Abstract: Combustion heaters having internal combustion chambers are located adjacent the end cells of a stack of fuel cells to directly, conductively heat the end cells during cold start-up of the stack. Similar heater(s) may also be located within the stack when cold starting under extremely cold conditions. A method of combustion thawing a fuel cell stack is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell bipolar plate in which an air gap or a material layer having a heat transfer coefficient lower than that of the bipolar plate is provided so as to reduce total amount of liquid water generated in a fuel cell, thereby preventing the occurrence of flooding and reducing the time required for cold start, enhancing durability, decreasing parasitic purge requirements, and enhancing operational stability.

Abstract: A fuel cell module structure including a heat exchanger capable of preventing leakage of oxygen containing gas in a flow path and reducing the cost. The module including a power-generating chamber that receives fuel cells and a casing having a generally rectangular shape enclosing the power-generating chamber. Additionally, the right and left side walls and an upper wall of the casing are hollow walls constituted of an outer shell member and an inner shell member disposed parallel to each other with a distance therebetween forming a reaction gas circulation space, the outer and inner shell members are each formed in a U-like cross-sectional shape, and a reaction gas introduction member extends vertically downward from the inner shell member of the upper wall into the power-generating chamber and being communicated with the reaction gas circulation space to introduce a reaction gas into the power-generating chamber.

Abstract: A seal structure is disclosed for forming a substantially fluid tight seal between a UEA and a plate of a fuel cell system, the seal structure including a sealing member formed in one fuel cell plate, a seal support adapted to span feed area channels in an adjacent fuel cell plate, and a seal adapted to cooperate with a UEA disposed between the fuel cell plates, the sealing member, and the seal support to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the UEA and the one fuel cell plate. The seal structure militates against a leakage of fluids from the fuel cell system, facilitates the maintenance of a velocity of a reactant flow in the fuel cell system, and a cost thereof is minimized.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a stack structure composed of fuel cell units with current collectors between the fuel cell units, a casing housing the stack structure, and a gas flow-regulating member provided in a gap between the casing and the stack structure. The fuel cell unit includes: a cell plate which holds at least one cell and has a gas introduction hole for one of fuel gas and air; and a separator plate which has a gas introduction hole for the one of the fuel gas and the air. The casing introduces the other of the fuel gas and the air via a gas introduction portion and flows the other gas to a gas discharge portion. The gas flow-regulating member guides the other gas to the gas discharge portion through the current collectors.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly less susceptible to flooding or shortcircuiting caused by piercing of carbon fibers of a gas diffusion layer to a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided, containing a cathode having a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer, an anode having a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the catalyst layer of the cathode and the catalyst layer of the anode, wherein each of the cathode and the anode further has a protective layer containing carbon fibers having an average fiber diameter of from 1 to 30 ?m and a fluorinated ion exchange resin, between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer, and the mass ratio (F/C) of the fluorinated ion exchange resin (F) to the carbon fibers (C) contained in the protective layer is from 0.05 to 0.30.

Abstract: The structured body intended for use for an anode (1) in fuel cells, includes a structure formed by macro-pores and an electrode material. The macro-pores form communicating spaces which are produced by using pore forming materials. The electrode material includes skeleton-like or net-like connected structures of particles which are connected by sintering and which form two reticular systems which interengage: a first reticular system made of ceramic material and a second reticular system which contains metals to effect an electrical conductivity. The electrode material has the properties so that, with a multiple change between oxidizing and reducing conditions, substantially no major property changes occur in the ceramic reticular system, and an oxidization or reduction of the metals occurs in the second reticular system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte membrane containing an ionic conductor. The ionic conductor includes: (a) a cation expressed by one of Formulae (1) and (2): R1R2R3HX+??(1) where, in Formula (1), X indicates any one of N and P, and R1, R2 and R3 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1=R2=R3, R1R2HS+??(2) where, in Formula (2), R1 and R2 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1=R2; and (b) an anion expressed by Formula (3): R4YOm(OH)n?1O???(3) where, in Formula (3), Y indicates any one of S, C, N and P, R4 indicates any one of an alkyl group and a fluoroalkyl group, and m and n each indicate any one of 1 and 2.

Abstract: A fuel container according to the present invention includes a container body (15), a fuel (10) provided in the container body (15), a draining port (9) provided to the container body (15) for supplying the fuel (10) to the outside of the container body (15), a fluid introduction unit (19) which introduces into the container body (15) a fluid corresponding to flow-out of the fuel (10) from the draining port (9), and a swelling member (17) which connects to the fluid introduction unit (19) and swells in the container body (15) by absorbing the fluid.

