Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels, a pixel connection section, and a pixel reset section. The plurality of pixels each include a photoelectric conversion section that generates a charge according to irradiated light, a charge holding section that holds the generated charge, and a signal generation section that generates as an image signal a signal according to the held charge. The pixel connection section conducts between charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels and thereby allows each of the charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels to hold the charge that has been generated by the photoelectric conversion section of one pixel of the plurality of pixels. The pixel reset section discharges and resets the charge of the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels when the pixel connection section conducts between the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A system for detecting a presence of a person in a hoistway, having: one or more controllers configured to authenticate the person in the hoistway; the one or more controllers being operationally connected to an elevator car in the hoistway and configured to determine whether the person is within a predetermined distance of the elevator car from a signal emitter on the person; wherein when the person is within the predetermined distance of the elevator car, the one or more controllers is configured to transmit a feedback request to the person and stop the elevator car unless the one or more controllers receives feedback to the feedback request within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels, a pixel connection section, and a pixel reset section. The plurality of pixels each include a photoelectric conversion section that generates a charge according to irradiated light, a charge holding section that holds the generated charge, and a signal generation section that generates as an image signal a signal according to the held charge. The pixel connection section conducts between charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels and thereby allows each of the charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels to hold the charge that has been generated by the photoelectric conversion section of one pixel of the plurality of pixels. The pixel reset section discharges and resets the charge of the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels when the pixel connection section conducts between the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: It has become clear that the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor for IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases can be predicted using the expression level of neutrophil-associated genes as an indicator. It has also become clear that an IL-6 inhibitor is effective for the treatment of IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases in patients with high expression levels of neutrophil-associated genes. The present invention provides a method for selecting cases of IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases in which treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor is effective, as well as a method for effectively treating patients with IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases and with high expression levels of neutrophil-associated genes.

Abstract: It has become clear that the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor for IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases can be predicted using the expression level of neutrophil-associated genes as an indicator. It has also become clear that an IL-6 inhibitor is effective for the treatment of IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases in patients with high expression levels of neutrophil-associated genes. The present invention provides a method for selecting cases of IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases in which treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor is effective, as well as a method for effectively treating patients with IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases and with high expression levels of neutrophil-associated genes.

Abstract: Provided is a novel composition that has no side effects and can be easily produced, for use in improving symptoms of sequelae of viral infection. A composition comprising a hydrogen gas-containing gas as an active ingredient, for use in improving symptoms of sequelae of viral infection, such as pulmonary fibrosis, feeling of fatigue, malaise, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and/or decrease in activity levels associated with these symptoms, in a patient with sequelae of viral infection, and/or a method for improving symptoms, such as decrease in activity levels associated with these symptoms.

Abstract: Described is a composition for ameliorating symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and/or fibromyalgia (FM) that has few side effects and can be easily produced. Specifically, described is a composition for ameliorating at least one symptom of fatigue, headache, body pain, impaired thinking, impaired concentration, and/or impaired activity level associated with these symptoms caused by ME/CFS and/or FM in a patient, including a hydrogen gas-containing gas as an active ingredient. Also, described herein is a method for ameliorating symptoms such as fatigue, headache, body pain, impaired thinking, impaired concentration, and/or impaired activity levels associated with these symptoms caused by ME/CFS and/or FM in a patient with ME/CFS and/or FM, including administering the composition to the patient.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is provided in the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides a method that uses the B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire as an indicator of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). One or more variables selected from the group consisting of the frequency of use of one or more genes in the IgGH heavy chain variable region of the BCR in a subject, the BCR diversity index in a subject, and the level of one or more immune cell subpopulations in a subject can be used as an indicator of ME/CFS in the subject.

