Abstract: The present invention concerns the development of a cell-based assay system having improved sensitivity to HCV NS3 protease activity when compared to known assays, which is useful for screening test compounds capable of modulating (particularly inhibiting) HCV NS3 protease activity. This system provides a first construct comprising a transactivator domain joined downstream of the NS3-5 domains of HCV under the control of a non-cytopathic viral promoter system. A second construct is also provided that comprises a reporter gene under the control of an operator sensitive to the binding of the transactivator. The NS3-5 domains encodes the NS3 polyprotein which comprises: the NS3 protease, followed by the NS4A co-factor, the NS4B and NS5A proteins (including any derivative, variant or fragment thereof, terminated by the NS5B protein (including any derivative, variant or fragment thereof) sufficient to constitute a NS5A/5B cleavage site.

Abstract: This invention concerns a luminescent optical memory material and method of forming this material, including the encoding of information by a photographic process. The method involves the use of silver halide crystals of a defined size range, with the optional use of sensitizers, emulsion stabilizers, and other agents followed by the absorption of luminescent dyes on the developed silver particle to form a luminescent optical memory system. The method involves synthesis of a photographic emulsion with silver halide crystals of a defined size range, applying photographic emulsion to a substrate, exposing to light photochemical treatment and a process of transformation of the silver particles formed in the places exposed by light into luminescent particles. The method involves obtaining a multi-layer luminescent material for a three-dimensional optical memory devices.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image including: a first light source emitting a beam corresponding to image information; a first photosensitive member; a first developing means for developing a latent image with a first toner; a second light source; a second photosensitive member; and a second developing means for developing a latent image with a second toner, in which the coloring agent contained in the first toner and the coloring agent contained in the second toner are substantially of the same hue, with the content of the coloring agent contained in the second toner being smaller than the content of the coloring agent contained in the first toner, and in which an oscillation wavelength of at least the first light source ranges from 370 to 500 nm. With the image forming apparatus structured as described above, an improvement in terms of granularity is achieved.

Abstract: This invention concerns a luminescent optical memory material and method of forming this material, including the encoding of information by a photographic process. The method involves the use of silver halide crystals of a defined size range, with the optional use of sensitizers, emulsion stabilizers, and other agents followed by the absorption of luminescent dyes on the developed silver particle to form a luminescent optical memory system. The method involves synthesis of a photographic emulsion with silver halide crystals of a defined size range, applying photographic emulsion to a substrate, exposing to light photochemical treatment and a process of transformation of the silver particles formed in the places exposed by light into luminescent particles. The method involves obtaining a multi-layer luminescent material for a three-dimensional optical memory devices.

Abstract: This invention concerns a luminescent optical memory material and method of forming this material, including the encoding of information by a photographic process. The method involves the use of silver halide crystals of a defined size range, with the optional use of sensitizers, emulsion stabilizers, and other agents followed by the absorption of luminescent dyes on the developed silver particle to form a luminescent optical memory system. The method involves synthesis of a photographic emulsion with silver halide crystals of a defined size range, applying photographic emulsion to a substrate, exposing to light photochemical treatment and a process of transformation of the silver particles formed in the places exposed by light into luminescent particles. The method involves obtaining a multi-layer luminescent material for a three-dimensional optical memory devices.

Abstract: A two-part sepia toning kit can be used to provide desired stable, warm sepia toned images in black-and-white photographic positive or negative materials such as black-and-white photographic prints. One part of the kit includes a silver bleaching composition comprising a hexacyanoferrate as the bleaching agent and halide ions in a molar ratio of at least 2.25:1. The second part is a toning composition that includes a sulfur-containing toning agent.

Abstract: A transfer material colored to a predetermined color is used when images are formed on a transfer material for use in thermal transfer comprising a substrate and a dye receiving layer by a thermal transfer process.When images are formed by an optional image forming method such as silver salt photographic process, ink jet process or thermal transfer process, a transfer material having sepia tone is used in each of the image forming processes thereby forming sepia tone images. Images having unique appearance can be formed easily upon forming images by a thermal transfer process. Images of sepia tone can be formed safely and conveniently.

Abstract: A transfer material colored to a predetermined color is used when images are formed on a transfer material for use in thermal transfer comprising a substrate and a dye receiving layer by a thermal transfer process.When images are formed by an optional image forming method such as silver salt photographic process, ink jet process or thermal transfer process, a transfer material having sepia tone is used in each of the image forming processes thereby forming sepia tone images. Images having unique appearance can be formed easily upon forming images by a thermal transfer process. Images of sepia tone can be formed safely and conveniently.

Abstract: A system and method of image reproduction in color with preferential tone mapping are provided in which the method includes the steps of capturing original scene parameters and creating a visual reproduction of the scene, the method additionally comprising:performing a transformation of said captured scene parameters, said transformation being such that, taken in conjunction with untransformed characteristics of the capturing and creating steps, it results in a reproduced tone mapping having instantaneous gamma values of viewed reproduction density relative to density of the original scene which are greater than a minimum value of A and less than A plus 0.35 times scene exposure density over a scene exposure density range of from 0.60 to 1.45 as measured relative to a zero density, 100% diffuse reflector in the original scene, the instantaneous gamma values within scene exposure density range further lying entirely within a range of values subtended by an angle of 14.degree.

Abstract: The invention relates to providing a method of toning a black-and-white image formed with color couplers comprising providing a developed image, applying a hue changing material to said print wherein the hue of at least dye in said print is changed.

