Abstract: Provided are a freshness retaining agent that can be obtained by a simple method and exhibits excellent adsorption performance and antibacterial activity, a gas purification device including the freshness retaining agent, and a gas purification system. The freshness retaining agent is formed by adhering tea catechins to a surface and/or an inside of charcoal powders and adhering the charcoal powders to each other with clay interposed between the charcoal powders, thereby exhibiting excellent adsorption performance and antibacterial activity.

Abstract: Provided are a freshness retaining agent that can be obtained by a simple method and exhibits excellent adsorption performance and antibacterial activity, a gas purification device including the freshness retaining agent, and a gas purification system. The freshness retaining agent is formed by adhering tea catechins to a surface and/or an inside of charcoal powders and adhering the charcoal powders to each other with clay interposed between the charcoal powders, thereby exhibiting excellent adsorption performance and antibacterial activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally to a method of determining and assessing cytochrome P450 2D6 isoenzyme (CYP2D6)-related metabolic capacity in an individual mammalian subject via a breath assay, by determining the relative amount of 13CO2 exhaled by a the subject upon intravenous or oral administration of a 13C-labeled CYP2D6 substrate compound. The present invention is useful as an in vivo phenotype assay for evaluating CYP2D6-related activity using the metabolite 13CO2 in expired breath and to determine the optimal dosage and timing of administration of CYP2D6 substrate compound.

Abstract: A coin or token image acquiring apparatus includes a coin moving unit for receiving coins in a sequential manner and translating each coin to a predetermined station. A time sensor unit detects the position of the respective coins in the coin moving unit and provides a timing signal that can activate an image apparatus unit positioned at the predetermined station. A light emitting apparatus is positioned to illuminate the coin face at the predetermined station so that the image apparatus can capture an illuminated image of the face of the coin. A storage unit can store a reference image of an authenticated coin image where by a comparator unit can compare the captured image of the coin with the authenticated coin image to provide an authenticated output signal when the respective image is matched. A separator unit can separate false coins from authenticated coins.

Abstract: In a non-volatile semiconductor memory device typically of a MONOS type storing data by trapping charge in a multilayer film composed of a plurality of insulating films, which includes: source and drain regions of a second conductivity type disposed apart from each other in a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; and a multilayer film composed of a plurality of insulating films and disposed on top of a channel region between the source and drain regions, a heavily doped region higher in impurity concentration than the semiconductor substrate is provided in part of the channel region to be in contact with only one of the source and drain regions, and in an uppermost top oxide film of the multilayer film on the channel region, only a portion overlapping with the heavily doped region in a plane view is smaller in thickness than the other portion, whereby a stepped portion is formed.

Abstract: The present invention provide a method for measuring and assessing the capacity in an individual subject to metabolize a variety of fluorouracil drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil, which are degraded in the pyrimidine metabolic pathway, and a preparation useful for the measurement and assessment. The present invention can be carried out by: administering a preparation for determining pyrimidine metabolic capacity comprising as an active ingredient a pyrimidine compound or pyrimidine metabolic compound that acts as a substrate for a pyrimidine metabolizing enzyme, in which at least one of the carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms is labeled with an isotope; and assessing in vivo pyrimidine metabolic capacity based on the behavior of an excreted metabolite.

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus is provided that has features to easily adjust the distance between the base plate and the rotating disk and to adapt to the thickness of the coins. The coin dispensing apparatus includes a disk (102) which separates coins one by one. A coin base (104) supports the coins which are moved by the disk. A body (100) includes the base and a step section (149) which provides different distances to the base to adapt to the thickness of the coins. A rotating shaft member (160) is selectively attached to the step section and can be adjusted to the body. The rotating shaft member for rotating the disk is selectively attached at the step section in stages. Therefore the distance between the disk and the base is adjusted to adapt the thickness of coin.

Abstract: The coin hopper has a rotational disc that is attached to a rotational axis protruding from a base that incorporates a drive unit. A retaining bowl is attached to the base to allow coins to be dispensed one by one by a rotational disc located in a circular cavity defined by a lower part of the retaining bowl. Slopes are formed in the base around the rotational disc so as to be point-symmetric about a rotational axis. A complementary slope corresponding to the base slopes is formed in at least a part of the retaining bowl, and the retaining bowl is attached to the base while these slopes are in contact with each other to enable alignment.

Abstract: A coin or token image acquiring apparatus includes a coin moving unit for receiving coins in a sequential manner and translating each coin to a predetermined station. A time sensor unit detects the position of the respective coins in the coin moving unit and provides a timing signal that can activate an image apparatus unit positioned at the predetermined station. A light emitting apparatus is positioned to illuminate the coin face at the predetermined station so that the image apparatus can capture an illuminated image of the face of the coin. A storage unit can store a reference image of an authenticated coin image where by a comparator unit can compare the captured image of the coin with the authenticated coin image to provide an authenticated output signal when the respective image is matched. A separator unit can separate false coins from authenticated coins.

