Abstract: A first recessing-and-projecting line is formed in a trailing end of a preceding first belt material and a second recessing-and-projecting line is formed in a leading end of a newly fed out second belt material, and the first recessing-and-projecting line and the second recessing-and-projecting line are fitted to each other, thereby joining the first belt material and the second belt material. Note that the first recessing-and-projecting line and the second recessing-and-projecting line pass through a holding section that holds an element in the first belt material or the second belt material.

Abstract: This technology relates to a communication apparatus and a communication method adapted to improve the deterioration of communication performance due to variations in parts, for example. A test signal generating section generates a predetermined test signal. A detecting section detects, given a received test signal obtained by a transmitting and receiving section upon receipt of the test signal, an influence parameter affecting the intensity of an active load modulation signal that combines a transmission carrier with a synchronizing signal synchronized with a received signal obtained upon receipt of the transmission carrier. A controlling section controls the intensity of the active load modulation signal in accordance with the influence parameter. This technology applies to cases where short-range wireless communication is performed using magnetic fields.

Abstract: Nanocages are formed by etching nancubes. The nanocubes are added to an aqueous system having an amphiphilic lipid dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g. a hydrophobic alcohol) to form reverse micelles. As the water evaporates the micelles shrink as etching of the flat surface of the nanocubes occurs. In this fashion hollow nanocages are produced. In one embodiment, the nanocage is covalently attached to a polymer shell (e.g. a dextran shell).

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cell element, which contains a halogen, a halide salt, and a basic substance and in which a redox pair is formed by the halogen and the halide salt, the halogen and the halide salt have the same halogen atom, and the basic substance contains a first imidazole compound constituted by a benzimidazole compound and a second imidazole compound represented by the following formula (1), in which a volume molar concentration C2 of the second imidazole compound is lower than a volume molar concentration C1 of the first imidazole compound: (in the formula (1), R1 to R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or the like. R5 and R6 each independently represent an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or the like).

Abstract: A method for enhancing extracellular vesicle production is described. A peptide that induces polymer formation is incubated with a cell culture which results in enhanced EV production. The peptide penetrates the cells and subsequently polymerizes upon exposure to enzymes (e.g. phosphatase) within the cell. The cells that contain the newly formed polymers have an increased production of EVs. These EVs can be harvested using centrifugation techniques.

Abstract: A method for screening catalytic peptides using phage display technology is disclosed. A compound is exposed to a phage library. If a peptide in the library catalyzes a reaction, a gel is formed about the phage that displays the peptide. The gel, including the first phage, is separated from un-reacted phages and released from the gel. The phage is then replicated and analyzed to determine the composition of the peptide that functioned as a catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell includes: preparing a first electrode comprising a transparent substrate and a transparent conductive film, and a second electrode comprising a metal substrate that is formed of a metal capable of forming a passivation film; forming an oxide semiconductor layer on the first electrode; supporting a photosensitized dye on the oxide semiconductor layer; disposing an electrolyte on the oxide semiconductor layer; facing the first electrode and the second electrode, and sealing the electrolyte by a sealing section; and fixing a connection member formed of a metal having lower resistance than the metal substrate, onto the surface of the metal substrate, with the surface being on the opposite side of the first electrode, in which method in fixing the connection member, the connection member is bonded to the metal substrate by resistance welding, and thereby the connection member is fixed onto the metal substrate.

Abstract: A gerotor assembly includes a star, a ring, and an annular plug member, as well as an o-ring. The star member defines a center opening of a first diameter which is connectable to a low-pressure fluid reservoir. The ring member circumscribes the star member. The ring member defines, in conjunction with a stationary end cap of a fluid control device, a fluid channel connectable to a high-pressure fluid supply. The plug member is circumscribed by the star member, and defines a center bore of a second diameter less than the first diameter. The o-ring is positioned between the star and the plug members. The plug member forms a fluid seal against the end cap. A fluid control device includes the above gerotor assembly and a valve housing section. A method of assembling the gerotor assembly and fluid control device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed in this specification pertains to a method for detecting cells with elastic cell membranes. A plurality of cells are fixed to an impedimetric transducer and osmotic stress is applied. Those cells with elastic membranes, including cancer cells, undergo a volume change which is detected by the impedimetric transducer.

