Abstract: Disclosed is a near-infrared absorbing compound which does not contain antimony or arsenic, and has excellent stability, especially excellent heat resistance, light resistance and moist heat resistance. Also disclosed are a near-infrared absorbing filter, which is produced by using the near-infrared absorbing compound, and has excellent resistance such as light resistance and heat resistance, an optical filter and an optical recording medium. Specifically disclosed are a diimmonium compound represented by the formula (1) below and a near-infrared absorbing filter obtained by using such a diimmonium compound. Further specifically disclosed are a near-infrared absorbing filter wherein an adhesive layer containing the diimmonium compound is arranged on a transparent supporting body, and an optical filter using such a near-infrared absorbing filter.

Abstract: A polarizing film or polarizing plate containing, as a dichroic dye, an azo compound whose free acid form is represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents sulfo, carboxy, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy; R3 represents lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or acetylamino; R4 to R6 each independently represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or acetylamino; and R7 represents hydrogen, amino, or hydroxy. The polarizing film and plate are excellent in polarizing performance and durability and are highly reduced in color leakage in the visible light region.

Abstract: The device according to the invention is a device having organic thin films containing a light-emitting layer between an anode and a cathode that emits light by application of electric energy, characterized in that the light-emitting device contains at least a compound having the basic skeleton represented by the following General Formula (1) or (2). Use of the condensed polycyclic compound according to the invention allows production of high-brightness, high-efficiency light-emitting device superior in color purity.

Abstract: It is intended to provide water-soluble derivative of camptothecins which are excellent in therapeutic effect and suitable for chemotherapy for cancer. Namely, a water-soluble high-molecular weight derivative of camptothencins being excellent in sustained-release which is obtained by ester-bonding a carboxylic acid group of a polyethylene glycol-polycarboxylic acid polymer to a phenolic hydroxyl group of phenolic camptothencins.

Abstract: A device for automatic tightening of blinds is disclosed, where the manipulation of the blinds is controlled through the aid of belts running between the outer lists of a window.

Abstract: A power-saving control method in a laser measuring system, which comprises a laser rotary irradiation device for forming a laser reference plane by projecting a laser beam in rotary irradiation and a photodetection device for carrying out position measurement by receiving the laser beam, comprising a step of detecting using status of the photodetection device by the photodetection device, a step of selecting steady operation or power-saving mode based on the detection of using status, a step of transmitting a power-saving mode transition instruction to the laser rotary irradiation device by the photodetection device when the power-saving mode is selected, a step of receiving the power-saving mode transition instruction by the laser rotary irradiation device, and a step of executing power-saving control.

Abstract: System and method for analyzing substrate noise is disclosed, which is capable of accepting inputs of increasing complexity and granularity. During the early phases, the tool can accept coarse circuit descriptions, such as gate level netlists. The tool is capable of generating rudimentary substrate models based on estimated die size, allowing the designer to have an early indication of potential substrate noise issues. During the middle phases, the tool can accept more accurate circuit descriptions, such as a SPICE netlist. A more detailed substrate model can be generated, which considers layout information, thereby allowing the designer to make layout and circuit modifications before the circuit is completed. Lastly, during final verification, the tool can accept an even more accurate netlist, such as a SPICE netlist that includes parasitic capacitance. The tool can also accept a more detailed substrate model and provides the substrate noise analysis necessary to finalize the design.

Abstract: A surface inspection method for projecting a laser beam to an inspection surface and for scanning and detecting foreign objects or the like on the inspection surface, comprising a step of being had a required number of detecting regions by a photodetector against a projecting site of the laser beam, a step of receiving a detection light at the photodetector so that a detection light intensity is varied between the detecting regions, a step of acquiring a required number of output signals with different detection light intensities on an inspection site, and a step of selecting an output signal which is an unsaturated output signal and has the highest value among the required number of output signals as a surface detection signal.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus and a method for producing a printed circuit board wherein, the whole pattern including pieces 10 and coupons 12 to be exposed on a print circuit board 2 is depicted on a photo mask 1 divided in six areas by divide line 19, the exposure will be made with respect to the each divided area of the photo mask 1 mounted on a movable photo mask stage 5 with using a masking device 3 masking other area than the exposing area.