Abstract: A metal-air battery includes a canister and a spiral wound electrode assembly disposed within the canister. The electrode assembly includes an ion permeable and substantially gas impermeable anode, a catalytic cathode, and a dielectric separator disposed between the anode and cathode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hologram recording material and a hologram recording medium that can stably maintain the shape of a recording layer and achieve high diffraction efficiency. A hologram recording material comprising a photoradical polymerizable compound (A), a photopolymerization initiator (B), and a dispersion medium (C). The medium (C) is selected from the group consisting of: a compound of the formula (I): wherein R11 is a divalent C2-4 hydrocarbon group, R12 and R13 each independently represent a C1-10 hydrocarbon group, k, l, m and n are each independently a number of 0 or more and 5 or less; and a compound of the formula (II): wherein R21 represents a divalent C1-6 hydrocarbon group, R22 and R23 each independently represent a C1-12 hydrocarbon group, and at least one of R22 and R23 represents a C5-12 hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: A sensor device comprising a holographic element comprises a grating or hologram recorded in a holographic recording medium wherein at least one physical and/or chemical and/or optical characteristic of the holographic element or the image produced by it varies as a result of variation in relative humidity or moisture content in the air surrounding the element. Also provided is an acrylamide-based photopolymer and an acrylamide-based reflection hologram.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a reflective exposure mask comprises a first layer formed on a substrate and including a first light absorbing part which absorbs exposure light and a light reflecting part which reflects the exposure light, and a second layer formed on the light reflecting part and including a second light absorbing part which absorbs the exposure light.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a mask blank having a thin film on a transparent substrate. The method includes forming the thin film made of a material containing a transition metal on the transparent substrate and applying a superheated steam treatment to the thin film.

Abstract: Cleaning is carried out by using a sulfuric acid type detergent at a resist stripping and cleaning step (step 5) in a semitranslucent portion forming process and a resist stripping and cleaning step (step 10) in a shielding band forming process, and a sulfuric acid removing step of partially or wholly removing a surface layer portion in a pattern into which a sulfate ion is adsorbed is then carried out to effectively remove the adsorbed sulfate ion.

Abstract: The invention provides a dye-containing negative curable composition containing at least a dye soluble in an organic solvent, a photopolymerization initiator, a photopolymerizable compound containing an amine structure, and an organic solvent; a color filter formed from the dye-containing negative curable composition; a method of producing the color filter; and a solid-state image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photomask and a method for forming an overlay mark in a substrate using the same. The photomask comprises a plurality of patterns. At least one of the patterns comprises a plurality of ring areas and a plurality of inner areas enclosed by the ring areas, wherein the light transmittancy of the ring areas is different from that of the inner areas. When the photomask is applied in a photolithography process, the formed overlay mark has a large thickness. Therefore, the contrast is high when a metrology process is performed, and it is easy to find the overlay mark.

Abstract: A photoconductor that includes a supporting substrate, an optional ground plane layer, an optional hole blocking layer, an optional adhesive layer, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer, and where the charge transport layer contains a biaryl polycarbonate, or a mixture of a biaryl polycarbonate and a second polymer such as a polycarbonate.

Abstract: A coating liquid for an undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor which is formed by sequentially stacking the undercoat layer and a photosensitive layer on an electrically conductive support, wherein the coating liquid comprises titanium oxide microparticles and silicon nitride microparticles as an inorganic compound, a binder resin and an organic solvent.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging unit, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, and a residual toner removing unit, the surface protective layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor having a surface free energy of about 10 mN/m to about 30 mN/m, the toner in the developing unit includes silica, and the residual toner removing unit including a blade member including a base layer and an edge layer having a type A durometer hardness of from about HsA 75 to about HsA 90 at 23° C., the hardness of the edge layer being higher than the hardness of the base layer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate, a photosensitive layer located overlying the conductive substrate, and a hardened protective layer located overlying the photosensitive layer. The hardened protective layer comprises a hardened material of a hardenable composition comprising a radical-polymerizable compound (A) having a charge transport structure and a radical-polymerizable compound (B) having an adamantane skeleton.

