Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having an increased reaction area by forming a gas channel, a proton channel and an electron channel very close to each other inside a catalyst layer. This polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane; and a pair of electrodes having catalyst layers sandwiching the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane between them and gas diffusion layers in contact with the catalyst layers, in which the catalyst layer of at least one of the electrodes comprises carbon particles supporting a noble metal catalyst, and the carbon particles include at least two kinds of carbon particles adsorbing a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte in mutually different dispersed states.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising: a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode material mixture layer formed thereon; a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode material mixture layer formed thereon; and a non-aqueous electrolyte, characterized in that at least one of said positive and negative electrodes has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance; and said non-aqueous electrolyte contains an additive which is stable in the normal operating voltage range of said battery and is able to polymerize at the voltage exceeding the maximum value of said operating voltage range.

Abstract: A battery positive cover (20) is provided for a battery terminal and a wire harness. The battery positive cover (20) has inclined portions (36, 38) that can be pressed from an outer side of a sectionally U-shaped wire harness-mounting part (24) toward the inner side thereof. The inclined portions (36, 38) project from opposed facing tips at an entry (24B) of the wire harness-mounting part (24) and incline towards the inner side of the wire harness-mounting part (24). A wall (24C, 24D) of the wire harness-mounting part (24) can be elastically deformed from a holding position to an open position.

Abstract: A sound generating device is mounted in a recess formed in a case, and a battery is mounted on the case. A pair of terminals are provided on the underside of the case. A pair of leads connect a pair of electrodes of the battery with the terminals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-aqueous electrolyte battery comprising: a flat outer jacket comprising a metal sheet and having two primary flat portions facing each other; two active material layers of a first polarity respectively carried on inner surfaces of the flat portions; an electrode plate of a second polarity disposed in a position facing with each of the active material layers; and a separator layer interposed between each of the active material layers and the electrode plate of a second polarity, with the outer jacket serving as a current collector of the active material layers.

Abstract: A pouch-type lithium secondary battery includes a battery unit having a positive plate, a separator, and a negative plate; a plurality of electrode tabs, drawn from the positive and negative plates, respectively; a case, formed with a space receiving the battery unit and with upper and lower sealing surfaces thermally fused to each other; and an insulating tape wrapping the electrode tabs, wherein a portion of the insulating tape interposed between the upper and lower sealing surfaces is thermally fused to the upper and lower sealing surfaces, and an end portion of the insulating tape is exposed outside the case together with the electrode tabs and positioned outside the upper or lower sealing surface after being folded. A portion of the insulating tape exposed outside the sealing surface of the case is extended and the extended portion of the insulating tape comes in contact with the end portion of the sealing surface after being folded.

Abstract: There is provided a secondary cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode which is made of solid active materials and an electrolyte layer which has been intervened between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. At least one of solid active materials for constituting the positive electrode and the negative electrode is composed of a mixed oxygen ion and electron conductor capable of inserting and eliminating oxygen ion or absorbing and releasing oxygen.

Abstract: An anode for a secondary battery capable of inserting and extracting a lithium ion having a multi-layered structure including a first anode layer containing carbon as a main component; a second anode layer made of a film-like material through which a lithium component passes; and a third anode layer containing lithium and/or a lithium-containing compound as a main component. The battery capacity of the lithium ion battery is substantially increased while the higher charge-discharge efficiency and the stable cycle performance are maintained.

Abstract: This invention relates to sulfonated copolymers which are useful in forming polymer electrolyte membranes used in fuel cells.

Abstract: Improved organophotoreceptor comprises an electrically conductive substrate and a photoconductive element on the electrically conductive substrate, the photoconductive element comprising: (a) a charge transport material having the formula where R1 and R2 are, each independently, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aromatic group, or a heterocyclic group; R3 and R4 are, each independently, H, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aromatic group, or a heterocyclic group; X1 and X2 are, each independently, a linking group; Y1 and Y2, each independently, comprise an arylamino group; and Z is a bridging group; and (b) a charge generating compound. Corresponding electrophotographic apparatuses and imaging methods are described.

