Abstract: Rapid development of silver bromoiodide color negative photographic films and formation of high quality negative images suitable for scanning to produce display images of excellent quality is made possible by a novel developer solution composition and method of development. The solution is characterized by containing, in addition to the color developer compound and conventional photographic developer solution components, a water soluble pyrrolidone polymer, a high concentration of sulfite ion and a low concentration, or the absence of, bromide ion. In the novel method the developer composition contacts the exposed film at elevated temperature, e.g., 40 to 66° C., for a short development time, e.g., 20 to 90 seconds. The developed image has image quality suitable for scanning and digital manipulation to produce a digital record for forming a color display image of high quality.

Abstract: A photothermographic material comprising, on a support, an image forming layer containing at least a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder, and a non-photosensitive outermost layer at a surface side of the support at which the image forming layer is provided, wherein:

Abstract: Antistatic compositions include a fluorochemical that is a reaction product of RfCH2CH2—SO3H with an amine wherein Rf comprises 4 or more fully fluorinated carbon atoms. These antistatic compositions can be formulated in organic solvent-based conductive coating compositions, with or without hydrophobic binders, that can be used to form conductive layers in thermally developable materials including thermographic and photothermographic materials.

Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material has a support and on one side of the support comprises a thermosensitive element, a barrier layer and an outermost protective layer, the thermosensitive element being exclusive of a high contrast agent and containing at least one substantially light-insensitive silver salt of a carboxylic acid, at least one reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith, at least one toning agent and at least one binder, wherein the at least one reducing agent is an ortho-dihydroxy-benzene derivative and the barrier layer comprises a copolymer comprising vinyl chloride units and vinyl acetate and/or vinyl alcohol units, a copolymer comprising styrene units and acrylonitrile units, a copolymer comprising cationic units and/or a copolymer comprising styrene units and maleic acid units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material wherein at least one of light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers includes a silver halide emulsion having a silver chloride content of at least 95 mol % and a silver iodide content of 0.05 mol % to 0.75 mol % and/or a silver bromide content of 0.05 mol % to 4.

Abstract: Disclosed is a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material wherein a silver halide emulsion layer and/or a hydrophilic colloid layer contains at least one hydrazine derivative, and a silver halide emulsion is spectrally sensitized with a particular dye, and which contains a benzotriazol compound. There is provided a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material that exhibits superior residual color property and can provide stable photographic performance even after a long term running with a reduced silver amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photothermographic material comprising a substrate, and a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, reducing agents for thermal development and a binder which are provided on the substrate, wherein: the reducing agents for thermal development include a reducing agent which does not form a dye during thermal development and a reducing agent which forms a dye during thermal development; and the reducing agent which forms a dye has higher activity than that of the reducing agent which does not form a dye. It is preferable that the reducing agent which forms a dye at thermal development and has a specific chemical structure is contained in an amount of 40% by mol or less relative to a total amount of the reducing agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photothermographic material including a support having disposed thereon an image-forming layer that contains at least a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a photosensitive silver halide, a reducing agent and a binder, and further including a compound represented by the following formula (I):

Abstract: A catalytic combustor is provided with a housing supplied with mixed gas including exhaust fuel gas from a fuel electrode of a fuel cell and exhaust oxidizer gas from an oxidizer electrode of the fuel cell, and a catalyst combusting the mixed gas. At an area upstream of the catalyst, an inner periphery surface of the housing has a continuous shape, and at least one of the exhaust fuel gas and the exhaust oxidizer gas is supplied to the housing in a way to generate swirl flow in the mixed gas so as to swirl along the inner peripheral surface. Such a catalytic combustor is applied to a fuel cell system provided with a fuel cell having a fuel electrode and an oxidizer electrode.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus 2 has an anti-spreading member 65 disposed below a combustion chamber 10. This anti-spreading member 65 is composed of a generally cylindrical main body 65a, an outer flange 65b and an inner flange 65c, these flanges being formed at and integral with the opposite ends of the main body 65a, respectively. A controller 40 for regulating the operation of this apparatus 2 is designed to preheat the anti-spreading member 65 at a heat generation rate ‘q’ lower than the required heat generation rate ‘Q’, before the apparatus starts its normal operation to burn a fuel.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus 2 has a fuel spraying nozzle 12, a feed canal 16 and a return canal 17, both the canals connected to the nozzle, with the former canal 16 feeding a fuel to the nozzle and with the latter canal 17 allowing an un-sprayed portion of the fuel to flow back. An electro-magnetic pump 18 disposed in the feed canal 16 serves to compress the fuel towards the nozzle 12, and an injector valve 25 is disposed in the return canal 17. The injector valve 25 is accommodated in a casing 50 consisting essentially of an inlet joint 46 and an outlet joint 17.

