Abstract: An optical disc is based on the following the distance of the light transmission layer from a light incidence plane to the first recording layer is a minimum of 550 ?m. The distance between the first and the third recording layer is a maximum of 72 ?m. The distance between the second and the third recording layer is a minimum of 15 ?m. The distance between the first and the second recording layer is about 31 to 40 ?m. The reflectivities of the first and the second recording layer with respect to the first laser beam are 18% or more, and the ratio between the reflectivities is about 1.15 or less. The areal recording density of the third recording layer is three times or more as high as the areal recording density of the first and the second recording layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, a process cartridge, and a developing unit includes a developer carrying member to carry developer, first and second rotary members arranged in parallel to each other and configured to rotate to agitate and convey the developer, and an enclosure having an inside space to contain the developer, the inside space being divided by a partition with communication openings formed therein at opposite ends thereof into a first chamber configured to maintain the developer above a first level and to hold the first rotary member therein which supplies the developer to the developer carrying member while agitating and conveying the developer, and a second chamber configured to communicate with the first chamber through the communication openings, to maintain the developer at a second level lower than the first level, and to hold the second rotary member therein which circulates the developer with the first chamber through the communication openings.

Abstract: A method of preparation of (R)-(?)-5-(2-aminopropyl)-2-methoxybenzenesulfonamide of formula I and its use for production tamsulosin. A protective group is introduced to N-[(1R)-2(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]-N-[(1R)-1-phenylethyl)]amine and the resulting amide of formula IX is chlorosulfonated and the resulting sulfochloride is converted to a sulfonamide of formula X, from which the compound of formula I is obtained by hydrogenation.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, a plurality of reading sensors extend in a main scanning direction and separated from each other in the main scanning direction so as to be located in a staggered arrangement in which a part of one of the reading sensors in the longitudinal direction faces a part of adjacent one of the reading sensors in a sub-scanning direction. A first connection member is provided to the part of one of the reading sensors facing the part of the adjacent one of the reading sensors. The first connection member protrudes toward the adjacent one of the reading sensors. A second connection member is provided to the part of the adjacent one of the reading sensors facing the part of the one of the reading sensors. The second connection member protrudes toward the one of the reading sensors. The first and second connection members are brought into contact with each other by being urged by a spring.

Abstract: An air intake duct arrangement for an internal combustion engine in which a cylinder head is fixed on a body shell of a motor vehicle via a damping element. The cylinder head is closed by a set of timing gear cases, and the intake duct includes an intermediate portion connected to an upstream portion connected to a heat exchanger and to a downstream portion supplying air towards an intake manifold. The upstream and downstream portions include a fixing mechanism configured to co-operate with the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is integrated in the timing gear case of the engine.

Abstract: The invention refers to the use of specific cyclolignans, wherein the carbon atoms in positions 9 and 9? have cis configuration, for inhibition of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. Said compounds can be used for treatment of IGF-1R dependent diseases, such as cancer, psoriasis, artherosclerosis and acromegaly. A preferred compound is picropodophyllin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing an ultrasound image of a target object including a periodically moving object, including: an ROI setting unit for setting regions of interest (ROIs) to each of frames constituting ultrasound volume data acquired from a target object; a VOI setting unit for selecting a predetermined number of first reference frames from the ultrasound volume data and setting a predetermined number of volumes of interest (VOIs) by combining ROIs of the first reference frames with ROIs of frames adjacent to the reference frames; a motion compensating unit for processing the VOIs to compensate a motion of the target object; a correlation coefficient curve calculating unit for calculating a correlation coefficient curve for a predetermined interval at each VOI; a period setting unit for setting a moving period of the moving object based on the correlation coefficient curve in the volume data; and an ultrasound volume data reconstructing unit for reconstructing the ultras

Abstract: A write controlling device for an image forming apparatus including a time lag detecting device configured (i) to detect a time lag between (a) synchronization signal generated by a synchronization detecting device and (b) a mark signal generated by a mark sensor configured to detect a mark on a transfer belt configured to transfer plural color toner components; and (ii) to output a white line insertion value using the detected time lag; and a reconfiguration device configured to reconfigure the white line insertion value and a write timing setting value defining a writing start position in a sub-scanning direction using a write timing ancillary value which defines the quantity of reconfiguration.

Abstract: In the present invention, a plurality of heat treatment units are arranged side by side in a linear form and a substrate transfer mechanism for transferring the substrate between the heat treatment units is provided in a heat treatment apparatus. The substrate is sequentially heat-treated in the arrangement order, whereby one heat treatment as a whole is dividedly and successively performed in the plurality of heat treatment units. This allows substrates to be heat-treated along the same route and uniforms the thermal history among the substrates. At the time when heat-treating a plurality of substrates, the present invention causes less variation in thermal history among the substrates as compared to the case of parallel heat treatments.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell which includes first and second inverter circuits. Each of the first and second inverter circuits includes a load transistor which includes a source connected to a first power supply terminal, and a driving transistor which includes a drain connected to a drain of the load transistor via a memory node, a gate connected to a gate of the load transistor, a source connected to a second power supply terminal, and a back gate connected to a third power supply terminal. A first power supply voltage is applied to the first power supply terminal. A ground voltage is applied to the second power supply terminal. A source voltage higher than the ground voltage is applied to the third power supply terminal.