Abstract: Dry electrophotographic toner compositions are provided comprising an amphipathic copolymer comprising basic functionalities covalently bonded to the amphipathic copolymer. Methods of making the toner compositions are also provided. The present toner compositions exhibit unique charge characteristics and unique chemical and charge interaction properties.

Abstract: An organophotoreceptor that includes: (a) a charge transport compound having the formula where n is an integer between 2 and 6, inclusive; R1 is an aryl group; R2 is a sulfolanyl group; a pyrrolyl group; a tetrazolyl group; a benzotriazolyl group; a stilbenyl group; an alkylsulfonylphenyl group, an arylsulfonylphenyl; a pyrazolyl group; or group A, wherein A is represented by the formula ?with the proviso that when R2 is an alkylsulfonylphenyl group or an arylsulfonylphenyl, R1, may be hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; X is an alkylene linking group having the formula —(CH2)m—, where m is an integer between 0 and 20, inclusive; and Y is a bond, C, N, O, S, a —(CH2)p— group where p is an integer between 0 and 10, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cyclosiloxyl, a heterocyclic group, or a CR7 group where R7 is H, an alkyl group, or aryl group; (b) a charge generating compound; and (c) an electrically conductive substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming method comprising: developing a latent image formed on a cylindrical electrophotographic photoreceptor having a cylindricity of 5 to 40 ?m, with a developer comprising a toner sufficing at least one of conditions (1) to (5): (1) A toner includes toner particles having a variation coefficient of shape coefficient of not more than 16 percent. (2) A toner includes at least 65 percent of toner particles having a shape coefficient in the range of 1.2 to 1.6. (3) A toner includes at least 50% of toner particles in number having no corner. (4) A toner includes toner particles having a number variation coefficient in the number particle size distribution of not more than 27 percent.

Abstract: A reimageable recording medium includes a substrate, a display layer, and a protective layer. The protective layer comprises a microencapsulated diarylethene material that is capable of switching between a UV absorbing and UV transparent state. During an imaging process, the protective layer is switched from a UV absorbing state to a UV transparent state to allow UV light of a sufficient wavelength to convert a photochromic material of the display layer to a colored state to form an image. The protective material is then switched back to a UV absorbing state to prevent the UV light component from a reading source to convert unimaged areas of the display layer to change color, which would reduce the contrast and resolution of the imaged medium.

Abstract: This method forms a patterned film. The method prepares a transfer member having a transfer surface on which asperities are formed in accordance with a film pattern to be formed, performs stripping treatment on surfaces of at least ridges formed on the transfer surface of the transfer member, thereafter forms a thin film formed by a technology of vacuum film formation on the surfaces of the at least ridges formed on the transfer surface of the transfer member and transfers the thin film formed on the surfaces of at least ridges of the transfer member onto a substrate, thereby forming the patterned film on the substrate.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to remove non-crosslinked photopolymer from an imaged and exposed surface of a relief image printing element. Included are means for supporting and rotating the printing element, means for softening and/or melting non-crosslinked photopolymer on the imaged and exposed surface of the printing element, and at least one thermal developing assembly. The thermal developing assembly includes means for supplying an absorbent material that is contactable with the printing element, and that is capable of removing at least a portion of the softened and/or melted non-crosslinked photopolymer, and means for causing the absorbent material to contact at least a portion of the printing element. The absorbent material is backed with an endless impression belt that is supported by a plurality of rollers.

