Abstract: There is provided a system and method for monitoring an apparatus from a remote location. A vendor-side computer obtains operating state data obtained by a monitoring device provided in an apparatus via a communication line, and monitors the operating state of the apparatus from a remote location. Maintenance data at a part replacing time is transmitted from the apparatus, and the vendor-side computer that has received maintenance data calculates an optimal replacement period of a part based on this. The calculated optimal replacement period of each part is sent to a plant. The plant feeds the optimal replacement period back to the operating of the apparatus.

Abstract: Analysis data constituted by a plurality of parameters is acquired on the basis of detection values obtained in processes for an object to be processed from a detector arranged in a plasma processing apparatus. With respect to parameters of analysis data decided as abnormal data, as a degree of influence on abnormality, a contribution to, e.g., a residual score is calculated (degree-of-influence calculating step). Contributions of the parameters are set at 0 or a value close to 0 in a descending order of contribution of the parameters to sequentially calculate residual scores, and, when the residual scores are not more than a predetermined value, the parameters having the contributions which are set at 0 or a value close to 0 until now as parameters which cause abnormality (cause-of-abnormality deciding step).

Abstract: A recess gate of a semiconductor device includes: a substrate having a bulb-shaped recess pattern formed therein, wherein the bulb-shaped recess pattern includes a first ball pattern and a second ball pattern formed therein, the first ball pattern having a different diameter than the second ball pattern; a gate insulation layer formed over the bulb-shaped recess pattern and the substrate; and a conductive layer formed over the gate insulation layer and filling the bulb-shaped recess pattern.

Abstract: A conversion adapter to be used for connecting opposed optical connector ferrules having different diameters is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30 K in temperature width. Particularly, the amorphous alloy of M1—M2 system or M1—M2—La system (M1: Zr and/or Hf, M2: Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, Nb, Ti, V, Cr, Zn, Al, and/or Ga, La: rare earth element) possesses a wide range of &Dgr;Tx and thus can be advantageously used as a material for the conversion adapter. Such a conversion adapter can be manufactured with high mass-productivity by a mold casting method or molding method.

Abstract: A junction box of the present invention includes a junction box body, and a casing for housing the junction box body in either an upright position or a horizontal position. On the junction box body, provided is first locking piece to be engaged with a first inner side face of the casing in a state of upright disposition of the junction box body. The first locking piece abuts on a second inner side face of the casing in a state of horizontal disposition of the junction box body. In addition, also provided is second locking piece to be engaged with the first inner side face of the casing in the state of horizontal disposition of the junction box body. The second locking piece abuts on the second inner side face of the casing in the state of upright disposition of the junction box body.

Abstract: The device and method for reducing heart wall stress. The device can be one which reduces wall stress throughout the cardiac cycle or only a portion of the cardiac cycle. The device can be configured to begin to engage, to reduce wall stress during diastolic filling, or begin to engage to reduce wall stress during systolic contraction. Furthermore, the device can be configured to include at least two elements, one of which engages full cycle and the other which engages only during a portion of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: Camptothecin derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, its manufacturing method and an antineoplastic agent containing it. The camptothecin derivatives are modified in B-ring and E-ring and show improved water solubility and enhanced antineoplastic effect.

Abstract: Methods of preparing new taxoids of general formula (I) are presented: in which: R4 represents an alkanoyloxy radical in which the alkanoyl portion contains 2 to 6 carbon atoms in an unbranched or branched chain, this radical unsubstituted or substituted with one or more halogen atoms, an alkoxy radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or alternatively R4 represents a cycloalkanoyloxy radical in which the cycloalkanoyl portion contains 4 to 8 carbon atoms, or alternatively R4 represents a benzoyloxy radical; R5 represents an alkoxy radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, substituted by an alkylthio radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and Z represents a hydrogen atom or a radical of general formula:

Abstract: Taxol (I) is a complex deterpene which is currently considered the most exciting lead in cancer chemotherapy. Taxol possesses high cytotoxicity and strong antitumor activity against different cancers which have not been effectively treated by existing antitumor drugs. However, taxol has a problem with solubility in aqueous media, which may impose some serious limitation in its use. Taxotére (III) seems to have antitumor activity superior to taxol with better bioavailability. Taxotére has a modified taxol structure with a modified C-13 side chain. This fact strongly indicates that modification on the C-13 side chain would provide a new series of taxol and Taxotére analogues which may have higher potency, better bioavailability and less unwanted toxicity. The present invention provides efficient and practical methods for the syntheses of Taxotére and its analogues through &bgr;-lactam intermediates and their coupling with baccatin III.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for separating components of a fluid or particles. A separation vessel having a barrier dam is provided to initially separate an intermediate density components of a fluid, and a fluid chamber is provided to further separate these the intermediate density component by forming an elutriative field or saturated fluidized particle bed. The separation vessel is placed in a retainer on a centrifuge rotor and ridges in the retainer form various dams in the separation vessel. Also discloses are tubing sets and various separation vessels for use with the apparatus.

Abstract: A self-extinguishing cable releasing low quantities of toxic and corrosive smokes and gases for optical or electrical applications, comprises a self-extinguishing coating (3), releasing low quantities of toxic and corrosive fumes and gases, comprising:a) a polymer base including from 30 to 60 parts of a thermoplastic polyester and from 40 to 70 parts of a silicone-polyimide polymer;b) at least 0.5 parts of an anti-hydrolysis agent of the thermoplastic polyester and at least 0.25 parts of a selected antioxidant agent per each 100 parts by weight of the polymer base.Advantageously, the antioxidant agent is so selected that the coating (3) has a value of percent elongation at break not lower than 80% of the starting value and in any case not lower than 250%, after a 10-day aging at 175.degree. C. in a hot air oven.

Abstract: A C to T DNA variation at position 3365 in exon 5 of the human Asthma Associated Factor 1 (AAF1) produces the predicted amino acid substitution of a methionine for a threonine at codon 117 of AAF1. When this substitution occurs in both alleles in one individual, it is associated with less evidence of atopic allergy including asthma, fewer abnormal skin test responses, and a lower serum total IgE. Thus, applicant has identified the existence of a non-asthmatic, non-atopic phenotype characterized by methionine at codon 117 when it occurs in both AAF1 gene products in one individual.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for pasteurizing a fluid product. Heated fluid product flows through a passageway to a directional flow valve for directing the heated fluid product through either a primary flow path or a divert flow path. A temperature sensor senses temperature of the heated fluid product at a location in the passageway spaced from the valve so that change in temperature of a portion of the heated fluid product is sensed before that portion of the heated fluid product flows to the valve. The valve directs flow of the heated fluid product from the passageway to the divert flow path when the sensed temperature is below a predetermined temperature for pasteurization of the fluid product, and continues to direct the flow to the diverting flow path at least until the sensed temperature is at or above the predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for adjusting an intake in accordance with the loading condition in overall speed range including: a plurality of small valves for opening or shutting the intake duct, a plurality of large valves for opening or shutting the intake duct in which the small valves are formed, i.e.

Abstract: A false-transition inhibitor circuit for a bar code reader that produces a detection signal from a scan of a bar code, a first derivative signal related to the first derivative of the detection signal, and a peak signal indicating peaks of the detection signal includes an inhibitor comparator, a latch comparator, and a feedback circuit. The inhibitor comparator compares the first derivative signal to a feedback signal and sets and outputs an inhibition signal in a blocking state when the first derivative signal bears a first relationship to the feedback signal. The latch comparator prevents the transmission of the peak signal when the inhibition signal is in the blocking state. The feedback circuit samples the inhibition signal and the output of the latch comparator and to produce the feedback signal.