Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit which applies a labeling pulse to invert a spin included in a labeling region within part of a imaging region and then collects a echo signal from a time point when an inversion time has passed from the application of the labeling pulse, and a control unit, the control unit controlling the imaging unit so that the echo signal in the imaging region is collected a plurality of times with variations in the inversion time, the control unit also controlling the imaging unit so that a time ranging from a reference time point within a biological signal obtained from a subject to the application of the labeling pulse is a time determined in accordance with the inversion time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing schizophrenia, and a schizophrenia diagnostic reagent or device for use in the method. The present invention further provides a therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia, which is effective for the treatment or amelioration of schizophrenia. The therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia contains a carbonyl scavenger or a carbonyl-modified protein formation inhibitor as an active ingredient. The method for diagnosing schizophrenia according to the present invention includes measuring at least one parameter in a subject, the parameter being selected from the group consisting of: (1) a genetic abnormality of glyoxalase I gene; (2) the expression level or activity of glyoxalase I in a biological sample; (3) the amount of a carbonyl compound or a carbonyl-modified protein that is a protein modified with the carbonyl compound; and (4) the amount of pyridoxal in a biological sample.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit which applies a labeling pulse to invert a spin included in a labeling region within part of a imaging region and then collects a echo signal from a time point when an inversion time has passed from the application of the labeling pulse, and a control unit, the control unit controlling the imaging unit so that the echo signal in the imaging region is collected a plurality of times with variations in the inversion time, the control unit also controlling the imaging unit so that a time ranging from a reference time point within a biological signal obtained from a subject to the application of the labeling pulse is a time determined in accordance with the inversion time.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a novel peritoneal membrane protecting agent which can effectively suppress deterioration of peritoneal functions in long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and the like. The present invention provides a peritoneal membrane protecting agent comprising a pyridoxine or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A robot safety device, which is provided between a drive shaft of a robot and an actuator for driving the drive shaft and prevents unexpected action to a user positioned around the robot, and in which such a possibility that a robot damages a person is detected and the detection is utilized as a trigger to quickly stop the driving force for the robot. The device is provided with a transmission part which transmits to the drive shaft an output from the actuator, an acceleration operation corresponding part which mechanically generates corresponding to the transmission accelerating operation of the transmission part caused by the actuator, regulation auxiliary force for regulating the operation of the transmission part caused by the output from the actuator, and a regulation part which is driven by the regulation auxiliary force generated by the accelerating operation corresponding part and regulates the operation of the transmission part.

Abstract: A growth promoter according to the present invention that can be applied to a plant other than solanaceous plants is a plant growth promoter utilizing potato cyst nematodes and contains a fatty acid dialkanolamide represented by the following general formula (1) as a substance that acts on the potato cyst nematodes: R—CO—N(—R?—OH)(—R?—OH)??(1) (in the general formula (1), R represents an alkyl group that has 1 to 20 carbon atoms and may be substituted, and R? and R? may be the same or different from each other and each represent an alkylene group that has 1 to 10 carbon atoms and may be substituted). When the plant growth promoter of the present invention is sprayed on the soil where the eggs of potato cyst nematodes are present, potato cyst nematodes hatched by the effect of the above-described fatty acid dialkanolamide contained in the plant growth promoter promote the growth of a non-host plant.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide antibodies which recognize non-reducing mannose residues. The present invention provides antibodies recognizing non-reducing mannose residues, which are obtained through screening of phage-display library of human scFvs by using, as an antigen, Man3-DPPE which is an artificial glycolipid synthesized from mannotriose and dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine by reductive amination.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochromic display device comprising: a first and a second substrates; a first and a second electrodes; and an electrochromic composition layer, wherein the device is of a passive matrix drive where the a display and an erasion are performed by an energization in reverse directions between the electrodes, the first and the second electrodes respectively comprise a plurality of electrodes, a pixel is formed where the electrodes are in a grade separated crossing, and the display is performed by voltage application processing where: (i) the first electrode is set as negative, and the second electrode is set as positive, to apply a voltage of a first potential difference, immediately followed by (ii) the first electrode being set as positive, and the second electrode being set as negative, to apply a voltage of a second potential difference equal to or more than the first potential difference.

Abstract: A fastening body structure having a screw member which uses a module screw having a countersunk head and also uses, together with the module screw, a washer made of a shape memory alloy. With this structure, the washer does not expand even if subjected to large fastening force in fastening of a part to be fastened and in which the washer can be easily removed when the screw fastening is released. The fastening body structure fastens and fixes a desired part to the installation section by using the screw member having the module screw and the washer made of a shape memory alloy. The module screw has a male screw used as a pair with a female screw thread section formed in the installation section, and also has the countersunk head. The washer made of a shape memory alloy has an inner diameter corresponding to the module screw. An irregular surface section is formed on a slope surface at the lower part of the head of the module screw or on that surface of the washer makes contact with the screw.

Abstract: A three-dimensional puzzle which forms a regular polyhedron and has not conventionally existed is realized. In addition, a three-dimensional puzzle which realizes a Fedrov space filling solid and has not conventionally existed is realized. According to the invention, a three-dimensional puzzle is provided having a regular polyhedron consisting of a plurality of convex polyhedrons which fill an interior of the regular polyhedron comprising the plurality of convex polyhedrons having a plurality of a pair of convex polyhedrons in a mirroring image relationship, wherein the plurality of convex polyhedrons are indivisible into two or more congruent shaped polyhedrons. In addition, the plurality of convex polyhedrons may be four convex polyhedrons and include three pairs of convex polyhedrons in a mirroring image relationship. Further the plurality of convex polyhedrons may be five convex polyhedrons and include four pairs of convex polyhedrons in a mirroring image relationship.

