Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for sensitizing cancer therapy. The invention provides such compositions comprising a SPARC family polypeptide or polynucleotide, as well as recombinant cells containing a SPARC family polypeptide or polynucleotide. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful in in vitro study of cancer therapy resistance, as well as ex vivo and in vivo therapy of cancer.

Abstract: A bill storage unit has a bill storage portion for storing bills and a bill validator which takes in a bill to validate the bill. A feeding device feeds the bill delivered from the bill validator to the bill storage portion along a feeding path. A correcting device removes a fold in the bill by applying a force stretching the bill, while the bill is being supported and guided along at least part of the feeding path.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device has a front surface electrode formed by Au plating, a rear surface electrode formed by Au plating, an anti-adhesive film only on the front surface electrode and made of a material that does not react with Au, and a coating film that covers an end face on a light emitting side and an end face opposite the light emitting side. The anti-adhesive films are located on the four corners of the front surface electrode.

Abstract: In the semiconductor storage device, a dummy P+ diffusion region which does not contribute to a storage operation is formed in the vicinity of two P+ diffusion regions constituting a storage node. Moreover, a dummy N+ diffusion region which does not contribute to the storage operation is formed in the vicinity of N+ diffusion regions FL210 and FL220 constituting a storage node. Consequently, a part of electrons generated in a P well region PW by irradiation of ? rays or neutron rays can be collected into the dummy N+ diffusion region FL250, and a part of holes generated in an N well region NW by the irradiation of the ? rays or the neutron rays can be collected into the dummy P+ diffusion region FL150.

Abstract: Cores are embedded in a cladding, each core constituting a continuous optical path in which a first core end surface is exposed at a first end surface, and a second core end surface is exposed at a second end surface. Each of the continuous optical paths extends from the first core end surface to a mirror surface, is changed in direction at the minor surface, and then extends to the second core end surface. The first core end surfaces and the second core end surfaces are respectively arranged two-dimensionally at the first end surface and the second end surface.

Abstract: An external mix air atomizing spray nozzle assembly having a nozzle body formed with liquid and air passages, a spray tip at a downstream end of the nozzle body having a nose portion that defines a liquid discharge orifice, and an air cap mounted in surrounding relation to the spray tip nose portion. The air cap defines an annular pressurized air orifice about the spray tip nose portion and a plurality of angled air passages disposed radially outwardly thereof. Pursuant to the invention, the spray tip nose portion has a frustoconical end tapering inwardly in a downstream direction which enhances air entrainment and minimizes liquid turbulence in a zone immediately in front of the air cap and around the spray tip nose portion to prevent undesirable build up of spray material on the exposed end surfaces of the spray tip nose portion and air cap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cost-effective method of producing pure hydrogen gas from hydride-based solid materials. The hydride-based solid material is mechanically processed in the presence of a catalyst to obtain pure gaseous hydrogen. Unlike previous methods, hydrogen may be obtained from the solid material without heating, and without the addition of a solvent during processing. The described method of hydrogen production is useful for energy conversion and production technologies that consume pure gaseous hydrogen as a fuel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manipulating and monitoring analyte flowing in fluid streams. A giant magnetoresistive sensor has an array of sensing elements that produce electrical output signals which vary in dependence on changes in the magnetic field proximate the sensing elements. The analyte is included in a stream, such that the stream has a magnetic property which is dependent on the concentration and distribution on the analyte therein. The stream is flowed past the giant magnetoresistive sensor and in sufficiently close proximity to cause the magnetic properties of the stream to produce electrical output signals. The electrical output signals are monitored as an indicator of analyte concentration or distribution in the stream flowing past the GMR sensor. Changes in the magnetic field produced by the background stream are introduced by analyte molecules, whose presence in the flow past the GMR will effect the output reading.

Abstract: The present invention provides a film for packaging chemical agents, which contains an oxyalkylene unit-containing polyvinyl alcohol resin (A) and a carboxyl-containing polyvinyl alcohol resin (B), and preferably further containing a sulfo-containing polyvinyl alcohol resin (C). This film shows fine solubility in water even after a long-term packaging of an acidic chemical agent or alkaline chemical agent, and is superior in mechanical strength. Thus, the film for packaging chemical agents of the present invention is suitably used for packaging a chemical agent, such as powdered soap, synthetic detergent, agricultural chemical, antibacterial, deodorant, insecticide and the like, which is cast into water when in use.

