Abstract: An extraction section extracts a speech signal having ambient noise superimposed thereon as a data segment having a predetermined duration. An autocorrelation function normalizing section determines normalized autocorrelation function vectors. A normalized autocorrelation function count section counts a given number of normalized autocorrelation function vectors. A noise vector region/speech vector region/undefined vector computation section classifies the normalized autocorrelation function vectors into any of a noise vector region, a speech vector region, or undefined vectors. When the latest normalized autocorrelation function vector acquired by a normalized autocorrelation function vector determination section pertains to the noise vector region, the speech signal is determined to be a noise segment. In contrast, when the latest vector does not pertain to the noise vector region, the input signal is determined to be a speech segment.

Abstract: The base sequence data of a gene is analyzed. A set of degenerate probes are hybridized to a single-stranded nucleic acid analyte derived from a gene, the nucleic acid analyte is used as a template and the probes are used as primers for a thermo-cycled polymerase reaction, the reaction products obtained from the respective probes are separated by gel electrophoresis and the electrophoresis patterns for the probes are compared, to allow for feature extraction of the base sequence of the nucleic acid analyte, including its squencing.

Abstract: The base sequence data of a gene is analyzed. A set of degenerate probes are hybridized to a single-stranded nucleic acid analyte derived from a gene, the nucleic acid analyte is used as a template and the probes are used as primers for a thermo-cycled polymerase reaction, the reaction products obtained from the respective probes are separated by gel electrophoresis and the electrophoresis patterns for the probes are compared, to allow for feature extraction of the base sequence of the nucleic acid analyte, including its sequencing.

Abstract: An extraction section extracts a speech signal having ambient noise superimposed thereon as a data segment having a predetermined duration. An autocorrelation function normalizing section determines normalized autocorrelation function vectors. A normalized autocorrelation function count section counts a given number of normalized autocorrelation function vectors. A noise vector region/speech vector region/undefined vector computation section classifies the normalized autocorrelation function vectors into any of a noise vector region, a speech vector region, or undefined vectors. When the latest normalized autocorrelation function vector acquired by a normalized autocorrelation function vector determination section pertains to the noise vector region, the speech signal is determined to be a noise segment. In contrast, when the latest vector does not pertain to the noise vector region, the input signal is determined to be a speech segment.

Abstract: This invention provides fluoroassay which comprises labeling analyte molecules with a fluorescent material having a nucleic acid portion stained with a sufficient number of fluorochrome molecules so as to be measurable as fluorescent spots, and a reactive group binding to the analyte molecule specifically, immobilizing the labeled analyte on a solid phase, and counting the number of fluorescent spots. The nucleic acid portion of the fluorescent labeling material is a double-stranded or single-stranded nucleic acid, and the staining with the fluorochrome molecules is performed with intercalating type, minor groove binding type, or covalently binding to the nucleic acid type.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting denaturation of a nucleic acid, including: denaturation condition controlling means for controlling condition of denaturation under which a double-stranded nucleic acid is separated into a first single-stranded nucleic acid and a second single-stranded nucleic acid; excitation light irradiation means for irradiating the double-stranded nucleic acid before denaturation, and the first single-stranded nucleic acid and second single-stranded nucleic acid after the denaturation; fluorescence detection means for detecting fluorescence emission based on the excitation light irradiation; and processing means for receiving, storing and processing a signal supplied from the fluorescence detection means.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting denaturation of a nucleic acid, including: denaturation condition controlling element for controlling condition of denaturation under which a double-strand nucleic acid is separated into a first single-strand nucleic acid and a second single-strand nucleic acid; excitation light irradiation source for irradiating the double-strand nucleic acid before denaturation, and the first single-strand nucleic acid and second single-strand nucleic acid after the denaturation; fluorescence detection monitor for detecting fluorescence emission based on the excitation light irradiation; and processing element for receiving, storing and processing a signal supplied from the fluorescence detection monitor.

Abstract: To assure detection of fluorescence produced from continuously supplied fine particles such as DNA bases with accuracy and excellent efficiency, fine particles supplied from a flow cell are introduced into a through-hole of a hollow photomultiplier. An optical fiber is disposed in axial alignment with the through-hole of the photomultiplier and irradiates an exciting light beam onto the fine particles staying in the through-hole. Light-induced fluorescence is thus detected by the photomultiplier which has a photocathode on an inner circumference of the through-hole.