Abstract: Provided is a sealed AFM cell in which measurement accuracy does not decrease and the types of observation liquids are not limited. A sealed AFM cell according to the present invention includes: a cantilever including a probe; a sample holder for fixing the sample; a scanner for moving the sample holder; a lid part which holds the cantilever so as to position the probe near a measurement surface of the sample; and a main body part which is a component for holding the scanner and positioned opposite the lid part with the sample in between, in which the lid part and the main body part are joined via a sealing liquid to seal the observation liquid inside a space formed by the lid part, the main body part, and the sealing liquid, the sealing liquid being different from the observation liquid and not in contact with the observation liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic method and a diagnostic method using an antibody that binds to a ganglioside GM2 antigen, and a therapeutic agent and a diagnostic agent comprising as an active ingredient an antibody that binds to a ganglioside GM2 antigen. According to the present invention, the prognosis of GM2 positive mesothelioma patients can be improved by diagnosing and treating GM2 positive mesothelioma patients with a diagnostic agent and a therapeutic agent that comprise an anti-ganglioside GM2 antibody as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A composition that has an activity of ameliorating reduced higher brain functions resulting from organic brain lesions, said composition comprising arachidonic acid and/or a compound having arachidonic acid as a constituent fatty acid as well as docosahexaenoic acid and/or a compound having docosahexaenoic acid as a constituent fatty acid.

Abstract: An earphone comprises: a magnetostrictive element which is composed of a magnetostrictive material and has a column-like shape, the magnetostrictive element expanding and contracting due to magnetostrictive effect; a coil wound around the magnetostrictive element, the coil converting an electrical signal into a change in magnetic field; and an elastic portion which is composed of an elastic body having magnetism, the elastic portion including: a first elastic portion to which one of ends of the magnetostrictive element is joined; a second elastic portion to which the other end of the magnetostrictive element is joined; and a beam portion having a column-like shape and being provided in parallel to the magnetostrictive element between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion and being integrally formed with the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a reagent for detecting a digestive organ cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, or biliary tract cancer patient by analyzing genes with expression levels (in peripheral blood) that vary in association with digestive organ cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, or biliary tract cancer cases, compared with normal healthy subjects. Specifically, the method for detecting a digestive organ cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, or biliary tract cancer patient based on expression profiles comprises obtaining the expression profile of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of probes corresponding to genes with expression levels (in peripheral blood) that vary in digestive organ cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and biliary tract cancer cases, compared with normal healthy subjects.

Abstract: To provide: a hydroxy group protecting agent which is stable and easy to use, does not have carcinogenicity, a tearing property or the like, and is inexpensive; and a hydroxy group protection method which enables the protection of a hydroxy group under acidic conditions. [Solution] A hydroxy group protecting agent in which at least one protecting group is bound to a nitrogen-containing electron-withdrawing heterocyclic ring through any one of an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a nitrogen atom. The heterocyclic ring is a triazine ring or the like, and the protecting group is a benzyl group or the like. Specifically, the hydroxy group protecting agent is 2,4,6-tribenzyloxy-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris(4-methoxybenzyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine or the like. In addition, 2,4,6-tris(t-butoxy)-1,3,5-triazine or the like can also be used. For protecting a hydroxy group, a compound of interest which has a hydroxy group is reacted with the hydroxy group protecting agent under acidic conditions.

