Abstract: A method and an apparatus for discriminating a cardiac tissue using Raman scattering are provided which enable a noninvasive discrimination of the cardiac tissue to be accurately performed. The discrimination method includes: a step of irradiating a sample containing a cardiac tissue with excitation light; a step of detecting Raman scattering light from the sample; an analysis step of analyzing the detected Raman scattering light by a multivariate analysis using as an index, Raman scattering spectra which are specific to at least a living myocardial tissue, a necrotic myocardial tissue, a granulation tissue and a fibrotic tissue, respectively; and a step of discriminating the cardiac tissue in accordance with analysis results obtained in the analysis step.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a Group IV metal oxide film useful as a semiconductor element or an optical element at a low temperature. The present invention relates to a method for producing a Group IV metal oxide film, comprising coating a surface of a substrate with a film-forming material dissolved in an organic solvent, and subjecting the substrate to a heat treatment, an ultraviolet irradiation treatment, or both of these treatments, wherein a film-forming material obtained by reacting a vinylenediamide complex having a specific structure with an oxidizing agent such as oxygen gas, air, ozone, water and hydrogen peroxide is used as the film-forming material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for identifying a tumor site in a subject, the device spectroscopically detecting fluorescence of protoporphyrins present in the tumor site, the protoporphyrins being protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and photo-protoporphyrin (PPp), and the device comprising: a light irradiation unit that converts part of PpIX into PPp; a spectroscopy unit that separates PpIX fluorescence and PPp fluorescence: a spectroscopy detection unit that detects the relative fluorescence intensity of the PpIX fluorescence and the PPp fluorescence; and a tumor discrimination unit that discriminates between the tumor site and a non-tumor site based on the relative fluorescence intensity of PpIX and PPp.

Abstract: Fused silica glass having an internal transmittance of UV with 245 nm wavelength, being at least 95% at 10 mm thickness, a OH content of not larger than 5 ppm, and a content of Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca and Cu each being smaller than 0.1 ppm. Preferably the glass has a viscosity coefficient at 1215° C. of at least 1011.5 Pa·s; and a Cu ion diffusion coefficient of not larger than 1×10?10 cm2/sec in a depth range of greater than 20 ?m up to 100 ?m, from the surface, when leaving to stand at 1050° C. in air for 24 hours. The glass is made by cristobalitizing powdery silica raw material; then, fusing the cristobalitized silica material in a non-reducing atmosphere. The glass exhibits a high transmittance of ultraviolet, visible and infrared rays, has high purity and heat resistance, and exhibits a reduced diffusion rate of metal impurities, therefore, it is suitable for various optical goods, semiconductor-production apparatus members, and liquid crystal display production apparatus members.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for the noninvasive imaging of a tissue (in particular, a cardiac tissue) in real time, and a device therefor. The present invention provides a method for imaging a sample that contains myocardial tissue and one or more blood vessels and/or one or more collagen-rich regions, the method comprising the steps of: (1) irradiating the sample that contains myocardial tissue and one or more blood vessels and/or one or more collagen-rich regions with an excitation light; (2) detecting Raman scattering light from the sample; and (3) analyzing the thus obtained Raman scattering light by using Raman scattering spectra that are characteristic of myocardial cells and red blood cells and/or collagen as indexes and thus imaging the sample.

Abstract: A tumor cell or tumor tissue-selective fluorescent staining agent comprising a compound represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a C1-C4 alkyl group which may be substituted, a C2-C4 alkenyl group which may be substituted, a C2-C4 alkynyl group which may be substituted, an aryl group which may be substituted, or a heteroaryl group which may be substituted.

