Abstract: A joining portion of an opposed surface of workpieces is heated by generating an induced current due to a change of a magnetic field as well as by applying a frictional heat to the joining portion, so that productivity and quality of welding can be improved.

Abstract: The patch for tooth whitening of the present invention includes a tooth-adhering layer (1) containing erodible polymer complexes formed by hydrogen bonding of a polymer with a carboxyl group (—COOH) and a polymer with a carbonyl group (—C═O) or ether group (—O—) and a tooth whitening agent; and an erosion rate-controlling layer (2) containing a mixture of a hydrophilic polymer and a film-forming polymer, wherein the patch is in a film form and is characterized by being eroded until extinguished after releasing the tooth whitening agent. When applied to the teeth, the patch releases a peroxide tooth-whitening agent while being hydrated by water in the mouth during a prescribed period, and thereafter, eroded until extinguished, thereby not requiring an additional detaching work from the teeth. Therefore, the patch is convenient in use and greatly reduces an obstruction sensation. Moreover, the patch has an excellent whitening effect.

Abstract: A dual drug containing adhesive transdermal drug delivery system comprising: a support layer, a first drug containing adhesive layer and a second drug containing adhesive layer each of said layers having a proximal and distal surface wherein each layer is positioned adjacent to the other with each layer having its distal surface laminated to said support layer, and a peelable backing layer positioned over and laminated to the proximal surface of said first and second adhesive layers is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a ferroelectric memory device are disclosed, in which the cracking of the ferroelectric thin film can be inhibited during a heat treatment in a scribe lane region (for forming an aligning key and an overlay vernier). A first interlayer dielectric film is formed upon a semiconductor substrate on which the transistor has been formed. The first interlayer dielectric film is selectively etched to form a first contact hole and to expose a source/drain. A first conductive film is formed on an entire surface that includes the first contact hole. The first conductive film is selectively etched to form a first conductive pad, the first conductive pad being connected through the first contact hole to the source/drain. A second interlayer dielectric film is formed on an entire surface that includes the first conductive film.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device and a method for manufacturing the same is disclosed. Because a (BixLay)Ti3O12 (BLT) layer, which can be crystallized in relatively low temperature, is used in a capacitor, the electrical characteristics of the ferroelectric capacitor can be improved. The method for manufacturing ferroelectric memory device includes the steps of forming a first conductive layer for a bottom electrode on a semiconductor substrate, forming the (BixLay)Ti3O12 ferroelectric layer, wherein ‘x’ representing atomic concentration of Bi ranges from about 3.25 to about 3.35 and ‘y’ representing atomic concentration of La ranges from about 0.70 to about 0.90 and forming a second conductive layer for a top electrode on the (BixLay)Ti3O12 ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: A biodegradable carrier for delivery of a selected bioactive molecule into a targeted host cell containing an amphiphilic polyester-polycation copolymer and an amphiphilic polyester-sugar copolymer. The carrier is particularly useful for delivery of a negatively charged bioactive molecule such as a nucleic acid. The invention improves delivery efficiency by providing a particulate gene carrier for which the particle size and charge density are easily controlled by various means. Various kinds of ligands and other functional compounds may be also be introduced to the carrier. The carrier may be used for delivering a targeted host cell with a bioactive molecule.

Abstract: A biodegradable, mixed polymeric micelle used to deliver a selected nucleic acid into a targeted host cell contains an amphiphilic polyester-polycation copolymer and an amphiphilic polyester-sugar copolymer. The polyester-polycation copolymer forms an electrostatic interaction with polyanionic nucleic acids, and the polyester-sugar copolymer directs the micelle-nucleic acid complex to cells in vivo. Additional copolymers with similar properties may also be included. The composition improves delivery efficiency by providing a particulate gene carrier for which particle size and charge density are easily controlled by multivariate means. Various kinds of ligands and other functional compounds may be also be introduced using the composition. The composition may be used in a method for transforming a targeted host cell with a selected nucleic acid.

Abstract: A biocompatible, heterofunctional, star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) is described. Methods of making the heterofunctional star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) and using it for conjugation with proteins are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for the parenteral delivery of a drug in a biodegradable polymeric matrix to a warm blooded animal as a liquid with the resultant formation of a gel depot for the controlled release of the drug. The system comprises an injectable biodegradable block copolymeric drug delivery liquid having reverse thermal gelation properties. The delivery liquid is an aqueous solution having dissolved or dispersed therein an effective amount of a drug intimately contained in a biodegradable block copolymer matrix. The copolymer has a reverse gelation temperature below the body temperature of the animal to which it is administered and is made up of (i) a hydrophobic A polymer block comprising a member selected from the group consisting of poly(.alpha.-hydroxy acids) and poly(ethylene carbonates) and (ii) a hydrophilic B polymer block comprising a polyethylene glycol. Prior to use the liquid is maintained at a temperature below the reverse gelation temperature of the block copolymer.

Abstract: Peptide/protein biodegradable drug delivery devices are prepared as microspheres without the use of solvents by a polymer melt process. A melt of thermostable polypeptides and an appropriate low melting block copolymer mixture is prepared and dispersed in an appropriate fluid medium such as air, water or an immiscible organic fluid without using any organic solvent to form microdroplets. The fluid medium is cooled to solidify the microdroplets into microspheres and then collected and purified or further processed as drug delivery devices. These biodegradable microspheres are suitable as implantable or injectable pharmaceutical formulations. Following administration as solid microspheres into the body of a warm blooded animal, the formulations absorb water from the body to form a hydrogel from which the polypeptide is released continuously over an extended period of time.

Abstract: A compound semiconductor device includes a semi-insulating substrate having a mesa structure defined by recess-etched portions along each side. A collector layer, base layer, emitter layer, and an emitter contact layer are formed sequentially on the recess-etched portions and on the mesa structure. As a result, the collector layer of the mesa structure and the emitter contact layer of the recess portions are horizontally self-aligned to form a collector. Further, the base layer of the mesa structure and a base contact layer formed on the emitter contact layer of the recess portions are horizontally self-aligned to form a base.