Abstract: There is provided a magnetic recording medium having an extremely thin magnetic layer, in which, not only corrosion of the magnetic layer is suppressed, but also the storage properties and the electromagnetic conversion properties are improved. The magnetic recording medium comprises: an elongated nonmagnetic substrate; a first shielding layer comprised of a metal or an alloy; a second shielding layer comprised of a material which is more hardly oxidized than the first shielding layer, and a magnetic layer, formed by a vacuum thin film formation technique, having a thickness of 55 nm or less. A total thickness of the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer is 2 to 50 nm.

Abstract: A fuel cell powered by direct fuel, for example a direct methanol fuel cell, includes a polymer electrolyte membrane which includes a semi-crystalline polymer. Preferred semi-crystalline polymers include first repeat units comprising sulphonated aromatic group containing moieties linked by —SO2— and/or —CO— and/or -Q-groups, where Q is O or S and second repeat units which include aromatic group containing moieties linked by —CO— and/or Q groups.

Abstract: Liquid cooled systems having coolant circulation loops must often operate in below freezing conditions. For instance, in various applications certain fuel cell systems must be able to tolerate repeated shutdown and storage in below freezing conditions. Conventional glycol-based coolants typically used for internal combustion engines are generally unsuitable for use in the associated fuel cell cooling subsystems due to the presence of additives and/or inhibitors which are normally included to deal with problems relating to decomposition of the glycol. With additives or inhibitors present, the coolant conductivity can be sufficiently high as to result in electrical shorting or corrosion problems. However, provided the purity of the coolant is maintained, a pure glycol and water coolant mixture may be used as a fuel cell system coolant to obtain suitable antifreeze protection. Adequate purity can be maintained by including an ion exchange resin unit in the cooling subsystem.

Abstract: The invention includes a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) comprising at least one fuel cell assembly. The fuel cell assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly interposed between an anode separator and a cathode separator. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a proton exchange membrane interposed between an anode and a cathode, each electrode comprising an electrocatalyst. The anode and cathode separators contain the flow field features necessary to communicate the fuel and oxidant, respectively, to their respective electrodes. A heat transfer separator may be integrated into the fuel cell assembly. Each separator is made up of a series of conductive compression gaskets that distribute fuel, oxidant and heat transfer fluid throughout the fuel cell. Under mechanical load, the respective series of compression gaskets are consolidated into fuel cell separators with sufficient structural integrity to seal the PEMFC fluids.

Abstract: An electrolyte sheet comprises a substantially non-porous body and has at least one stress-relief area on at least a portion of the electrolyte sheet. The stress-relief area has a surface with a plurality of smoothly domed cells.

Abstract: Fuel cell electrodes comprising a minimal load of catalyst having maximum catalytic activity and a method of forming such fuel cell electrodes. The preferred method comprises vaporizing a catalyst, preferably platinum, in a vacuum to form a catalyst vapor. A catalytically effective amount of the catalyst vapor is deposited onto a carbon catalyst support on the fuel cell electrode. The electrode preferably is carbon cloth. The method reduces the amount of catalyst needed for a high performance fuel cell electrode to about 0.3 mg/cm2 or less, preferably to about 0.1 mg/cm2. The electrocatalytic layer formed comprises unique, rod-like structures.

Abstract: A porous diffusion media according to the present invention is positioned against a catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assembly, the porous matrix comprises carbon paper, and the water transfer particles comprise carbon fibers or powders. Relatively high and relatively low water transfer particle density regions alternate across the porous diffusion media. A first major face of the media may be collectively more hydrophilic than the second major face and the second major face may be collectively more hydrophobic than the first major face. The diffusion media is positioned against the catalyst layer along the first major face of the diffusion media and against a flow field of the fuel cell along the second major face of the diffusion media. The porous diffusion media comprises hydrophobic material disposed along the second major face of the diffusion media.

Abstract: A cap assembly including a cap plate having a port aperture, an electrode port inserted into the port aperture, and an insulating member formed between the cap plate and the electrode port to insulate the cap plate and the electrode port and to tightly bind the electrode port to the cap plate, wherein the insulating member, the cap plate, and the electrode port form a single integrated body.

Abstract: A positive electrode for a lithium-sulfur battery and a lithium-sulfur battery including the same have a positive electrode that includes a positive active material, a conductor, an organic binder, and an additive. The positive active material includes at least one selected from elemental sulfur, a sulfur-based compound, or a mixture thereof. The additive includes a polymer having at least one amino nitrogen group in main chains or side chains.

