Abstract: A card management system includes a server; and first and second terminals connected to the server via a network. When a customer sends a card (e.g., a redemption card) to a card maker, the customer transmits card submission data to the server by use of the first terminal. The card maker transmits card acceptance data and card dispatch data to the server by use of the second terminal. Further, the customer transmits dispatch status data to the server by use of the first terminal. Whenever the server receives the above-described data, the server stores the data in a database, and discloses the data on the network in the form of a list.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier comprises a main amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies a difference signal between an input signal and a feedback signal, a feedback amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies an output signal of the main amplifier circuit, and a gain control circuit which complementarily control the gain of the main amplifier circuit and the gain of the feedback amplifier circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the efficiency of gene transfer into target cells with a retrovirus. The transduction is effected by infecting target cells with a retrovirus in the presence of a mixture of a functional material having a retrovirus binding domain, and a second functional material having target cell binding domain. The target cells may be selected from the group of unipotential hematopoietic progenitor cells and erythrocyte precursor, specifically pluripotent stem cells or embryopalstic stem cells.

Abstract: A high speed agitation granulator method of preparing a substantially spherical granule for pharmaceutical use comprising a medicament for pharmaceutical use, wherein the medicament has an aqueous solubility of 0.01 to 0.30 g/ml, which method comprises introducing a mixture of medicament and excipients comprising at least 5% crystalline cellulose into the granulator and spraying on water or a mixture of ethanol and water as binder solution; a substantially spherical granule for pharmaceutical use comprising famiciclovir and 5% or more crystalline cellulose, together with an optional coating; and a sachet containing a unit dose of famiciclovir in the form of such granules.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier device comprises a variable gain amplifier circuit which amplifies a difference between an input signal and a feedback signal to output an output signal, a feedback circuit which supplies the feedback signal to the variable gain amplifier circuit, and a controller which controls the variable gain amplifier circuit and the feedback circuit to decrease a cutoff frequency of the feedback circuit according to increase of a gain of the variable gain amplifier circuit or vice versa.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a reflector in which a reduction in high reflection factor of Ag is restricted, a stable wheatherability can be attained in a continuous manner even if it is exposed in a severe environment of high temperature and high humidity and further a high practical effect with the connecting characteristic being effectively enforced can be attained and also a high reliability is provided. The alloy reflective film made of AgPdCu alloy or AgPdTi alloy with Ag being applied as major component, with Pd being added in a range of 0.5 to 3.0 wt %, with either Cu or Ti, for example, in Al, Au, Pt, Cu, Ta, Cr, Ti, Ni, Co, Si as the third element being added in a range of 0.1 to 3.0 wt % is formed on the substrate in a predetermined film thickness (nm). As its pre-treatment, the organic ground film is applied on the substrate and the reflective film is formed on the film to enforce effectively the connecting characteristic.

Abstract: A receiver having a function of a direct current offset, and including a receiving section for receiving a radio frequency signal, an analog signal processing section for amplifying, band-converting and frequency-converting an analog signal inputted from the receiving section, and an AD converting section for converting an output of the analog signal processing section from an analog signal to a digital signal. Also included is a digital signal processing section for processing the digital signal converted by the DC converting section.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier comprises a main amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies a difference signal between an input signal and a feedback signal, a feedback amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies an output signal of the main amplifier circuit, and a gain control circuit which complementarily control the gain of the main amplifier circuit and the gain of the feedback amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A mobile telephone holding device is provided for establishing a stable communication between a portable telephone and outside on-board instruments without adjusting the positions of respective infrared optical communication interfaces precisely. The holding device includes a light guide 3 disposed between a plane containing one surface of the portable telephone 5 equipped with an infrared optical communication interface 13 and one end face 19 opposing a housing 9 equipped with an IrDA element 27. The light guide 3 operates to direct an optical path of a light signal entering through one surface of the guide 3 to a direction of the other surface. The transmission and receiving of optical signals is accomplished between the telephone 5 and the instruments through the light guide 3.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the efficiency of retroviral mediated gene transfer into viable target cells, which comprises transducing the target cells by infecting the target cells with a replication defective recombinant retrovirus that infects the target cells in an aqueous medium in the presence of (a) a mixture of an effective amount of a first functional material having a retrovirus binding domain that binds said retrovirus, and an effective amount of a second functional material having a target cell binding domain that binds said target cell, or (b) an effective amount of a bifunctional material having both a retroviral binding domain which does not contain the heparin binding domain derived from human fibronectin, and a target cell binding domain, wherein the bifunctional material has a retrovirus binding domain that binds to said retrovirus and a target cell binding domain that binds to the target cell.

Abstract: A stamper-forming electrode material contains Ag as its main ingredient and at least one other element, preferably Au and/or Cu. It is preferred that the Au and Cu contents each be 5.0 wt % or less. A stamper-forming thin film is made of this stamper-forming electrode material, whereby its corrosion resistance is improved to suppress damage to itself, and a high-quality stamper can hence be formed.

Abstract: A stamper-forming electrode material contains Cu as its main ingredient and at least one other element, preferably Ag and/or Ti. It is preferred that the Ag content be 10.0 wt % or less and that the Ti content be 5.0 wt % or less. A stamper-forming thin film is made of this stamper-forming electrode material, whereby its corrosion resistance is improved to suppress damage to itself, and a high-quality stamper can hence be formed.

Abstract: A heat-resistant reflecting layer includes Ag as a main component, a 0.1-3.0 wt % first element selected from the group consisting of Au, Pd, and Ru, a 0.1-3.0 wt % second element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ti, Cr, Ta, Mo, Ni, Al, Nb, Au, Pd, and Ru. The second element is different from the first element. The reflecting layer maintains the high optical reflection index of Ag. The reflecive layer has improved material stability and is stable when exposed to alkaline organic materials. The reflecting layer can be used as a reflector and a reflective wiring electrode for a liquid crystal display device, and as building glass for reflecting heat rays or infrared rays.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier comprises a main amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies a difference signal between an input signal and a feedback signal, a feedback amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies an output signal of the main amplifier circuit, and a gain control circuit which complementarily control the gain of the main amplifier circuit and the gain of the feedback amplifier circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kit to carry out retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into target cells. The kit contains a functional material bearing a retrovirus binding domain, another functional material bearing a target cell binding domain, an artificial substrate for incubating the retrovirus contacted with the target cells, and a target cell growth factor for pre-stimulating target cells to spur them along the cell cycle. The kit of the invention may further comprise a recombinant retroviral vector, necessary buffers, and the like.

Abstract: A high speed agitation granulator method of preparing a substantially spherical granule for pharmaceutical use comprising a medicament for pharmaceutical use, wherein the medicament has an aqueous solubility of 0.01 to 0.30 g/ml, which method comprises introducing a mixture of medicament and excipients comprising at least 5% crystalline cellulose into the granulator and spraying on water or a mixture of ethanol and water as binder solution; a substantially spherical granule for pharmaceutical use comprising famciclovir and 5% or more crystalline cellulose, together with an optional coating; and a sachet containing a unit dose of famciclovir in the form of such granules.

Abstract: An ink jet recording paper, which is excellent in ink absorbency and color-developing properties and has dull-tone glossiness, comprising an ink-receiving layer and at least two colloidal silica layers applied successively onto a support, each of said colloidal silica layers comprising chain colloidal silica as a main ingredient, wherein at least the colloidal silica layer contacting the ink-receiving layer contains no binder and has a coverage of about 1 to 3 g/m2, and the coverage of other colloidal silica layer is about 1 to 6 g/m2.