Abstract: A translucent antibacterial soap is made by a process which includes dissolving a normally solid antibacterial material which is resistant to heat and alkali, e.g., 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxy diphenyl ether (THDE), in a mixture of components for making such translucent antibacterial soap, which components include soaps of higher fatty acids in liquid form, such as with water in kettle soap, and converting said mixture to transparent soap cakes, preferably by a process which includes partially drying the mixture, working it and extruding it to a bar form, which bar may be cut to length and pressed into the final desired translucent antibacterial soap cakes.Preferably, the antibacterial compound, in powder form, is dissolved in a superfatting agent, such as mixed tallow fatty acids and coconut oil fatty acids and/or lanolin fatty acids, and then admixed at elevated temperature with the soaps of higher fatty acids that are a major constituent of the soap cakes to be made.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for enabling amateurs and non-professionals to restore faded or discolored color photographs and snapshots to their original condition by treating the faded or discolored color photographs and snapshots to clean areas with a remover of anhydrous acetone-free diacetone and coating or coloring the cleaned areas with a color corrective restorer comprising a powdered dye embedded or dispersed in anhydrous diacetone preferably in the relative proportions of 40 grains dye: 30 ml anhydrous diacetone or by using wax cube compositions of alcoholic paraffin or other suitable wax with acetone-free diacetone in the relative proportions of 100 grams wax in alcohol: 1-3 grams powdered dye therein in the optional presence of liquid glycerin and/or lecithin. Procedure and equipment as described for carrying out the invention which is characterized by the slower evaporation rate of diacetone as compared to denatured alcohol to provide adequate time to carry out the process steps.

Abstract: Disclosed are a developer for silver complex diffusion transfer process which contains a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having a mercapto or thione group and, as substituent, an alkyl group of 4 or more carbon atoms, an aryl group, or a group having both the alkyl and aryl groups and further contains an alkali-soluble iodide in an amount such that the molar ratio of the iodide in terms of iodine to the heterocyclic compound is in the range of from 1:5 to 5:1 and a silver complex diffusion transfer process using said developer, according to which transferred silver images of improved color tone, maximum density, contrast and sharpness can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photographic print and process of making the same wherein the print presents highlights by a build-up of high reflective, e.g. specularly reflective, metal in the highlighted areas which would otherwise print as blank or very light-toned areas of exposed paper or film. The gradient areas are preferably defined by spaced, specularly reflective areas optionally interspersed with conventional deposit of particulate silver. The method of fabricating such article includes an initially conventional development step, followed by a second development step wherein the silver halide areas remaining after the first development step are converted into increments of specularly reflective silver. An etching step may be interposed between the conventional development step and the development step leading to the creation of specular areas.

Abstract: Novel nitrobenzyl compounds are incorporated into a photographic emulsion or developer for controlled release of development/image modifier compounds. This occurs imagewise only after developer oxidation products have been formed in the course of the development process. For example, nitrobenzyl-masked phenylmercaptotetrazole (PMT), incorporated into a silver halide emulsion, reacts with developer oxidation products via an electron transfer mechanism to release the potent development restrainer PMT.

Abstract: A rapid simple process of making blue background imaged transparent negatives with "white" or transparent letters from high contrast black and white film. The film is exposed, developed and washed according to manufacturer's directions. The same film is then immersed into three different toner solutions, fixed, washed and dried. The product of the process, an imaged transparent negative with blue background and "white" or transparent letters, can be mounted as a slide.

Abstract: A gold-toning neutron-activation process for intensifying or amplifying the ontrast in extremely weak images in photographic negatives where the exposure level may be as low as 1.5% of optimum. The method involves three main steps: (a) gold toning of the silver image on the negative; (b) neutron activation of the gold image to produce radioisotopes; and (c) transferring the image to an unexposed autoradiographic film as the ionizing radiation from the radioactive gold exposes the film to produce intensification of the contrast.

Abstract: A process for reducing patient and personnel hazards from exposure to X-radiation during diagnostic procedures, comprising irradiating a photographic emulsion to produce an underexposed radiograph, developing and fixing the radiograph and treating the underexposed processed radiograph in a one-step copper ion image enhancement composition to intensify the image profile to a level at least equivalent to a fully exposed radiograph and subsequently darkening the enhanced image by treatment in a one-step iron ion darkening composition to blacken the image profile. The copper ion image enhancement composition and subsequent iron ion darkening composition produces a darkened or blackened image profile as is found in conventional radiographs and enables a reduction in radiation exposure to patient and personnel up to 50% and more over what is generally regarded as the usual level of radiation for a given diagnostic radiographic examination.

Abstract: A process for reducing patient and personnel hazards from exposure to X-radiation during diagnostic procedures, comprising irradiating a photographic emulsion to produce an underexposed radiograph, developing and fixing the radiograph and treating the underexposed processed radiograph in a one-step copper ion image enhancement composition to intensify the image profile to a level at least equivalent to a fully exposed radiograph. The copper ion image enhancement composition enables a reduction in radiation exposure to patient and personnel up to 50% and more over what is generally regarded as the usual and permissible level of radiation for a given diagnostic radiographic examination.

Abstract: A method for forming an image comprising forming a silver, silver halide or binder image in the emulsion layer of a photographic material, which photographic material comprises a support having a silver halide emulsion layer thereon, by exposing and developing the photographic material, and plasma etching the emulsion layer to preferentially remove the emulsion layer at the non-image areas. Alternatively, the emulsion layer may be on a masking layer, whereafter, following exposing and developing, the photographic material is plasma etched to preferentially remove the emulsion layer at the non-image areas and to uncover the masking layer lying thereunder and then the masking layer is etched away at the uncovered areas.