Abstract: The present invention provides a negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, including carbonaceous particles and a Si phase dispersed in the carbonaceous particles, wherein a half width of a diffraction peak of (220) plane in powder X-ray diffraction is 1.5° or more and 8° or less, and an average size of the Si phase is less than 100 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a negative electrode for a lithium sulfur battery. The negative electrode includes a lithium metal, a pre-treatment layer, and a protection layer for the lithium metal. The pre-treatment layer has a thickness of 50 to 5000 ? and includes a lithium ion conductive material with an ionic conductivity of at least 1×10?10 S/cm.

Abstract: An activated electrode for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is disclosed with a precursor of a lithium metal oxide with the formula xLi2MnO3.(1?x)LiMn2?yMyO4 for 0<x<1 and 0?y<1 in which the Li2MnO3 and LiMn2?yMyO4 components have layered and spinel-type structures, respectively, and in which M is one or more metal cations. The electrode is activated by removing lithia, or lithium and lithia, from the precursor. A cell and battery are also disclosed incorporating the disclosed positive electrode.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for repairing mask damage defects. After determining topographical information of a defect on a mask, one or more grating repair specifications are determined based on an optical simulation using the topographical information. One or more artificial grating areas are formed on one or more sides of the defect based on the grating repair specification.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for modifying a reticle. In general, inspection results from a plurality of wafers or prediction results from a lithographic model are used to individually decrease the dose or any other optical property at specific locations of the reticle. In one embodiment, any suitable optical property of the reticle is modified by an optical beam, such as a femto-second laser, at specific locations on the reticle so as to widen the process window for such optical property. Examples of optical properties include dose, phase, illumination angle, and birefringence. Techniques for adjusting optical properties at specific locations on a reticle using an optical beam may be practiced for other purposes besides widening the process window.

Abstract: A photomask includes a main mask pattern having first chip patterns and having a first size corresponding to a maximum exposure area of a projection exposure apparatus. The mask further includes a sub-mask pattern having second chip patterns different from the first chip patterns, having a second size smaller than the first size, and arranged adjacently to the main mask pattern.

Abstract: Marking system for a semiconductor wafer to identify problems in mask layers. A method for forming a mask which includes the step of first creating at least one drawing layer that defines changes to the structures to be formed on the surface of a semiconductor substrate at one step in the processing thereof, which step involves the use of a mask. The at least one drawing layer will define a pattern region that will either result in removal of the material from the semiconductor substrate in the defined pattern region, or removal of matter from the semiconductor substrate around the defined pattern region. An indicator area is created in the at least one drawing layer, the indicator area having an indicator region disposed therein that will result in removal of material from around the indicator region regardless of whether the mask is a dark tone mask or a clear tone mask, the indicator region appearing in the negative if the mask is a dark tone mask.

Abstract: A method of verifying optical proximity correction includes the steps of generating first mask pattern data from design data under first condition, generating first corrected pattern data by applying optical proximity correction to the first mask pattern data, generating second mask pattern data from the design data under second condition, generating second corrected pattern data by applying optical proximity correction to the second mask pattern data, and comparing the first corrected pattern data and the second corrected pattern data to check whether the first corrected pattern data and the second corrected pattern data match.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner contains at least a binder resin and a colorant, and log10{[Cu]/[C]} satisfies the following equation (1): ?5.0?log10{[Cu]/[C]}??3.5 ??(1) in which, [C] represents a carbon content (%) and [Cu] represents a copper content (%), measured with fluorescent X-ray. An electrophotographic developer containing the toner, a method for producing the toner, and a method for forming an image by using the toner are also provided.

Abstract: A dry toner is provided that is prepared by a method including the steps of (A) dissolving or dispersing a toner composition in an organic solvent to prepare a toner composition liquid and (B) dispersing the toner composition liquid in an aqueous liquid which contains a binder resin formed of a modified polyester (i) and a colorant containing a carbon black having a pH not greater than 7, wherein the toner has a volume average particle diameter (Dv) is from 3 to 7 ?m and a ratio of the volume average particle diameter (Dv) to a number average particle diameter (Dp) is from 1.00 to 1.25.