Abstract: A photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate; a photosensitive layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate; and a crosslinked outermost layer located overlying the photosensitive layer and including a crosslinked material and a specific carbazole compound serving as a charge transport material. An image forming apparatus including the photoreceptor; a charger to charge the photoreceptor; an irradiator to irradiate the charged photoreceptor to form an electrostatic latent image thereon; a developing device to develop the electrostatic latent image with a developer including a toner to form a toner image on the photoreceptor; and a transferring device to transfer the toner image onto a recording material.

Abstract: A magenta toner including toner particles containing a colorant and a binder resin is provided. The colorant contains C.I. Pigment Red 122 and C.I. Pigment Yellow 180 and a mass ratio of the C.I. Pigment Red 122 and the C.I. Pigment Yellow 180 is in the range of 99:1 to 10000:1. The binder resin contains a polyester resin and a polyester resin having a repeating unit obtained from a Bisphenol A alkylene oxide adduct expressed by the following chemical formula is used as the polyester resin: wherein m and n independently represent an integer of 2 to 4, and x and y independently represent a positive number.

Abstract: An emissive toner composition for producing an emissive image component of an image indicia on a substrate. The emissive toner composition includes a photoluminescent agent, a charge control agent, and one or more additives, each selected and present in an amount such that when the toner composition is printed to produce an image component on a substrate, the toner composition has stable spectral characteristics. In one embodiment, the emission spectra of the image component printed on the substrate, for irradiation with an excitation energy includes only dominant emission peaks corresponding to one or more emission peaks of the photoluminescent agent. In another embodiment, the image component has a photoluminescent toner stability factor of about greater than or equal to 25.

Abstract: A yellow toner includes binder resin particles that do not contain a coloring agent or a release agent and have a shape factor SF1 of about 110 or less, the number of the binder resin particles being about 50 or less per 5,000 electrostatic developing toner particles; inorganic particles that have a median diameter of about 5 nm to about 70 nm in an amount of about 0.01 mass % to about 0.4 mass % based on the mass of the yellow toner; and a yellow coloring agent that has an azo group.

Abstract: There is provided a ferrite core material for an electrophotographic developer, the ferrite core material having a ferrite particle composition represented by the formula (1) shown below, containing SrO replacing a part of (MnO) and/or (MgO) in the formula (1) shown below, and having a Cl concentration of 0.1 to 100 ppm, as measured by an elution method of the ferrite core material: (MnO)x(MgO)y(Fe2O3)z??(1) wherein x=35 to 45 mol %, y=5 to 15 mol %, z=40 to 60 mol %, and x+y+z=100 mol %.

Abstract: A positive resist composition including a resin component (A1) having a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester which may have an atom other than hydrogen or a group bonded to the carbon atom on the ? position and containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group, and a structural unit (a0) containing an —SO2— containing cyclic group; a compound (C1) represented by general formula (c1) shown below; and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; Y1 represents a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, an alkyl group or a fluorinated alkyl group; p represents an integer of 1 to 10; and A+ represents an organic cation.

Abstract: A sulfonium salt of a naphthylsulfonium cation having a hydrophilic phenolic hydroxyl group or ethylene glycol chain with a specific anion is provided. The sulfonium salt is used as a photoacid generator to form a resist composition which when processed by immersion lithography, offers advantages of restrained dissolution in the immersion water and less pattern dependence or dark-bright difference.

Abstract: Use of pigments of the formula (I) containing melamine as guest compound and having a dispersion harshness of more than 250 as pigments for color filters for liquid-crystal displays.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a first polymer that includes a repeating unit having an acid-labile group and becomes alkali-soluble upon dissociation of the acid-labile group, and a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent. The acid-labile group has a structure shown by a general formula (1). R1 represents a methyl group or the like, R2 represents a hydrocarbon group that forms a cyclic structure, R3 represents a fluorine atom or the like, R4 represents a carbon atom, and n1 is an integer from 1 to 7.

Abstract: An etch resistant thermally curable Underlayer composition for use in a multiplayer lithographic process for producing a photolithographic bilayer coated substrate, the composition being a composition of: (a) a polymer comprising repeating units of Structure I, II and III (b) at least one crosslinking agent; (c) at least one thermal acid generator; and (d) at least one solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition which has excellent transparency, heat resistance, thermal discoloration resistance, adhesion to a substrate and electrical characteristics, while exhibiting good developability and storage stability. Specifically disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition which contains the following components (A), (B) and (C). (A) a copolymer which contains (a1) hydroxyphenyl (meth)acrylate and (a2) an unsaturated epoxy compound as copolymerization components (B) a novolac resin which contains one or more phenols selected from among dimethylphenol, trimethylphenol, methylpropylphenol, dipropylphenol, butylphenol, methylbutylphenol, dibutylphenol, and 4,4?-dihydroxy-2,2?-diphenylpropane (C) a quinonediazide group-containing compound.