Abstract: In a non-volatile semiconductor memory device typically of a MONOS type storing data by trapping charge in a multilayer film composed of a plurality of insulating films, which includes: source and drain regions of a second conductivity type disposed apart from each other in a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; and a multilayer film composed of a plurality of insulating films and disposed on top of a channel region between the source and drain regions, a heavily doped region higher in impurity concentration than the semiconductor substrate is provided in part of the channel region to be in contact with only one of the source and drain regions, and in an uppermost top oxide film of the multilayer film on the channel region, only a portion overlapping with the heavily doped region in a plane view is smaller in thickness than the other portion, whereby a stepped portion is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally to a method of determining and assessing cytochrome P450 2D6 isoenzyme (CYP2D6)-related metabolic capacity in an individual mammalian subject via a breath assay, by determining the relative amount of 13CO2 exhaled by a the subject upon intravenous or oral administration of a 13C-labeled CYP2D6 substrate compound. The present invention is useful as an in vivo phenotype assay for evaluating CYP2D6-related activity using the metabolite 13CO2 in expired breath and to determine the optimal dosage and timing of administration of CYP2D6 substrate compound.

Abstract: The coin hopper has a rotational disc that is attached to a rotational axis protruding from a base that incorporates a drive unit. A retaining bowl is attached to the base to allow coins to be dispensed one by one by a rotational disc located in a circular cavity defined by a lower part of the retaining bowl. Slopes are formed in the base around the rotational disc so as to be point-symmetric about a rotational axis. A complementary slope corresponding to the base slopes is formed in at least a part of the retaining bowl, and the retaining bowl is attached to the base while these slopes are in contact with each other to enable alignment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly accurate method for monitoring patient or subject compliance with a medication prescription by collecting a sample of the exhaled air. The method of the present invention is easy and little burdens the patient or subject. The method comprises the steps of: (i) prescribing a patient or subject ingestion of at least one biologically active agent and at least one carbon isotope-labeled lipid, (ii) obtaining a sample of the patient's or subject's exhaled air, (iii) measuring the ratio of the carbon isotope-labeled CO2 relative to 12CO2 in the sample; and (iv) confirming the ingestion of the prescribed biologically active agent based on the ratio of the carbon isotope-labeled CO2 relative to 12CO2.

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus is provided that has features to easily adjust the distance between the base plate and the rotating disk and to adapt to the thickness of the coins. The coin dispensing apparatus includes a disk (102) which separates coins one by one. A coin base (104) supports the coins which are moved by the disk. A body (100) includes the base and a step section (149) which provides different distances to the base to adapt to the thickness of the coins. A rotating shaft member (160) is selectively attached to the step section and can be adjusted to the body. The rotating shaft member for rotating the disk is selectively attached at the step section in stages. Therefore the distance between the disk and the base is adjusted to adapt the thickness of coin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for evaluating alveolar exchange of oxygen. A 13C-labeled substrate, such as 13C-sodium bicarbonate is administered to a subject by oral or iv intake, and exhaled 13CO2 is measured. The 13CO2 in expired breath can be collected at various time points following administration of the substrate and measured in ? per mil with a mass analyzer or photometer, such as an IR spectrometer. This process can be used as a diagnostic test for the indication of, treatment and/or evaluation of the severity of respiratory tract diseases or infections.

Abstract: [Problem to be solved] The first purpose of this present invention is that when the coins are moved by the pushing piece of the rotating disk, the friction between the coin and the guiding surface reduces. The second purpose of this invention is that when the coins are made up from a soft material, the coins do not get damaged and/or worn. [Means of solved] A coin hopper comprises of; a bowl which stores coins, a rotating disk which is located at the bottom section of said bowl and has a pushing piece for pushing said coins, and a guiding surface which guides said coins which move together with said rotating disk characterized in that, said pushing piece has a pushing moving section and a pushing out section, said pushing moving section which is located on an extending straight line which extends towards the circumferential direction, said pushing out section which is located at the outer side of said pushing moving section and is located on the straight line which crosses in an obtuse angle to said line.

Abstract: The present invention provide a method for assessing the sensitivity to a pyrimidine drug such as 5-FU which is degraded in the pyrimidine metabolic pathway, specifically in vivo pyrimidine metabolizing activity, of an individual subject; and a preparation useful for the assessment. The present invention can be carried out by: administering a preparation comprising as an active ingredient a pyrimidine compound or its metabolite which acts as a substrate for a pyrimidine metabolizing enzyme, in which compound or metabolite at least one of C, O and N is labeled with an isotope; and assessing in vivo pyrimidine metabolizing activity based on the amount of excreted metabolite.

Abstract: A device guiding disc to direct discs to a desired location includes a guiding passageway for guiding and aligning the individual discs at an exit position. A pushing device can contact the discs at the exit position and move the disc out of the guiding passageway. A roller member can be positioned adjacent the bottom of the exit position to support and translate the disc as it is pushed by the pushing device. A support device, such as a tapered roller member, can be positioned above the exit position to receive an upper edge of the disc and to operatively position the disc for subsequent contact with the pushing device wherein the disc is positioned at an inclined angle to a longitudinal axis of the guiding passageway.