Abstract: This invention relates to resins and photoresist compositions that comprise such resins. Preferred polymers of the invention comprise adjacent saturated carbon atoms, either integral or pendant to the polymer backbone, that have a substantially gauche conformation. Polymers of the invention are particularly useful as a resin binder component of chemically-amplified positive-acting resists that can be effectively imaged at short wavelengths such as sub-200 nm and preferably about 157 nm. In such short-wavelength imaging applications, polymers of the invention that have a population of dihedral angles of adjacent saturated carbon atoms that are enriched in substantially gauche conformations can provide reduced undesired absorbance of the high energy exposure radiation.

Abstract: A chemical amplification type positive resist composition, which can reduce cost steeply without significantly decreasing basic abilities, is provided, and the chemical amplification type positive resist composition includes (A) a resin having a polymerization unit derived from p-hydroxystyrene and a polymerization unit of the formula (1) or formula (2) which is insoluble or poorly soluble itself in an alkali aqueous solution but becomes soluble in an alkali aqueous solution by the action of an acid, (B) a resin obtained by protecting a portion of the hydroxyl groups in poly(p-hydroxystyrene) with a protective group not dissociating by the action of an acid or a resin obtained by substituting a portion of the hydroxyl groups in poly(p-hydroxystyrene) with hydrogen, and (C) an acid generating agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photosensitive polymer comprising pentafluoromethylvinyl ether derivative monomer having the formula: wherein R may be an alkoxy carbonyl, alkylsilane, a fluorine-substituted or unsubstituted C3–C20 alkyl carbonyl, a fluorine-substituted or unsubstituted C3–C20 cycloalkylcarbonyl or a fluorine-substituted or unsubstituted benzoyl substituent group. The photosensitive polymer is the polymerization product of the pentafluoromethylvinyl ether derivative monomer and at least one additional monomer selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid, (meth)acrylate, styrene, norbornene, tetrafluoroethylene and maleic anhydride monomers. The photosensitive polymer may be used in photoresist compositions for exposure light sources having a predominant wavelength of less than 157 nm.

Abstract: A composition for positive heat sensitive computer-to-plate (CTP) lithographic printing plates comprising a phenolic resin and an IR absorber characterized by the fact that the composition contains from 1 to 30% w/w of an organic oxygenated phosphorous compound chosen from the group of general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, and R3 are independently a C4–C8 alkyl group or an aryl group.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a material for an antireflective film that has high etching selectivity with respect to the resist, that is, that has a faster etching speed than the resist, a pattern formation method for forming an antireflective film layer on a substrate using this antireflective film material, and a pattern formation method using this antireflective film as a hard mask for substrate processing.

Abstract: A stimulus-sensitive composition comprising a compound (A) that generates one of an acid and a radical by external stimulation, the compound (A) having a specific structure.

Abstract: A positive photoresist composition containing: (A) a resin which contains at least one of a repeating unit represented by the formula (IA) defiend herein and a repeating unit represented by the formula (IB) defined herein, and is decomposed by an action of an acid and shows an increase in a solubility in an alkali developer; and (B) as compounds capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with one of an actinic ray and a radiation, at least two compounds selected from the compounds (B1), (B2), (B3) and (B4) as defiend herein.

Abstract: A chemically amplified radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising a specific copolymer and a photoacid generator, wherein the copolymer contains the following recurring unit (1) and/or the recurring unit (2), and the recurring unit (3-1), wherein R1 is a hydrogen or methyl, R2 is a C4-10 tertiary alkyl, R3 and R4 are a hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, C6-15 aromatic, C1-12 alkoxyl, or R3 and R4 may form, in combination and together with the nitrogen atom with which the R3 and R4 groups bond, a C3-15 cyclic structure, provided that R3 and R4 are not a hydrogen atom at the same time. The composition effectively responds to various radiations, exhibits excellent resolution and pattern configuration and minimal iso-dense bias, and can form fine patterns at a high precision and in a stable manner.

Abstract: A substrate includes a main substrate having a pattern as a first pattern layer on a main surface, a sub substrate having a dummy pattern as a second pattern layer on a main surface, a bridge (connection portion) connecting the main substrate and the sub substrate, and a thin portion provided on the bridge between the patterns. A multi-layer substrate is fabricated by laminating the main substrates separated from the sub substrate, and an LNB includes the multi-layer substrate.