Abstract: A memory cell includes: an irreversible storage element that writes data by breaking down an insulating film, with a write voltage being applied to its one end; and first and second transistors with one end being connected to the other end of the irreversible storage element. A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes: the memory cell; write word lines and read word lines that are connected to the first transistor and the second transistor, respectively; write bit lines and read bit lines that are connected to the first transistor and the other end of the second transistor, respectively; a row decoder selectively driving the write word lines and the read word lines; and a write-disturb prevention circuit charging the read bit lines to a certain voltage in writing data.

Abstract: A pattern inspection apparatus which compares a plurality of partial optical image data of a same target plate to be inspected, the target plate being formed as a pattern, includes an optical image data acquiring unit which acquires optical image data of the target plate to be inspected, and a comparing circuit which compares the plurality of partial optical image data. In the comparing circuit, region image data generated based on information of region pattern representing a predetermined region is input, and a decision criterion is changed with reference to the input region image data when the plurality of partial optical image data are compared with each other to decide the presence/absence of a defect on the target plate.

Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus includes a chamber for accommodating a substrate; a mounting table, disposed in the chamber, for mounting thereon the substrate; an electrode disposed in the mounting table, the substrate being attracted and held on the mounting table as a voltage is applied to the electrode; an exhaust unit for exhausting the inside of the chamber; a separating unit for separating the mounting table and the substrate to form a space therebetween; and a gas supply unit for supplying a gas into the space. While the space is formed, voltages of different polarities are alternately applied to the electrode, the gas supply unit supplies a gas into the space and the exhaust unit exhausts the inside of the chamber. The substrate cleaning apparatus further includes a gas introduction unit for introducing a gas into the chamber while the chamber is depressurized and the space is formed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, in which a program for carrying out an image forming method is provided, includes a transfer member to receive respective images formed on a plurality of image bearing members, an image detecting unit to detect the images conveyed on the transfer member, a paper length detecting unit to detect a length of a recording medium in a sheet travel direction, a counting unit to count the number of recording media and to change a count up value according to a detection result by the paper length detecting unit, and a control unit to control an image forming timing with respect to the image bearing members based on a detection timing of the image and to perform a positional deviation adjustment each time a counted value increases by a predetermined amount so as to reduce an amount of a positional deviation of the image.

Abstract: An optical recording medium which has an enhanced appearance or an enhanced design performance while computer data are recorded and a reproduction apparatus and method in which the optical recording medium is used are disclosed. When computer data are recorded on the optical recording medium on which recording data are recorded as interference fringes formed through interference of object light of images with reference light, related information of the recording data is recorded in a state wherein it can be recognized through the visual sense of the user.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for examining a specimen. The ultrasonic probe includes a holding portion, an insertion member, and an ultrasonic generator. The holding portion includes a first housing portion. The insertion member is configured to move along the first housing portion. The insertion member has at least one end for insertion into an endocavity of the specimen. The ultrasonic generator is provided at the one end of the insertion member and configured to transmit an ultrasound pulse to the specimen and collect an echo signal resulting from the transmitted ultrasound pulse.

Abstract: The disclosed invention enhances transmission efficiency by decreasing regions of reference signals which are attached to transmit packets from a transmitter during bidirectional SVD-MIMO communication. The transmitter transmits user data following a reference signal. At the other end, the receiver acquires a channel matrix, based on the reference signal attached preceding the user data, receives the user data, while weighting the data with receive weights derived from the channel matrix, adaptively estimates the channel matrix H as long as the user data is being received, and obtains transmit weights V? for transmitting user data in the reverse direction from an adaptively estimated channel matrix H?.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first substrate having a first surface for mounting an electronic component and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The first substrate includes a first region for mounting the electronic component, a second region including a plurality of first communication units for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a second substrate, input-output circuits disposed on the first region or the second region, the input-out circuits corresponding to the first communication units, and a control circuit for controlling input to and output from the input-output circuits disposed on the first region or the second region of the first substrate. Each of the input-output circuits includes an output circuit for outputting a signal to a second communication unit of the second substrate corresponding to the first communication unit and an input unit for receiving a signal sent from the corresponding second communication unit.

Abstract: According to the package board of the present invention, each soldering pad formed on the top surface of the package board, on which an IC chip is to be mounted, is small (133 to 170 ?m in diameter), so the metallic portion occupied by the soldering pads on the surface of the package board is also small. On the other hand, each soldering pad formed on the bottom surface of the package board, on which a mother board, etc. are to be mounted, is large (600 ?m in diameter), so the metallic portion occupied by the soldering pads on the surface of the package board is also large. Consequently, a dummy pattern 58M is formed between conductor circuits 58U and 58U for forming signal lines on the IC chip side surface of the package board thereby to increase the metallic portion on the surface and adjust the rate of the metallic portion between the IC chip side and the mother board side of the package board, protecting the package board from warping in the manufacturing processes, as well as during operation.