Abstract: A battery system includes a battery stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, a bus bar coupling electrode terminals of the battery cells, a lead wire electrically coupled to the bus bar, and a voltage detection circuit configured to detect a voltage of each of the battery cells via the lead wire. The bus bar includes a bus bar main body including terminal coupling parts respectively coupled with the electrode terminals, and a lead wire fixing part fixed with the lead wire. The bus bar further includes, on a first surface, a coupling region electrically coupled with the lead wire, and, away from a coupling region, on the lead wire fixing part, a lock connection part locking and connecting the lead wire. The lock connection part includes a through part passing through the lead wire fixing part.

Abstract: A method for accurately measuring an amount of natriuretic peptides in a sample that has stood for at least 24 hours, in a plastic tube or a tube coated with silicone. This method makes it possible to measure natriuretic peptides stably and conveniently. Also provided is a method for measuring the amount of natriuretic acid in a sample at the time of collection by measuring the amount of natriuretic peptide in a blood sample at two periods of time after collection.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the degradation of mammalian natriuretic peptides, in particular BNP, by using containers wherein the face coming into contact with specimens are made of a material is disclosed. Said material inhibits the activation of a substance, which in turn, degrades the peptides. This method makes it possible to collect specimens for measuring natriuretic peptides stably and conveniently. Also provided is a method for measuring natriuretic peptides by using these containers.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the degradation of mammalian natriuretic peptides, in particular BNP, by using containers wherein the face coming into contact with specimens are made of silicone or plastics. This material inhibits the activation of a substance, which in turn, degrades the peptides. This method makes it possible to collect specimens for measuring natriuretic peptides stably and conveniently. Also provided is a method for measuring natriuretic peptides by using these containers.

Abstract: A plurality of dielectric sheets are laminated and bonded together to constitute a laminated board. A plurality of strip-shaped resonance electrodes are formed in parallel on a predetermined bonding face of the dielectric sheets, and the strip-shaped resonance electrodes reach opposite edges of the laminated board. Recesses are formed by locally cutting out the portions of the edges of the laminated board in which the respective resonance electrodes are exposed at their particular ends. Grounding electrodes are respectively formed on the obverse and reverse faces of the laminated board, and edge grounding electrodes are formed in the portions of the opposite edges of the laminated board except for the recess.

Abstract: In a laminated dielectric resonator and filter having a folded microstrip line type resonator structure, an internal-to-external grounding conductor distance within which an open-end-side internal conductor pattern is disposed is selected to be shorter than an internal-to-external grounding conductor distance within which a short-circuit-side internal conductor pattern is disposed. In this constitution, since the front end of the resonator structure is loaded with a capacity, the resonance frequency is lowered so that it is possible to provide a resonator having a reduced longitudinal resonator size with respect to the same resonance frequency. In addition, since the resonator has no steps, manufacture and mounting are easy. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the sizes of the laminated dielectric resonator and filter to a further extent, whereby it is possible to reduce a resonator or filter mounting area in a device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dielectric ceramic composition for use in a high-frequency range represented by the general formula (1-x)Ba.sub.1- y(Zn.sub.1/3, Ta.sub.2/3)O.sub.3 +xBa.sub.1-y ZrO.sub.3. In the formula, y is 0.004.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.013 and x is the amount of substitution of Ba.sub.1-y ZrO.sub.3 and 0<x.ltoreq.0.06. This composition is prepared by weighing raw materials so that the mixing ratio of Ba is slightly smaller than that of the stoichiometric composition, calcining the resultant mixture to prepare a calcination product, grinding the calcination product through only dry process without conducting wet pulverization, molding the resultant powder, and sintering the molded product at 1600.degree. to 1700.degree. C. for 1 to 10 hr.