Abstract: A mask pattern 40 including a light-shielding portion 41 constituted by a light-shielding film made of a chromium film or the like and phase shifters 42 and 43 is formed on a transparent substrate 30. The phase shifters 42 and 43 generate a phase difference of 180 degrees with respect to exposure light between the phase shifters and the transparent substrate 30. A first light intensity generated in a light-shielded image formation region corresponding to the mask pattern 40 on an exposed material by the exposure light transmitted through the phase shifters 42 and 43 is not more than four times a second light intensity generated in the light-shielded image formation region by the exposure light that is transmitted through the periphery of the mask pattern 40 on the transparent substrate 30 and goes into the back side of the mask pattern 40.

Abstract: An amine compound represented by the following general formula (1) is incorporated as a charge-transporting substance into a charge-transporting layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus are provided which not only secure mechanical strength sufficiently but also bring a vast improvement in charge transport performance and which can well satisfy electrical properties. An electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided an outermost surface layer of which contains at least a charge transporting compound having chain polymerizable functional groups which is represented by the following general formula (1-1) or (1-2); the charge transporting compound having been polymerized or cross-linked and cured. Also provided are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have such a photosensitive member.

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 E comprises a functional group selected from the group consisting of a reactive ring group, an ethylenically unsaturated group, a hydrazone group, and an azine group; R1, R2, and R3 comprise, each independently, H or an organic group; X is a bond or a linking group, with the proviso that when E comprises a reactive ring group, X is a linking group; and Y is a nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic group; and (b) a charge generating compound.

Abstract: There is provided an electrostatic latent image developing toner including a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent, wherein the shape factor SF1 of the toner is within the range from 110 to 140, the volume average particle size of the toner is within the range from 1.2 ?m to 4.8 ?m, and the crystallinity of the release agent within the toner is within the range from 35 to 80. There is also provided a method for manufacturing such a toner.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner comprising a resin, a colorant and a release agent which comprises a first wax and a second wax, wherein: (i) the first wax exhibits: an endothermic peak appearing in the range 75-100° C., a peak width at half height of the endothermic peak of 10-40° C., an exothermic peak appearing in the range 70-100° C. and a peak width at half height of the exothermic peak of 10-40° C., in a DSC measurement; (ii) the second wax exhibits: an endothermic peak appearing in the range 60-90° C., a peak width at half height of the endothermic peak of 5° C. or less, an exothermic peak appearing in the range 55-80° C. and a peak width at half height of the exothermic peak of 5° C. or less, in the DSC measurement; (iii) a weight ratio of the first wax to the second wax is between 9:1 and 2:8; and (iv) the resin contains a polar group.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing toner for electrophotography includes the steps of dissolving or dispersing a toner composition containing a resin and a coloring agent into polymerizable monomers to provide a solution or a dispersed system, emulsifying the solution or the dispersed system with a first surface active agent in an aqueous medium to provide an emulsion, and polymerizing the polymerizable monomers in the emulsion to obtain toner. A second surface active agent having polarity opposite to polarity of the first surface active agent is added after the emulsifying step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resist pattern thickening material which can thicken a resist pattern to be thickened regardless of a material or a size thereof so as to form a fine space pattern, exceeding an exposure limit of exposure light. The resist pattern thickening material comprises: a resin; a crosslinking agent; and a nitrogen-containing compound. In a process for forming a resist pattern of the present invention, the resist pattern thickening material is applied on a surface of a resist pattern to be thickened, thereby forming a resist pattern. A process for manufacturing a semiconductor device of the present invention includes: applying the thickening material on a surface of a resist pattern to be thickened which is formed on an underlying layer, so as to thicken the resist pattern to be thickened and form a resist pattern; and patterning the underlying layer by etching using the resist pattern.

Abstract: A positive resist composition includes a resin component (A) whose alkaline solubility changes by an action of an acid, an acid generator component (B), and polypropylene glycol, wherein the component (A) includes a resin component (A1) including a constitutional unit (a1) represented by general formula (I), a constitutional unit (a2) represented by general formula (II), and a constitutional unit (a3) having an acid dissociable dissolution inhibiting group, wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and m represents an integer of 1 to 3, wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R1 represents alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 5, and l represents an integer of 0 to 3.

