Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an optical recording medium including at least an information recording layer and a reflective film in which the reflective film is comprised of an AgCu alloy thin film containing Cu the content of which is greater than or equal to 3.0 [atomic %] and less than or equal to 6.5 [atomic %]. Thus, the optical recording medium can be made inexpensive and weather resistance of the optical recording medium can be improved, thereby making it possible to avoid characteristics of the optical recording medium from being deteriorated even after it has been stored for a long time.

Abstract: The activity of oncogenic intracellular chemical reactions of molecules is measured by the use of fluorescently labeled substrate molecules that undergo a change in electrophoretic mobility upon a chemical reaction such as that catalyzed by an enzyme or kinase. Specificity is achieved by using labeled substrate molecules that can be acted upon only by specific oncogenic enzymes. Thus the activity of an oncogenic enzyme or class of oncogenic enzymes can be determined. Measurements are made with the intracellular presence of such substrate molecules, at some time of interest. To ensure accuracy, measurements must be made in a timely manner so as to minimize chemical reactions occurring subsequent to the time of interest. Fast controllable laser lysis is used to obtain the contents of said cell or cells into which reporter substrate molecules have been introduced.

Abstract: A first audio signal is generated from a number of stereo input channels (such as a left and a right channel). A signal level that corresponds to one of the plurality of input channels and another signal level from another of the plurality of input channels are determined. A second audio signal is selected on the basis of the signal levels such that the second audio signal is selected from the group consisting of the one input channel, the other input channel, and a signal generated from the number of input channels that is different than the first audio signal. The first audio signal and the selected second audio signal are separately coded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image coding apparatus/method, an image decoding apparatus/method, and a transmission medium, which conduct high-efficiency coding or decoding of an image, and applicable in a system performing efficient transmission or accumulation of images. In coding an image after splitting the image into a plurality of bands, the invention is characterized in a process comprising the steps of splitting the image into a plurality of bands, applying quadrature transformation to the images of the resultant band components, quantizing the resultant quadrature transformation coefficients, and generating a coded bit stream by variable-length-coding the quantization coefficient. This permits coding less susceptible to block strain at a high compression ratio.

Abstract: A photocatalyst having superior durability; a manufacturing method for the photocatalyst and a method and apparatus for decomposing a gas, where a film which is fullerene-based but different from the evaporated fullerene film is used. The photocatalyst has a fullerene polymer film layered on a substrate. There may be carried fine metal particles on the fullerene polymer film. These fine metal particles are carried by sputtering, evaporation or coating on the fullerene polymer film. The apparatus for decomposing the gas includes a light source and a fullerene polymer film. In effecting gas decomposition, the gas to be processed is contacted with the fullerene polymer film under light illumination.

Abstract: Single-crystal silicon is deposited on an insulating substrate (1) with a crystalline sapphire layer (50) formed thereon as a seed, to form a silicon epitaxial layer (7). P-type impurity ions are implanted into a single-crystal silicon layer, and then N-type impurity ions are implanted to make a P-channel MOS transistor portion a single-crystal silicon layer (14). In a single-crystal silicon layer (11), an N+ source region (20) and drain region (21) of an N-channel MOS transistor are formed. Thus, a silicon layer is epitaxially grown uniformly at low temperatures.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus which, while enabling reproduction by an old standard accommodating reproducing device, reduces the effect of the quantization error produced on decoding at the time of encoding and decoding which realizes a multiple channel system by new standard expansion. The apparatus includes an adaptive channel conversion circuit for multiplying signals of a L or R channel with a first coefficient, multiplying signals of the other channel with a second coefficient, mixing signals of the channel multiplied with the first coefficient with signals of the channel multiplied with the second coefficient for each of the L and R channels, and for generating (L+R)/2 and (L−R)/2 from the L and R channels existing after the channel mixing. The apparatus also includes a first encoding circuit for encoding (L+R)/2 with A-codec and a second encoding circuit for encoding (L−R)/2 signal with B-codec.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of manufacturing an optical waveguide including core portions having a small surface roughness and also having highly accurately rectangular shapes without requiring a large number of the manufacturing steps, and an optical waveguide with a small propagation loss of light. The optical waveguide includes a substrate; a lower clad layer formed on the substrate; core portions formed on the lower clad layer; and an upper clad layer formed to cover the lower clad layer and the core portions; wherein the substrate is made from a material which is transparent to light having a specific wavelength, and the core portions are made from a material which is hardened by irradiation of the light having the specific wavelength. If the light having the specific wavelength is ultraviolet light, the core portions are made from an ultraviolet hardening-type material hardened by irradiation of ultraviolet light and the substrate is made from either quartz or glass transparent to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An optical integrated oxide device uses a silicon-based functional matrix substrate on which both an oxide device and a semiconductor light emitting device can be commonly integrated with an optimum structure and a high density. A single-crystal Si substrate has formed on its surface a first region where a cleaned surface of the single-crystal Si substrate itself appears, and a second region in which a CeO2 thin film is preferentially (100)-oriented or epitaxially grown on the single-crystal Si substrate. A semiconductor laser is integrated in the first region by epitaxial growth or atomic layer bonding, and an optical modulation device or optical detection device made of oxides are formed in the second region, to make up an optical integrated oxide device. A MgAl2O4 thin film may be used instead of CeO2 thin film.

Abstract: A multi-stage, modular water filter apparatus having at least first and second filter housings engageable with one and other, and each being engageable with a water inlet member, a water outlet member and a fluid filter cartridge for removing undesired components in a water supply.

Abstract: A method for etching a laminated film comprising at least two layers of a semiconductor device, the method comprising: a step, in which etching of an upper layer is started with a first etching gas, and the etching of the upper layer is stopped before a lower layer is exposed; and a step, in which a remainder of the upper layer and the lower layer is etched with a second etching gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved flange connector 10 for adjoining adjacent concrete structural members 12. The flange connector 10 is a one-piece steel member having a faceplate 18, opposing faceplate returns 22, flattening bends 24, embedded legs 26 and reinforcing tabs 28. To allow the faceplate 18 to expand during welding, the opposing faceplate returns 22 extend away from the faceplate 18 at approximately ninety degree (90°) angles. The embedded legs 26 then extend from the faceplate returns 22 by way of flattening bends 24 that span between the embedded legs 26 and the faceplate returns 22. The flattening bends 24 extend away from the faceplate returns 22 at an angle that allows the embedded legs 26 to be positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal surface of the concrete structural members 12.