Abstract: The invention provides liquid electrographic toner compositions comprising a liquid carrier having toner particles and at least one soluble polymer dispersed in the liquid carrier. The liquid carrier has a Kauri-Butanol number less than about 30 mL. The toner particles comprise polymeric binder comprising at least one amphipathic copolymer comprising one or more S material portions and one or more D material portions. The soluble polymer is present in an amount of from about 1% to about 10% by weight based on toner particle weight. The absolute difference in Hildebrand solubility parameters between the soluble polymer and the liquid carrier is less than about 3.0 MPa1/2. In one aspect of the invention, the soluble polymer that is incorporated in the toner composition has no more than about 30% weight ratio chemical constitution variance from the chemical constitution of the S material portion of the amphipathic copolymer.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate precursor comprises a support and two or more positive recording layers which are formed on the support, contain a resin and an infrared absorbing agent and exhibit an increase in solubility in an aqueous alkali solution by exposure to infrared laser light, wherein the positive recording layer closest to the support among these two or more positive recording layers contains at least two types of resins among which at least one type forms a dispersion phase. It is preferable that the dispersion phase be formed of (1) a high-polymer compound incompatible with a high-polymer matrix or (2) a granular polymer selected from a microcapsule and a latex, and contains an infrared absorbing agent and an acid generator.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an organic light emitting display is provided. The method includes repeatedly scanning a laser beam over a predetermined region of a donor substrate with multi-lines in one step using a galvanometer to form an organic layer pattern. The method of the present invention is capable of reducing process time required to form the organic layer pattern and lowering manufacturing cost by repeating multi-line scanning in one step through the laser beam using the galvanometer, when the organic layer pattern is formed using an LITI method.

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 invention provides a high-resolution resist material comprising an acid generator that has high sensitivity and high resolution with respect to high-energy rays of 300 nm or less, has small line-edge roughness, and is superior in heat stability and in shelf stability, and provides a pattern forming method that uses this resist material. The invention further provides a chemically amplified positive resist material comprising a base resin, an acid generator and a solvent in which the acid generator generates an alkylimidic acid containing a fluorine group, and provides a pattern forming method comprising a step of applying the resist material to the substrate, a step of performing exposure to a high-energy ray of a wavelength of 300 nm or less through a photomask following heat treatment, and a step of performing development by a developing solution following heat treatment.

Abstract: 3-D structures which are fabricated by gray-tone exposure of a class of thick negative photo-sensitized epoxy resists from the substrate side of a transparent substrate, using development methods that rely upon a physical distinction between polymerized (solid) and unpolymerized (liquid) photoresist at elevated temperatures Such structures may exhibit smoothly-varying topographic features with thicknesses as great as 2 mm.

Abstract: A composition utilized in and a method for forming an electrode used in field emission type of display devices said composition is a photosensitive copper conductive composition comprising: a mixture of (a) copper powder at least 70 wt % out of 100 wt % copper powders having a particle size in the range of 0.2-3 ?m and (b) an inorganic binder with a softening point in the range of 380-580° C. in an amount of 140 wt % based on 100 wt % copper powders, said mixture being dispersed in an organic vehicle comprising (c) an organic polymer binder, (d) a phototoinitiator, (e) a photohardenable monomer, and an organic solvent; and the photosensitive copper conductive composition being fireable at a temperature in the range of 450-600° C. in a reductive atmosphere.

Abstract: An undercoat-forming material comprising a novolak resin having a fluorene or tetrahydrospirobiindene structure, an organic solvent, an acid generator, and a crosslinker, optionally combined with an intermediate layer having an antireflective effect, has an absorptivity coefficient sufficient to provide an antireflective effect at a thickness of at least 200 nm and a high etching resistance as demonstrated by slow etching rates with CF4/CHF3 and Cl2. BCl3 gases for substrate processing.

Abstract: A light-sensitive sheet comprises a support, a first light-sensitive layer and a second light-sensitive layer in this order. Each of the first and second light sensitive layers independently contains a binder, a polymerizable compound and a photo-polymerization initiator. The second light-sensitive layer is more sensitive to light than the first light-sensitive layer. A light-sensitive laminate comprises a substrate, the second light-sensitive layer and the first light-sensitive layer in this order.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitive composition including a compound that generates a radical by application of light or heat, a polymer having a phenyl group substituted with a vinyl group on the side chain, a monomer having two or more phenyl groups substituted with a vinyl group, an infrared absorbing agent, and a compound having at least one carboxylic acid group and a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 or less. Additionally, the invention provides a planographic printing plate precursor including a substrate and a negative recording layer provided on the substrate and containing the above photosensitive composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a photoacid generating polymer represented by Formula 1 below: wherein R1 is a C1-10 hydrocarbon or a C1-10 hydrocarbon in which the hydrogen atoms are wholly or partly replaced by fluorine atoms; R2 is hydrogen or a methyl group; and a, b, c and d represent the mole fraction of each monomer and are in the range between about 0.05 and about 0.9, such that the sum of a, b, c, and d equals one. Since the photoacid generating polymer of Formula 1 is not water-soluble and acts as a photoacid generator, it can be used to prepare a top anti-reflective coating composition for immersion lithography.