Abstract: A silver salt photothermographic material is disclosed, comprising light-insensitive organic silver salt grains and light-sensitive silver halide grains, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder, wherein the reducing agent is a compound represented by the following formula (1) and the light-sensitive layer further comprises a hindered phenol represented by the following formula (2)

Abstract: A photothermographic imaging material having a support; a photosensitive layer containing photosensitive silver halide particles on one face of the support; and a non-photosensitive layer provided on a side of the support where the photosensitive layer is provided. At least one of the photosensitive layer and the non-photosensitive layer contains an organic silver salt, a reducing agent, a compound represented by the Formula (1) and a compound represented by the Formula (2a).

Abstract: A platelet composition suitable for direct transfusion into a patient is provided. The platelet composition includes a preservation medium comprising plasma and a gel-forming material in a concentration relative to the plasma such that the medium is in a sufficiently fluent state at about 37° C. to allow platelets to move within the medium and is in a sufficiently gelatinous state at about 5° C. to substantially prevent platelets from moving freely within the medium; and platelets.

Abstract: This application includes description of antibodies for specifically detecting prions of human origin and methods for detecting pathogenic prions. In some embodiments, the antibodies bind to an epitope characteristic for a human prion protein which is not found in the prion proteins of other species. In some embodiments, the antibodies are not cross-reactive with cow, Syrian Gold hamster, mouse, or rat prions. The application also includes a conformation-dependent immunoassay method for detecting pathogenic prions in a sample containing a prion (PrP) protein. The PrP protein may be present in a first conformation and a second conformation, such as PrPC and PrPSc in which the two conformations have different binding affinity for the antibody used to detect them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method for sequence-specific identification, separation and quantitative measurement of nucleic acid fragments. The invention is based on the use of restriction endonucleases that have degenerate bases in their recognition or cleavage sequence. The method has broad applications, including DNA fingerprinting, differential display of mRNA, mutation and polymorphism identification, diagnosis and drug screening.

Abstract: Methods for identifying compounds that are inhibitors of bacterial tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis are disclosed. Such compounds can be used as lead compounds in methods for preparing antibacterial agents for treating bacterial infections (e.g., in humans, animals, and plants). The disclosed methods allow for high throughput screening of libraries of test compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for identifying compounds that modulate apoptosis, directly or indirectly, as measured by changes in expression of the bbc3 gene or a reporter gene, or by changes in the apoptotic character of a cell. The present invention is also directed to methods for identifying compounds that modulate expression of the bbc3 gene and a method for identifying compounds that interact with a promoter of the bbc3 gene. The present invention is further directed to a method for modulating apoptosis in a cell, a method for modulating bbc3 gene expression in a cell, a process for making a modulator of apoptosis, and a process for making a modulator of bbc3 gene expression. Finally, the present invention is directed to compounds identified by each of the methods of this invention, and to promoters of the bbc3 gene and sequences homologous thereto.

Abstract: A method of suppressing the expression of a selected gene in a eukaryotic cell the method comprising introducing into the cell (a) a polypeptide comprising a DNA binding portion which binds to a site at or associated with the selected gene which site is present in a plant r animal genome and a chromatin inactivation portion, or (b) a polynucleotide encoding said polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an identification and/or quantification method of a large number of biological organisms groups at different levels (family, genus, species) or part of those (possibly present in a biological sample) by a detection of their nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules which allow the identification of bacteria or groups of bacteria. For detection, the region of the bacterial genome containing the 23 S/5 S rRNA is used as the target sequence for the bacterial detection.

