Abstract: An arsenic sorbent includes monohydrocalcite that has been precipitated by mixing an aqueous solution of a soluble carbonate or a carbonate with an aqueous solution that includes an Mg2+ ion and a Ca2+ ion in a ratio “Mg/Ca” of 0.3 or more, the monohydrocalcite having a molar ratio “Mg/(Ca+Mg)” of 0.1 or less. The arsenic sorbent exhibits a high arsenic sorption ability, and can stably retain a sorbate. A purification method using the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for screening a pharmaceutical for treating or preventing a neurodevelopmental disorder or a psychiatric disorder accompanied by an abnormality of oxytocin system by using an increase in expression or enzymatic activity of CD38 as an index, and a diagnosis of a predisposition to a neurodevelopmental disorder or a psychiatric disorder accompanied by an abnormality of oxytocin system by using a mutation present in a CD38 gene region as an index.

Abstract: A scanner device is provided which enables high-frequency scanning and can increase the speed of a scanning probe microscope. A scanner device (1) used for a scanning probe microscope includes a Z actuator (7) which scans an object to be scanned in a scanning direction, and a Z actuator holder (11) which holds the Z actuator (7). The Z actuator holder (11) holds the Z actuator (7) at a plurality of holding line parts which extend in the scanning direction and are separated from each other. For example, the Z actuator (7) has a rectangular cross-section, and the four edges of the Z actuator (7) are held by the Z actuator holder (11). The Z actuator (7) is pressed into a holding hole (29) of the Z actuator holder (11).

Abstract: An arsenic sorbent includes monohydrocalcite that has been precipitated by mixing an aqueous solution of a soluble carbonate or a carbonate with an aqueous solution that includes an Mg2+ ion and a Ca2+ ion in a ratio “Mg/Ca” of 0.3 or more, the monohydrocalcite having a molar ratio “Mg/(Ca+Mg)” of 0.1 or less. The arsenic sorbent exhibits a high arsenic sorption ability, and can stably retain a sorbate. A purification method using the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is an atomic force microscope capable of increasing the phase detection speed of a cantilever vibration. The cantilever (5) is excited and the cantilever (5) and a sample are relatively scanned. Displacement of the cantilever (5) is detected by a sensor. An oscillator (27) generates an excitation signal of the cantilever (5) and generates a reference wave signal having a frequency based on the excitation signal and a fixed phase. According to vibration of the cantilever (5), a trigger pulse generation circuit (41) generates a trigger pulse signal having a pulse position changing in accordance with the vibration of the cantilever (5). According to the reference wave signal and the trigger pulse signal, a phase signal generation circuit (43) generates a signal corresponding to the level of the reference wave signal at the pulse position as a phase signal of vibration of the cantilever (5). As the reference wave signal, a saw tooth wave is used.

Abstract: A speaker array, includes a plurality of speakers which are linearly arranged at a predetermined interval; and one-dimensional digital filters which are provided to correspond to the speakers respectively, in which predetermined filter coefficients are set previously, and which apply a filtering process to input sound data in response to the filter coefficients to output. Sound data derived by applying a digital conversion to input sound signals are supplied to respective one-dimensional digital filters. Sound signals derived by applying an analog conversion to the sound data output from respective one-dimensional digital filters are supplied to corresponding speakers to output a sound in response to the sound signals.

Abstract: There is provided an atomic force microscope (AFM) with increase the speed and sensitivity of detection of the resonant frequency shift in a cantilever. An AFM (1) extracts a reference signal and a phase shift signal from a detection signal from a displacement sensor of the cantilever. The reference signal is restrained from a phase change in accordance with the resonant frequency shift. The phase shift signal has a phase shifted in accordance with the resonant frequency shift. The AFM (1) determines the phase difference of the phase shift signal from the reference signal, as the resonant frequency shift. The AFM (1) may detect the phase difference between a plus-minus inversion point on the reference signal and a corresponding plus-minus inversion point on the phase shift signal. The AFM (1) may adjust phase before phase detection. The phase adjustment may move the detection point for the resonant frequency shift defined on the oscillation waveforms to the plus-minus inversion point.

Abstract: There is provided a scanning probe microscope that allows active damping to be advantageously carried out. A Z scan control section functions as a driving control section to control a Z scanner that is a controlled object. Driving control is performed by supplying the controlled object with a driving signal processed by an adjustment function. The adjustment function adjusts the driving signal by using a simulated transfer function that simulates an actual transfer function indicative of an actual frequency characteristic of the controlled object so that executing processing of the simulated transfer function on the adjusted driving signal results in decrease of vibration of an output signal from the simulated transfer function.

Abstract: A driving laser unit (11) irradiates a laser beam on a cantilever (5) to cause thermal expansion deformation. A driving-laser control unit (13) performs feedback control for the cantilever (5) by controlling intensity of the laser beam on the basis of displacement of the cantilever (5) detected by a sensor (9). A thermal-response compensating circuit (35) has a constitution equivalent to an inverse transfer function of a heat transfer function of the cantilever (5) and compensates for a delay in a thermal response of the cantilever (5) to the light irradiation. Moreover, the cantilever (5) may be excited by controlling the intensity of the laser beam. By controlling light intensity, a Q value of a lever resonance system is also controlled. It is possible to increase scanning speed of an atomic force microscope.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope is provided, which can be stably used for a long time even if excitation efficiency varies during scan. A cantilever (5) is excited, and the cantilever (5) and a sample are subjected to relative scanning. A second-harmonic component detection circuit (31) detects second-harmonic component amplitude of oscillation of the cantilever (5) as integral-multiple component amplitude. The second-harmonic component amplitude is amplitude of a second-harmonic component having a frequency twice as high as excitation frequency. An excitation intensity adjustment circuit (33) controls excitation intensity based on the detected second-harmonic component amplitude such that the second-harmonic component amplitude is kept constant.