Abstract: A novel process for using a hard mask or protective layer in conjunction with an extremely thin photoresist is provided. In this process, a thin film of the protective layer is coated on the surface of a substrate that is to be selectively modified by reactive ion etch (RIE). The protective layer is photosensitive and anti-reflective. An extremely thin photoresist layer is coated on top of the protective layer. The stack of the films is selectively exposed to actinic radiation at a wavelength determined by the sensitivities of the protective layer and photoresist layer. The latent images on the photoresist and protective layers resulting from the exposure are developed with a common alkaline developer. The three dimensional patterns of photoresist and underlying protective layer are formed simultaneously by the single exposure and single development. When the underlying substrate is etched by RIE, the protective layer is the masking layer, not the photoresist.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photoresist composition for an organic layer for a liquid crystal display, which may be used for a large-scale substrate, a spin-less coating method using the composition, a method for fabricating an organic layer pattern, and a liquid crystal display having the organic layer pattern. In particular, the liquid crystal display photoresist composition comprises an organic polymer resin having an average molecular weight in the range of about 2,000 to about 20,000, a mixed solvent of ethylene diglycol methylethyl ether (EDM) and a solvent having a vapor pressure lower than the EDM, and a photosensitizer.

Abstract: A polymer having ?,? unsaturated groups and a group that generates a free radical when exposed to actinic radiation. The polymer may be self-cross-linking.

Abstract: Wet-recess (develop) gap-fill and bottom anti-reflective coatings based on a polyamic acid or polyester platform are provided. The polyamic acid platform allows imidization to form a polyimide when supplied with thermal energy. The gap-fill and bottom anti-reflective coatings are soluble in standard aqueous developers, and are useful for patterning via holes and trenches on semiconductor substrates in a dual damascene patterning scheme. In one embodiment, compositions composed of polyamic acids can be used as gap-filling (via-filling) materials having no anti-reflective function in a copper dual damascene process to improve iso-dense fill bias across different via arrays. In another embodiment, the same composition can be used for anti-reflective purposes, wherein the photoresist can be directly coated over the recessed surface, while it also acts as a fill material to planarize via holes on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of photoresist processing includes forming a first photoresist layer over composite layers of dielectric insulation and a top insulating layer and patterning a via hole pattern in the first photoresist layer by exposing to radiation of a first sensitivity. A second photoresist layer is formed over via patterned and the first photoresist layer. A trench line pattern is formed in the second photoresist layer by exposing to radiation of a second sensitivity. The layers are then etched and the trench line and via hole openings are filled with metal.

Abstract: Photoresist cleaning solutions are used to clean semiconductor substrates before or after an exposing step when photoresist patterns are formed. The cleaning solutions include H2O and a nonionic surfactant compound represented by Formula 1. By spraying the disclosed cleaning solutions on a surface of the semiconductor substrate before or after exposing step to form a photoresist pattern, the desired pattern only is obtained and unnecessary patterns generated in undesired regions by ghost images are avoided as excess acid generated by the photoacid generator is neutralized and removed and damage to unexposed portions of the photoresist polymer is avoided. wherein R1 and R2 are independently H, C1-C20 alkyl, C5-C25 alkyl aryl or C1-C10 ester; m is 1 or 2; n is an integer ranging from 10 to 300; and o is 0 or 1.

Abstract: A grayscale mask for imaging operations, including a substrate layer and a mask layer having a plurality of apertures forming a mask pattern to form a grayscale image. Each edge of each aperture includes a plurality segments forming a serrated edge, resulting in mixed edge diffraction. The apertures may be in an irregular and non-symmetric pattern and may be of variable size. A random diffusing layer may be in proximity to or integral with the substrate layer. The grayscale mask may be used for generating an optical element by printing the initial grayscale mask onto a photoresist layer and transferring the photoresist pattern onto a transparent layer and the mask may include areas or layers of variable transmission. Also described are methods for diffractive intensity averaging, diffractive error diffusion, diffractive spatial dithering, and diffractive intensity averaging.