Abstract: The photoelectric conversion element of the present invention includes: a pair of electrodes facing one another; a oxide semiconductor layer provided on one of the pair of electrodes; an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes; and a sealing part that connects the electrodes, and surrounds and seals the oxide semiconductor layer and the electrolyte. At least a portion of the sealing part comprises an inorganic sealing part formed of an inorganic material and on a surface of at least one of the electrodes and a resin sealing part that is connected to the inorganic sealing part along the direction connecting the electrodes and comprises a material including a resin. A region on a surface of the inorganic sealing part on a side closer to the electrolyte than a region connected to the resin sealing part is covered with a protective resin layer that is resistant to the electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention is a production method of an electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising: a first step of providing current collector wiring on an electrically conductive substrate; and a second step of producing an electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell by sequentially forming a plurality of thermoplastic wiring protective layers on the current collector wiring so that softening points of the thermoplastic wiring protective layers become lower as the thermoplastic wiring protective layers move away from the current collector wiring, and by heat-treating the second and subsequent thermoplastic wiring protective layers from the current collector wiring at a heat treatment temperature lower than a softening point of the thermoplastic wiring protective layer formed immediately prior thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline organic polymer nanoparticles comprising a conductive organic polymer; wherein the crystalline organic polymer nanoparticles have a size of from 10 nm to 200 nm and exhibits two current-voltage states: (1) a high resistance current-voltage state, and (2) a low resistance current-voltage state, wherein when a first positive threshold voltage (Vth1) or higher positive voltage, or a second negative threshold voltage (Vth2) or higher negative voltage is applied to the nanoparticle, the nanoparticle exhibits the low-resistance current-voltage state, and when a voltage less positive than the first positive threshold voltage or a voltage less negative than the second negative threshold voltage is applied to the nanoparticle, the nanoparticle exhibits the high-resistance current-voltage state. The present invention is also directed methods of manufacturing the nanoparticles using novel interfacial oxidative polymerization techniques.

Abstract: An antenna adjustment circuit includes: a drive section that inputs an alternating drive signal to a variable capacitance connected to an antenna; and a control section that sets a capacitance value of the variable capacitance, based on a phase of an output signal derived from the variable capacitance.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and conductive particles, an electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and oxide semiconductor particles and optionally containing conductive particles, and an electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and insulating particles are provided. Furthermore, a photoelectric conversion element comprising: a working electrode, the working electrode comprising an electrode substrate and an oxide semiconductor porous film formed on the electrode substrate and sensitized with a dye; a counter electrode disposed opposing the working electrode; and an electrolyte layer made of these electrolyte compositions is provided.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and conductive particles, an electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and oxide semiconductor particles and optionally containing conductive particles, and an electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and insulating particles are provided. Furthermore, a photoelectric conversion element comprising: a working electrode, the working electrode comprising an electrode substrate and an oxide semiconductor porous film formed on the electrode substrate and sensitized with a dye; a counter electrode disposed opposing the working electrode; and an electrolyte layer made of these electrolyte compositions is provided.

Abstract: A method for specifically quantifying HDL cholesterol in which cholesterol in lipoproteins other than HDL is erased in the first step, and HDL cholesterol is specifically quantified in the second step, by which accurate values can be obtained even in measurements of abnormal samples such as disorder of lipid metabolism and lipoprotein abnormality, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photoelectric conversion device in which changes in photoelectric conversion efficiency with time can be inhibited. The photoelectric conversion device according to the present invention includes: a pair of electrodes; an electrolytic solution disposed between the pair of electrodes; and a sealing portion that links the pair of electrodes and is provided around the electrolytic solution. At least part of the sealing portion includes at least one inorganic sealing portion constituted by an inorganic material and at least one resin sealing portion constituted by a material including a resin. The inorganic sealing portion and the resin sealing portion are disposed along a direction connecting the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: In order to form a high quality film without causing in-plane nonuniformity in film quality, an apparatus for forming deposited film according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a chamber; a first electrode located in the chamber; a second electrode that is located in the chamber with a predetermined spacing from the first electrode and includes a plurality of supply parts configured to supply material gases; an introduction path connected to the supply parts, through which the material gases are introduced; a heater located in the introduction path; and a cooling mechanism configured to cool the second electrode.

Abstract: In an electrode substrate 1, the surface of a metal circuit layer 12 is covered and insulated by an insulating layer 14. In a photoelectric conversion element that uses this electrode substrate 1, the metal circuit layer is reliably shielded from an electrolyte solution or the like so that corrosion and leak current thereof is effectively prevented, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved. The insulating layer 14 is preferably made of a material that contains a glass component, and is particularly preferably formed by printing a paste that contains glass frit. The metal circuit layer 12 is preferably formed using a printing method.

Abstract: A method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell includes: preparing a first electrode comprising a transparent substrate and a transparent conductive film, and a second electrode comprising a metal substrate that is formed of a metal capable of forming a passivation film; forming an oxide semiconductor layer on the first electrode; supporting a photosensitized dye on the oxide semiconductor layer; disposing an electrolyte on the oxide semiconductor layer; facing the first electrode and the second electrode, and sealing the electrolyte by a sealing section; and fixing a connection member formed of a metal having lower resistance than the metal substrate, onto the surface of the metal substrate, with the surface being on the opposite side of the first electrode, in which method in fixing the connection member, the connection member is bonded to the metal substrate by resistance welding, and thereby the connection member is fixed onto the metal substrate.