Abstract: Provided is an environmental factor prediction device that includes a predictor and predicting means. The predictor uses, as explanatory variables: water quality data in a plurality of layers in water, the data including a value corresponding to a biochrome level or a bioluminescence level (e.g. chlorophyll concentration), water temperature, salt concentration, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and flow rate; and meteorological data including atmospheric temperature, precipitation and sunshine duration, and outputs an estimated value of each item of the explanatory variables at a unit time later, based on time series data of the explanatory variables. The predicting means predicts the water quality data up to an N unit time later by repeating prediction using the estimated value acquired by the predictor as input of the predictor again.

Abstract: A surfactant for polymerization including at least one selected from a surfactant represented by R1a—CO—R2a—CO—R3a—OSO3Xa and a surfactant represented by R1b—CO—(CR2b2)n—(OR3b)p—(CR4b2)q-L-OSO3Xb, wherein R1a, R2a, R3a, Xa, R1b, R2b, R3b, R4b, L and Xb are as defined herein. Also disclosed is a composition containing a fluoropolymer and the at least one surfactant, a composition containing a fluoropolymer and a compound represented by (H—(CF2)8—SO3)qM2, where M2 is as defined herein, and a molded article made from the composition containing a fluoropolymer and the compound represented by (H—(CF2)8—SO3)qM2.

Abstract: A flowmeter is disposed in a passage through which a fluid flows. The flowmeter includes a first passage and a second passage. The first passage defines an opening through which a part of the fluid flows into the flowmeter from the passage. The second passage branches off from the first passage and includes a flow rate detector configured to detect a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the second passage from the first passage. The second passage has one end at which the second passage branches off from the first passage and the other end. The second passage includes at least one end opening at the other end and an inflow reducer configured to restrict the fluid from flowing into the second passage through the at least one end opening.

Abstract: A sealing device includes a metal core configured to be attached to a stationary member of a bearing mechanism, an annular slinger configured to be attached to a rotary member of the bearing mechanism, a seal member attached to the metal core, and a discharge body. The discharge body includes a base having discharge holes, an attachment that is continuous with the base and attached to the slinger, and fins protruding from the base. The discharge body is configured to be rotated together with the slinger. A communication space surrounded by the slinger and the seal member is configured to communicate with an external space of the bearing mechanism via an opening. At least the fins of the discharge body are positioned in the communication space. When the rotary member rotates, an inflow flowed into the communication space is moved by the fins toward the external space.

Abstract: A physical quantity measurement device includes a housing forming a measurement flow path in which a sensor support supports a physical quantity sensor. The measurement flow path includes a sensor path in which the physical quantity sensor is disposed, an upstream curved path between the sensor path and an inlet, and a downstream curved path between the sensor path and an outlet. The housing includes a measurement narrowed portion that gradually narrows the measurement flow path in a direction from the inlet toward the physical quantity sensor. An upstream end of the sensor support is provided upstream of the measurement narrowed portion in an arrangement cross section along an imaginary straight line passing through the physical quantity sensor and extending in an arrangement direction in which the upstream curved path and the downstream curved path are arranged.

Abstract: A method for producing polytetrafluoroethylene includes a step of polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene in an aqueous medium in the presence of a hydrocarbon surfactant and a polymerization initiator to obtain polytetrafluoroethylene and a step of adding at least one selected from the group consisting of a radical scavenger and a decomposer of a polymerization initiator after the initiation of polymerization.

Abstract: A physical quantity measurement device includes a housing forming a measurement flow path including a measurement inlet and a measurement outlet. The measurement flow path includes a sensor path in which a physical quantity sensor is disposed, an upstream curved path curved to extend from the sensor path toward the measurement inlet, and a downstream curved path curved to extend from the sensor path toward the measurement outlet. An inner surface of the housing includes an upstream outer curved surface that defines an outer outline of a curved part of the upstream curved path, and a downstream outer curved surface that defines an outer outline of a curve part of the downstream curved path. A degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface is larger than a degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface.

Abstract: A method for producing a fluoropolymer which includes polymerizing a fluoromonomer in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactant to provide a fluoropolymer. The surfactant includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a surfactant represented by R1a—CO—R2a—CO—R3a—OSO3Xa and a surfactant represented by R1b—CO—(CR2b2)n—(OR3b)p—(CR4b2)q-L-OSO3Xb.

Abstract: An air flow measurement device that measures an air flow rate based on an output value of a sensing unit attached in an environment in which air flows, the air flow measurement device is provided. The air flow measurement device may calculate an average air amount, which is an average value of the air flow rate, from the output value. The air flow measurement device may calculate a pulsation maximum value, which is a maximum value of the air flow rate, from the output value.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a structure which comprises metal plate microparticles and a lipophilic clay-based intercalation compound and which exhibits excellent stability. The problem is solved by a structure as described above wherein: the metal plate microparticles are platy microparticles alone or a mixture thereof with polyhedral microparticles (including spherical microparticles); the platy microparticles have a thickness of 1 to 50 nm, a length of principal plate of 10 to 5000 nm and an aspect ratio thereof of 3 or more; and the weight ratio of the lipophilic clay-based intercalation compound to the metal plate microparticles is 0.01 to 50.