Abstract: A combustion gas burner enabling a multi-stage control is provided, which includes a main casing on the bottom surface of which an air blower is mounted so that air can be supplied from the air blower through an air inlet formed in the lower portion of the main casing, a tube-shaped burner mounted on the main casing in which fire hole units each having a number of fire holes formed at a predetermined distance from one another are disposed on the upper end surface of the main casing in order to burn gas and air which are mixed and supplied to the tube-shaped burner, a plate-shaped burner which is detachably disposed between the fire hole units formed on the upper end surface of the tube-shaped burner, and includes fire hole units having a number of fire holes, a number of mixture supply tubes inserted in the tube-shaped burner and disposed at a predetermined distance so that gas and air are mixed and the mixed gas and air is supplied to the tube-shaped burner and the plate-shaped burner, a Venturi tube install

Abstract: A heating device is used in an image forming apparatus. In the heating device, a resin liver is provided between a core metal of a fixing roller and a ball bearing. The resin layer is adhered to the core metal so as to obviate a noise, caused by a rubbing of the resin layer against a ball bearing, which is otherwise produced when the resin layer is provided as a separate part. Between the resin layer and the ball bearing, a material of the resin layer is selected and the resin layer is configured to have a rough surface with a coefficient of dynamic friction of the surface of the resin which is a predetermined value, and thereby minimizing the production of the noise.

Abstract: A sample heating apparatus comprising:

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a lens having a light entrance end forming a recess, a heat sink having an end portion facing the recess, and a light source positioned to transmit light via the recess into the lens. The light source is in thermal communication with the heat sink, which conducts away heat generated by the light source. The apparatus may be used to provide optical radiation at various wavelengths, activating tooth whitening material, and curing dental composite material.

Abstract: A transfer device for use with a dental articulator which includes a plate member and a base member spaced apart from the plate member. The base member is adapted to be received by an articulator. A stem is connected to the plate member and extends between the plate member and the base member. A column extends from a first surface of the base member. The stem is pivotally received in an opening of the column. A retaining block has an opening for receiving the column.

Abstract: A device for performing endodontic procedures such as root canals by utilizing ultrasonic energy to debride the root canal space. The device includes a modified shaft assembly and a stainless steel hypodermic needle which concentrates the ultrasonic energy at the tip of the needle. The shaft assembly further includes a threaded housing for attaching the shaft assembly to an ultrasonic generator, an angled shaft attached to the threaded housing, and a hub attached to the end of the angled shaft opposite the threaded housing for reducing the diameter of the bore when the hub is tightened. The angled shaft further includes a bore passing through its length and an aperture passing through the outer wall of the shaft. The aperture is positioned near the larger of the two angles formed by the angled shaft and is oriented in the direction of the hub. The needle is inserted into the aperture and passes through the bore in the angled shaft until it exits the shaft through the hub.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a dental device for the placement or dental materials, and more particularly to a dental syringe device having an improved barrel front end portion for the extrusion of dental cartridges containing dental materials. A rod in the barrel front is forced against the cartridge is arranged in the device maintaining the cartridge in position during use.

Abstract: An endodontic reamer (10) and a method for manufacturing endodontic reamers (10) and files, more specifically an endodontic reamer (10) having a cylindrical shaft (12) and a working portion (16) extending forward from a removed end of the shaft. The working portion (16) includes, typically, a pair of wedged shaped projecting sections (18) that extend beyond the diameter of the shaft (12). Forward from the wedge shaped sections (18) is a nose, typically noncutting nose (24a), that has a diameter of about equal to the diameter of the shaft (12). There are typically two wedge-shaped sections projecting outward opposite one another. A novel method is provided for manufacturing an endodontic reamer (10), which consists of using a two-piece mold and a wire blank between the mold, followed by forcing the mod together, under compression, against the wire blank, to deform the blank into the shape of mold parts.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to ultrasonic microtube dental instruments designed to cut around a broken instrument by allowing the broken instrument to be placed within a lumen of the microtube instrument while simultaneously boring with the broken instrument and being guided by the broken instrument.

