Abstract: An arithmetic operation for calculating a value of a Masuda ratio (Mratio) or a value substantially equivalent to the Masuda ratio (Mratio) on the basis of the stock price information on a database is executed. The Masuda ratio (Mratio) is represented by a formula Mratio={(B?E)/SUM}×100, where SUM is a total number of stocks of a group of specific stocks forming a basis in generating one representative stock movement index, B is the number of stocks, average moving deviations of stock prices in a short term, an intermediate term, and a long term nearest to a reference time in one time unit selected from day, week, and month (MA1, MA2, and MA3) among the group of specific stocks having a magnitude relation MA1>MA2>MA3 indicating an upward trend when the number of stocks is B, and E is the number of stocks, MA1, MA2, and MA3 having a magnitude relation MA1<MA2<MA3 indicating a downward trend when the number of stocks is E.

Abstract: To provide a pitch waveform signal division device and the like for making it possible to compress a data capacity of data representing a sound efficiently. A computer C1 arranges time lengths of sections for a unit pitch of sound data, which the computer C1 compresses, to be identical to thereby generate a pitch waveform signal, detects a boundary of adjacent phonemes included in a sound represented by the pitch waveform signal and an end of this sound on the basis of intensity of a difference between two sections for adjacent unit pitches of this pitch waveform signal, divides the pitch waveform signal in the detected boundary and end, and outputs obtained data as phoneme data.

Abstract: An image processing method obtains a glassless image from a color frontal facial image bearing glasses by using a recursive principal component analysis (PCA) reconstruction.

Abstract: A method for the inspection and repair of a tube includes electrical discharge machining an access hole into the tube, optionally at or near the uppermost location on the tube, near the upper header; performing inspection of the tube, optionally using a visual or an eddy current inspection technique; providing an inner diameter flush-mounted plug insert which has been machined for re-inserting into the access hole; and attaching the plug insert to the tube.

Abstract: Regarding the solid-state imaging device and the driving method therefor, each picture cell includes a photoelectric conversion portion, a capacitive element, a comparator portion, a reset portion and a select switch element. A control voltage application portion applies a first control voltage to a control line during a signal charging period to make a voltage of the output terminal of the photoelectric conversion portion deviate from the transition region of the comparator portion and applies a second control voltage to the control line during a signal reading period to bring the voltage of the output terminal of the photoelectric conversion portion into the transition region of the comparator portion. A load device that serves as a common load for the comparator portions of picture cells is connected between a signal line and a power source of a prescribed electric voltage.

Abstract: A phosphor which is excited by a blue light and emits a yellow light has been conventionally known as a SiAlON phosphor wherein a rare earth element such as Eu ion is activated. The present invention provides an oxynitride phosphor having emission characteristics of more various wavelengths and a light-emitting device using such an oxynitride phosphor. The oxynitride phosphor mainly contains a crystalline phase of the general formula: La3Si8N11O4 or a crystalline phase of the general formula: La3Si8?xAlxN11?xO4+x (0<x?4), and an optically active element (M) composed of one or more elements selected from Mn, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu is added thereto as a luminescent center component.

Abstract: A pneumatic support system for a wheelchair is provided herein. An implementation includes a support unit that supports a portion of the body of a user, a control unit that permits the user to control whether the support unit gets inflated or deflated, and a compressor that provides pressurized air to the support unit to inflate the support unit. The wheelchair has a valve, such when the user indicates that the support unit is to be inflated, the control unit sends a signal to the valve to move the valve to a first position, thereby permitted the pressurized air to reach the support unit. The support unit may be implemented in a variety of ways, and may be one of many support units. In one implementation, the support unit supports a thoracic portion of the user's body.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention relates to methods for identifying compounds which modulate Akt activity mediated by the rictor-mTOR complex and methods for treating or preventing a disorder that is associated with aberrant Akt activity.

