Abstract: The refrigerator includes a vegetable compartment (107) thermally insulated by a rear partition (111), and a mist generation department (139) for atomizing a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and the mist generation department (139) includes a atomizing electrode (135) for atomizing the mist into the vegetable compartment (107), a voltage applicator (133) for applying a voltage to the atomizing electrode (135), and a cooling pin (134) coupled to the atomizing electrode (135), in which the atomizing electrode (135) is cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point by a outlet air-duct for freezer compartment (141), and the moisture in the air is cooled to condense dew on the atomizing electrode (135), and is atomized as a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and dew can be condensed from moisture onto the atomizing electrode (135) stably and in a simple configuration, and the freshness of the food is enhanced while the reliability of the refrigerator is enhanced.

Abstract: The refrigerator includes a vegetable compartment (107) thermally insulated by a rear partition (111), and a mist generation department (139) for atomizing a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and the mist generation department (139) includes a atomizing electrode (135) for atomizing the mist into the vegetable compartment (107), a voltage applicator (133) for applying a voltage to the atomizing electrode (135), and a cooling pin (134) coupled to the atomizing electrode (135), in which the atomizing electrode (135) is cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point by a outlet air-duct for freezer compartment (141), and the moisture in the air is cooled to condense dew on the atomizing electrode (135), and is atomized as a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and dew can be condensed from moisture onto the atomizing electrode (135) stably and in a simple configuration, and the freshness of the food is enhanced while the reliability of the refrigerator is enhanced.

Abstract: The refrigerator includes a vegetable compartment (107) thermally insulated by a rear partition (111), and a mist generation department (139) for atomizing a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and the mist generation department (139) includes a atomizing electrode (135) for atomizing the mist into the vegetable compartment (107), a voltage applicator (133) for applying a voltage to the atomizing electrode (135), and a cooling pin (134) coupled to the atomizing electrode (135), in which the atomizing electrode (135) is cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point by a outlet air-duct for freezer compartment (141), and the moisture in the air is cooled to condense dew on the atomizing electrode (135), and is atomized as a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and dew can be condensed from moisture onto the atomizing electrode (135) stably and in a simple configuration, and the freshness of the food is enhanced while the reliability of the refrigerator is enhanced.

Abstract: Methods of assessing the ongoing kidney status in a subject afflicted with chronic renal failure (CRF) by detecting the quantity of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in fluid samples over time is disclosed. NGAL is a small secreted polypeptide that is protease resistant and consequently readily detected in the urine and serum as a result of chronic renal tubule cell injury. Incremental increases in NGAL levels in CRF patients over a prolonged period of time are diagnostic of worsening kidney disease. This increase in NGAL precedes and correlates with other indicators of worsening CRF, such as increased serum creatinine, increased urine protein secretion, and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Proper detection of worsening (or improving, if treatment has been instituted) renal status over time, confirmed by pre- and post-treatment NGAL levels in the patient, can aid the clinical practitioner in designing and/or maintaining a proper treatment regimen to slow or stop the progression of CRF.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for treating and preventing cancer metastasis, angiogenic disorders, and fibrotic disorders using lipocalin 2 compounds.

Abstract: A method of assessing the ongoing kidney status of a mammal afflicted with or at risk of developing chronic renal injury or disease, including chronic renal failure (CRF) by detecting the quantity of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in urine, serum or plasma samples at discrete time periods, as well as over time. Incremental increases in NGAL levels in CRF patients over a prolonged period of time are diagnostic of worsening kidney disease. This increase in NGAL precedes and correlates with other indicators of worsening chronic renal disease or CRF, such as increased serum creatinine, increased urine protein secretion, and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Proper detection of worsening (or improving, if treatment has been instituted) renal status over time, confirmed by pre- and post-treatment NGAL levels in the patient, can aid the clinical practitioner in designing and/or maintaining a proper treatment regimen to slow or stop the progression of CRF.