Abstract: A pattern forming method comprises forming a photosensitive resin film on a substrate, exposing the photosensitive resin film, forming a pattern of the photosensitive resin film by supplying a developing solution to the photosensitive resin film, and slimming to remove a surface layer of the pattern by causing the pattern to contact with an activated water.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed that combines a bilayered photoresist structure, similar to that which is already in use in the MR head industry, with a post development UV irradiation treatment which reduces the manufacturable feature-size to be below the resolution limit. The technique is compatible with current manufacturing processes, requires no additional investment, and can be extended to ultra-small feature sizes.

Abstract: A silver salt photothermographic dry imaging material wherein said material has photographic speeds (1) and (2) determined based on the predetermined conditions and the photographic speed (2) is not more than 1/10 of the photographic speed (1), and the coefficient of determination value R2 of the linear regression line is 0.998-1.000, which is obtained from the predetermined density points having a* and b* arranged in two-dimensional coordinates in which a* is used as the abscicca and b* is used as the coordinate of the CIE 1976 (L*a*b*) color space, b* of the intersection point of the linear regression line with the ordinate is ?5-5, and gradient (a*/b*) is 0.7-2.5.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that the transcription factors Pbx1 and HMG I are involved in retrovirus, e.g., HIV, replication. Thus, the invention provides methods of identifying modulators of these proteins. Such modulators can be used as reagents in in vitro assays to modulate expression of retroviral sequences and may be used to inhibit HIV replication in vivo.

Abstract: Provided is a method of identifying a target cell using a virus. The method includes infecting the target cell with the virus by contacting the virus to the target cell and culturing the target cell to propagate the virus; adding a chromogenic substrate to the resultant cell culture to induce enzyme reaction converting the chromogenic substrate to a chromogenic product; and measuring an optical signal emitted from the chromogenic product, wherein the virus contains in its genome a gene encoding an enzyme capable of converting the chromogenic substrate to the chromogenic product and a gene encoding a ligand allowing the virus to specifically bind with a receptor of the target cell to infect the target cell with the virus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for diagnosing cavernous angiomas for detecting mutations in the Krit1 gene. More particularly, said detection is performed by using nucleotide sequences. The invention further concerns the use of the Krit1 gene for therapeutic purposes in the field of angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human K+ ion channel, to nucleic acid molecules encoding the same and to vectors comprising said nucleic acid molecules. The invention additionally relates to antibodies specifically directed to the novel K+ ion channel and to pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic kits containing at least one of the above-mentioned components. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods of treating a disease caused by malfunction of the polypeptide of the present invention or by the (over)expression of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprising administering an inhibitor of said (over)expression or of ion channel function or an inhibitor abolishing said malfunction to a patient in need thereof. Methods of devising drugs for treating or preventing the above-mentioned disease, methods of inhibiting cell proliferation and methods of prognosing cancer are additional embodiments comprised by the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to the generation and use of gene expression data from tissue samples that have been fixed and embedded are provided. The data can electronically stored and implemented as well as used to augment diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for treatment and/or prevention of a disease caused by aberrant splicing, a neurodegenerative disease represented by Alzheimer's disease, or the like. The present invention relates to a nucleic acid which can be associated with generation of a splice variant that lacks exon 5 of presenilin-2 gene, an inhibitor for inhibiting a binding between protein-nucleic acid caused by aberrant splicing, and a method for screening the inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying analyte nucleic acids present in a sample comprising nucleic acid molecules, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a porous substrate, said substrate comprising a plurality of micro-channels, wherein said micro-channels have immobilized thereon a target molecule capable of binding to an analyte present in said sample; wherein said channels are further provided with analyte amplification components, a reporter system; and said sample; (b) amplifying analyte nucleic acid molecules present within said sample; and (c) allowing binding to take place between an amplified analyte nucleic acid obtained in step (b), said target molecule immobilized onto the channels of said substrate and said reporter system, wherein said reporter system allows detecting whether binding has occurred between said target molecule and said analyte nucleic acid.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate for immobilizing a biomolecule and substrates produced by the method are disclosed. The method includes contacting at least a portion of a substrate with a reducing agent such as a hydride. Treatment with an appropriate reducing agent substantially eliminates autofluorescence on substrates.