Abstract: An insert for an ultrasonic dental unit is provided. The insert includes a transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations, and a tip for applying the ultrasonic vibrations at a location inside the mouth of a patient. A connecting body is disposed between and attached to the transducer and the tip. The connecting body transmits the ultrasonic vibrations from the transducer to the tip. A retaining ring is snapped onto the connecting body. A hand grip is fitted at least partially over the connecting body and the retaining ring.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental handpiece for holding a transducer is provided. The transducer converts electrical energy into ultrasonic vibrations. The dental handpiece includes a body, a rotator head, and a retainer ring. The body rotatably receives the transducer. The rotator head engages the transducer for rotation thereof. The retainer ring is fixedly coupled to one of the body and the rotator head and rotatably coupled to the other of the body and the rotator head, such that the rotator head is rotatably coupled to the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental insert for an ultrasonic dental tool is provided. The ultrasonic dental insert includes a transducer, a connecting body, a hand grip, at least one O-ring and a removable tip. The transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. The connecting body has a proximal end attached to the transducer and a distal end. The distal end has an engagement portion formed thereon. The hand grip envelopes at least a portion of the connecting body. At least one O-ring is for shock absorption, and is mounted between the connecting body and the hand grip and around the engagement portion. The removable tip engages the engagement portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber dam frame comprised of two vertical side leg members that are connected by a single uninterrupted lower horizontal member and both a left and right upper horizontal member. The frame has a downwardly curved concave nasal deflection element positioned between the left and right upper horizontal members for increasing patient comfort along with a mechanism for attaching and deflecting excess rubber dam material downward to prevent the material from obstructing the nose and the breathing of the patient. The rubber dam membrane is attached to the rubber dam frame through the use of attachment nibs that face outward from the perimeter of the frame and secure the rubber dam membrane to the frame and allow for improved retraction and stability.

Abstract: A device for retracting gingival tissue away from a tooth comprising a preformed integral closed loop of material sized and dimensioned to be packed into a sulcus associated with the tooth, the closed loop having an inner surface suitable for placement against the at least one tooth and an outer surface suitable for placement against gingival tissue. The loop is preferably deformably rigid, extensile and non-elastic. The material is preferably compressible and absorbent. The device may also comprise several such loops linked together at their periphery to form a unitary structure. A method of use these devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1), for the removal of teeth and/or tooth roots from the tooth socket, or the jawbone, by means of a pincer-like drawing device (2), comprising a first and a second lever arm (42). The first lever arm can be supported by means of a support (9), on the jawbone ridge (8) or the tooth upper part or tooth crown (7) and the support (9) comprises at least one opening (10) for a drawing piece (11) which may be connected to a connector element on the second lever arm. The two lever arms may adopt an opposing position and displaced away from each other on operation of the lever, thus moving the drawing device.

Abstract: The invention describes rubber dam punches that punch the entire slit or central opening in a rubber dam membrane in order to prepare the conventional rubber dam for the slit-dam technique. The invention further describes rubber dam punches capable of lengthening the central opening in a rubber dam that is specifically designed for general field isolation. The rubber dam punches of the invention include a series of embodiments having upper and lower arm members, each arm member further having a gripping handle at one end of the arm member and an operative end extension at the opposite end of the arm member. The arm members are pivotally connected and have male and female slits dies attached to the operative end extensions which are used punch slits and/or holes of varying widths in dental rubber dam membranes in order to create or lengthen existing central openings in general field isolation rubber dams.

Abstract: This invention provides an inexpensive crown construction which is particularly adapted for use with the “baby” teeth of children and which is particularly intended to provide mechancial attachment means for the overlying esthetic layer of the inventive crown construction.