Abstract: A device includes: an electrode; a displacement measurement unit outputting voltage corresponding to electrostatic force between the electrode and a sample; a first power supply applying a first voltage between the electrode and sample; a second power supply adding, to the first voltage, a second voltage having a different frequency than the first voltage, and applying the added voltage; and a signal detection unit outputting a particular frequency component's magnitude contained in the displacement measurement unit's output, in which the signal detection unit extracts, from the output by the displacement measurement unit, and outputs, to a potential calculation unit, magnitude and phase of a frequency component of a frequency identical to the frequency of the first voltage, and magnitude of a frequency component of a frequency identical to a frequency equivalent to a difference between the frequencies of the first and second voltages, to measure the sample's surface potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic method and a diagnostic method using an antibody that binds to a ganglioside GM2 antigen, and a therapeutic agent and a diagnostic agent comprising as an active ingredient an antibody that binds to a ganglioside GM2 antigen. According to the present invention, the prognosis of GM2 positive mesothelioma patients can be improved by diagnosing and treating GM2 positive mesothelioma patients with a diagnostic agent and a therapeutic agent that comprise an anti-ganglioside GM2 antibody as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A power generation element includes: a first nnagnetostrictive rod made of a nnagnetostrictive material; a rigid rod made of a magnetic material and disposed in parallel with the first nnagnetostrictive rod, the magnetic material having rigidity and a shape that enable uniform application of a compression or tensile force to the first nnagnetostrictive rod; a first coil wound around the first nnagnetostrictive rod; and two connecting yokes, each of which is provided at one end of each of the first nnagnetostrictive rod and the rigid rod to connect the first nnagnetostrictive rod and the rigid rod; wherein the power generation element generates power through expansion or contraction of the first nnagnetostrictive rod due to vibration in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first nnagnetostrictive rod.

Abstract: In a first arousal level estimation device according to this invention, an initial residual setup unit sets a residual to be a reference of a driver, i.e., a residual with a smallest value during an initialization period as an initial residual among residuals calculated by a residual calculation unit during the initialization period from timing of starting an operation of a vehicle or timing of a change in a traveling scene including a condition of traveling road of the vehicle as a starting point till a predetermined period of time elapses. An arousal level estimation unit estimates a driver's arousal level based on a result of comparison between the initial residual set by the residual setup unit and the residual calculated by the residual calculation unit after the initialization period has elapsed. In this way, an estimation accuracy relating to a driver's state including a driver's arousal level is improved.

Abstract: A power generation switch includes: parallel beams including at least one magnetostrictive rod made of a beam-shaped magnetostrictive material; a coil wound around the rod; a first connecting part connecting two beams in the parallel beams together, at first ends of the parallel beams; a second connecting part connecting the two beams together at second ends of the parallel beams; a field part that produces magnetic flux to pass through the two beams in the same direction; and an operating part operable by a user. The first connecting part is a non-displaced fixed end. The second connecting part is a free end for free oscillation. The operating part applies external force to the second connecting part to cause free oscillation of the parallel beams, thereby causing a positive axial force in one of the two beams and a negative axial force in the other one of the two beams.

Abstract: To measure surface potentials in a liquid, the in-liquid potential measurement device according to the present invention includes: a cantilever having a probe at its free end; a displacement measurement unit that measures a voltage corresponding to a displacement of a tip of the cantilever; an AC source that applies an AC voltage between the probe and the sample; and a signal detection unit. A frequency of the AC voltage is 10 kHz or higher. The signal detection unit detects, from the voltage measured by the displacement measurement unit, an amplitude of a frequency component having the same frequency as that of the AC voltage, an amplitude of a frequency component having double frequency of that of the AC voltage, and a frequency component having the same phase as that of the frequency of the AC voltage.

Abstract: An earphone comprises: a magnetostrictive element which is composed of a magnetostrictive material and has a column-like shape, the magnetostrictive element expanding and contracting due to magnetostrictive effect; a coil wound around the magnetostrictive element, the coil converting an electrical signal into a change in magnetic field; and an elastic portion which is composed of an elastic body having magnetism, the elastic portion including: a first elastic portion to which one of ends of the magnetostrictive element is joined; a second elastic portion to which the other end of the magnetostrictive element is joined; and a beam portion having a column-like shape and being provided in parallel to the magnetostrictive element between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion and being integrally formed with the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion.