Abstract: A physical quantity measurement device includes a passage flow channel having an inflow port and an outflow port, a branch flow channel branched from the passage flow channel and having a branch inlet into which the fluid flows from the passage flow channel. The branch flow channel has an inclined branch path inclined with respect to the passage flow channel, and the inclined branch path extends from the branch inlet toward the outflow por. An inclination angle of the branch flow channel at the branch inlet with respect to a virtual straight line connecting the inflow port and the outflow port is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A flowmeter is inserted into a main passage through which a target fluid flows. The flowmeter includes a housing, a sub passage, an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a flow rate detector, and a protrusion. The housing includes a side surface and a tip end surface. A part of the target fluid flows into the sub passage from the main passage. The target fluid flows into the sub passage through the inlet portion and flows out of the sub passage through the outlet portion. The flow rate detector is configured to detect a flow rate of the target fluid flowing through the sub passage. The tip end surface includes a first end area and a second end area. The protrusion protrudes from the tip end surface and is located in both the first end area and the second end area.

Abstract: A physical quantity measurement device includes a housing forming a through flow path, and a measurement flow path branching from the through flow path. A physical quantity sensor is provided in the measurement flow path. An inner surface of the housing includes an inlet ceiling surface and an inlet floor surface which face each other and define an inlet through path that is between and connects an inlet of the through flow path and an inlet of the measurement flow path, The inlet ceiling surface includes a ceiling inclined surface that extends from the inlet of the through flow path and is inclined with respect to the inlet floor surface. A distance between the ceiling inclined surface and the inlet floor surface gradually decreases in a direction from the inlet of the through flow path toward an outlet of the through flow path.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an 11C-labeled catechol derivative having sufficient radioactivity to obtain an imaging image by a PET apparatus, a PET probe of a phosphorylated tau aggregation inhibitor using the same, and a method for producing them. The 11C-labeled catechol derivative of the present invention is represented by the following general formula (a) (wherein R is a substituent having an isopropylamino group, and the carbon at the 2-position of the isopropylamino group is labeled with 11C).

Abstract: A composition including a polytetrafluoroethylene and a polymer (I) containing a polymerization unit (I) based on a monomer represented by the following general formula (I), the composition having a standard specific gravity of 2.200 or less: CX1X3?CX2R(—CZ1Z2-A0)m ??(I) wherein X1 and X3 are each independently F, Cl, H, or CF3; A0 is an anionic group; X2 is H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; R is a linking group; Z1 and Z2 are each independently H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; and m is an integer of 1 or more.

Abstract: A method for producing modified polytetrafluoroethylene including: polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene and a modifying monomer in an aqueous medium in the presence of a polymer (I) containing a polymerization unit (I) based on a monomer represented by the following general formula (I) to obtain a modified polytetrafluoroethylene: CX1X3?CX2R(—CZ1Z2-A0)m??(I) wherein X1 and X3 are each independently F, Cl, H, or CF3; X2 is H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; A0 is an anionic group; R is a linking group; Z1 and Z2 are each independently H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; and m is an integer of 1 or more. Also disclosed is a composition containing the modified polytetrafluoroethylene and the polymer (I).

Abstract: A physical quantity measurement device includes a passage flow channel having an inflow port and an outflow port, a branch flow channel branched from the passage flow channel and having a branch inlet into which the fluid flows from the passage flow channel. The branch flow channel has an inclined branch path inclined with respect to the passage flow channel, and the inclined branch path extends from the branch inlet toward the outflow por. An inclination angle of the branch flow channel at the branch inlet with respect to a virtual straight line connecting the inflow port and the outflow port is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer capable of providing a coating film that has good initial adhesiveness to a base material and good adhesiveness thereto after a pressure cooker test, and has excellent abrasion resistance as determined by a falling sand abrasion test. The polymer includes a perhaloolefin unit, a vinyl ester unit that contains neither a hydroxy group nor an aromatic ring; and a hydroxy group-containing monomer unit. The polymer has a hydroxyl value of 110 mgKOH/g or greater.

Abstract: A method for producing polytetrafluoroethylene, which includes polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene in an aqueous medium in the presence of a nucleating agent and a hydrocarbon anionic surfactant to obtain polytetrafluoroethylene. A total amount of the nucleating agent and the hydrocarbon anionic surfactant at the initiation of polymerization is more than 50 ppm based on the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A fuel storage device includes a fuel tank, a circulation passage, a canister, a vapor passage, and an adjuster. The fuel tank is configured to store fuel. The circulation passage fluidly connects the fuel tank and a vicinity of a fuel supply port. The canister is configured to recover gas generated in the fuel tank. The vapor passage fluidly connects the fuel tank and the canister. The adjuster is configured to adjust a circulation flow rate of the gas flowing through the circulation passage in supply of the fuel, using a negative pressure.