Abstract: Fused silica glass having an internal transmittance of UV with 245 nm wavelength, being at least 95% at 10 mm thickness, a OH content of not larger than 5 ppm, and a content of Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca and Cu each being smaller than 0.1 ppm. Preferably the glass has a viscosity coefficient at 1215° C. of at least 1011.5 Pa·s; and a Cu ion diffusion coefficient of not larger than 1×10?10 cm2/sec in a depth range of greater than 20 ?m up to 100 ?m, from the surface, when leaving to stand at 1050° C. in air for 24 hours. The glass is made by crystobalitizing powdery silica raw material; then, fusing the crystobalitized silica material in a non-reducing atmosphere. The glass exhibits a high transmittance of ultraviolet, visible and infrared rays, has high purity and heat resistance, and exhibits a reduced diffusion rate of metal impurities, therefore, it is suitable for various optical goods, semiconductor-production apparatus members, and liquid crystal display production apparatus members.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive load sensor includes an upper casing, a lower casing, a coil, and a bobbin. The upper casing having an approximate bell shape has an upper end that is provided with an opening and a lower end that is provided with a notch. The lower casing includes a disk-shaped member and a bar-shaped member that are integral with each other. The coil is formed by winding a conducting wire around the bobbin. A predetermined position of the bobbin is provided with a lead wire outlet for taking out the conducting wire of the coil. A method of manufacturing the magnetostrictive load sensor includes inserting the bar-shaped member into the axial center of the bobbin, and covering the lower casing with the upper casing. In this way, the notch of the upper casing and the lead wire outlet of the bobbin are fitted with each other. An upper end of the bar-shaped member projects through the opening of the upper casing.

Abstract: A watercraft has steering force detection sections. Each steering force detection section includes a pressure receiving section. The pressure receiving sections are spaced from each other and are in the vicinity of a steering shaft. A pressing member is coupled to the steering shaft. The pressing member can press on at least one of the pressure receiving sections when the steering handlebars are rotated to a maximum steering angle. A received pressure detection section detects the pressure applied to the pressure receiving section. The pressure receiving section and the received pressure detection section are coaxially mounted in a pressure receiving section casing and a detection section casing. A guide tube can engage the pressure receiving section and the received pressure detection section. The guide tube is formed with ribs and grooves. The pressure receiving section has a pressure receiving member, a bolt, a plain washer, and a spring member.

Abstract: Steering-force detection sections, including a pressure-receiving section and a received-pressure detection section, are spaced from one another in the vicinity of a steering shaft. The steering shaft can include a pressing member for applying pressure to the pressure-receiving section when steering handlebars are rotated in either direction to the maximum steering angle. The pressure-receiving section and the received-pressure detection section are coaxially mounted in a pressure-receiving section casing and a detection section casing, respectively, through a guide tube, so that the pressure-receiving directions of both the pressure-receiving sections are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction in which the steering-force detection sections are spaced. The detection section casing includes mounting openings for mounting the received-pressure detecting sections and an electric circuit board, which is integrally connected to the received-pressure detecting sections.

Abstract: A load detector is constructed so as to stabilize an output voltage responding to an input load. The load detector includes a magnetostrictive sensor which includes a hollow case, a coil housed in the case, and a rod-like magnetic member located at an axial center of the coil, magnetized by an electric current flowing through the coil and receiving a load at an end thereof. The load detector further includes a pin which has a contact surface for applying the load onto the end of the magnetic member and is disposed axially inline with the magnetic member, and a bearing collar for reducing displacement of the pin with respect to the magnetic member. The magnetostrictive sensor and the pin are fitted, facing each other, into the bearing collar. The load detector is utilized suitably for transport equipment such as a water vehicle or electric bicycle.

Abstract: A tumor cell or tumor tissue-selective fluorescent staining agent comprising a compound represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a C1-C4 alkyl group which may be substituted, a C2-C4 alkenyl group which may be substituted, a C2-C4 alkynyl group which may be substituted, an aryl group which may be substituted, or a heteroaryl group which may be substituted.

Abstract: In an automatic metal solution dilutor according to the present invention, a densitometer (absorptiometer) measures absorbance of a diluted solution in a metering hopper. An electronic balance meters the diluted solution in the metering hopper so that a dilution magnification obtained from the absorbance reaches a prescribed value. A control part monitors the value measured by the densitometer and the value metered by the electronic balance for operating and controlling the quantity of a stock solution/diluent liquid fed to the metering hopper so that the dilution magnification reaches the prescribed value on the basis of the absorbance measured by the densitometer. Thus obtained is an automatic metal solution dilutor capable of diluting a concentrated liquid of the order of percentage to a metal solution of the order of ppm having a required quantity and a required concentration and correctly feeding the same to a feeder while performing in-line concentration control.