Abstract: A vortex generator for a wind turbine blade includes: a platform portion to be fixed to a surface of the wind turbine blade; and at least one fin erected on the platform portion. The platform portion includes marks disposed on a pair of opposite positions in an outer edge region of the platform portion and indicating orientation of the vortex generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic agent, onset-suppressing agent, or therapeutic agent for progressive immune demyelinating diseases comprising, as an active ingredient, a substance capable of suppressing or inhibiting production of prolactin.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the amount of a plasmablast (PB) in a sample of a relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patient can be measured, thereby predicting the therapeutic effect of interferon beta (IFN-?) or predicting a RRMS case for which the continuous administration of IFN-? is difficult due to the manifestation of a serious adverse reaction or the aggravation of concomitant immune disorder. In addition, the amount of PB in a sample of a RRMS patient can also be measured, thereby predicting the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor in the treatment of RRMS. As a result, a treatment method effective for patients not suitable for IFN-? in the treatment of RRMS can be provided.

Abstract: A method of mounting a vortex generator to a wind turbine blade includes: a step of specifying positions of at least two reference points at different coordinates in a blade spanwise direction of the wind turbine blade on the wind turbine blade; and a step of adjusting a mounting direction of the vortex generator and mounting the vortex generator to the wind turbine blade, with reference to a line connecting the reference points. The step of specifying the positions of the reference points comprises specifying the position of each of the reference points on the basis of: a length along a surface of the wind turbine blade in a chordwise direction from a trailing edge of the wind turbine blade or from a blade spanwise directional line extending along the blade spanwise direction on the surface of the wind turbine blade; and a distance in the blade spanwise direction from a blade root or from a blade tip of the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor on MS was found to be predictable by using as indicators the amount of plasmablasts and/or the indicator of change in immature plasmablasts (amount of immature plasmablasts or amount of follicular helper T cells) in MS patients with a large amount of plasmablasts. Furthermore, IL-6 inhibitors were found to be effective against MS in which plasmablasts occur at high levels and in which the indicator of change in immature plasmablasts is high. The present invention provides methods for selecting MS cases for which treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor is effective, and also provides an effective therapeutic method for patients with MS in which plasmablast occur at high levels and in which the indicator of change in immature plasmablasts is high.

Abstract: It has become clear that the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor for IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases can be predicted using the expression level of neutrophil-associated genes as an indicator. It has also become clear that an IL-6 inhibitor is effective for the treatment of IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases in patients with high expression levels of neutrophil-associated genes. The present invention provides a method for selecting cases of IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases in which treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor is effective, as well as a method for effectively treating patients with IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases and with high expression levels of neutrophil-associated genes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic agent, onset-suppressing agent, or therapeutic agent for progressive immune demyelinating diseases comprising, as an active ingredient, a substance capable of suppressing or inhibiting production of prolactin.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for processing microelectronic workpieces having patterned structures that include ultra-low dielectric constant (k) (ULK) material layers. In particular, embodiments are disclosed that deposit protective layers to protect ULK features during etch processing of patterned structures within substrates for microelectronic workpieces. For certain embodiments, these protective layers are deposited in-situ within the etch chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a diagnosis method for an autoimmune disease, including a step of measuring the relative abundances of bacteria included in a fecal sample collected from a test subject; and a step of performing the following (1), for example: (1) in a case in which relative abundance of a bacterium whose nucleotide sequence of 16S ribosomal RNA gene has an identity of 99% or higher with nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4, is large compared to the relative abundance in healthy subject, determining that the test subject has contracted, or has a high risk of contracting, the autoimmune disease.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor on MS was found to be predictable by using as indicators the amount of plasmablasts and/or the indicator of change in immature plasmablasts (amount of immature plasmablasts or amount of follicular helper T cells) in MS patients with a large amount of plasmablasts. Furthermore, IL-6 inhibitors were found to be effective against MS in which plasmablasts occur at high levels and in which the indicator of change in immature plasmablasts is high. The present invention provides methods for selecting MS cases for which treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor is effective, and also provides an effective therapeutic method for patients with MS in which plasmablast occur at high levels and in which the indicator of change in immature plasmablasts is high.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for processing microelectronic workpieces having patterned structures that include ultra-low dielectric constant (k) (ULK) material layers. In particular, embodiments are disclosed that deposit protective layers to protect ULK features during etch processing of patterned structures within substrates for microelectronic workpieces. For certain embodiments, these protective layers are deposited in-situ within the etch chamber.