Abstract: There is provided a positive photoresist for near-field exposure excellent in light utilization efficiency even with small layer thickness of the photoresist layer for image formation, and allowing for reduced pattern edge roughness, and a photolithography method including a step of exposing by the near-field exposure the photoresist layer for image formation made thereof. In a positive photoresist containing an alkali-soluble novolak resin and a quinone diazide compound, the film thickness of the photoresist at the time of exposure is not larger than 100 nm, and the absorption coefficient of the photoresist ? (?m?1) for the exposure light is such that 0.5???7.

Abstract: A micro-fabricated structure and method of forming a micro-fabricated structure are disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a first pattern in a first photo-resist, transferring the first pattern in the first photo-resist to a mask layer, forming a second pattern in a second photo-resist, and transferring the second pattern in the second photo-resist to the mask layer. In various embodiments, the method may further include the steps of forming a first pattern in a first photo-resist, forming a second pattern in a second photo-resist, and transferring the first and second patterns to a target layer.

Abstract: A method for making a forming structure having columnar protrusions extending therefrom comprising the steps of exposing a liquid photosensitive resin to light having an activating wavelength thereby inducing partial curing of the photosensitive resin to form a monolithic slab of partially-cured photosensitive resin; and, including the step of inducing partial curing of a plurality of protrusions on the monolithic slab such that they are joined to and integral with the monolithic slab. The method can further comprise the step of laser etching a plurality of apertures through the forming structure.

Abstract: Microfabrication methods and devices in which microscale structural elements are provided in an intermediate polymer layer between two planar substrates. Preferred aspects utilize photoimagable or ablatable polymer layers as the intermediate polymer layer.

Abstract: A silver halide emulsion, which is chemically sensitized by a compound of formula (1): wherein Ch represents a sulfur, selenium, or tellurium atom; X1 represents NR1 or N+(R2)R3Y?; R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R2 and R3 each represent an alkyl group or another substituent; Y? represents an anionic ion; X2 represents OR4, N(R5)R6, or another substituent; R4 to R6 each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and E is a group selected from groups represented by formula (2) to (5): wherein, in formulas (2) to (5), Z represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; A1 and A2 each represent an oxygen atom, etc.; and R10 to R16 each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; W represents a substituent; n is an integer from 0 to 4; L represents a divalent linking group; and EWG represents an electron withdrawing group.

Abstract: The invention provides a black and white photothermographic material comprising an image forming layer containing on at least one side of a support at least a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions, and a binder, wherein: the non-photosensitive organic silver salt comprises at least one compound selected from a silver salt of an azole compound or a silver salt of a mercapto compound; and the photothermographic material further comprises, a compound that can be one-electron-oxidized to provide a one-electron oxidation product which releases one or more electrons, and an adsorptive redox compound having a group adsorbable to the silver halide and a reducing group in the molecule. The invention provides a black and white photothermographic material having high image quality and an excellent storability, and an image forming method.

Abstract: A photothermographic material including, on at least one side of a support, an image forming layer including at least a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent, and a binder, and a non-photosensitive layer, wherein the photothermographic material contains a metal phthalocyanine dye represented by formula (I): wherein, M represents a metal atom; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, with at least one of them being a substituent; X1, X2, X3, and X4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and at least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, X1, X2, X3, and X4 is an oil-soluble group. The invention provides a photothermographic material which exhibits preferable image tone and excellent image storability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying modulators of an interaction between 53BP1 and histone H3 (H3). The present invention also relates to methods of use of inhibitors of an interaction between 53BP1 and H3. The present invention further relates to fragments of 53BP1 and H3, as well as other methods and uses.

Abstract: A method for detecting nucleic acids wherein the binding activity of a nucleic acid aptamer, which is formed by the hybridization of a target nucleotide sequence and a probe, is detected using the binding with a ligand as an index has been provided. Utilizing a structure such as the three-way junction, whose binding activity significantly changes depending on a mismatch of a single nucleotide, as the nucleic acid aptamer SNP can be detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant bank of diploid micro-organisms which consists of a population of mutant cells in which at least one cell has a random mutation which disrupts the activity of at least one gene, wherein the micro-organism is inducible into haploid form. The invention further relates to a method of using the mutant bank to identify the genes which contribute to a chosen phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, compositions, and methods for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences and variations in nucleic acid sequences. The present invention relates to methods for attaching nucleic acids to solid supports and modifying nucleic acids. For example, in some embodiments, the 5? nuclease activity of a cleavage agent is used to cleave a cleavage structure formed on the solid support, the occurrence of the cleavage event indicating the presence of specific nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for detecting, enumerating and/or identifying microorganisms in a sample. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for determining total microbial content in a sample by detecting the presence of nucleotide sequences associated with all or part of 16S rDNA or its corresponding 16S rRNA or its homologue, functional equivalent or derivative. The nucleotide sequences of the present invention may be used as an indicator of any microorganism and, hence, represents a universal target sequence which is indicative of total microbial content in a sample. The universal target sequence may also be varied to render same genus or species specific or the universal target used to trap microbial DNA or RNA which may be subsequently analyzed by sequence analysis or genetic probe technology.

