulate hydrophobic silica. The composition is useful in a method of controlling pests, particularly insects and acarids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclosporin analog of the following formula (I) or its pro-drug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt: In formula I, the formula for residue A is: where X and Y are defined according to the claimed invention the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising pro-drugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the present invention and the use thereof for treating an inflammatory or immune disorder in a subject need of such treatment.

Abstract: An uneven pattern detector has a structure wherein (a) detecting elements, each being provided with a TFT which is a switching element and a detecting electrode, are arranged in a matrix manner, and (b) a CSA connected to each data line detects charged or discharged electric charges at the respective detecting elements on respective rows sequentially selected by a gate line, whereby a capacitance (a coupled capacitance of Cf and Cx) reflecting fingerprint unevenness on a finger as a detection object can be detected. In the uneven pattern detector, each of the detecting elements is provided with an auxiliary capacitor electrode located so as to face the detecting electrode. This forms an auxiliary capacitor Cs between the auxiliary capacitor electrode and the detecting electrode.

Abstract: The methods of the invention can be used to treat mycobacterial infections, or any disease or disorder that is caused by (or aggravated by) an intracellular pathogen. Accordingly, the invention features methods for treating a subject who has a disorder that is associated with an intracellular pathogen by administering, to a subject, a molecular conjugate that includes a photosensitizer (a term used herein to refer to a light activatable compound) and a targeting moiety, the targeting moiety being capable of targeting the conjugate to the intracellular pathogen.

Abstract: A permanent implantable lead having an elongated lead body with at least one multifilar conductor having electrically active elements for providing electrical communication between connectors at a proximal end and electrical components at a distal end of the lead body, and one or more electrically inactive elements for insulating the electrically active elements from one another.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an operation detecting unit which detects a predetermined operation performed on a first icon which has been dragged to a second icon, the first icon moving with movement of a pointing device, and includes a condition update unit which updates a processing condition in information processing based on the detection by the operation detecting unit. The condition update unit updates the processing condition based on the detection by the operation detecting unit and accordingly the user can update the processing condition with a simple manipulation.

Abstract: A method for screening the effect of a segment A (chemical species A) on a substance (for example, a cell) containing DNA or RNA by using artificial chemical species. Namely, a method of detecting or identifying the function of a chemical species A on a substance containing DNA or RNA by using one or more chemical species represented by the following general formula (I) which are capable of recognizing a DNA base sequence; a kit therefor; and a plate to be used therein: B-L-A (I) wherein B represents a chemical structure containing an non-natural base capable of recognizing a DNA base sequence; A represents a chemical structure having an interaction with DNA; and L represents a linker whereby the chemical structures A and B can be linked together.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a controller which distinguishes the type of original from image data obtained by prescanning an original image and selects image processing parameters suited to the type of original. When automatic image forming mode is selected, the controller outputs, depending on whether a user has selected monochrome or multi-color image processing operation, a control signal indicating whether or not to prescan the original image to obtain information necessary for distinguishing the type of original to an image scanning unit.

Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus is intended for a recording medium having at least two information recording layers. The apparatus has at least two lenses, a first lens and a second lens, for condensing a light beam to irradiate an information recording layer. The at least two lenses are designed such that a light beam condensed by these lenses upon an information recording layer closest to these lenses has a minimum spherical aberration.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process of fractionating ferroelectric, preferably vinylidene fluoride polymers using a solvent having at least one polarizable functional group, and a precipitant. The composition of the fractionated ferroelectric polymers is selected so as to adjust the properties of a ferroelectric film made from the polymers. Films formed using the fractionated vinylidene fluoride polymers have improved properties, particularly with respect to roughness and crystal domain size, and suitability for use in data processing devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for changing the image size of video images, in which a decimation of video image signals (V) by an integral decimation factor (MHD, MVD) is carried out, and the decimated video image signals are subsequently read into an image memory for buffering. In order to achieve better possibilities of adjusting the image reduction with a relatively low outlay and high image quality, a fine decimation of the video image signals (V) is additionally carried out before buffering by a fine decimation factor (SHS, SVS) which can be adjusted to non-integral values, and a total decimation factor (MH, MV) relevant to the decimation of the video image signals (V) is formed from the integral decimation factor (MHD, MVD) and the fine decimation factor (SHS, SVS).

Abstract: A BGA (ball grid array) package with enhanced electrical and thermal performance, and a method for fabricating the BGA package, are proposed. This BGA package is characterized by the use of a power-connecting heat spreader and a ground-connecting heat spreader, which are respectively used to electrically connect power pad and ground pad to a packaged chip as well as to dissipate heat generated by the chip during operation. The ground-connecting heat spreader is arranged to entirely cover the chip, and thereby provides good shielding effect for the chip, which helps improve electrical performance of the chip during operation. Further, the ground-connecting heat spreader is partly exposed to outside of an encapsulation body that encapsulates the chip, by which satisfactory heat-dissipation efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for deploying the petals of a sectored mirror assembly of an optical space telescope, wherein the sectored mirror includes a central hub and a plurality of petals disposed about the periphery of the central hub, and each petal has a petal root independently hinged to the central hub. The system includes a first hinge assembly having a root mount secured to a petal root and a hub mount secured the central hub, whereby the first hinge assembly affords the petal associated therewith freedom of rotation about a petal hinge axis. The system further includes a second hinge assembly including a root mount secured to the petal root and a hub mount secured to the central hub, whereby the second hinge assembly affords the petal associated therewith freedom of rotation about the petal hinge axis and freedom to expand and contract thermally, and move rigidly along the petal hinge axis in a frictionless, unconstrained manner.