Abstract: A bending and extending device 1 comprises an elastic hollow guide unit 2 and a movable part 3 to be movably inserted into the guide unit 2. The movable part 3 is constituted, either partially or entirely, of a plurality of belt-like flexible parts 30a and 30b, which extend in the axial direction of the guide unit 2 and the flexible parts 30a and 30b are connected at distal ends.

Abstract: A bending and extending device 1 comprises an elastic hollow guide unit 2 and a movable part 3 to be movably inserted into the guide unit 2. The movable part 3 is constituted, either partially or entirely, of a plurality of belt-like flexible parts 30a and 30b, which extend in the axial direction of the guide unit 2 and the flexible parts 30a and 30b are connected at distal ends.

Abstract: A display device configured to display an endoscopic image obtained by an endoscope for observing an object is provided. The display device includes a projecting unit configured to project coordinate axes set to the object onto the endoscopic image, and a display unit configured to display thereon the endoscopic image and the coordinate axes projected onto the endoscopic image.

Abstract: A display device configured to display an endoscopic image obtained by an endoscope for observing an object is provided. The display device includes a projecting unit configured to project coordinate axes set to the object onto the endoscopic image, and a display unit configured to display thereon the endoscopic image and the coordinate axes projected onto the endoscopic image.

Abstract: Disclosed are a curcumin derivative or a salt thereof, which contains a fluorine atom, represented by formula (I): (wherein R1a and R1b are each independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, acetyl, or methoxycarbonyl; R2s are each independently a fluorine atom, CHF2—, CF3—, CHF2O—, or CF3O—; R3s are each independently a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; A is alkyl, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or R4—(CH2)m—; R4 is hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, acetyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy, or CONR5R6; R5 and R6 are each independently a hydrogen atom or alkyl; and m is an integer from 1 to 5), and a diagnostic imaging agent for diagnosing a disease in which an amyloid ? peptide aggregate accumulates, the diagnostic imaging agent containing a compound having a 1,3-dicarbonyl structure, wherein the compound exists in a keto form and an enol form, and the keto form and the enol form have different affinities, respectively, to the amyloid ? peptide aggregate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a curcumin derivative or a salt thereof, which contains a fluorine atom, represented by formula (I): (wherein R1a and R1b are each independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, acetyl, or methoxycarbonyl; R2s are each independently a fluorine atom, CHF2—, CF3—, CHF2O—, or CF3O—; R3s are each independently a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; A is alkyl, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or R4—(CH2)m—; R4 is hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, acetyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy, or CONR5R6; R5 and R6 are each independently a hydrogen atom or alkyl; and m is an integer from 1 to 5), and a diagnostic imaging agent for diagnosing a disease in which an amyloid ? peptide aggregate accumulates, the diagnostic imaging agent containing a compound having a 1,3-dicarbonyl structure, wherein the compound exists in a keto form and an enol form, and the keto form and the enol form have different affinities, respectively, to the amyloid ? peptide aggregate.

Abstract: A gold nanoparticle composition is provided that includes a spherical gold nanoparticle and an organic ligand molecule. The organic ligand molecule bonds to the gold nanoparticle. Thus, the gold nanoparticle composition has at least one absorption peak wavelength (plasmon absorption wavelength) within the region of 600-1000 nm. Consequently, the gold nanoparticle composition self-heats when irradiated with electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of 600-1000 nm.

Abstract: This invention is directed to offer a semiconductor device having a structure capable of relaxing a mechanical stress applied to a bonding pad. A third interlayer insulation film having via holes is formed on a second interlayer insulation film to cover a third wiring layer. A third conductive layer is formed in the via hole. The third interlayer insulation film is composed of an array of a plurality of hexagonal column-shaped interlayer insulation films. And the via hole and the third conductive layer are formed to surround each hexagonal column-shaped interlayer insulation film. A fourth wiring layer connected with the third wiring layer through the third conductive layer is formed. The fourth wiring layer makes an uppermost wiring layer in an embodiment of this invention and serves as the bonding pad.

Abstract: The invention prevents a wiring layer in a memory region from being exposed to prevent a change in wire resistance and degradation of reliability. A SiO2 film as an etching stopper film which transmits ultraviolet light is formed on pad electrodes and an interlayer insulation film. Then, the SiO2 film on the pad electrodes is etched selectively and the SiO2 film in an EPROM region is left. A silicon nitride film and a polyimide film are then formed on the SiO2 film and on the pad electrodes where the SiO2 film is removed, as a protection film which does not transmit ultraviolet light. The silicon nitride film and the polyimide film on the pad electrodes and in the EPROM region are then selectively removed by etching. Since the SiO2 film functions as an etching stopper at this time, the interlayer insulation film under the SiO2 film is prevented from being etched and a control gate line metal layer is prevented from being exposed.

