Abstract: A microparticle trapping device includes: a fluid channel configured to be injected with a fluid including a microparticle; first and second electrodes configured to generate an electric field in the fluid channel; and an electrical insulator formed with at least one opening between the first and second electrodes in the fluid channel. The electrical insulator is disposed between the first and second electrodes so that an inhomogeneous electric field is made through the at least one opening between the first and second electrodes in the fluid channel, and the still other aspect is configured to trap the microparticle through dielectrophoresis.

Abstract: A method for selecting cells highly responsive to a target substance according to the present invention comprises step of: (1a) bringing a sample containing a target substance into contact with a plurality of cells, wherein the cells are cells having a receptor for the target substance and a fluorescent indicator, and the fluorescent indicator emits fluorescence as a result of binding between the target substance and the receptor; (1b) calculating a fluorescence intensity increase rate for each of the cells; and (1c) selecting arbitrary cells exhibiting a fluorescence intensity increase rate within the top 50% among the plurality of cells. According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the target substance in the sample with high sensitivity.

Abstract: In a liquid supply device, the pump unit has a discharge port for discharging a fluid. The connecting portion is connected to the discharge port. The first and second pipe portions and branch off from the connecting portion. The first introduction unit is connected to the first pipe portion and introduces a first liquid into the first flow channel at a flow rate corresponding to a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the first pipe portion. The second introduction unit is connected to the second pipe portion and introduces a second liquid into the first flow channel at a flow rate corresponding to a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the second pipe portion. The stopping portion stops the flow of the fluid in the second pipe portion.

Abstract: A cell adhesion composition according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an amphiphilic compound; and a conjugate of a DNA and a hydrophilic molecule, wherein the amphiphilic compound has a hydrophobic group that can non-covalently bond to a cell membrane, and a hydrophilic group, and wherein a weight-average molecular weight of the hydrophilic molecule of the conjugate is larger than a weight-average molecular weight of a hydrophilic molecule from which the hydrophilic group of the amphiphilic compound derives. According to such a cell adhesion composition, it is possible to impart a cell adhesion ability to a base material at an arbitrary timing by using light having an arbitrary wavelength.

Abstract: A micro object control apparatus for controlling motion of a micro object within a medium includes a light source, an optical vortex generation unit, an objective lens, an imaging unit, an analysis unit, and a movement unit. The analysis unit acquires first motion information of the micro object based on the image data in which the micro object optically trapped with the optical vortex is imaged by setting the focal position of the optical vortex to a first position, acquires second motion information of the micro object based on the image data in which the micro object optically trapped with the optical vortex is imaged by setting the focal position of the optical vortex to a second position, and evaluates a state of an optical trap of the micro object with the optical vortex by comparing the first motion information and the second motion information.

Abstract: A micro object control apparatus for controlling motion of a micro object within a medium includes a light source, an optical vortex generation unit, an objective lens, an imaging unit, an analysis unit, and a movement unit. The analysis unit acquires first motion information of the micro object based on the image data in which the micro object optically trapped with the optical vortex is imaged by setting the focal position of the optical vortex to a first position, acquires second motion information of the micro object based on the image data in which the micro object optically trapped with the optical vortex is imaged by setting the focal position of the optical vortex to a second position, and evaluates a state of an optical trap of the micro object with the optical vortex by comparing the first motion information and the second motion information.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin film transistor array substrate for a liquid crystal display device-includes:—(a) forming a first metal thin film layer on a insulating substrate and forming a gate wiring and a gate electrode by a first photolithography. (b) forming a gate insulating film layer, a semiconductor film layer, an ohmic contact film layer and a second metal thin film layer, and forming the thin film transistor by a second photolithography, (c) forming an interlayer insulating film, and forming a pixel contact hole, a first contact hole and a second contact hole by a third photolithography, and (d) forming a transparent conductive film, and forming a pixel electrode by a fourth photolithography. The first metal thin film has a two-layered structure comprising a first layer made of aluminum or aluminum alloy and a second layer located on said first layer, and the second metal thin film is formed of an alloy mainly containing molybdenum.

