Abstract: A method for objectively predicting possibility of metastasis to a cervical lymph node in an early stage for an individual case diagnosed as an oral cavity cancer, and a diagnosis kit to be used in the prediction are provided. The method includes a step of assaying expression amounts of metastasis prediction genes in which the expression amounts are changed between a metastasis group and a non-metastasis group, with respect to a sample collected from a primary legion of the oral cavity cancer. Further, the method includes a step of predicting the possibility of the metastasis by comparing the expression amounts of the metastasis gene group with the expression amounts of the metastasis prediction genes in a metastasis group and/or a non-metastasis group. Herein, the metastasis prediction gene group includes two genes MSR1 (NM_138716.1) and RET (M31213.1).

Abstract: A method for easily making a barrier for preventing overflow of interlayer insulating resin in a cable-fitted multi-layer FPC that uses bumps for connecting the layers, and a barrier having a structure that can easily be made. In a method for manufacturing a multi-layer flexible printed circuit board including a circuit section, a cable section that is connected to the circuit section, the circuit section having a multi-layer structure of insulating resin arranged between multiple layers of metal foil, a barrier, that stops the insulating resin from overflowing, has a two-row configuration and is formed on a metal foil that constitutes an outermost conductive layer in the multi-layer flexible printed circuit board, and the metal foil and the insulating resin are laminated to form the multi-layer flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method for objectively predicting possibility of metastasis to a cervical lymph node in an early stage for an individual case diagnosed as an oral cavity cancer, and a diagnosis kit to be used in the prediction are provided. The method includes a step of assaying expression amounts of metastasis prediction genes in which the expression amounts are changed between a metastasis group and a non-metastasis group, with respect to a sample collected from a primary legion of the oral cavity cancer. Further, the method includes a step of predicting the possibility of the metastasis by comparing the expression amounts of the metastasis gene group with the expression amounts of the metastasis prediction genes in a metastasis group and/or a non-metastasis group. Herein, the metastasis prediction gene group includes two genes MSR1 (NM_138716.1) and RET (M31213.1).

Abstract: This invention provides a method for easily making a barrier for preventing overflow of interlayer insulating resin in a cable-fitted multi-layer FPC that uses bumps for connecting the layers, and a barrier having a structure that can easily be made. In a method for manufacturing a multi-layer flexible printed circuit board comprising a circuit section, a cable section that is connected to the circuit section, the circuit section having a multi-layer structure of insulating resin arranged between multiple layers of metal foil, a barrier, that stops the insulating resin from overflowing, has a two-row configuration and is formed on a metal foil that constitutes an outermost conductive layer in the multi-layer flexible printed circuit board, and the metal foil and the insulating resin are laminated to form the multi-layer flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus comprises a read-out section for reading out a radiation image stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet, an erasing section for erasing radiation energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after image read-out from the stimulable phosphor sheet is finished, a section for releasably holding a sheet feed cassette capable of housing the image-recorded stimulable phosphor sheet and for taking the stimulable phosphor sheet out of the sheet feed cassette toward the read-out section, and a section for releasably holding a sheet housing cassette capable of housing the stimulable phosphor sheet erased at the erasing section.

Abstract: A cassette for storing an image recording carrier such as a stimulable phosphor sheet has a casing for holding the image recording carrier therein under light-shielding conditions, and at least one lid member mounted on one end of the casing and openable and closable under a pressure applied thereto. The casing with said one end directed vertically downwardly is loaded through a cassette insertion slot into an apparatus for processing the image recording carrier. When the casing is introduced in the apparatus, the lid member is forcibly opened for allowing the image recording carrier to be delivered by gravity out of the casing.

Abstract: A light beam scanning apparatus scans an object such as a stimulable phosphor sheet by applying a light beam deflected in a main scanning direction to the object while moving the object in an auxiliary scanning direction substantially normal to the main scanning direction. The light beam scanning apparatus includes first and second light detectors such as photodiodes juxtaposed in the main scanning direction and having respective light detecting surfaces extending in the auxiliary scanning direction. The first and second light detectors produce respective output signals at a predetermined ratio when the light beam for scanning the object in the main scanning direction is in a reference main scanning position, and produce respective output signals at a ratio varied from the predetermined ratio when the light beam is deviated from the reference main scanning positon.

Abstract: A radiation image erase unit for erasing a residual image from a stimulable phosphor sheet with erasure light is disposed in the vicinity of an image read-out unit which converts light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof into an electric signal. The radiation image erase unit comprises a box-shaped casing having a slot for passage of the stimulable phosphor sheet therethrough into the casing, and erasure light sources disposed in the casing for emitting the erasure light. A pair of rollers is mounted on the casing adjacent to the slot for introducing the stimulable phosphor sheet into the casing. The casing has reflective inner surfaces for reflecting the erasure light effectively, and a heat radiator for discharging out heat generated by the erasure light sources as they are energized.

Abstract: A radiation image erase unit for erasing a residual image from a stimulable phosphor sheet with erasure light is disposed in the vicinity of an image read-out unit which converts light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof into an electric signal. The radiation image erase unit comprises a box-shaped casing having a slot for passage of the stimulable phosphor sheet therethrough into the casing, and erasure light sources disposed in the casing for emitting the erasure light. A pair of rollers is mounted on the casing adjacent to the slot for introducing the stimulable phosphor sheet into the casing. The casing has reflective inner surfaces for reflecting the erasure light effectively, and a heat radiator for discharging out heat generated by the erasure light sources as they are energized.

