Abstract: A recording-medium transport device includes a pair of pinch rollers arranged closer to a printing head than to a subordinate roller and pinching and transporting a belt and a sheet of paper toward the printing head. The pair of pinch rollers can pinch the sheet of paper together with the belt, while maintaining the belt flat. As such, an image of high quality can be formed, e.g., printed on the recording medium. Furthermore, the recording medium does not divert from a transporting path. Thus reliable image formation can be achieved.

Abstract: A laser processing method includes the steps of irradiating a projection mask having a light transmitting area, for allowing a laser beam to be transmitted therethrough, with the laser beam; and irradiating a processing target with the laser beam transmitted through the light transmitting area. A spot of the laser beam on the projection mask is shaped so as to irradiate a portion in the vicinity of first edges of the light transmitting area, the first edges extending in one direction, and so as not to irradiate a portion in the vicinity of second edges of the light transmitting area, the second edges extending in a second direction which is different from the first direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel metalloprotease having a proteolytic activity, its partial peptide or a salt either of them, a DNA coding for the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA, a transformant carrying the recombinant vector, a process for producing the protein, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the DNA, an antibody against the protein, a method for screening for a compound which activates or inhibits a proteolytic activity of the protein, a kit for screening for the compound, and a compound which activates or inhibits a proteolytic activity of the protein which is identified by the screening method or the kit. The DNA coding for the protein of the present invention can be used as a therapeutic and prophylactic composition for a variety of diseases including diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis, pulmonary fibrosis, hepatolienal fibrosis, hepatocirrhosis, osteopetrosis and herniated disk.

Abstract: A magneto-optical head device includes a light source, an objective lens which condenses a light beam emitted from the light source, an auxiliary lens which converts an effective numerical aperture of the light beam condensed by the objective lens to irradiate a recording medium with the light beam, and a magnetic reproducing head which is integrated into the auxiliary lens. The magneto-optical head device can thus be decreased in size and information can be reproduced from both surfaces of a disk since the magnetic reproducing head is integrated into the auxiliary lens. Further, when a thermomagnetic recording medium is employed as the recording medium, the magneto-optical head device can reproduce information recorded at a high track density and a high line density.

Abstract: DNA primers effective in screening G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNA fragments are provided. The primers which are complementary to nucleotide sequences that are in community with (homologous to) the nucleotide sequences encoding amino acid sequences corresponding to or near the first membrane-spanning domain or the sixth membrane-spanning domain each of known various G protein coupled receptor proteins were designed and synthesized. Methods of amplifying G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNAs using the above DNA primers, and novel target G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNAs are also provided. Screening of DNA libraries can be efficiently carried out. Human pituitary gland or amygdala-derived and mouse pancreas-derived G protein coupled receptor proteins, etc.

Abstract: A cable raceway for carrying cables, e.g., fiber optic cables, across interior or exterior spaces is disclosed. The cable raceway includes a series of support channels and a plurality of main channels, each main channel being disposed in an overlaying relationship between successive pairs of support channels. An elongated slot is formed through end portions of the main channels, and bolts pass through spacers attached to the support channels and disposed in the elongated slots. The cable raceway also includes a plurality of covers set over respective channel members. Each cover includes a top portion; a pair of opposing sides extending downward perpendicularly from the top portion; and, a pair of steps formed on inner surfaces of respective sides adjacent to the top portion, thereby extending longitudinally along the length of the cover.

Abstract: A device and method for substantially enhancing the cooling of electric machines, e.g., motors and generators, is described. A hermetically-sealed chamber surrounds electric wire winding end-turns at either end of the stator core, and contains at least one phase-change coolant. The coolant removes heat from the stator winding through the end-turns, where often temperatures are the greatest, through cyclical ebullition, whereby heat generated by the stator winding end-turns boils and, subsequently, vaporizes the liquid coolant. The hot, vaporized coolant is removed through at least one vapor return passage and collects, cools, and condenses on the stator cooling jacket, which removes heat from the vaporized coolant. The liquid condensate precipitates into a wicking matrix, which continuously returns the liquid condensate through capillarity to the liquid coolant pool that partially wets the wicking matrix and winding end-turns.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is described as an admixture of a pharmacological carrier and a peptide having the formula f-Met-Leu-X. X is selected from the group consisting of Tyr, Tyr-Phe, Phe-Phe and Phe-Tyr. Also described are methods for inhibiting the degranulation of mast cells and for treating inflammation in a patient, for example, where the inflammation is a result of a disease selected from the group consisting of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and anaphylaxis. In addition, methods are described for inhibiting the release of cytokines in a patient, for inhibiting the release of histamines in a patient, for inhibiting the release leukotrienes in a patient, for reducing adhesion, migration and aggregation of lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils to a site of inflammation in a patient, for reducing the production of IgE antibodies at site of inflammation in a patient, and for inhibiting increased vascular permeability at site of inflammation in a patient.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium comprising a recording magnetic layer made of a perpendicularly magnetized film and a multilayer reproducing film, wherein the multilayer reproducing film has two reproducing magnetic layers which are in a in-plane magnetized state at room temperature and shift to a perpendicularly magnetized state with a rise in temperature and an in-panel magnetized layer disposed between the two reproducing magnetic layers, which is in an in-plane magnetized state from room temperature to a Curie temperature and has a lower Curie temperature than the recording magnetic layer and the reproducing magnetic layers.