Abstract: A cold rolled steel sheet for a gasket material, characterized in that it has a chemical composition, in wt %: C: 0.08 to 0.60%, Si: 1.0 to 3.0%, Mn: 0.5 to 3.0%, P?0.06%, S;?0.06%, Al: ?0.1%, N: 0.0010 to 0.0150%, and the balance: Fe and inevitable impurities: and a method for producing the steel sheet. The cold collect steel sheet for a gasket material can provide a good balance between bead formability and spring characteristics, together with excellent gas sealing property, and can be produced at a low cost, and thus can be used for producing a gasket being suitably used at openings such as those for cooling water and a lubricating oil and a bolt hole.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of TFT array substrate of an LCD includes step A of forming gate wiring and a gate electrode by subjecting a first metal thin film to a photolithography process; step B of forming semiconductor active film by subjecting a gate insulating film to photolithograhy; step C of forming a source wiring, and source and drain electrodes by subjecting a second metal thin film to a photolithography; step D of forming an interlayer insulating film, thereafter forming a contact hole by subjecting the interlayer insulating film to photolithography; and step E of forming a pixel electrode by subjecting a transparent conductive film to photolithography where the second metal thin film is composed of an alloy containing Mo as a main component. The step B and C are replaced by a step of forming a gate insulating film and a second metal thin film, thereafter forming a TFT by a photolithography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contrivance for inserting watermark information into a moving image. The watermark information indicative of the ownership of the copyright of the moving image is inserted into the frames of the moving image at irregular intervals, the frames being of such a number that the watermark information is visually unperceivable in the moving image. In addition, the insertion positions of the watermark information in the frames are determined on the basis of random number values. Besides, restrictive information for the copying of the moving image is inserted together with the watermark information. When the moving image has been brought to a standstill into a static image, the watermark information can be visually perceived with ease, so that illegality such as piracy can be readily exposed. Thus, the present invention can provide a simple and inexpensive scheme for the copyright protection of the moving image.

Abstract: A problem solving operation apparatus obtains an optimum solution for a given problem through a combined use of a plurality of optimum solution search techniques of a genetic algorithm, and other search techniques like a hill climbing method. A combination of the optimum solution search techniques applied to each of a group of solution candidates varies according to each state. When a search efficiency in a single state is lowered, the problem solving operation apparatus immediately causes a state transition to the next state, thus enabling a search of an optimum solution through the use of another combination of more efficient optimum solution search techniques. Because a state transition constantly maintains a high search efficiency, this problem solving operation apparatus can reach an optimum solution in a short amount of time.

Abstract: An elevator safety device in which a counterweight cam is attached to the counterweight and top terminal landing final limit switches are disposed below the bottom terminal landing of the hoistway so that it is operated by the counterweight cam. The top terminal landing final limit switches only need to be provided in accordance with the counterweight buffer stroke, regardless of to what extent the car has been flung upward, with the result that fewer final limit switches are required.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide gas is supplied to a living plant while it is illuminated with excitation light, and resulting fluorescence from the plant is detected. Then, a mixture of a carbon dioxide gas and a gas or fine particles to be monitored is supplied to the same living plant while it is illuminated with the excitation light, and resulting fluorescence from the plant is detected. Differences between temporal variations or wavelength characteristics of fluorescence intensities under the above two conditions are used to identify the gas or fine particles.

Abstract: Ends of a pair of electrodes are positioned near the nerve cells to be connected while the portion under operation of a living body is being observed with a TV monitor. By applying a DC micro-current or high voltage pulse current to the living body via the pair of electrodes, the nerve cells are connected. The connection is confirmed by applying electric stimulation to the living body between a stimulating electrode and a monitor electrode, and monitoring its reaction on an oscilloscope. Each of the pair of electrodes has a needle-like electrode member which is shielded by an insulating cover member such that only a part thereof is exposed, and that the exposed parts of the electrodes are opposed to each other.

Abstract: An optical space switch includes a polarization controller, a beam splitter, a first reflection block and a second reflection block. The polarization controller has a first mode and a second mode. The polarization controller maintains the polarization of input light in the first mode and changes it by 90.degree. in the second mode. The first reflection block includes a quarter wave plate and a light path changing element. The input light from the polarization beam splitter is reflected by the first reflection block. During this time, the input light passes through the quarter wave plate twice. Thus, the polarization of the input light is changed by 90.degree.. Further, the light path of the input light is shifted by a predetermined distance by the light path changing element. The second reflection block has a quarter wave plate and a mirror. The second reflection block receives the input light from the polarization beam splitter, and returns it thereto.

Abstract: A packaged solar cell apparatus comprises at least two sunlight electric generating devices, a light intensity detector for producing an output signal in response to the intensity of incident sunlight, a comparator for comparing an output signal level of the light intensity detector with a reference level, and a switch for automatically switching the connection of the plurality of sunlight electric generating devices in accordance with an output signal of the comparator. The connection of the plurality of sunlight electric generating devices is switched between series and parallel connections, respectively, as the output signal level of the light intensity detector becomes higher or lower than the reference level, whereby output electric power from the plurality of sunlight electric generating devices is efficiently supplied to a desired electric load in accordance with the intensity of insolation.