Abstract: Provided is a cantilever excitation device capable of preventing complication of resonance characteristics by a simple configuration. A cantilever excitation device (1) is provided with a cantilever (7), a cantilever holder (3) for holding the cantilever (7), and a piezoelectric vibrator (5) attached to the cantilever holder (3). The cantilever holder (3) includes a holder main part (11) (first part) having an acoustic impedance different from that of the piezoelectric vibrator (5) for transmitting vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator by elastic deformation and an attachment piece (13) (second part) having the acoustic impedance different from that of the first part for forming a material boundary to block propagation of an acoustic wave between the same and the first part. The first and second parts are interposed between the piezoelectric vibrator (5) and the cantilever (7).

Abstract: A power generation element includes: a first magnetostrictive rod made of a magnetostrictive material; a rigid rod made of a magnetic material and disposed in parallel with the first magnetostrictive rod, the magnetic material having rigidity and a shape that enable uniform application of compression force or tensile force to the first magnetostrictive rod; a first coil wound around the first magnetostrictive rod; and two connecting yokes each of which is provided at one end of each of the first magnetostrictive rod and the rigid rod to connect the first magnetostrictive rod and the rigid rod, wherein the power generation element generates power through expansion or contraction of the first magnetostrictive rod due to vibration in a direction perpendicular to an axis direction of the first magnetostrictive rod.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a bit voltage adjusting circuit which, for each bit line, fixes potentials of a selected bit line and a non-selected bit line to a predetermined potential to perform a memory operation and a data voltage adjusting circuit which, for each data line, fixes potentials of a selected data line and a non-selected data line to a predetermined potential to perform a memory operation. Each of the voltage adjusting circuits includes an operational amplifier and a transistor, a voltage required for a memory operation is input to the non-inverted input terminal of the operational amplifier, and the inverted input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the bit line or the data line, so that the potential of the bit line or the data line is fixed to a potential of the non-inverted input terminal of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: A novel electrocatalyst made of an oxidase having high electron transfer efficiency and an enzymatic electrode using the same are provided. The electrocatalyst is made of CueO. The enzymatic electrode comprises a carbonaceous porous body and an electrocatalyst made of CueO supported on the surface of the carbonaceous porous body. CueO is preferably CueO from Escherichia coli. The carbonaceous porous body constituting the enzymatic electrode is preferably carbonaceous gel. Also, the enzymatic electrode may further comprise a mediator which facilitates transfer of electron between the carbonaceous porous body and said CueO.

Abstract: A biosignal measurement apparatus including: a bracelet membrane to wear around a user's wrist; a fixing supporter to install in a first side portion of the bracelet membrane and to support a first side portion of the wrist; a moving supporter to install in a second side portion of the bracelet membrane, to move towards the fixing supporter, and closely to attach to a second side portion of the wrist; and an information control unit to calculate a distance between the first side portion of the wrist and the second side portion of the wrist by detecting a movement distance of the moving supporter, and to calculate a displacement of the radial artery of the wrist by using a predetermined constant and the calculated distance between the first side portion of the wrist and the second side portion of the wrist.

Abstract: Using nature that a pixel value in a lung of a chest X-ray moving image varies due to heart beat, the variation information on the pixel value is effectively used for diagnosis such as of a lung embolism or a heart disease, considering the variation information as lung blood flow information. A continuous X-ray image screening examination device receives a chest X-ray moving image from an X-ray detector and receives an electrocardiogram to become original information on a heart beat variation from an electrocardiogram recording apparatus. From the dynamic state of the heart wall measured by the electrocardiograph or the chest X-ray moving image, the heart dynamic state during the cardiac chamber systolic and diastolic phases is grasped, and information such as the variation of the pixel value of the chest X-ray moving image due to increase (lung blood flow increase) of the blood flow from the heart to the lung during the cardiac chamber systolic phase is generated.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an edible vaccine which is effective for human papilloma virus (HPV) type 16 and available in large amounts inexpensively. An edible human papilloma virus vaccine obtained by culturing a transformant of an avirulent fission yeast host, wherein the transformant carries a gene encoding an antigenic protein of human papilloma virus introduced therein and accumulates the expressed antigenic protein in it.