Abstract: A kid learning instrument with rotating wheels has a plurality of operation rotating wheels and a control rotating wheel inserted on a post-shaped main body; a plurality of different figures or words are annularly disposed on external surfaces of the operation rotating wheels and the control rotating wheel; the main body is disposed with a battery chamber, a circuit board, a speaker and an operation switch; turning the control rotating wheel to a certain position, a kid rotates the operation rotating wheels to select or match the figures or words disposed thereon and activates an operation switch inside the main body to enable a speaker to make certain set sounds according to different matching situations so as to provide multiple variations and audio-visual connections for achieving a learning effect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving math skills is provided. The method and apparatus present groups of problems to a student in a sequential manner, and award points to the student when the student enters a correct response. Statistics regard the student's performance are recorded and may be viewed in a variety of selectable formats so that parents, teachers, and other interested parties can track the students progress.

Abstract: Conductive elastomeric circuits are used in various simulated physiological structures such as tissues and organs, enabling feedback to be provided indicating whether a simulated task is being performed correctly. For example, a surgical trainer has a simulated human tissue structure made of an elastomeric composition, at least one reinforcing layer of a fibrous material, and at least one flexible electrical circuit. The surgical trainer preferably includes multiple areas for practicing surgical skills, each with evaluation circuits for providing feedback regarding that skill. Conductive elastomers are also incorporated into other types of medical training simulators, to similarly provide feedback. In another embodiment, a simulated organ has a conductive elastomeric circuit in the periphery of the simulated organ, enabling feedback to be provided to evaluate whether a person is properly manipulating the organ in response to a manual applied pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic mail communication method via a stuffed toy. At a mail center, a mail address for an owner of a stuffed toy is acquired together with ID code assigned to the stuffed toy, and data related to the ID code is transmitted as an electronic mail to the owner. The electronic mail is based on a conversational text including characters, signs, graphics, voices, or sounds, and the owner can enjoy communications with the stuffed toy by overlapping the images provided through the communications with an image of the stuffed toy at the owner's hand.

Abstract: A computer-aided learning method and apparatus based on a super-recommendation generator, which is configured to assess a user's or a student's understanding in a subject, reward the user who has reached one or more milestones in the subject, further the user's understanding in the subject through relationship learning, reinforce the user's understanding in the subject through reviews, and restrict the user from enjoying entertainment materials under certain condition, with the entertainment materials requiring a device to fulfill its entertainment purpose. The generator does not have to be configured to perform all of the above functions.

Abstract: Educational system and method of utilizing a learning history information are provided. At least one student's account is provided with at least one subject-related information, which has been classified in a designated field and registered in a data base. At least one teacher's account is provided with at least one student-prepared essay information with an edition-number-related information, which corresponds to the at least one subject-related information. A registration is made of the at least one student-created essay information into the data base, in combination with a teacher-providing evaluation record information and a designated-field-related information.

Abstract: An electronic learning system includes a master repository which stores existing versions of learning objects, a local repository which stores alternate versions of the learning objects stored in the master repository, and a processor that executes instructions to display content that is based on at least some of the alternate versions of the learning objects and at least some of the existing versions of the learning objects. The processor detects a conflict associated with an alternate version of a learning object stored in the local repository, and resolves the conflict.

Abstract: A method for increasing and/or enhancing the production of intracellular energy in living cells. By incubating living cells with an intracellular-energy-increasing substance, such as NADH, NADPH and/or ADP-ribose, the living cells increase their levels of intracellular energy thereby resulting in more vital, longer-living cells. Specifically, the life span and vitality of blood cells, transplantable organs and tissues, and living organisms can thereby be prolonged.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides with a novel sugar-phosphate backbone containing at least one 2′-arabino-fluoronucleoside and an internucleoside 3′-NH—P(—O)(OR)—O-5′ linkage, where R is a positively charged counter ion or hydrogen, and methods of synthesizing and using the inventive oligonucleotides are provided. The inventive phosphoramidate 2′-arabino-fluorooligonucleotides have a high RNA binding affinity to complementary nucleic acids and are base and acid stable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing virus RNA polymerases of RNA viruses, more specifically, virus RNA polymerases of RNA viruses free of virus genomic RNA.