Abstract: A production process of a polymerization catalyst of an alkylene oxide, comprising a step of contacting an alumoxane compound with a compound having a hydroxyl group; a production process of a pre-polymerized polymerization catalyst thereof, comprising a step of pre-polymerizing an alkylene oxide in the presence of the above polymerization catalyst; and a production process of a poly(alkylene oxide), comprising a step of polymerizing an alkylene oxide in the presence of the above polymerization catalyst or pre-polymerized polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: Modified CueO having excellent enzymatic activity and a composition for dyeing keratin fiber which contains the enzyme. A recombinant protein having an enzymatic activity for oxidizing p-phenylenediamine, the protein is obtained by removing from CueO at least one member selected from the group consisting of helix 5, helix 6, and helix 7; and the composition for dyeing keratin fiber containing the recombinant protein and an oxidation dye.

Abstract: This invention relates to a myocardial pad used in cardioversion, pacing, or the like and to a myocardial lead and a therapeutic apparatus for cardiac disease comprising the same. The myocardial pad of this invention is bondable to epicardia and has conductivity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Using this pad, the myocardial lead can be immobilized onto the atrium without suture. Thus, bleeding from the atrium, which is a lethal complication, caused by lead removal can be prevented.

Abstract: There is provided an atomic force microscope (AFM) with increase the speed and sensitivity of detection of the resonant frequency shift in a cantilever. An AFM (1) extracts a reference signal and a phase shift signal from a detection signal from a displacement sensor of the cantilever. The reference signal is restrained from a phase change in accordance with the resonant frequency shift. The phase shift signal has a phase shifted in accordance with the resonant frequency shift. The AFM (1) determines the phase difference of the phase shift signal from the reference signal, as the resonant frequency shift. The AFM (1) may detect the phase difference between a plus-minus inversion point on the reference signal and a corresponding plus-minus inversion point on the phase shift signal. The AFM (1) may adjust phase before phase detection. The phase adjustment may move the detection point for the resonant frequency shift defined on the oscillation waveforms to the plus-minus inversion point.

Abstract: A driving laser unit (11) irradiates a laser beam on a cantilever (5) to cause thermal expansion deformation. A driving-laser control unit (13) performs feedback control for the cantilever (5) by controlling intensity of the laser beam on the basis of displacement of the cantilever (5) detected by a sensor (9). A thermal-response compensating circuit (35) has a constitution equivalent to an inverse transfer function of a heat transfer function of the cantilever (5) and compensates for a delay in a thermal response of the cantilever (5) to the light irradiation. Moreover, the cantilever (5) may be excited by controlling the intensity of the laser beam. By controlling light intensity, a Q value of a lever resonance system is also controlled. It is possible to increase scanning speed of an atomic force microscope.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser drive system and a semiconductor laser driving method where both internal noise and optical feedback noise can be simultaneously reduced are provided at low cost and low power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method for inhibiting hair depigmentation and a method for inhibiting hair loss, in which hair depigmentation and hair loss are inhibited by collagen XVII.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope is provided, which can be stably used for a long time even if excitation efficiency varies during scan. A cantilever (5) is excited, and the cantilever (5) and a sample are subjected to relative scanning. A second-harmonic component detection circuit (31) detects second-harmonic component amplitude of oscillation of the cantilever (5) as integral-multiple component amplitude. The second-harmonic component amplitude is amplitude of a second-harmonic component having a frequency twice as high as excitation frequency. An excitation intensity adjustment circuit (33) controls excitation intensity based on the detected second-harmonic component amplitude such that the second-harmonic component amplitude is kept constant.

Abstract: [Problems] To enable convenient and accurate examination of Alzheimer's disease. [Means for Solving Problems] A reaction liquor, which is prepared by mixing an amyloid ? protein with a body fluid collected from a subject and a buffer solution is reacted. After the polymerization of the amyloid ? protein comes to equilibrium, the degree of the amyloid ? protein polymerization is examined. For example, the above-described reaction liquor is mixed with a fluorescent dye after the completion of the reaction and the degree of the color-development of the reaction liquor is detected to thereby examine the degree of the amyloid ? protein polymerization. The fluorescent dye as described above is thioflavin T or its derivative. The body fluid as described above is cerebral fluid, blood or a blood component.

Abstract: It is intended to find a compound that is structurally simpler than yohimbine, a pentacyclic condensed heterocyclic compound, and has an effect similar to that of yohimbine. The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical or food composition for ?2 receptor blockage comprising a compound represented by the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic group, aralkyl group, acyl group, arylsulfonyl group, alkylsulfonyl group, or hydroxyl group; R2 represents a hydrocarbon group; R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen, halogen, alkyl group, or alkoxy group; R8 represents a hydrogen or acyl group; n represents an integer of 1 to 6; and a and b are the same or different and represent 1 or 0).