Abstract: A charger of the present invention includes a charging transistor and a charging integrated circuit. The charging transistor is series-connected with a secondary battery to supply a charging current to the secondary battery. The charging integrated circuit is incorporated into a package having a higher heat releasability than that of the charging transistor. The charging integrated circuit controls the charging transistor and besides, supplies a charging current to the secondary battery. For this purpose, the charging integrated circuit includes a current source supplying this charging current. The charging current from the current source is supplied to the secondary battery together with the charging current from the charging transistor to charge the secondary battery.

Abstract: An inverter apparatus is composed of a power MOSFET having a source/drain connected to an output terminal, and a gate drive circuit driving a gate of the power MOSFET. The gate drive circuit includes a discharging path connected with the gate of the power MOSFET. The discharging path includes a set of serially-connected diodes which are forward-connected in a direction of a discharge current from the gate of the power MOSFET.

Abstract: A charging apparatus includes a DC-DC converter for stepping down a charging input voltage, and a charging current controller having two input terminals and one output terminal. The input terminals receive a voltage based on a charging current drawn from a voltage stepped down by the DC-DC converter. The voltage at the output terminal serves as a control voltage for controlling the charging current drawn from the stepped-down voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting watermark formations on semiconductor wafers are described. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing a semiconductor wafer having at least one watermark sensitive region fabricated thereon, subjecting the wafer to a wet processing step, enhancing a susceptibility to detection of at least one watermark formation created on the at least one watermark sensitive region, and detecting the at least one watermark formation. In another embodiment, a method comprises growing a first oxide layer on a surface of a semiconductor wafer, patterning a watermark sensitive structure on the first oxide layer, depositing a silicon layer over the first oxide layer, doping a region of the silicon layer over the watermark sensitive structure with an impurity to create a watermark sensitive region that is prone to retaining watermark formations as result of a wet processing step, and growing a second oxide layer over the silicon layer.

Abstract: A charging control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a detecting circuit and a charging transistor control unit for controlling a charging transistor supplying a first current, a current source for supplying a second current, and a current source control unit for controlling the current source. For example, if a secondary battery is charged using an adaptor endowed with a current-limiting function, during a constant-current charging period in which a charging voltage of the secondary battery reaches 3.2 V to 4.2 V, the secondary battery is charged with the first current I1, and during a constant-voltage charging period after the voltage reaches 4.2 V, the secondary battery is charged with the first charging current and the second charging current.

Abstract: A method of assessing the ongoing kidney status of a mammal afflicted with or at risk of developing chronic renal injury or disease, including chronic renal failure (CRF) by detecting the quantity of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in urine, serum or plasma samples at discrete time periods, as well as over time. Incremental increases in NGAL levels in CRF patients over a prolonged period of time are diagnostic of worsening kidney disease. This increase in NGAL precedes and correlates with other indicators of worsening chronic renal disease or CRF, such as increased serum creatinine, increased urine protein secretion, and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Proper detection of worsening (or improving, if treatment has been instituted) renal status over time, confirmed by pre- and post-treatment NGAL levels in the patient, can aid the clinical practitioner in designing and/or maintaining a proper treatment regimen to slow or stop the progression of CRF.

Abstract: A method of assessing the ongoing kidney status of a mammal afflicted with or at risk of developing chronic renal injury or disease, including chronic renal failure (CRF) by detecting the quantity of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in urine, serum or plasma samples at discrete time periods, as well as over time. Incremental increases in NGAL levels in CRF patients over a prolonged period of time are diagnostic of worsening kidney disease. This increase in NGAL precedes and correlates with other indicators of worsening chronic renal disease or CRF, such as increased serum creatinine, increased urine protein secretion, and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Proper detection of worsening (or improving, if treatment has been instituted) renal status over time, confirmed by pre- and post-treatment NGAL levels in the patient, can aid the clinical practitioner in designing and/or maintaining a proper treatment regimen to slow or stop the progression of CRF.

