Abstract: An imaging device including a pixel that includes: a photoelectric converter that converts light into a charge; a charge accumulation region to which the charge is input; and an amplifier transistor that includes a gate electrically connected to the charge accumulation region. The amplifier transistor being configured to output a signal that corresponds to a potential of the charge accumulation region. The imaging device further including a detection circuit that is configured to detect a level of the signal from the amplifier transistor, wherein a sensitivity of the pixel is caused to be increased, in a case where the level detected by the detection circuit is greater than a first threshold value.

Abstract: The polylactic acid resin composition of the present invention includes a polylactic acid resin (A) having a D-isomer content of 0 to 2.0 mol % or 98.0 to 100 mol %. The polylactic acid resin composition of the present invention further includes tin oxide (B) in an amount of 0.005 to 10 parts by mass in relation to 100 parts by mass of the polylactic acid resin (A). By using the polylactic acid resin composition of the present invention, a molded body being excellent in crystallinity and heat resistance, and at the same time, having sufficiently excellent moisture-heat durability can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of detecting a reactive metabolite which comprises steps of conducting a metabolic reaction of a test compound in the presence of two labeled nucleophiles, and detecting the label of the nucleophiles bound to the reactive metabolite, and a method of detecting a reactive metabolite which further comprises separating liquid layer using ammonium acetate to obtain an organic layer after the aforementioned reaction step are disclosed. In these detection methods, a reactive metabolite can be quantitatively detected by easy preparation. Furthermore, generation of a false positive signal can be prevented, and generation of a false negative signal can be decreased. Accordingly, screening of a test compound can be efficiently performed with higher accuracy.

Abstract: An optical adjusting member according to the invention includes a base member, a plurality of lenses, and a light diffusion layer. The base member has optical transparency. The plurality of lenses are formed on the base member. The light diffusion layer is formed on the plurality of lenses, and at least top edge parts of the lenses are buried in the light diffusion layer. In the optical adjusting member according to the invention, at least the top edge parts of the plurality of lenses are buried in the light diffusion layer and therefore the lenses are less susceptible to damages. The optical adjusting member according to the invention has a light collecting function by the lenses and a diffusion function by the light diffusion layer.

Abstract: A method for modifying the surface of a polymer substrate is provided, which includes applying a permeating substance to predetermined region on the surface of the polymer substrate, and bringing a supercritical fluid into contact with the surface of the polymer substrate to which the permeating substance has been applied to cause the permeating substance to permeate into the polymer substrate. This method makes it possible to selectively (partially) modify a portion of the surface of the polymer substrate by an easier method.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium and a method for recording and reproduction thereon are provided in order to reproduce information recorded by multi-valued recording at a high S/N ratio. Disclosed is a magneto-optical recording medium including two magnetic layers capable of four-valued recording based on four combined magnetization states. Magnitudes of reproduction signals concerning the four magnetization states, obtained upon reproduction at a wavelength ?1, are different from those obtained upon reproduction at a wavelength ?2. The two magnetic layers, on which a signal (a) is recorded, are irradiated with light beams having the wavelengths ?1 and ?2 respectively. Signals (d), (e) reproduced from respective reflected light beams are sliced by using at least one slice level to obtain two-valued or higher multi-valued reproduction signals respectively.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium comprises a recording layer 5, an intermediate layer 4, and a reproducing layer 3. The reproducing layer 3 is formed of a rare earth transition metal alloy in which rare earth metal is dominant, and each of the intermediate layer 4 and the recording layer 5 is formed of a rare earth transition metal alloy in which transition metal is dominant. The intermediate layer 4 exhibits in-plane magnetization at a temperature of not less than 140° C. Therefore, the intermediate layer 4 cuts off the exchange coupling force between the recording layer 5 and the reproducing layer 3 during the reproduction. A magnetic domain 3A, which is transferred to the reproducing layer 3, is expanded to a size of a minimum magnetic domain diameter by the magnetostatic repulsive force exerted between the magnetic domain in the intermediate layer 4 and the magnetic domain in the reproducing layer.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium and a method for recording and reproduction thereon are provided in order to reproduce information recorded by multi-valued recording at a high S/N ratio. Disclosed is a magneto-optical recording medium including two magnetic layers capable of four-valued recording based on four combined magnetization states. Magnitudes of reproduction signals concerning the four magnetization states, obtained upon reproduction at a wavelength .lambda..sub.1, are different from those obtained upon reproduction at a wavelength .lambda..sub.2. The two magnetic layers, on which a signal (a) is recorded, are irradiated with light beams having the wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2 respectively. Signals (d), (e) reproduced from respective reflected light beams are sliced by using at least one slice level to obtain two-valued or higher multi-valued reproduction signals respectively.

Abstract: An improved optical information recording and reproducing apparatus which is capable of detecting recording errors simultaneously with recording function for reduction of recording time, without requiring particular high accuracy for an optical system, and avoiding complication in the construction and consequent large size of the optical system.