Abstract: Provided is a novel fluorene-based polymer having urethane bonds and a method for preparing the fluorene-based polymer. According to the method, a diol compound is condensed with a diisocyanate instead of an acid dianhydride, and then an acid anhydride is reacted with the reaction mixture to introduce desired acid groups into the final polymer. Further provided is a negative-type photosensitive resin composition comprising of the fluorene-based polymer as a binder resin. The composition exhibits improved chemical resistance, good development margin and high sensitivity due to presence of the acid groups despite the low molecular weight of the fluorene-based polymer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of applying patterned metallization to a ceramic block comprising applying a photodefinable ink to said ceramic block; drying said ink; exposing said photodefinable ink to UV radiation through a predefined mask according to the thickness of the film to form a pattern; developing said pattern in a developer solution thereby forming a patterned ceramic block; and rinsing, drying and firing said patterned ceramic block.

Abstract: A laser-micro-dissection method and a device for laser micro-dissection involves cutting a dissectate from a biological sample, which is applied to a planar carrier, by means of laser pulses along a closed cutting line. The parameters, which determine the laser pulses and the cut lines, are synchronous in relation to the laser pulses and are continually modified along the closed cut line. All elements which are arranged in the optical axis and which determine the parameters of the laser pulse and the cut lines, are controlled by a central calculation unit.

Abstract: A method for reducing resources for selecting seed to be produced in commercial quantities or for research is disclosed. Samples of seed which are candidates for selection are collected and given an identifier. Specific tissue or structure from candidate seed is removed. A test or analysis is performed on the candidate seed or the removed tissue or structure. Results of the test or analysis are recorded and correlated to the seed's identifier. The results are evaluated and a decision is made whether to select a candidate seed for commercial production or for research. Time, space, and labor associated with growing plants in an experimental plot or greenhouse and taking tissue samples from growing plants is saved.

Abstract: The present teachings provide methods, compositions, and kits for detecting the presence of protein aggregates. In some embodiments, the protein aggregate is treated with a labeled precursor, and the labeled precursor is incorporated into the protein aggregate to form a labeled protein aggregate. The labeled protein aggregate is then measured, thus detecting the presence of the protein aggregate. In some embodiments, the labeled protein aggregate is detected by interaction of labeled precursors, for example by a proximity ligation assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a surface structured bulk hydrogel bearing a topographic and chemical pattern, comprising the steps of: (i) providing a primary master having a predetermined topographic pattern, (ii) replicating said primary master by an elastomeric secondary master to obtain a secondary master with said predetermined topographic pattern in its inverse form, (iii) replicating said secondary master by an imprintable curable material of hydrogel precursor molecules which are capable of forming a hydrogel once crosslinked by curing, and crosslinking said material to thereby yield a replica made of cross-linked bulk hydrogel bearing the topographic pattern identical to that of the primary master, and (iv) functionalizing, particularly biofunctionalizing, the bulk hydrogel replica.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of extracting an organ- or tissue-specific highly expressed gene, including: (1) a step for measuring expression level of a specified gene group for each organ or tissue in 2 or more individuals, (2) a step for acquiring (a) a minimum value of expression levels in a particular organ or tissue in all individuals, and (b) a maximum value of expression levels in other organs and tissues in all individuals, for each gene, and (3) a step for extracting the gene as a gene highly expressed specifically in the particular organ or tissue if the above-described (a)/(b) ratio is larger than 1. By the present invention, truly organ- or tissue-specific genes are extracted.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for sequencing of nucleic acid molecules. A nucleic acid molecule is exposed to a polymerase in the presence of nucleotides. The polymerase carries a donor fluorophore, and each type of nucleotide carries a distinguishable acceptor fluorophore characteristic of the particular type of nucleotide. As the polymerase incorporates individual nucleic acid molecules into a complementary strand, a laser continuously irradiates the donor fluorophore, at a wavelength that causes it to emit an emission signal. The emission signal from the polymerase can stimulate any of the donor fluorophores (but not acceptor fluorophores), so that as a nucleotide is added, the acceptor fluorophore emits a signal associated with the type of nucleotide added to the complementary strand. The series of emission signals from the acceptor fluorophores is detected, and correlated with a sequence of nucleotides that correspond to the sequence of emission signals.