Abstract: Multimer peptides (e.g. 30- to 45-mer peptides) derived from hepatitis C virus envelope proteins reacting with the majority of anti-HCV antibodies present in patient sera are described. The usage of the latter peptides to diagnose, and to vaccinate against, an infection with hepatitis C virus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Gene expression profiling of tumors, clinically designated as either metastatic (M+) or non-metastatic (M0), identifies genes whose expression differed significantly between classes. A class-prediction algorithm based on these medulloblastoma genes assigned the sample class to these tumors (M+ or M0) with 72% accuracy and to four additional independent tumors with a 100% accuracy. Class prediction also assigned the metastatic medulloblastoma cell line Daoy to the metastatic class. Notably upregulated in the M+ tumors were platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) and members of the downstream RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway. Immunohistochemical validation on an independent set of tumors showed significant overexpression of PDGFRA in M+ tumors as compared to M0 tumors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the number of repeat units in a repeat region of a target nucleic acid. In a first aspect, the method of the invention includes the steps of annealing a primer to a target nucleic acid; performing a first primer extension reaction using a first primer extension reagent; separating the target-primer hybrid and unreacted first primer extension reagent; performing a second primer extension reaction using a second primer extension reagent, wherein at least one of the first or second primer extension reagents includes an extendible nucleotide having a label attached thereto; separating the target-primer hybrid from unreacted second primer extension reagent; measuring a signal produced by the label; treating the label so as to render the label undetectable; and repeating the above steps until the signal is substantially less than a signal detected in a previous cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for constructing arrays of DNA sequences using the image of a micromirror array projected on a reaction site using projection optics where the projection optics have insufficient resolution to fully resolve the separation between mirrors of the mirror array.

Abstract: Novel peptide sequences homologous to the known fibrinogen derived haptotactic peptides, C&bgr; and C&agr;E, are disclosed. The novel peptides are derived from proteins related or unrelated to fibrinogen including a peptide adjacent to fibrinogen &ggr;-chain C terminus denoted pre-C&ggr; as well as isotypes of angiopoietin, human microfibril-associated glycoprotein (mfap) and tenascins. Novel peptides having significant homology to the known fibrinogen derived haptotactic peptides are now shown to possess cell attraction activities. Active fragments comprising shorter 8-10 mer peptides are also disclosed, and shown to elicit significant haptotactic activity from a variety of cells, such as fibroblasts, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. The homologous peptides disclosed permit delineation of consensus sequences for haptotactic activity. The peptides are useful in pharmaceutical compositions alone or in conjunction with a medical device or implant.

Abstract: The invention provides human molecules for disease detection and treatment 8MSST) and polynucleotides which identify and encode MDDT. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with aberrant expression of MDDT.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mpxPCR), the simultaneous amplification of different target nucleic acide sequences in a single PCR reaction. This method uses the PCR suppression effect to allow target-specific amplification with only a single target-specific primer for each target sequence. This invention further provides primers that allow simultaneous amplification of multiple DNA target sequences present in a DNA or RNA sample.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase. The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase expression and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with expression of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel sequences for use in detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancers, especially lymphomas. The invention provides cancer-associated (CA) polynucleotide sequences whose expression is associated with cancer. The present invention provides CA polypeptides associated with cancer and provides diagnostic compositions and methods for the detection of cancer. The present invention provides monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific for the CA polypeptides. The present invention also provides diagnostic tools and therapeutic compositions and methods for screening, prevention and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Exploitation of suitably functionalized heterocyclic molecules, in the design and synthesis of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) cassettes and their corresponding dideoxynucleotide terminators culminated into efficient reagents for DNA sequencing. Additionally, these FRET cassettes/terminators, of the present invention, derived from different classes of heterocyclic systems have high potential to be used for general labelling of biological molecules to generate highly sensitized signals. Their preparation, energy transfer efficiency, and use as labels, specifically, in DNA sequencing reactions is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and a method for amplification of nucleic acid sequences of interest. The disclosed method generally involves replication of a complex nucleic acid sample such as genomic samples using one, a few, or more primers such that, during replication, the replicated strands are displaced from the nucleic acid molecules in the sample by strand displacement replication of another replicated strand. It was discovered that highly complex nucleic acid samples can be efficiently amplified using only one or a few primers having specific nucleic acid sequences. The one or few primers are complementary to nucleic acid sequences distributed throughout nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions, kits and apparati for sequencing nucleic acid molecules. The invention particularly concerns the use of an exonuclease activity in concert with a polymerase activity to mediate such sequencing.