Abstract: A method of treating samples containing hepatitis C virus (HCV) which method comprises treating HCV-containing samples with a treating agent containing (1) an acidifying agent, and (2) a protein-denaturing agent, or an amphoteric surfactant or a cationic surfactant having both a straight chain alkyl group of 10 or more carbon atoms and a tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium salt in the same molecule, to effect the release of the HCV antigen and the inactivation of antibodies that bind to the HCV antigen, and the like.

Abstract: A memory management method for managing a non-volatile memory into which writing is performed in units of blocks includes the steps of assigning a plurality of blocks of the non-volatile memory to a management area formed of at least one block for storing management information, to a code area formed of a plurality of blocks into which program code is written, to a substitution area formed of a plurality of blocks for substituting for a defective block, and to an interference area formed of at least one block; storing at least correspondence information between the blocks of the substitution area and a defective block of a substitution target as management information within the management area; and using the block of the substitution area in place of the defective block on the basis of the correspondence information when the defective block is to be used.

Abstract: A method for measurement of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) characterized by measuring HCV core antigen and HCV core antibody by their binding with probes in the presence of an anionic surfactant or a non-ionic surfactant, or both.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a soluble highly sensitive probe complex with high functional capability ensuring usability in immunoassays of high sensitivity. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A highly sensitive probe complex can be produced by linking hydrophilic intermediums to a carrier and linking detection markers such as biotin, haptens or low-molecular-weight peptides and antibodies to the intermediums. By virtue of the linking of hydrophilic intermediums to a carrier, a multiplicity of hapten molecules can be linked and the probe complex as a whole becomes hydrophilic, so that there can be obtained a probe complex with high functional capability which would not induce nonspecific reactions.

Abstract: A mobile terminal having a communication function. The apparatus includes: a nonvolatile memory including a memory area storing a main-unit program including an update engine for updating software and an alternative unit area for a unit area in the memory area; a working memory; and control means for accessing both of the memories. The control means downloads differential data between a version of the main-unit program and a version of a new main-unit program, expands the update engine into the working memory area, executes the update engine, updates the main-unit program for each unit area by the differential data, completes the update processing if the update has been successful, and performs the unit-area update processing on the alternative unit area and replaces the defective unit area by the alternative unit area if a defect of a unit area has been detected at the time of the update.

Abstract: A method for measurement of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) characterized by measuring HCV core antigen and HCV core antibody by their binding with probes in the presence of an anionic surfactant or a non-ionic surfactant, or both.

Abstract: A method for measurement of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) characterized by measuring HCV core antigen and HCV core antibody by their binding with probes in the presence of an anionic surfactant or a non-ionic surfactant, or both.

Abstract: A pump is comprised of a piezo-electric vibrator mounted in a casing. The piezo-electric vibrator is coated with an elastic elastomer layer, and a peripheral part of the elastomer layer is secured to the casing within the casing. Suction and discharge of fluid is performed by means of piezo-electric vibrator vibrated by applying alternative current voltages between electrodes of the piezo-electric vibrator. The vibration of the piezo-electric vibrator is performed smoothly to produce and high discharge volume and discharge pressure can be produced.