Abstract: Methods of assessing the ongoing kidney status in a subject afflicted with chronic renal failure (CRF) by detecting the quantity of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in fluid samples over time is disclosed. NGAL is a small secreted polypeptide that is protease resistant and consequently readily detected in the urine and serum as a result of chronic renal tubule cell injury. Incremental increases in NGAL levels in CRF patients over a prolonged period of time are diagnostic of worsening kidney disease. This increase in NGAL precedes and correlates with other indicators of worsening CRF, such as increased serum creatinine, increased urine protein secretion, and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Proper detection of worsening (or improving, if treatment has been instituted) renal status over time, confirmed by pre- and post-treatment NGAL levels in the patient, can aid the clinical practitioner in designing and/or maintaining a proper treatment regimen to slow or stop the progression of CRF.

Abstract: A charging apparatus includes a DC-DC converter for stepping down a charging input voltage, and a charging current controller having two input terminals and one output terminal. The input terminals receive a voltage based on a charging current drawn from a voltage stepped down by the DC-DC converter. The voltage at the output terminal serves as a control voltage for controlling the charging current drawn from the stepped-down voltage.

Abstract: An inverter apparatus is composed of a power MOSFET having a source/drain connected to an output terminal, and a gate drive circuit driving a gate of the power MOSFET. The gate drive circuit includes a discharging path connected with the gate of the power MOSFET. The discharging path includes a set of serially-connected diodes which are forward-connected in a direction of a discharge current from the gate of the power MOSFET.

Abstract: A charging control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a detecting circuit and a charging transistor control unit for controlling a charging transistor supplying a first current, a current source for supplying a second current, and a current source control unit for controlling the current source. For example, if a secondary battery is charged using an adaptor endowed with a current-limiting function, during a constant-current charging period in which a charging voltage of the secondary battery reaches 3.2 V to 4.2 V, the secondary battery is charged with the first current I1, and during a constant-voltage charging period after the voltage reaches 4.2 V, the secondary battery is charged with the first charging current and the second charging current.

Abstract: A charger of the present invention includes a charging transistor and a charging integrated circuit. The charging transistor is series-connected with a secondary battery to supply a charging current to the secondary battery. The charging integrated circuit is incorporated into a package having a higher heat releasability than that of the charging transistor. The charging integrated circuit controls the charging transistor and besides, supplies a charging current to the secondary battery. For this purpose, the charging integrated circuit includes a current source supplying this charging current. The charging current from the current source is supplied to the secondary battery together with the charging current from the charging transistor to charge the secondary battery.

Abstract: Use of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a therapeutic and in a method of treating, reducing, or ameliorating an injury selected from an ischemic injury, an ischemic-reperfusion injury, and a toxin-induced injury, to an organ in a patient. The invention includes administering to the patient NGAL in an amount effective to treat, reduce or ameliorate ischemic, ischemic-reperfusion, or toxin-induced injury to the organ, such as the kidney. A siderophore can be co-administered with the NGAL. The invention also relates to administering a sideophore to enhance a response to secretion of NGAL following an ischemic or toxin-induced injury to an organ in a patient.

Abstract: A disk drive apparatus according to the present invention includes a horizontal guide mechanism and a vertical guide mechanism, which are disposed between a frame (10) and a slider (60) for slidably guiding the slider (60). The horizontal guide mechanism includes an engaging piece (69b) disposed in at least one of the frame (10) and the slider (60) and an engaging hole (24a), which is disposed in the other and is engaged with the engaging piece (69b). One of the frame (10) and the slider (60), in which the engaging piece (69b) is formed, is made of a metallic sheet material while the engaging piece (69b) is formed by bending part of the metallic sheet material. Forming the engaging piece (69b) by bending part of the metallic sheet material in such a manner simplifies the structure of the disk drive apparatus according to the present invention so that the fabrication is facilitated, enabling fabricating cost to be reduced.