Abstract: Administering an effective dose of glutenase to a Celiac or dermatitis herpetiformis patient reduces levels of toxic gluten oligopeptides, thereby attenuating or eliminating the damaging effects of gluten.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the direct synthesis of double stranded DNA molecules of a variety of sizes and with any desired sequence. The DNA molecule to be synthesis is logically broken up into smaller overlapping DNA segments. A maskless microarray synthesizer is used to make a DNA microarray on a substrate in which each element or feature of the array is populated by DNA of a one of the overlapping DNA segments. The complement of each segment is also made in the microarray. The DNA segments are released from the substrate and held under conditions favoring hybridization of DNA, under which conditions the segments will hybridize to form duplexes. The duplexes are then separated using a DNA binding agent which binds to improperly formed DNA helixes to remove errors from the set of DNA molecules. The segments can then be hybridized to each other to assemble the larger target DNA sequence.

Abstract: T-DNA tagging with a promoterless ?-glucuronidase (GUS) gene generated transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants that expressed GUS activity either only in developing seed coats, or constitutively. Cloning and deletion analysis of the GUS fusion revealed that the promoter responsible for seed coat specificity was located in the plant DNA proximal to the GUS gene. Analysis of the region demonstrated that the seed coat-specificity of GUS expression in this transgenic plant resulted from T-DNA insertion next to a cryptic promoter. This promoter is useful in controlling the expression of genes to the developing seed coat in plant seeds. Similarly, cloning and characterization of the cryptic constitutive promoter revealed the occurrence of several cryptic regulatory regions. These regions include promoter, negative regulatory elements, transcriptional enhancers, core promoter regions, and translational enhancers and other regulatory elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for using nucleotide sequence variations of 16S and 23S rRNA within the B. cereus group to discriminate a highly infectious bacterium B. anthracis from closely related microorganisms. Sequence variations in the 16S and 23S rRNA of the B. cereus subgroup including B. anthracis are utilized to construct an array that can detect these sequence variations through selective hybridizations and discriminate B. cereus group that includes B. anthracis. Discrimination of single base differences in rRNA was achieved with a microchip during analysis of B. cereus group isolates from both single and in mixed samples, as well as identification of polymorphic sites. Successful use of a microchip to determine the appropriate subgroup classification using eight reference microorganisms from the B. cereus group as a study set, was demonstrated.

Abstract: Methods of detecting components of interest, e.g., nucleic acids and sugars, are provided. The methods comprise contacting one or more nanowires comprising a functional group with a sample containing the component or components of interest. In one embodiment, the functional group comprises a hairpin oligonucleotide, e.g., a hairpin that changes conformation upon binding the component of interest, e.g., a nucleic acid. The change in conformation produces a change in charge that is detected. In another embodiment, the functional group comprises an enzyme, e.g., glucose oxidase, which produces a change in pH when glucose is present in a sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for isolating nucleic acids from biological samples, including whole tissue. The invention also provides kits for isolating nucleic acids from biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing a heterologous biological substance, comprising: (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent Aspergillus niger strain in a medium suitable for the production of the heterologous biological substance, wherein (i) the mutant strain comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding the heterologous biological substance and one or more second nucleotide sequences comprising a modification of glaA and at least one of the genes selected from the group consisting of asa, amyA, amyB, prtT, and oah, and (ii) the mutant strain is deficient in the production of glucoamylase and at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of acid stable alpha-amylase, neutral alpha-amylase A, and neutral alpha-amylase B, protease, and oxalic acid hydrolase compared to the parent Aspergillus niger strain when cultivated under identical conditions; and (b) recovering the heterologous biological substance from the cultivation medium.

Abstract: Genetic markers in the porcine melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene are disclosed which are associated with favorable meat quality traits including, drip loss, marbling, pH and color. Further, novel sequence data from regions of the gene are disclosed which may be used in a PCR test to screen for the presence of the marker. The genetic marker may be used to screen animals for breeding purposes which have the desired traits. Kits which take advantage of the PCR test are also disclosed.