Abstract: A transparent conductive film containing magnesium, at least one element (A) selected from the group consisting of carbon, silicon and boron, plus oxygen, and hydrogen. For example, this transparent conductive film may be manufactured by forming a film containing magnesium and an element (A) on a substrate and holding the film in an atmosphere containing water, which forming uses a target containing magnesium and a target containing the element (A) being at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon, silicon and boron.

Abstract: By using a ceramics laser medium such as Nd:YAG ceramics or Yb:YAG ceramics, division of a lateral mode pattern to a local mode is suppressed so that single frequency, linear polarization oscillation are achieved in TEM00 mode. A laser oscillator comprising a laser light source for oscillating the pumping light, and a laser medium of Nd:YAG ceramics or Yb:YAG ceramics having an average grain size of 5 ?m or less upon which the pumping light impinges is provided. The laser medium may have a first surface having a first dielectric multilayer film, and a second surface having a second dielectric multilayer film.

Abstract: A stent includes a stent body of a cylindrical configuration having outer and inner surfaces, a first coated layer coating at least the outer surface, and a second coated layer coating substantially completely over the first coated layer. The first coated layer is prepared of a first composition comprising a polymer and a vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor (preferably argatroban) of a kind, which does not inhibit proliferation of endothelial cells, the weight compositional ratio of the polymer to the inhibitor being within the range of 8:2 to 3:7. On the other hand, the second coated layer is prepared of a polymer alone or a second composition comprising a polymer and a drug, the weight compositional ratio of the drug to 80% by weight of the polymer being less than 20% by weight.

Abstract: Carbonyl compounds generated and accumulated in the peritoneal dialysate can be inactivated or eliminated by a carbonyl compound-trapping agent such as aminoguanidine. Carbonyl compounds generated during sterilization and storage of the peritoneal dialysate can be eliminated by pre-contacting with the trapping agent. Further, it is possible to eliminate carbonyl compounds transferred from the blood to the peritoneal cavity of the patient during peritoneal dialysis treatment, by adding the trapping agent to the peritoneal dialysate or by circulating the fluid through a carbonyl compound-trapping cartridge. Intraperitoneal protein modification by carbonyl compounds is inhibited by the present invention, thereby sufficiently reducing peritoneal disorders associated with peritoneal dialysis treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides (1) an agent for the prevention or treatment of an estrogen receptor-negative and HER2-negative breast cancer comprising an Akt inhibitor, (2) an agent for the prevention or treatment of an estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative breast cancer comprising an Akt inhibitor, (3) a method of screening an agent for the prevention or treatment of a breast cancer which is negative for hormone receptors such as an estrogen receptor, a progesterone receptor, etc. and is negative for HER2, which comprises using an Akt inhibitory activity as an indicator; and so on.

Abstract: A pressure source material is loaded into a space having constraint device 1, which is formed partly by optically transparent material 1a, 1b, and is disrupted under volume constraint. Light energy is externally supplied to the pressure source material constrained in the space through the optically transparent material by employing the device to apply light energy. The disruption of atomic bonds in the pressure source material is induced by heating the pressure source material above the boiling point thereof through the supplied energy. Exceptionally high pressures are generated in the space by the use of expansive forces arising from the disruption of atomic bonds. Such a configuration can implement ultrahigh pressure abilities that has not been achieved, so far.

Abstract: A screw attachment (10, 10?, 10?) disposed around a fastening piece (17) secured to a main fastening body (25a), the screw attachment sandwiched between a head (17b) of the fastening piece and a securing object (22) so that the screw attachment bears a securing force of the fastening piece to press the securing object. The screw attachment includes a pair of arms (12, 13) made of a shape restoring material. Each arm has a fore end, and the fore ends are joined to each other with an adhesive material that is softened when heated. The arms expands radially such that the screw attachment is released from the head of the fastening piece when heat or force is applied to the arms.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a functional thin tube device in which a pump and a liquid drawing device are constituted to be not separate without a sophisticated channel design and to correspond to various applications. A functional thin tube device includes a hollow tubular body, a plurality of vibrating ring bodies mounted as being kept in contact with the tubular body spaced an interval along an axial direction on an outer circumference of the tubular body, and an energy supply means of energy for vibrating the vibrating ring bodies. The energy supply means is constituted to supply energy such that the displacement caused by vibrations is mutually different among the vibrating ring bodies.

Abstract: A velocity-image creating unit creates a velocity image that indicates a distribution of velocity components with respect to each of a plurality of images obtained by repeating a plurality of number of times Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) that is capable of obtaining velocity components of a Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) flowing inside a subject. A velocity-variance image creating unit calculates variance of velocity components along the time sequence by same position on velocity images by using a plurality of created velocity images. A superimposed-image processing unit then superimposes the distribution of the variance of the velocity components according to the velocity-variance image on an average absolute-value image, and an image display unit displays a superimposed image.

Abstract: Highly polymerizable diamine compounds having a phosphorylcholine group are disclosed. High-molecular weight polymers are obtained from the highly polymerizable diamine compound having a phosphorylcholine group as a monomer, and the polymers have improved mechanical strength, water resistance and heat resistance while maintaining excellent biocompatibility and processability of MPC polymers. Processes for producing the polymers are disclosed. The diamine compounds having a phosphorylcholine group are represented by Formula (I). The polymers contain at least 1 mol % of a specific structural unit with a phosphorylcholine group represented by Formula (II) and have a number average molecular weight of not less than 5,000. In the processes, the diamine compound is used as a monomer.