Abstract: A cubic boron nitride sintered material comprises cubic boron nitride particles and a bonding material, wherein the bonding material comprises at least one first metallic element selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, vanadium, niobium, hafnium, tantalum, chromium, rhenium, molybdenum, and tungsten; cobalt; and aluminum; the cubic boron nitride sintered material has a first interface region sandwiched between an interface between the cubic boron nitride particles and the bonding material, and a first virtual line passing through a point 10 nm apart from the interface to the bonding material side; and when an element that is present at the highest concentration among the first metallic elements in the first interface region is defined as a first element, an atomic concentration of the first element in the first interface region is higher than an atomic concentration of the first element in the bonding material excluding the first interface region.

Abstract: A durable frost heave damage preventive structure of underground structures applicable easily and at low cost to many different kinds of underground structures. The frost heave damage preventive structure includes a plate-like reaction member (7) provided at the bottom of an underground structure (1) approximately in parallel to a freezing front in the ground.

Abstract: A sample containing a glycated protein is treated with Protease XIV or a protease from Aspergillus genus, thereafter (or while treating the sample with the above protease) FAOD (fructosyl amino acid oxidase) is caused to react with the sample so as to measure the amount of oxygen consumed by the FAOD reaction or the amount of the resultant reaction product, thereby to measure the glycated protein.According to the above method, the glycated protein can be fragmented while the decomposition of the FAOD itself is prevented, thereby to facilitate the binding of the protein with the FAOD and to improve the sensitivity of the detection.

Abstract: An elevator cage with an ventilator which has supply system for supplying fresh air into the cage and exhaust system for exhausting air from the cage. An active noise controller is provided to at least the supply system to cancel noise which is caused by a supply fan provided in the supply system and changing air force between the cage and a path to guide the cage while the cage moves at high speed.