Abstract: A method of detecting two different target molecules through a single electrode is carried out by (a) providing a conductive oxidation-reduction reaction detection electrode; (b) contacting a sample suspected of containing a first and second target molecule to the electrode under conditions in which the first and second target molecules are deposited on the electrode, wherein the first target molecule comprises a first label and the second target molecule comprises a second label; (c) contacting to the electrode a first transition metal complex that oxidizes the first preselected label in a first oxidation-reduction reaction and a second transition metal complex that oxidizes the first and second labels in a second oxidation-reduction reaction, with the first and second oxidation-reduction reactions producing different detectable signals; (d) detecting the presence of the first target molecule by detecting the first oxidation-reduction reaction; and (e) detecting the presence of the second target molecule by

Abstract: The invention concerns cDNA molecules encoding TANGO 191 and TANGO 195, both of which are transmembrane proteins. The nucleic acids and polypeptides of the present invention are useful as modulating agents in regulating a variety of cellular processes. Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a polypeptide of the invention or biologically active portion thereof. The present invention also provides nucleic acid molecules which are suitable as primers or hybridization probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding a polypeptide of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to the enzymatic synthesis of oligophenols on solid support by sequential enzymatic addition of reaction solutions containing phenols. The oligomers are then selectively built up on the solid surface. When used in a specific format, the oligomers can be generated in a spatially addressable array, which can then be screened for some type of biological interaction. The synthetic compounds of the present invention are synthesized in a combinatorial manner on solid support using peroxidase or other related enzymatic catalysis, and the products are generated in spatially addressable microarrays. Oligophenols of the present invention have shown significance as potential inhibitors of NADPH oxidase assembly, an enzyme that has been implicated in a wide range of diseases stemming from vascular hyperpermeability.

Abstract: Methods and kits are disclosed for use in the analysis of microsatellite instability in genomic DNA. Methods and kits are also disclosed which can be used to detect microsatellite instability DNA present in biological materials, such as tumors. The methods and kits of the present invention can be used to detect or diagnose diseases associated with microsatellite instability, such as certain types of cancer.

Abstract: A method of detecting a virus in a specimen, whereby a Norwalk-like virus (GI) is detected by using as an index the nucleic acids of a complementary nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5201- to 5700-positions of the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA of the prototype (standard strain) of the Norwalk-like virus (GI); and a detection kit for performing this method.

Abstract: The invention concerns the identification of protein kinase inhibitors that preferentially bind to the inactive conformation of a target protein kinase. The inhibitors are identified by locking the target protein kinase in an inactive conformation, and using a covalent tethering approach to identify inhibitors preferentially targeting the inactive conformation.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with epitopes derived from human papilloma virus, and peptides having a size of about 22–45 amino acid residues comprising minimal T cell epitopes. The invention further provides clinically relevant approaches for immunizing subjects against (Myco)bacterially and/or virally infected cells or tumor cells, and in particular against HPV. The invention demonstrates that peptide sequences of 22–35 amino acid residues in length can induce both peptide-specific CD8+ cytolytic cells and CD4+ T-helper cells. Moreover, the invention demonstrates that vaccination with 22–35 residue long peptides results in a more vigorous CD8+ cytolytic T-cell response than vaccination with peptides of the exact minimal CTL epitope length. The invention further demonstrates that the intrinsic capacity of certain minimal CTL epitopes which instead of activating cytolytic effector cells tolerize these cytolytic cells, can be overcome by use of these 22–35 amino acid long peptides.

Abstract: Novel metabolites and enzymes involved in skatole metabolism are disclosed. The novel metabolites are 3-OH-3-methylindolenine (HMI); 3-methyloxindole (3MOI); indole-3-carbinol (I-3C); and 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AM). Measuring levels of these metabolites in a pig may be useful in identifying the pig's ability to metabolize skatole and its susceptibility to boar taint. The novel enzymes involved in skatole metabolism are aldehyde oxidase and CYP2A6. Enhancing the activity of these enzymes may be useful in enhancing skatole metabolism and reducing boar taint. The identification of the enzyme also allows the development of screening assays for substances that interact with these enzymes and skatole metabolism or for genetic screening to identify pigs on the basis of their skatole metabolism. Pigs having high levels of these enzymes may be selected and bred to produce pigs that have a lower incidence of boar taint.