Abstract: There is used at least one probe array obtained by arraying particles having various probes, respectively, fixed thereon (probe particles) in a definite order in a holder. A plurality of capillaries or grooves packed with various kinds, respectively, of probe particles are arrayed in parallel, and one of particles contained in each capillary or groove is injected into another capillary or groove to produce a probe array in which the various kinds of probe particles are arrayed in a constant and definite order. Various fluorophore-labeled DNA's are measured at the same time by attaching various probes to particles, respectively, of different sizes. A probe array composed of various fixed DNA probes can easily be produced, and there can be provided a probe array for detecting various DNA's which is composed of various fixed arbitrary DNA probes.

Abstract: The methods, compositions and apparatus disclosed herein are of use for nucleic acid sequence determination. The methods involve isolation of one or more nucleic acid template molecules and polymerization of a nascent complementary strand of nucleic acid, using a DNA or RNA polymerase or similar synthetic reagent. As the nascent strand is extended one nucleotide at a time, the disappearance of nucleotide precursors from solution is monitored by Raman spectroscopy or FRET. The nucleic acid sequence of the nascent strand, and the complementary sequence of the template strand, may be determined by tracking the order of incorporation of nucleotide precursors during the polymerization reaction. Certain embodiments concern apparatus comprising a reaction chamber and detection unit, of use in practicing the claimed methods. The methods, compositions and apparatus are of use in sequencing very long nucleic acid templates in a single sequencing reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a human PAB II gene containing transcribed polymorphic GCG repeat, which comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3, which includes introns and flanking genomic sequence. The allelic variants of GCG repeat of the human PAB II gene are associated with a disease related with protein accumulation in nucleus, such as polyalanine accumulation, a disease related with swallowing difficulties, such as oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. The present invention also relates to a method for the diagnosis of a disease with protein accumulation in nucleus, which comprises the steps of: a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample of said patient; and b) determining allelic variants of GCG repeat of the gene of claim 1, and wherein long allelic variants are indicative of a disease related with protein accumulation in nucleus.

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: The present invention relates to modification of amplification buffer used in amplification reactions. The modifications result in a significant improvement in results of amplification In particular, the present invention provides methods and buffers for performing an amplification reaction utilizing a buffer comprising nucleotide triphosphates comprising treating the buffer to substitute a portion of the nucleotide triphosphates with nucleotide diphosphates.

Abstract: Ligation-based methods and kits are disclosed for determining the degree of methylation of one or more target nucleotides. In certain embodiments, the methylation status of one or more target nucleotides is determined by generating misligation products. In certain embodiments, at least one target nucleotide is amplified prior to the ligation reaction. In certain embodiments, at least one ligation product, at least one ligation product surrogate, at least one misligation product, at least one misligation product surrogate, or combinations thereof are amplified. In certain embodiments, one or more ligation probes comprise at least one nucleotide analog, at least one Modification, at least one mismatched nucleotide, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pknB kinase and a pstP phosphatase as well as their use for identifying antibacterial substances.

Abstract: Provided is a method of purifying a target substance using silver nanoparticles. The method includes: mixing a sample containing molecules having a thiol group with the silver nanoparticles to obtain a complex of the molecules having the thiol group with the silver nanoparticles; and isolating and removing the complex from the mixture. By using the purification method, PCR amplifiable DNAs can be rapidly purified, and thus, the method can be very efficiently applied to lab-on-chip (LOC).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a target nucleotide sequence. This method involves forming a ligation product on a target nucleotide sequence in a ligase detection reaction mixture, amplifying the ligation product to form an amplified ligation product in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mixture, detecting the amplified ligation product, and identifying the target nucleotide sequence. Such coupling of the ligase detection reaction and the polymerase chain reaction permits multiplex detection of nucleic acid sequence differences.

