Abstract: The present invention provides a novel polymer, and a mixture and a cement admixture thereof. The cement admixture has higher dispersibility compared to the previous ones. The novel polymer of the present invention has a different structure from the conventional copolymers used for cement admixtures, using an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and an unsaturated polyalkylene glycol monomer as the monomer components. The novel polymer of the present invention basically contains a polyalkylene glycol chain and a polymer segment bonded to the chain. Another type of the novel polymer of the present invention contains two polyalkylene glycol chains and a polymer segment connecting the chains. In these polymers, at least one of unsaturated monomers constituting the polymer segment is an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer or an unsaturated polyalkylene glycol monomer. The cement admixture of the present invention comprises a polymer, made from these monomers, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: 2-Ethenylthio-type carbapenem derivatives of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are provided. The compounds according to the present invention have potent antimicrobial activity and a wide antimicrobial spectrum against pneumococci including penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP), Haemophilus influenzae including ?-lactamase-negative, ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae (BLNAR), and Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis.

Abstract: A method of driving a variable resistance element includes: a writing step performed by applying a writing voltage pulse having a first polarity to a variable resistance layer to change a resistance state of the layer from high to low; and an erasing step performed by applying an erasing voltage pulse having a second polarity to the layer to change the state from low to high. Here, |Vw1|>|Vw2| where Vw1 represents a voltage value of the writing voltage pulse for first to N-th writing steps (N?1) and Vw2 represents a voltage value of the writing voltage pulse for (N+1)-th and subsequent writing steps, and |Ve1|>|Ve2| where Ve1 represents a voltage value of the erasing voltage pulse for first to M-th erasing steps (M?1) and Ve2 represents a voltage value of the erasing voltage pulse for (M+1)-th and subsequent erasing steps. The (N+1)-th writing step follows the M-th erasing step.

Abstract: A transmission circuit broadens a controlled bandwidth of a voltage controller while ensuring voltage withstanding ability of the voltage controller. The transmission circuit includes a phase modulator outputting a phase modulation signal and a power amplifier including a transistor. The transmission circuit also includes a collector controller controlling a collector voltage, a base controller controlling a base bias voltage, and a switching controller, which switches, when a level indicated by the power level signal is lower than a predefined value, to control the collector controller in accordance with an amplitude signal and a power level signal, and which switches, when the level indicated by the power level signal is equal to or more than the predefined value, to control the base controller in accordance with the amplitude signal and the power level signal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexible semiconductor device includes (i) forming an insulating film on the upper surface of metal foil, (ii) forming an extraction electrode pattern on the upper surface of the metal foil, (iii) forming a semiconductor layer on the insulating film such that the semiconductor layer is in contact with the extraction electrode pattern, (iv) forming a sealing resin layer on the upper surface of the metal foil such that the sealing resin layer covers the semiconductor layer and the extraction electrode pattern, and (v) forming electrodes by etching the metal foil, the metal foil being used as a support for the insulating film, the extraction electrode pattern, the semiconductor layer, and the sealing resin layer formed in (i) to (iv) and used as a constituent material for the electrodes in (v). The metal foil need not be stripped, and a high-temperature process can be used.

Abstract: A method of improving the properties of urea granulates, more especially the caking tendency, the dust formation and the foaming tendency in aqueous media, by the addition of an additive to the urea, wherein the additive comprises a carboxylic acid compound with the general formula XY—(Z)—COOH, in which Z is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon with 1-25 carbon atoms and X and Y are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom or a polar organic functional group, and in that the additive is added as a solution in a polar solvent to the urea granulates, which are subsequently dried.

Abstract: A battery pack updating method updates firmware stored in internal control circuit memory via an update signal sent from a main device that supplies power. When battery pack memory is updated, an AC adapter is connected to the main device, and power is supplied to the main device from the AC adapter. The updating method transmits a charging and discharging blocking signal from the main device to the battery pack control circuit via a communication line. The charging and discharging blocking signal stops discharge from the battery pack rechargeable battery, and stops charging of the rechargeable battery. With rechargeable battery discharging and charging to and from the main device stopped by the charging and discharging blocking signal, the updating method transmits update data from the main device to the battery pack control circuit to update memory.

Abstract: An electronic component packaging structure includes a circuit board, electronic components mounted on the circuit board and a moisture-proof coating layer covering the electronic components. The moisture-proof coating layer is constituted from a polymer material coating having at least two layers of a lower layer and an upper layer, and the polymer material forming the lower layer has higher swelling property and/or solubility to a repairing solvent that is selected from among hydrocarbon-based solvents than the polymer material forming the upper layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retraction device for a movable piece of furniture, having a pulling means windable on a roll, and an electric motor is provided for driving the roll. The retraction device also has a coupling for releasably connecting the movable piece of furniture to the electric drive, and the coupling has a first coupling part for fastening to the movable piece of furniture and a second coupling part connected to the pulling means. The first coupling part has an opening for at least the partial acceptance of the second coupling part. A locking mechanism is provided by which the first coupling part can be connected to the second coupling part in at least two different positions, and the second coupling part is located at different depths in the opening in the two different positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene represented by the formula CF3CF?CH2, comprising contacting a fluorine-containing propane represented by the formula CF2XCFYCH2Z, wherein X is Cl, Br, or I; one of Y and Z is H, and the other is F, Cl, Br, or I, with at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of chromium oxides, fluorinated chromium oxides, and iron fluorides in a gas phase. According to the process of the invention, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene can be easily produced under economically advantageous conditions.