Abstract: Background luminescence is reduced from a solution containing unbound luminescent probes, each having a first molecule that attaches to a target molecule and having an attached luminescent moiety, and luminescent probe/target adducts. Quenching capture reagent molecules are formed that are capable of forming an adduct with the unbound luminescent probes and having an attached quencher material effective to quench luminescence of the luminescent moiety. The quencher material of the capture reagent molecules is added to a solution of the luminescent probe/target adducts and binds in a proximity to the luminescent moiety of the unbound luminescent probes to quench luminescence from the luminescent moiety when the luminescent moiety is exposed to exciting illumination. The quencher capture reagent does not bind to probe molecules that are bound to target molecules and the probe/target adduct emission is not quenched.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for electrochemical detection and localization of genetic point mutations, common DNA lesions and other base-stacking perturbations within oligonucleotide duplexes adsorbed onto electrodes and their use in biosensing technologies are described. An intercalative, redox-active moiety (such as an intercalator or nucleic acid-binding protein) is adhered and/or crosslinked to immobilized DNA duplexes at different separations from an electrode and probed electrochemically in the presence or absence of a non-intercalative, redox-active moiety. Interruptions in DNA-mediated electron-transfer caused by base-stacking perturbations, such as mutations or binding of a protein to its recognition site are reflected in a difference in electrical current, charge and/or potential.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of analyzing tandem repeats using one or more probes, each such probe may lack an anchoring sequence but contains one or more tandem repeat sequences complementary to the target tandem repeat sequences. In one embodiment, each probe is attached, via its 5? end, to an encoded microparticle (“bead”), wherein the code—implemented by way of a color scheme—identifies the sequence and length of the probe attached thereto. Also disclosed are methods relating to the analysis of partial duplex configurations involving only partial overlap between probe and target repeats and thus “overhangs” of probe repeats on the 3? and/or 5? ends of the target repeats.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention provides for novel methods and kits for reducing the complexity of a nucleic acid sample by providing non-gel based methods for size fractionation. In a preferred embodiment, size fractionation can be accomplished by varying conditions or reagents of a PCR reaction to amplify fragments of specific size ranges. The invention further provides for analysis of the above sample by hybridization to an array, which may be specifically designed to interrogate the desired fragments for particular characteristics, such as, for example, the presence or absence of a polymorphism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method/screening kit for screening a compound or its salt that changes the binding properties of (a) a protein containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 19, its partial peptides, or salts thereof, and (b) a ligand capable of binding specifically to the protein; compounds obtained by the screening or salts thereof; pharmaceuticals comprising the compounds or salts thereof; a protein containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 19; etc. The compounds obtained by the screening of the present invention are useful as agents for the prevention/treatment of, for example, neurodegenerative diseases, immunological diseases, edema, acid indigestion, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunoreaction measuring method for measuring an antigen or antibody contained as a subject substance in a sample, wherein the sample was mixed with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acids having a hydroxyl group, dicarboxylic acids having a double bond, straight-chain dicarboxylic acids expressed by the chemical formula (1): HOOC(CH2)nCOOH (n is an integer), and the salts of these dicarboxylic acids, and an antibody or antigen as a specifically binding substance capable of specifically binding to the subject substance, to obtain an acidic reaction solution, and then an antigen-antibody complex, generated by an antigen-antibody reaction of the subject substance with the specifically binding substance in the reaction solution was detected. This makes it possible to improve a measurement value and to relax a limitation of a measurement range due to a zone phenomenon that occurs in an antigen-excess region.

Abstract: The invention relates in part to novel methods of rapidly determining the ratio of biological molecules. The invention also relates in part to a kit for rapidly determining the ratio of biological molecules.