Abstract: In an optical pickup device, the numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens is set at 0.7 or more, and the ellipticity of polarized light of a light beam which is incident upon the objective lens is set to be larger than (1.4×NA)−0.7. According to the structure, an optical pickup device which can prevent deterioration of the jitter and crosstalk characteristics, for example, due to oval deformation of a beam spot can be provided.

Abstract: A soap bar with suspended articles dispersed in a random manner throughout the bar. The articles may contain various skin conditioning, fragrance, or other aesthetic elements that are appealing to the consumer. The process for making the disclosed soap bar is also disclosed. The process comprises forming a gel matrix into which the articles are suspended before being added to the primary soap mixture. The gel matrix of the present invention is formed with a suspending agent which is particularly advantageous when used in the present invention.

Abstract: A display device of a multi-panel system is composed of plural liquid crystal panels which are jointed together by means of a bonding agent, and offers an image displayed on a large screen, wherein at least one edge portion of an end surface of a connected part of each liquid crystal panel is chamfered. According to the described arrangement, an internal stress generated by the curing shrinkage of the bonding agent at the chamfered portion is dispersed when joining the liquid crystal panels together, thereby preventing an occurrence of cracks at the edge portion. In this way, light scattering due to cracks at the joint between liquid crystal panels can be prevented. Accordingly, a liquid crystal display device of a large screen that offers excellent visibility in which a joint between liquid crystal panels does not stand out can be achieved.

Abstract: The present magnetic recording and reproducing device is provided with a magnetic head (5), which, during recording, applies an external magnetic field to a recording medium (6) having a recording layer made of a ferrimagnetic material, and with a laser light source, which increases the temperature of the recording medium (6) in domains (Tr1 and Tr2) which are opposite the magnetic head (5), but exclude a track to be recorded (Tr), which is a domain for recording. Consequently, a magnetic recording and reproducing device can be provided which is capable of suppressing crosstalk and realizing higher recording density than conventionally.

Abstract: An optical pickup device comprises a semiconductor laser, an optical system which converges light projected by the semiconductor laser onto an optical disk and directs reflected light from the optical disk to a photoreceptor element, and a photoreceptor element which detects the reflected light; the photoreceptor element including at least two main photoreceptive domains divided from one another by a dividing line, which receive reflected light corresponding to a focusing error of the light projected onto the optical disk, and at least one auxiliary photoreceptive domain which detects reflected light which exceeds the main photoreceptive domains in a defocused state; in which the auxiliary photoreceptive domain is provided adjacent to an end of said main photoreceptive domains in the direction of the dividing line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate for information recording media, which comprises aromatic polycarbonate resin composition comprising: 100 parts by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate resin having a viscosity-average molecular weight of 10,000 to 40,000, and 0.01 to 40 parts by weight of a biphenyl compound, a terphenyl compound or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to An anti-fogging and stain-prevented glass article having an alkali shut-off film and a photocatalytic film in the order laminated on the surface of glass substrate, in which dents and projections having an arithmetical mean roughness (Ra) from 1.5 to 80 nm and mean interval (Sm) of dents and projections from 4 to 300 nm are formed thereon, and to An anti-fogging and stain-prevented glass article having an alkali shut-off film, a photocatalytic film, and a silicon oxide monocomponent equivalent layer or a layer of organosilane including at least one kind of functional group selected from polyalkyleneoxide group, alkyl group, alkenyl group and aryl group in its molecules or its hydrolyzed substance, laminated in the order on the surface of a glass article. The abovementioned anti-fogging and stain-prevented glass article can be used for window glasses of automobiles and buildings, and glasses, etc.

Abstract: Featured is a device for draining fluids and/or gas from body cavities, including at least a pressure control chamber and a collection chamber being fluidly coupled by a one-way valve thereby establishing a waterless seal between the collection chamber, including the patient, and the suction source. The pressure control chamber also includes a waterless suction pressure control regulator that controls and maintains the suction pressure at or about a selected value. Preferably, the regulator includes a spring operated valve. The device also includes a vent path arrangement having an intermediate chamber and at least two passages that are perpendicular to two adjacent surfaces within the intermediate chamber. The two passages and intermediate chamber are arranged so liquid in the collection chamber does not flow and contaminate the upstream portions of the device when the device is resting on its front side or backside.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for producing monocrystals, in particular of gallium arsenide monocrystals, the crystal growth is carried out with a thermal shock resistant nucleus which is freely standing within a nucleus channel and the interspace in the nucleus channel between the nucleus and the crucible is filled with liquid boric oxide.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium includes at least a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer which are layered in this order, the first magnetic layer being formed of a perpendicularly magnetized film having a relatively small wall coercivity and a relatively large wall mobility compared with the third magnetic layer in the vicinity of a predetermined temperature, and the magneto-optical recording medium satisfies conditions Tc2<Tcomp1<Tc1 and Tc2<Tcomp1<Tc3 where Tcomp1 is a compensation temperature of the first magnetic layer, Tc1, Tc2 and Tc3 are Curie temperatures of the first, second and third magnetic layers, respectively.

Abstract: A supermicrocellular foamed material and a method for producing such material, the material to be foamed such as a polymerplastic material, having a supercritical fluid, such as carbon dioxide in its supercritical state, introduced into the material to form a foamed fluid/material system having a plurality of cells distributed substantially throughout the material. Cell densities lying in a range from about 109 to about 1015 per cubic centimeter of the material can be achieved with the average cell sizes being at least less than 2.0 microns and preferably in a range from about 0.1 micron to about 1.0 micron.