Abstract: Bioactive-coated medical devices are provided, including coated vascular stents. The medical device coating can include a coating layer posited over at least a portion of the medical device surface, and can include a butyl methacrylate polymer or an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer in combination with a bioactive material that can function as both an immunosuppressive agent and an antiproliferative agent. Optionally, multilayer coatings can further include an adhesion promoting layer comprising parylene positioned between the coating layer and the medical device surface, a porous layer comprising butyl methacrylate positioned over at least a portion of the coating layer, or both. The coating layer preferably comprises between about 0.5 and 2.0 ?g/mm2 of the bioactive material on the outer surface of the medical device. The bioactive material can be absorbed into the coating layer, which can have a thickness of between about 0.5 ?m to about 5 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to crystalline 1H-Imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-amine, 7-[5-[(cyclohexylmethylamino)-methyl]-1H-indol-2-yl]-2-methyl, sulfate (1:1), trihydrate, E6070, its method of preparation, and its therapeutic uses. Pharmaceutical compositions containing crystalline E6070 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier represent one embodiment of the invention. The invention also relates to methods for treating an inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder, or a proliferative disorder comprising the step of administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of crystalline E6070.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell line in which a potassium channel is introduced. More specifically, it is a cell line capable of activating the T-type ?1H calcium channel by depolarization wherein a vector encoding a potassium channel is introduced. Since the cell line of the present invention is available for a high throughput screening of candidate T-type ?1H calcium channel inhibitors, it may accelerate the development of therapeutic agents for diseases related to T-type ?1H calcium channels.

Abstract: A claw-pole PM stepping motor includes a module that is formed in such a manner that a first motor assembly and a second motor assembly are symmetrically arranged with respect to a first claw-pole and a second claw-pole each oppositely disposed at a main yoke member internally disposed to substantially divide an inside of a housing, an inner portion of which is rotatably inserted and supported by a rotary shaft, and the first motor assembly and the second motor assembly have magnet rotors coaxially arranged to generate electromagnetic force; sub-yoke members; and coil bobbins. The claw-pole PM stepping motor is exempted from a structure where coil bobbins are concentrically arranged at a periphery of magnet rotors, and instead the coil bobbins are coaxially arranged and shifted from each other from the corresponding magnet rotors, such that a miniaturized motor with a reduced outer diameter can be embodied.

Abstract: A method of treating prostate cancer is provided. The method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of reducing activity and/or expression of MCP-1 or of an effector thereof, thereby treating the prostate cancer in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nano-structured metal-carbon composite and applications thereof, and more specifically, to a nano-structured metal-carbon composite obtained by consecutively impregnating a transition metal precursor and a carbon precursor in a nano frame and reacting the precursors at high temperature. In the metal-carbon composite of the present invention, metal is orderly polydispersed with less than 1 nanometer within a mesoporous carbon, and metal is chemically combined with carbon. Therefore, the metal-carbon composite is useful for electrocatalyst of fuel cells.

Abstract: A self-routing switching network composed of sorting cells interconnected as a bit-permuting network and, in particular, as a banyan-type network, and the concomitant general self-routing control mechanism for routing packets over such networks. The self-routing mechanism includes a theoretical approach of determining the routing tag of a packet from the guide of the network and the destination address of the packet, and accomplishes the self-routing of packets by the sorting of packets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure of an antenna and its shielding structure for a mobile phone which may significantly reduce the hazardous electromagnetic wave transmitted to the user's body. The present invention arranges a monopole antenna inside of the mobile phone housing, and installs an electromagnetic wave absorber between the antenna and the circuit board. The electromagnetic wave absorber can absorb the electromagnetic wave reflected form conductive plate constituting the circuit board. Thus, the adverse effect of the reflected electromagnetic wave to the performance of antenna is prevented and the amount of the electromagnetic wave to which the users is exposed can be significantly reduced as well.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating sepsis, including septic shock and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), comprising administering an effective amount of a HMG1 antagonist. There is further disclosed a diagnostic method for monitoring the severity or potential lethality of sepsis or septic shock, comprising measuring the serum concentration of HMG1 in a patient exhibiting or at risk or exhibit sepsis or septic shock symptoms. Lastly, there is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for effecting weight loss or treating obesity, comprising administering an effective amount of HMG1 or a therapeutically active HMG1 fragment.

Abstract: A device for enhancing interpersonal communication over distance through use of touch. A vibrotactile (touch-and-vibration) interface is used to improve existing remote communication by allowing tactile cues to augment the audio-visual information in real-time. The pressure exerted by each finger of the transmitter produces patterns of vibration against the corresponding finger of the receiver. A hand-held device using the interface allows a user to transmit and receive patterns of vibration to and from a remote user and signify tactile gestures, or expressive uses of touch.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining mu opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding mu opioid receptor polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, recombinant opioid receptor polypeptides, and antibodies immunoreactive with mu opioid receptors. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptide in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with mu opioid receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a recombinant insect larvae and a process of manufacturing proteins utilizing insect larvae that allows for the selection of individual larvae for harvest at the point of their optimal expression of a protein of interest. This invention also provides for a process to manufacture proteins in larvae that does not require synchronization of the infection, growth and harvest larvae to optimally manufacture a protein of interest. The invention further provides for a process of producing interleukin-2 in larvae.