Abstract: A light that is mounted on a clamp. The clamp is configured to be attached to different locations on a user's body, and is sufficiently sturdy so that it can support the light in an illumination direction that is fixed relative to the user's body. The light is connected by a cord to a power supply, such as a battery pack or an AC adapter. If a battery pack is used, the battery pack may also include a mechanism, such as a clip, for attaching the battery pack to the clothing or belt of a user. A headband is provided to which the clamp may be attached. The light is pivotally attached to the clamp so the light may be pivoted to illuminate in a desired direction. In addition, the light is rotatably mounted on the clamp arm, permitting the light to illuminate in a wide variety of different angles.

Abstract: A foamable composition containing a base polymer containing a polyethylene mixture of a low density-polyethylene having a density of 0.91-0.925 g/cm3 and a high density polyethylene having a density of 0.94-0.97 g/cm3, and a fluororesin powder and/or a boron nitride powder as a nucleator, wherein the high density polyethylene has an swelling ratio smaller than that of the low density polyethylene and a melt flow rate greater than that of the low density polyethylene, and is contained in a proportion of not less than 50 percent by weight of the polyethylene mixture, and the base polymer has a shear viscosity (temperature:170° C., shear rate:1216 sec−1) of not more than 3150 poise, and a coaxial insulating cable having an electrically insulating layer formed of a foam having an expansion ratio of not less than 70% and obtained by foaming the above foamable composition are provided.

Abstract: A web tension control and apparatus uses a lightweight dancer and a control system that detects web tension using the dancer position as well as downstream sensors to maintain a relatively constant web tension. The control system also adjusts the braking force to an unwind roll based on the diameter of the roll, allowing for greater web tension control. A two-phase braking system prevents the unwind roll from spilling excess paper into the production line.

Abstract: An optical disc device is provided with a channel phase-locked loop (channel PLL) for generating a read clock signal and a wobble phase-locked loop (wobble PLL) for generating a write clock signal. A frequency divider divides the frequency of the write clock signal from the wobble PLL by a predetermined number n so as to generate a pseudo channel data. A selector selects the pseudo channel data and then furnishes the selected pseudo channel data to the channel PLL when the optical disc device handles a not-yet-recorded area between two adjacent header areas on an optical disc where no data is recorded. The channel PLL locks itself with the pseudo channel data from the selector.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device including a field effect transistor includes forming a gate electrode on an electrically insulating substrate, the gate electrode being located in a transistor region of the substrate; forming an electrically insulating film on the substrate and covering the gate electrode; forming source and drain electrodes on the electrically insulating film on opposite sides of the gate electrode in the transistor region; forming a display electrode on the electrically insulating substrate in a display region of the substrate, adjacent the transistor region, the drain electrode being electrically connected to the display electrode; and forming, in the transistor region, a semiconductor film of a .pi.-conjugated polymer on the source and drain electrodes and on the electrically insulating film between the source and drain electrodes in the transistor region; arranging a transparent plate, including a transparent electrode, opposite and spaced from the .pi.

Abstract: A process for selectively etching silicon comprises preparing a solution of etchant which is a non-selective etch for at least silicon and aluminum. The prepared solution is preconditioned by adding atomic silicon to the solution and aging the solution after the addition of silicon for at least 30 minutes. Then, silicon substrates carrying aluminum are immersed in the preconditioned solution to etch the silicon while leaving the aluminum substantially unaffected.

Abstract: An alternating current having a variable voltage and frequency which is converted by an inverter is supplied to an induction motor for driving an elevator so that a speed command value is decreased and the output frequency of the inverter is decreased at the energy saved operation. Thus, energy saved operation may be accomplished without adversing the efficiency even if the speed of the cage is decreased. Since the output voltage of the convertor is increased simultaneously with this, the power factor is improved so that saving in energy is furthermore enhanced.