Abstract: The invention prevents a wiring layer in a memory region from being exposed to prevent a change in wire resistance and degradation of reliability. A SiO2 film as an etching stopper film which transmits ultraviolet light is formed on pad electrodes and an interlayer insulation film. Then, the SiO2 film on the pad electrodes is etched selectively and the SiO2 film in an EPROM region is left. A silicon nitride film and a polyimide film are then formed on the SiO2 film and on the pad electrodes where the SiO2 film is removed, as a protection film which does not transmit ultraviolet light. The silicon nitride film and the polyimide film on the pad electrodes and in the EPROM region are then selectively removed by etching. Since the SiO2 film functions as an etching stopper at this time, the interlayer insulation film under the SiO2 film is prevented from being etched and a control gate line metal layer is prevented from being exposed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to offer a semiconductor device having a structure capable of relaxing a mechanical stress applied to a bonding pad. A third interlayer insulation film having via holes is formed on a second interlayer insulation film to cover a third wiring layer. A third conductive layer is formed in the via hole. The third interlayer insulation film is composed of an array of a plurality of hexagonal column-shaped interlayer insulation films. And the via hole and the third conductive layer are formed to surround each hexagonal column-shaped interlayer insulation film. A fourth wiring layer connected with the third wiring layer through the third conductive layer is formed. The fourth wiring layer makes an uppermost wiring layer in an embodiment of this invention and serves as the bonding pad.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode device for microwave surgery which is provided with a marker securely fixed to the central electrode, which marker can provide a magnetic susceptibility artifact of a uniform size and shape free of fluctuation among electrode devices. The electrode device comprise a central conductor body, a tubular insulator body which covers the central conductor body except its distal end, a tubular external electrode which covers the tubular insulator body except its distal end part, and a central electrode which covers the distal end part of the central conductor body. The central conductor body, the insulator body, the external electrode and the central electrode are made of a nonmagnetic material, and a cylindrical member made of a magnetic material is fit around the distal end part of the central conductor body.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode device for microwave surgery which is provided with a marker securely fixed to the central electrode, which marker can provide a magnetic susceptibility artifact of a uniform size and shape free of fluctuation among electrode devices. The electrode device comprise a central conductor body, a tubular insulator body which covers the central conductor body except its distal end, a tubular external electrode which covers the tubular insulator body except its distal end part, and a central electrode which covers the distal end part of the central conductor body. The central conductor body, the insulator body, the external electrode and the central electrode are made of a nonmagnetic material, and a cylindrical member made of a magnetic material is fit around the distal end part of the central conductor body.

Abstract: A weaving welding method is provided which permits an accurate and continuous weaving welding along various weld lines including a complicated weld line which is a combination of straight lines and arcs, based on a simple determination. In accordance with the previously predetermined start and end points of a first section of a desired weld line, the predetermined weaving width and the detected orientation of a welding torch, a weaving swing plane is determined which includes an intersection line at which a first plane traversing the desired weld line at right angles thereto intersects a second plane perpendicular to the axis of the welding torch, and is parallel to the desired weld line (S2). The torch is then moved along the desired weld line while moved in a weaving pattern with a predetermined weaving width in a direction traversing the desired weld line, such that the distal end thereof is moved on the weaving swing plane (S3).

Abstract: An automatic welding apparatus carrying out an arc sensing operation is provided with a memory (2) storing parameters for arc sensing, and these parameters being rewritten by a manual input before beginning the welding, by an input from an on-line computer during the welding, or at a predetermined time by a program which outputs commands to the automatic welding apparatus (FIG. 6).

Abstract: A method of starting arc sensing applicable to automatic welding apparatuses carrying out an arc sensing operation, which is a control operation comprising: detecting deviations of a welding electrode from a predetermined path in an up or down direction and right or left direction, by variations of a welding current while welding with a weaving operation; and correcting the deviation.In this method of starting arc sensing, the welding electrode is held in the dwell state while the arc is extremely unstable just after the arc is first generated, a weaving is carried out from a first predetermined time (T.sub.1) after the extreme instability of the arc has been eliminated, a detection and correction by an arc sensing of a deviation in the right and left direction only are carried out from a second predetermined time (T.sub.

Abstract: The arc current is divided into two areas each corresponding to a 1/4 period of weaving, the two areas are compared with each other, and an area corresponding to a predetermined time period at the end portion of the larger area is substrated from the larger area and another area comparison is performed. The movement of the welding torch is compensated in accordance with the predetermined correction function, so that, even when an actual weld line of base metals to be welded deviates from an instructed weld line, the welding torch is correctly moved along the weld line of the base materials and arc welding is performed.