Abstract: A novel nucleic acid (aptamer) which binds specifically to the target protein of Ras, more particularly, a novel RNA aptamer which binds specifically to Raf-1; a method for screening an RNA capable of binding specifically to the target protein of Ras which comprises selecting an RNA capable of binding to the target protein of Ras from a pool of RNAs having various base sequences; a method for regulating the signal transduction causing the proliferation or differentiation of cells by using the above-described nucleic acid; and medicinal compositions with the use of the same.

Abstract: An antiglare film has an internal diffusion layer, composed of a transparent matrix and a transparent diffusive material, and surface irregularities. The diffusive material has a different refractive index from the transparent matrix, exhibits anisotropic diffusion resulting from the anisotropic shape of the particles thereof, and is dispersed in the transparent matrix so that the particles are oriented parallel to one another and to a normal to the film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening a compound or its salt that alters the binding property between MCH or its salt and SLC-1 or its salt, characterized by using MCH or its derivative or a salt thereof and SLC-1 or its salt is useful for screening an SLC-1 agonist which can be used not only as an appetite (eating) promoting agent but also as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for weak pains, atonic bleeding, before and after expulsion, subinvolution of uterus, cesarean section, induced abortion, galactostasis, and the like, and an SLC-1 antagonist which can be used not only as an antiobestic agents (drug), an appetite (eating) modulator, and the like, but also as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for hyperstimulation, ankylosing uterine contractions, fetal distress, uterine rupture, cervical laceration, preterm delivery, Prader-Wili syndrome and the like.

Abstract: A novel monomer compound having a lactone moiety of the present invention can be converted into polymers usable as resist materials with excellent properties, etc., and an alcohol compound having a lactone moiety of the invention is useful as a material for the monomer compound. The compounds are represented by the following general formula [1]: wherein one of R1 and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an acryloyl group, or a methacryloyl group, and the other represents an alkyl group; R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R5 and R6 both represent a hydrogen atom or are combined to form a methylene chain that may have an alkyl group; and R7 and R8 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

Abstract: An input apparatus using multidimensional electrodes to define key functions and the encoding method thereof is peculiarized by utilizing N-dimensional electrodes to define the individual key functions, where N is a positive integer number greater than two. The keyboard scan process according to the present invention is to perform the scan on the coordinate electrodes one by one and save the scan codes for making a synthetic determination, so as to identify the key being pressed. The keyboard encoder IC using the keyboard scan process of the present invention is advantageous to the pin number reduction and cost descent.

Abstract: The present invention provides various methods for producing gel sheets in a continuous fashion. The embodiments of the present invention help reduce the time of producing gel sheets that is suitable for industrial manufacturing. Such gel sheets are used in manufacturing aerogel blankets used in a variety of applications including thermal and acoustic insulation.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polymers and photoresist compositions that comprise the polymers as a resin component. Polymers of the invention contain two distinct groups which can undergo a deblocking reaction in the presence of photogenerated acid, wherein one of the deblocking moieties is an acetal group. The second photoacid-labile group is suitably an ester, particularly as provided by polymerization of an alkyl acrylate group, such as t-butylmethacrylate.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a semiconductor package with a photosensitive chip is provided. A substrate having a core is prepared. An interposer is mounted on the substrate, with a peripheral portion of the substrate exposed from the interposer. A molding process is performed and the substrate is clamped between an upper mold and a lower mold, with the interposer received in an upwardly-recessed cavity of the upper mold. A molding compound is injected into the upwardly-recessed cavity to form a dam on the peripheral portion of the substrate. Then the upper and lower molds and the interposer are removed from the substrate to expose area covered by the interposer on the substrate. At least one photosensitive chip is mounted on the exposed area of the substrate. A lid seals the dam such that the chip is received in a space defined by the substrate, the dam and the lid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for effectively preparing prostaglanin derivatives and to a stereospecific alkyl halide containing 15S-alcohol group as a starting material.