Abstract: Methods, systems and compositions where a target nucleic acid includes a registration sequence disposed therein for identification of the number or relative position of determined sequence from the template sequence. Particularly preferred aspects include a registration sequence in a circular template nucleic acid sequence which is, in turn, used in sequence by incorporation processes that rely upon template dependent, polymerase mediated primer extension in the identification of the sequence of the template.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a source of a microbial contamination in a suspect sample include detecting at least one member selected from the group consisting of a microbial geosmin synthase, a microbial 2-methylisoborneol synthase and a microbial 2-methylgeranyl diphosphate synthase in the suspect sample. The method can include conducting a nucleic acid amplification assay in the presence of at least one member selected from the group consisting of at least one microbial geosmin primer and at least one microbial 2-methylisoborneol synthase primer on a sample obtained from a suspect source of the microbial contamination.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are point mutations in the LMNA gene that cause HGPS. These mutations activate a cryptic splice site within the LMNA gene, which leads to deletion of part of exon 11 and generation of a mutant Lamin A protein product that is 50 amino acids shorter than the normal protein. In addition to the novel Lamin A variant protein and nucleic acids encoding this variant, methods of using these molecules in detecting biological conditions associated with a LMNA mutation in a subject (e.g., HGPS, arteriosclerosis, and other age-related diseases), are also described. Oligonucleotides and other compounds for use in examples of the described methods are also provided, as are protein-specific binding agents, such as antibodies, that bind specifically to at least one epitope of a Lamin A variant protein preferentially compared to wildtype Lamin A, and methods of using such antibodies in diagnosis, treatment, and screening.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for the non-radioactive labeling, detection, quantitation and isolation of nascent proteins translated in a cellular or cell-free translation system. tRNA molecules are misaminoacylated with non-radioactive markers which may be non-native amino acids, amino acid analogs or derivatives, or substances recognized by the protein synthesizing machinery. Markers may comprise cleavable moieties, detectable labels, reporter properties wherein markers incorporated into protein can be distinguished from unincorporated markers, or coupling agents which facilitate the detection and isolation of nascent protein from other components of the translation system. The invention also comprises proteins prepared using misaminoacylated tRNAs which can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases and disorders in humans and other maninials, and kits which may be used for the detection of diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for the production of linear single-stranded nucleic acids, which can be used as templates in high-throughput sequencing systems. Also provided are methods and compositions for the production of closed single-stranded nucleic acid loops, which can be used as templates in high-throughput sequencing systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetic markers on human chromosome 19 that are associated with a beneficial response to interferon alpha (IFN-?). These IFN-? response markers are useful, inter alia, to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment with IFN-? pharmaceutical compositions and drug products, in methods of treating patients having a disease susceptible to treatment with an IFN-?, and in methods for selecting the most appropriate therapy for such patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting the presence or absence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in a sample, the method comprising performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step and a detecting step. Furthermore, the present invention relates to primers, probes and kits for the detection of MRSA.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to droplet based digital PCR and methods for analyzing a target nucleic acid using the same. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve forming sample droplets containing, on average, a single target nucleic acid, amplifying the target in the droplets, excluding droplets containing amplicon from the target and amplicon from a variant of the target, and analyzing target amplicons.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides humanized CC49 monoclonal antibodies that bind TAG-72 with high binding affinity and that are minimally immunogenic. In one embodiment, a humanized CC49 antibody includes a non-conservative amino acid substitution in a light chain complementarity determining region 3 of the CC49 antibody. In a further embodiment, the humanized CC49 antibody includes a non-conservative substitution of a first residue in a light chain complementarity determining region 3 and a substitution of a second residue in a complementarity determining region of the humanized CC49 antibody. In several of the embodiments, methods are disclosed for the use of a humanized CC49 antibody.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide method and devices for predicting the likelihood of acute appendicitis without invasive exploratory medical procedures. Several protein biomarkers: leucine-rich ?-2-glycoprotein (LRG); S100-A8 (calgranulin); ?-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (ORM); plasminogen (PLG); mannan-binding lectin serine protease 2 (MASP2); zinc-?-2-glycoprotein (AZGP1); Apolipoprotein D (ApoD); and ?-1-antichymotrypsin (SERPINA3); are increased in the urine of patients with appendicitis. The method and devices comprise detecting the levels of these biomarkers and comparing with reference levels found in healthy individuals.