Abstract: Highly durable silica glass comprising silica having incorporated therein aluminum and at least one element (M) selected from group 2A elements, group 3A elements and group 4A elements of the periodic table. Preferably, the sum of aluminum and element (M) is at least 30 atomic % based on the amount of total metal elements in the silica glass, and the atomic ratio of aluminum to element (M) is in the range of 0.05 to 20. The silica glass has a high purity and exhibits enhanced durability while good processability and machinability, and reduced dusting property are kept, and the glass is suitable for members of a semiconductor production apparatus or liquid crystal display production apparatus using a halogenated gas and/or its plasma.

Abstract: Highly durable silica glass containing 0.01% to 2% by weight of at least one element selected from magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, yttrium, hafnium and zirconium. The silica glass is produced by melting a powdery material comprising a finely divided silica powder and a finely divided zirconium-containing substance by oxyhydrogen flame or plasma are to form an accumulated molten material layer, and extending the molten material layer outwardly in radial directions.

Abstract: Steering-force detection sections, including a pressure-receiving section and a received-pressure detection section, are spaced from one another in the vicinity of a steering shaft. The steering shaft can include a pressing member for applying pressure to the pressure-receiving section when steering handlebars are rotated in either direction to the maximum steering angle. The pressure-receiving section and the received-pressure detection section are coaxially mounted in a pressure-receiving section casing and a detection section casing, respectively, through a guide tube, so that the pressure-receiving directions of both the pressure-receiving sections are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction in which the steering-force detection sections are spaced. The detection section casing includes mounting openings for mounting the received-pressure detecting sections and an electric circuit board, which is integrally connected to the received-pressure detecting sections.

Abstract: A watercraft has steering force detection sections. Each steering force detection section includes a pressure receiving section. The pressure receiving sections are spaced from each other and are in the vicinity of a steering shaft. A pressing member is coupled to the steering shaft. The pressing member can press on at least one of the pressure receiving sections when the steering handlebars are rotated to a maximum steering angle. A received pressure detection section detects the pressure applied to the pressure receiving section. The pressure receiving section and the received pressure detection section are coaxially mounted in a pressure receiving section casing and a detection section casing. A guide tube can engage the pressure receiving section and the received pressure detection section. The guide tube is formed with ribs and grooves. The pressure receiving section has a pressure receiving member, a bolt, a plain washer, and a spring member.

Abstract: A load detector is constructed so as to stabilize an output voltage responding to an input load. The load detector includes a magnetostrictive sensor which includes a hollow case, a coil housed in the case, and a rod-like magnetic member located at an axial center of the coil, magnetized by an electric current flowing through the coil and receiving a load at an end thereof. The load detector further includes a pin which has a contact surface for applying the load onto the end of the magnetic member and is disposed axially inline with the magnetic member, and a bearing collar for reducing displacement of the pin with respect to the magnetic member. The magnetostrictive sensor and the pin are fitted, facing each other, into the bearing collar. The load detector is utilized suitably for transport equipment such as a water vehicle or electric bicycle.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive load sensor includes an upper casing, a lower casing, a coil, and a bobbin. The upper casing having an approximate bell shape has an upper end that is provided with an opening and a lower end that is provided with a notch. The lower casing includes a disk-shaped member and a bar-shaped member that are integral with each other. The coil is formed by winding a conducting wire around the bobbin. A predetermined position of the bobbin is provided with a lead wire outlet for taking out the conducting wire of the coil. A method of manufacturing the magnetostrictive load sensor includes inserting the bar-shaped member into the axial center of the bobbin, and covering the lower casing with the upper casing. In this way, the notch of the upper casing and the lead wire outlet of the bobbin are fitted with each other. An upper end of the bar-shaped member projects through the opening of the upper casing.