Abstract: An umbrella assembly comprising a base, a pole mounted on the base extending upwardly and outwardly from the base, a carriage slidably mounted on the pole, and an umbrella frame including an adapter releasably engagable with the carriage. A handle is rotatably mounted on the pole, and a cable is coupled at one end to the handle and coupled at another end to the umbrella frame such that by rotating the handle, the cable is retracted and the umbrella is opened, and by rotating the handle in the opposite direction, the cable is released, the umbrella is collapsed, and the carriage is slidable along the pole. The cable is coupled to the adapter such that the adapter may be releasably secured to the umbrella frame to allow the umbrella frame to be tilted and secured in an inclined position.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for preparing multi-potential stem cells having a pre-selected expression of MHC antigens. Stem cells of the subject invention can be used to generate histocompatible tissues/organs for transplantation. The process of the subject invention comprises the use of targeting vectors capable of gene knockout, insertion of site-specific recombination cassettes, and the replacement of histocompatibility alleles in the stem cell. Novel knockout vectors are used to delete designated regions of one chromosome. Recombination cassette vectors are then used to delete the same region on the second chromosome and deposit a site-specific recombination cassette which can be utilized by replacement vectors for inserting the new MHC genes on the chromosome of the engineered cell. The subject invention also pertains to cells, tissues, and transgenic mammal prepared using the methods and materials of the invention.

Abstract: A protein capable of transporting organic anions having amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 or amino acid sequences derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acid residues; and a gene coding for the protein. The protein and gene therefore are useful in vitro analysis of drug release and drug—drug interactions and development of method for screening drugs useful for preventing nephrotoxicity.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a general-purpose data transfer apparatus which enhances the operation efficiency of a data processing apparatus without a large-scale increase of circuits and has the same interface with respect to respective channels. A data transfer apparatus which selects a specific channel from among a plurality of channels connected thereto and outputs data from a data processing apparatus, has a first path which transfers data to a channel via an output buffer, and a second path which transfers data to a channel without the output buffer intervention, the data transfer apparatus comprising a data selection circuit which connects these two paths to different channels, respectively; and a transfer control circuit which controls data transfer of the two paths.

Abstract: A power turbine speed control system for a helicopter is disclosed which includes components for generating a power turbine speed signal based upon a demanded rotor speed, a high-order filter for filtering the power turbine speed signal by effectuating a rapid attenuation of main and tail rotor torsional frequencies in the power turbine speed signal without compromising phase at low frequencies, and a governor for providing isochronous power turbine speed and rotor speed control based upon the filtered power turbine speed signal.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is provide a polyester film useful as base for release film according to which when a ceramic slurry is applied on the release film, formation of pinholes in the ceramic slurry layer is suppressed prominently, and also when a ceramic layer is provided on the release film, thickness variation of the ceramic layer is lessened, thus realizing excellent releasability of the release film. A polyester film for release film, which has a maximum height of projection (Rmax) in one surface (surface A) of said polyester film, of not more than 500 nm; and has a thickness variation of not more than 5%.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an image data input section for reading a document as image data; a target value memory section for storing a target value of an input/output characteristic value when a reference document is read; a comparator for comparing the image data of the reference document and the target value so as to create a new input/output characteristic value; a fixed value memory section for storing a difference in input/output characteristic values as a fixed value between an original document and a copy document; and an adder for adding the fixed value to the image data of the reference document so as to output a resultant value to the comparator. By the provision of the fixed value memory section and the adder, the image forming apparatus can set a plurality of input/output characteristic values by reading the reference document once, thus reducing time for the procedure of setting the respective input/output characteristic values.

Abstract: New cosmetic compositions are disclosed that are effective both as moisturizers and skin sloughing agents. The compositions contain neutralized weak organic acids that when applied over time to the skin in appropriate formulations will gradually increase in acidity to pH 5.5 or less, for example about pH 4.5, without causing skin irritation while exhibiting increasing activity in skin renewal effects.

Abstract: A shank-end tool is described that is simple and economical to manufacture, with permanently attached wing-like inserts for the milling-type machining of chipless materials that remains functional with unavoidable frictional wear and with increasing erosion. The shank-end tool is characterized by a shank (1) rotatable around its longitudinal axis (2) that can be connected detachably to a drive device and is provided at its free end section (6) with at least one groove-shaped recess (7) extending in the axial direction and one flat cutter blade (8), which is provided with a non-cutting blade edge (12) on its leading face viewed in the direction of advance (9). The shank-end tool is used for the manufacture of molds, especially heat-resistant casting molds for the production of metal castings.

Abstract: A stent for assisting urinary release in a male patient includes a first segment, a second segment, and a connecting member disposed between the first and second segments. The first segment includes a multi-winged malecot. When the stent is properly positioned within the patient's urinary system, the first segment is located on one side of the external sphincter with the multi-winged malecot located within the bladder to inhibit migration of the stent, and the second segment is located on the other side of the external sphincter and also tends to inhibit migration of the stent. The connecting segment is sized to extend through the external sphincter to couple the first and second segments together while not interfering with the normal operation of the external sphincter.