Abstract: Bioelastomers are disclosed for use in methods of binding compounds including immunoassay methods, in biosensors and methods or regenerating biosensors, and in methods for targeting the delivery of a compound to a particular location within an animal subjects. In general, the bioelastomer is conjugated to a binding compound, which is in turn used to bind a compound of interest. For targeted compound delivery, the bioelastomer is conjugated to the compound to be delivered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting, in vitro, an infection with a microorganism, such as the hepatitis C virus, in a biological sample, by simultaneously detecting an antigen of this microorganism and the antibodies against this same antigen, and also to the reagents and kits implementing this method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, staging, prognosticating, imaging and treating prostate cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody, or fragments thereof, for isolating and/or identifying mesenchymal stem cells. In this connection, the antibody, or fragments thereof, bind to an antigen which is the same as that bound to by an antibody which is produced by the hybridoma cell line W8B2, which was deposited on 14.08.2002 in the DSMZ [German collection of microorganisms and cell cultures] under the number DSM ACC2567.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences of ANGE, CLLD8 and CLLD7 or sequences complementary or substantially homologous thereto or fragments thereof. Also provided are sequences comprising hybrid nucleic acid sequences from two or more of the genes. Also provided are nucleic acid expression vectors, polypeptides, antibodies to the polypeptides, host cells, non-human transgenic animals and pharmaceutical compositions and agents. Also provided is the use of the nucleic acid sequence and/or protein in medicine and research, methods for diagnosing or determining predisposition to disease or severity of disease, methods for preventing or treating disease, and kits for use in the methods and the use of the nucleic acid sequence and protein in treating or preventing IgE mediated diseases and non-atopic asthma, and in screens for identifying new agents for use in the methods.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine ?8 (CK?8 or ckb-8)); a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-? and chemokine ?1(CK?1 or ckb-1)), and a macrophage inhibitory protein-4 (MIP-4), as well as MPIF-1, M-CIF and/or MIP-4 polypeptides themselves, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides Drosophila melanogaster GPCR (DmGPCR) polypeptides and polynucleotides which identify and encode such a DmGPCR. In addition, the invention provides expression vectors, host cells, and methods for its production. The invention also provides methods for the identification of homologs in other species and of DmGPCR agonists/antagonists useful as potential insecticides. The invention further provides methods for binding a DmGPCR, methods for identifying modulators of DmGPCR expression and activity, methods for controlling a population of insects with a DmGPCR antibody, a DmGPCR antisense polynucleotide, a DmGPCR binding partner or modulator, and methods of preventing or treating a disease or condition associated with an ectoparasite. Specifically, this invention discloses the matching of the orphan Drosophila drotachykinin, droleucokinin, and drostatin-C receptors with their cognate peptide ligands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention proivdes methods of identifying new carcinoma oncogenes or analyzing functions of known carcinoma oncogenes by transformation of RK3E cells. Also provided are methods of using nuclear localization of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4, or termed Gut-Enriched Krüppel-Like Factor, GKLF) as a marker and prognostic factor for aggressive early-stage breast carcinoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting antigen-specific T lymphocytes in a sample. The present invention further provides kits and systems for detecting antigen-specific T lymphocytes in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uses of proteins that bind MK2 to modulate inflammation. More particularly, the invention relates to uses of proteins that bind MK2 for treating condition that are related to inflammation. The invention is useful for treating inflammatory conditions, particularly those in which a decrease in inflammation would be therapeutically beneficial.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein of the MEKK signal transduction pathway, and the gene encoding it. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the protein or the gene, and to methods of screening for agonists or antagonists of the protein, particularly with respect to MEKK activity. In particular, the invention provides a gene encoding MIF1, the MIF1 protein, and antibodies that specifically bind MIF1. MIF1 and the MIF1 gene can be used in screening assays, particularly to identify agonists and antagonists of MIF1 interaction with MEKK, and thus modulators of the MEKK signal pathway. MIF1 gene (or cDNA) can also be delivered to cells, e.g., for in vitro screening or testing, or in vivo or ex vivo for gene therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and materials for utilizing enzymes to act on metal ions in solution so that the ions are reduced to metal and deposited. These methods enable a wide range of applications including the detection of one or more constituents in a test sample.

Abstract: We provide a lactate biosensing strip comprising a working electrode and a reference electrode, the two electrodes being deposited on an electrically insulated base support, the working electrode being formed by immobilizing lactate oxidase and an electron mediator on an inorganic graphite matrix and the graphite layer being deposited on a silver layer of the working electrode and the reference electrode being formed by depositing silver chloride on a silver layer of the reference electrode.