Abstract: An electro-optical distance measuring method for measuring a distance to an object to be measured by receiving a reflected light from the object to be measured, comprising a step of projecting a pulsed laser beam with a predetermined spreading angle from each of two or more known positions so that two or more objects to be measured are commonly included, a step of detecting reflected lights from the two or more objects to be measured for each pulsed laser beam by discriminating the reflected lights for each emitted pulse, a step of measuring distances to the two or more objects to be measured from each of the known points based on the results of detection of the discriminated reflected lights, and a step of measuring coordinate positions of the two or more objects to be measured based on the measured distances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distance measuring device, which comprises a light projecting unit for projecting a distance measuring light (22) to an object to be measured, a reference reflection unit (55) provided relatively movable and arranged at a known position so as to traverse the projected distance measuring light, a photodetection unit (7) for receiving a reflection light from the object to be measured as a reflected distance measuring light (22?) and a reflection light from said reference reflection unit as an internal reference light (22?), and a control arithmetic unit (15) for calculating a distance to the object to be measured based on a photodetection signal relating to the reflected distance measuring light and based on a photodetection signal relating to the internal reference light.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the flow rates and/or composition of a fluid comprising a multi-component mixture of a gas and at least one liquid in a pipe. Electromagnetic loss and phase measurements are performed in at least two directions of the pipe; the degree of annular flow is determined based on these measurements; the permittivity of the flow mixture is calculated, including corrections for the degree of annular flow; the mixture density is measured and compensated for the degree of annular flow; the temperature and pressure are obtained; the velocity of liquid and gas are determined, and based on the knowledge of densities and permittivities of the components of the fluid mixture, and the result from the above steps, the volume and mass flow rates of the gas and liquid(s) of the fluid mixture are calculated.

Abstract: A portable hot water dispensing machine, particularly suitable for dispensing espresso, that is compact, lightweight, requires minimal power to operate, and is readily transportable, and a method of dispensing hot water, such as espresso. Two-stage heating is utilized for reducing the boiler volume and power requirements. In addition, components are thermally insulated and are strategically spaced to maximize space and allow for portability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-based black ink composition comprising a water-soluble black dye (A) exhibiting ozone fastness and a condensate compound (B) of 4,4?-dinitrostilbene-2,2?-disulfonic acid and aminobenzenes or a reduction product (C) thereof. Said ink composition is suitable for use in ink-jet recording, and realizes neutral hue and black color of high printing density. Further, a printed matter obtained is excellent in ozone gas fastness, light fastness, moisture fastness and color rendering properties. Still further, storage stability as a recording liquid is excellent.

Abstract: A catheter system for locking a catheter to an implantable pump and for effectively flushing a catheter after implantation within a body. A locking component comprises an extension boot and catheter lock that together fluidly connect the catheter to the pump in a secure, safe and effective manner. A catheter component comprises a design having kink-resistant walls and a unique tip. A flushing component comprises a hub and stylet combination characterized by a hydrophilic coating on the stylet and a flush through hub to allow flushing of the stylet while inside the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for the receipt of high-speed sequential data streams. It utilizes the concept of banked memories to reduce the required speed and size of the input buffers used to receive the data streams. This allows the device to employ large, relatively slow memory elements, thereby permitting large amounts of sequential data to be stored by the receiving device. Using control information that was written as the data was being stored in the memory banks, a reordering element is later able to retrieve the data elements from the plurality of memory banks, in an order that is different from that in which the stream was received, and to reassemble the data stream into the original sequence.

Abstract: Azo compounds whose free acid forms are represented by the general formula (1) are extremely useful as the dichroic dye to be used in polarizing plates which are excellent in polarization performance and endurance and reduced in the color cross-talk within the visible light region or in polarizers for liquid crystal projectors made by using them; (1) wherein R1 is sulfo, carboxy, or lower alkoxy and R2 is sulfo, carboxy, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy, with the proviso that a case wherein both R1 and R2 are each sulfo is excepted; R3 to R6 are each independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy; and R7 and R8 are each independently hydrogen, amino, hydroxy, sulfo, or carboxy.

Abstract: There is provided an optical film obtained by laminating a polarizing film protective layer and a retardation film comprising a liquid crystalline compound layer, a retardation film protective layer and a polymer film, wherein the retardation film protective layer comprising a cured product of a UV-curable resin composition is inserted between the polymer film and the liquid crystalline compound layer to control or block the migration to the liquid crystalline compound layer of a material present in the polymer film and affecting the optical properties of the liquid crystalline compound layer by migrating to the liquid crystalline compound layer, in such a manner that the protective layer side of the polarizing film and the liquid crystalline compound layer side of the retardation film are opposed to each other.

Abstract: A filtration module is provided which includes a manifold (100), a filtration cartridge (104) and a bowl (102) that houses the filter cartridge. The filtration cartridge and bowl are connected to each other to form a unitary construction. The filtration cartridge and bowl are in fluid communication with the manifold in a manner which prevents mixing of a fluid feed to the module and a permeate removed from the module.

Abstract: A UV-curable resin composition for alignment film and an alignment film which is prepared by curing the composition with UV rays. The migration of a material which is present in a polymer film and capable of affecting the optical properties of a liquid crystalline compound layer to the liquid crystalline compound layer is controlled or blocked. The composition comprises at least one (meth)acrylate compound having one or more polar groups and one or more (meth)acryloyl groups in the molecule and a photoinitiator. A protective layer is inserted between a polymer film and a liquid crystalline compound layer for controlling or blocking the migration of the material which is present in the polymer film and capable of affecting the optical properties of the liquid crystalline compound layer.