Abstract: A radiation image recording and read-out apparatus comprises a case housing a stimulable phosphor sheet and having an opening, a light shielding cover housed in the case for projection therefrom through the opening, a recording section for exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet disposed at an exposure position in the light shielding cover projected out of the case to radiation, and a read-out section having a sub-scanning system for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet between the exposure position and a position in the case. Or, the apparatus comprises a case having an opening for passing the stimulable phosphor sheet therethrough, a recording section for exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet disposed at the exposure position in the case to radiation, and a read-out section having a sub-scanning system for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet between the exposure position and a position projected out of the case.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading out a radiation image stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet comprises a read-out section, a monitor for reproducing a visible radiation image, an erasing section, and a section for releasably holding a magazine housing stimulable phosphor sheets. The apparatus also comprises a first conveyance system for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheets fed out of the magazine to the read-out section, a stacker disposed at the first conveyance system between the magazine holding section and the read-out section, for housing the stimulable phosphor sheets and transferring them one by one to the first conveyance system. A second conveyance system conveys the stimulable phosphor sheets passing through the read-out section to the erasing section, and a third conveyance system returns the stimulable phosphor sheets passing through the read-out section to the stacker.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading out a radiation image stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet comprises a read-out section, an erasing section, and a section for releasably holding a cassette housing the stimulable phosphor sheet. The apparatus also comprises a sorter section for holding erased stimulable phosphor sheets and ejecting them one by one therefrom, a first conveyance system for receiving the stimulable phosphor sheet from the cassette holding section and conveying it to the read-out section, the erasing section and then to the sorter section, and a second conveyance system for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet from the sorter section into the cassette.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus comprises a read-out section for reading out a radiation image stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and an erasing section for erasing radiation energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after image read-out from the stimulable phosphor sheet is finished. The apparatus also comprises a cassette holding section for releasably holding a plurality of cassettes each capable of housing a stimulable phosphor sheet therein, and a sheet conveyance system for taking a stimulable phosphor sheet out of an arbitrary one of the cassettes, conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet to the read-out section and the erasing section, and then conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet into an arbitrary one of the cassettes.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording a radiation image on a stimulable phosphor sheet and reading out the stored radiation image comprises a recording section provided with a sheet stacker, a read-out section, and an erasing section disposed on a circulation path of a conveyance system. The sheet stacker is provided with a tray unit comprising a casing and a plurality of trays housed in the casing so that every tray may be positioned on the circulation path, allows the stimulable phosphor sheet to be conveyed by the conveyance system into the tray, holds the stimulable phosphor sheet in the tray, and allows the stimulable phosphor sheet to be conveyed by the conveyance system out of the tray.

Abstract: A radiation image erase unit for erasing a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet by exposing the same to erasure light in a radiation image read-out system having an image read-out unit for radiating stimulating rays to the stimulable phosphor sheet to cause the same to emit light representative of the radiation image stored therein, and for converting the emitted light photoelectrically to an electric signal. The radiation image erase unit includes a casing including a side panel having openings defined therein, a plurality of erase light sources disposed in the casing, a feed mechanism disposed in or outside the casing for delivering the stimulable phosphor sheet to a prescribed position in the casing, and forced-cooling air blowers having outlets disposed in the openings, respectively, of the side panels and directed toward the stimulable phosphor sheet positioned in the casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refining agent used for deoxidation, desulfurization, and dephosphorization of molten steel by a ladle refining, as well as methods for producing such a refining agent. The general practice in ladle refining is to use for the refining agent both so-called flux, which is mainly composed of CaO, and a Ca-based metallic additive.In conventional practice, the flux and the Ca-based metallic additive are added to the molten steel separately.It is an object of the present invention to provide a refining agent, wherein the flux and metallic CaO component act highly effectively on the molten metal.A refining agent for metal according to the present invention essentially consists of: a Ca alloy, which essentially consists of Ca and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al and Si, and a flux mainly composed of CaO and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, the Ca-alloy phases and the flux phases being integrally bonded to one another.

Abstract: One of the difficulties in developing a metallic material which is corrosion resistant to caustic alkaline solutions is that the corrosiveness of these solutions is different depending upon the process for producing the same. The chromium alloyed steel developed according to the present invention, contains, from 29 to 31%, of Cr; not more than 3% of Mo; not more than 0.005% of C; at least one element selected from the group of Nb and Ta in an amount, which follows the equation20.times.C(%).ltoreq.Nb(%)+0.5.times.Ta(%).ltoreq.60.times.C(%);from 0.0005 to 0.02% of Ca and; not more than 0.02% of deoxidation products being present in said chromium alloyed steel and essentially composed of CaO, SiO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.Because of the combination of the reduction of C, N and the impurities of the steel with the addition of Nb and/or Ta, the corrosion resistance of the chromium steel is excellent with regard to the caustic alkaline solution produced by every kind of processes.

Abstract: A slaking property of a lime bearing agent for use in the refining, particularly in the injection refining, of a ferrous melt is essentially eliminated by providing the agent with a special form, i.e. an uncrushed, granular form solidified from molten drops. Hydrogen pick up of the ferrous melt from the refining agent is avoided and an excellent refining effect of the ferrous melt is achieved by the refining agent of the present invention.

Abstract: Reduced pellets are manufactured by mixing a powdered raw metallurgical ore such as of iron, chromium or manganese with a carbonaceous reducing material obtained by heat-treating anthracite, at temperatures between 600.degree. C and 1000.degree. C and subsequently pulverizing the heat-treated anthracite, pelletizing the resultant mixture and thereafter roasting the pellets.