Abstract: An arc-shaped waterproof wall is provided around a shaft to which a hearing aid main body case and a battery case are rotatably attached, and waterproof ribs are provided to the outer periphery of the installation face of the battery case and the hearing aid main body case, which improves the ability to prevent the penetration of moisture while also keep the cost low.

Abstract: Disclosed are compound having NPY Y5 receptor antagonistic activity of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is optionally substituted lower alkyl, R2 and R8 are each independently hydrogen or lower alkyl, X is optionally substituted cycloalkylene, or —NR2—X— may be a group of the formula: wherein a group of the formula: is piperidinediyl, piperazinediyl, pyridindiyl, pyrazinediyl, pyrrolidinediyl or pyrrolediyl, U is a bond, lower alkylene or lower alkenylene, Y is —OCONR7—, —CONR7— or —CSNR7—, R7 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, Z is optionally substituted carbocyclyl, or optionally substituted heterocyclyl, W is —S(?O)n-, n is 2, provided that Z is not carbocyclyl substituted with non-halogeno lower alkoxy, and provided that 5-Methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid [2-[(5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carbonyl)-amino]-5 -(N?,N?-dimethyl-hydrazinocarbonyl)-cyclohexyl]-amide and 5-Methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid [

Abstract: A novel compound represented by the formula (1) below which has ?-secretase inhibitory activity, its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof. wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted 5 to 6 membered mono cyclic aromatic group; R1, R2 and R3 are hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the like, or R2 and R3 may be taken together with the adjacent nitrogen atom and carbon atom respectively to form a 3 to 6 membered ring; R4 is C1-6 alkyl group, C1-6 alkyl group substituted by phenyl, phenylthio, or a hetero ring, or the like; A is represented by the formula below: wherein X and Y are oxygen atom, NH or sulfur atom, Z is hydrogen atom, hydroxy group which may be substituted, amino group, thiol group, or the like; and B is hydroxy group, substituted or unsubstituted amino group, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or aromatic amino group, or the like.

Abstract: When a conventional audio video system is used, it is necessary to identify an input source of audio video information. For this reason, complicated operations and slow operation times have been a problem.

Abstract: A polishing state monitoring apparatus measures characteristic values of a surface, being polished, of a workpiece to determine the timing of a polishing end point. The polishing state monitoring apparatus includes a light-emitting unit for applying light from a light source to a surface of a workpiece being polished, a light-receiving unit for receiving reflected light from the surface of the workpiece, a spectroscope unit for dividing the reflected light received by the light-receiving unit into a plurality of light rays having respective wavelengths, and light-receiving elements for accumulating the detected light rays as electrical information.

Abstract: In a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, a multiplexing part multiplexes a video signal and a time-base-compressed audio signal on the basis of a multiplexing control signal to transmit the multiplexed signal through a data line in the signal transmitter. Further, a demultiplexing part demultiplexes a video/audio multiplexed signal received through the data line into the original video signal and audio signal by a demultiplexing control signal in the signal receiver. According to the so-configured signal transmitter and signal receiver, it is possible to realize a signal transmission system compliant with the DVI standard, in which the audio signal as well as the video signal can be transmitted.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding a projection bolt includes a control unit which outputs an actuating signal for an advancing pressurizing means in response to at least a signal indicating completion of insertion of the projection bolt into a receiving hole and a signal indicating completion of movement of a steel plate part. Electrodes are provided for welding the projection bolt, and advancement of the electrodes from a retracted state is started in response to the actuating signal.

Abstract: A content server apparatus (10) includes: a unique information holding unit (103) which holds unique information of an on-vehicle player apparatus (20), a content obtaining unit (101) which obtains a content from outside, an encrypting unit (104) which encrypts the obtained content, prior to a transmission request from the on-vehicle player apparatus (20), onto an encrypted content using the unique information, a storing unit (105) which stores the encrypted content, and a transmitting unit (107) which transmits the stored encrypted content in response to the transmission request from the on-vehicle player apparatus (20). The on-vehicle player apparatus includes a storage medium (208) which stores the received encrypted content, and a decrypting unit (209) which decrypts the stored encrypted content in response to a reproduction request given from outside.

Abstract: An optical pickup device preventing damage or performance degradation of a second optical system. The optical pickup device includes first laser light source emitting a first light beam having a first wavelength, a first optical system guiding the first light beam emitted from the first laser light source to a first optical disc. Further, the optical pickup device includes a DVD integration unit emitting a second light beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, a second optical system guiding the second light beam emitted from the DVD integration unit to a second optical disc different from the first optical disc, and a filter disposed at a position blocking incident light, of an unwanted light beam having the first wavelength and derived from the first optical system, from entering into the second optical system, so as to block the first light beam having the first wavelength.

Abstract: A cooking device includes a control mode switch selecting a control mode for controlling a heating operation; a setting switch for selecting a set value in each control mode; a heating control unit for controlling a heating unit based on the control mode and the set value inputted through the control mode switch and the setting switch; and a selection switch for selecting the operation mode. The operation modes include a first operation mode in which all of the plurality of control modes are set to be selectable and a second operation mode in which only part of the control modes are set to be selectable. The heating control unit disables at least one control mode switch when the second operation mode is selected by the selection switch.