Abstract: [Object] Provided are a 11C-labeled acyclic retinoid that can be synthesized in a short time with a high yield and can be suitably used for PET for elucidating intracerebral kinetics, a PET probe using it, and methods for producing them. [Solution] The 11C-labeled acyclic retinoid of the present invention is characterized by being represented by the following chemical formula (a). This compound can be produced by a coupling step of cross-coupling a methyl iodide labelled with 11C and the following organotin compound (b) (provided that in the formula, R1 and R2 represent alkyl groups which may have a branch) in an aprotic solvent in the presence of a palladium complex, a phosphine ligand, and a cuprous halide.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element that includes: a piezoelectric ceramic containing, as a main component thereof, a composite oxide having a perovskite crystal structure; a first electrode on a first face of the piezoelectric ceramic; and a second electrode on a second face of the piezoelectric ceramic opposite the first face. The piezoelectric ceramic mainly has a rhombohedral crystal structure. The crystal axis of the piezoelectric ceramic is {100} oriented, and the direction of the {100} orientation is orthogonal to the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode face each other.

Abstract: An air pump system includes a pump, a main valve device, and a distribution valve device connected between the pump and the main valve device, that includes a first portion forming a first chamber and a second portion forming a second chamber. The first portion includes a first free port to fluidly couple the first chamber with the pump, a first connection port to fluidly couple the first chamber with the main valve device, a second connection port to fluidly couple the first chamber with an outside of the distribution valve device, and a first valve switch. The second portion includes a second free port to fluidly couple the second chamber with the pump, a third connection port to fluidly couple the second chamber with the main valve device, a fourth connection port to fluidly couple the second chamber with the outside, and a second valve switch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method comprising acquiring a value relating to VEGF-A of a subject, wherein the value is a measured value of total VEGF-A in a blood sample, or a value obtained by dividing a measured value of VEGF-A165b in the blood sample by a measured value of total VEGF-A in the blood sample (VEGF-A165b/total VEGF-A), and the value suggests prognosis of myocardial infarction of the subject or severity of coronary artery disease of the subject.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of suppressing propagation of a crack caused by a temperature cycle at a bonding part between a bonding pad and a bonding wire is provided. A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a semiconductor chip having bonding pads and bonding wires. The bonding pad includes a barrier layer and a bonding layer formed on the barrier layer and formed of a material containing aluminum. The bonding wire is bonded to the bonding pad and formed of a material containing copper. An intermetallic compound layer formed of an intermetallic compound containing copper and aluminum is formed so as to reach the barrier layer from the bonding wire in at least a part of the bonding part between the bonding pad and the bonding wire.

Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a spool that strokes to one side in the direction of an axis due to the conduction of current to a coil, a spring that urges the spool to the other side in the axis direction, a control device for controlling the conduction of the current to the coil, a determination unit for determining the start of a foreign substance removing operation by the spool, a command value setting unit for setting a command value for the current conducted to the coil, and a dither current setting unit for setting a dither current superimposed on the command value. When the determination unit determines the start of the foreign substance removing operation, the dither current setting unit changes an oscillation frequency of the dither current to an oscillation frequency lower than the frequency at the current point in time, and the command value setting unit periodically increases and reduces the command value on which the changed oscillation frequency is superimposed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of suppressing propagation of a crack caused by a temperature cycle at a bonding part between a bonding pad and a bonding wire is provided. A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a semiconductor chip having bonding pads and bonding wires. The bonding pad includes a barrier layer and a bonding layer formed on the barrier layer and formed of a material containing aluminum. The bonding wire is bonded to the bonding pad and formed of a material containing copper. An intermetallic compound layer formed of an intermetallic compound containing copper and aluminum is formed so as to reach the barrier layer from the bonding wire in at least a part of the bonding part between the bonding pad and the bonding wire.

Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a spool that strokes to one side in the direction of an axis due to the conduction of current to a coil, a spring that urges the spool to the other side in the axis direction, a control device for controlling the conduction of the current to the coil, a determination unit for determining the start of a foreign substance removing operation by the spool, a command value setting unit for setting a command value for the current conducted to the coil, and a dither current setting unit for setting a dither current superimposed on the command value. When the determination unit determines the start of the foreign substance removing operation, the dither current setting unit changes an oscillation frequency of the dither current to an oscillation frequency lower than the frequency at the current point in time, and the command value setting unit periodically increases and reduces the command value on which the changed oscillation frequency is superimposed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method comprising acquiring a value relating to VEGF-A of a subject, wherein the value is a measured value of total VEGF-A in a blood sample, or a value obtained by dividing a measured value of VEGF-A165b in the blood sample by a measured value of total VEGF-A in the blood sample (VEGF-A165b/total VEGF-A), and the value suggests prognosis of myocardial infarction of the subject or severity of coronary artery disease of the subject.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic that contains an alkali niobate compound as its main ingredient. The alkali niobate compound has a perovskite crystal structure represented by AmBO3 and contains an alkali metal. There exists Sn in part of site A, and Zr in part of site B. A radial distribution function obtained from a K-edge X-ray absorption spectrum of Sn has a first peak intensity P1 at a first distance from a Sn atom and a second peak intensity P2 at a second distance from the Sn atom. The second distance is greater than the first distance, and the peak intensity ratio P1/P2 is 2.7 or less.

Abstract: A multilayer sintered body having alternately stacked Ni-based inner electrodes and piezoelectric ceramic layers. The piezoelectric ceramic layers contain a main ingredient of a perovskite compound containing Nb, K, Na, and Li, at least one element M1 selected from Nd and Dy, and at least one element M2 selected from Ga and Al. The element M2 content is 0.071 parts by mole or less per 1 part by mole of the Nb in a solution obtained through a dissolution process. This multilayer piezoelectric ceramic electronic component is manufactured through the cofiring of conductive films as a precursor of the inner electrodes and ceramic green sheets as a precursor of the piezoelectric ceramic layers in a reducing atmosphere in which the oxidation of Ni is inhibited.

Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrating diaphragm pump capable of increasing pump efficiency by increasing the vibration amplitude of the vibration of diaphragms even when the pressure inside a compression chamber is high. Diaphragms are fixed to both end portions of an oscillator having magnets. AC driven electromagnets are provided in a manner to face the magnets of the oscillator. A frame adhered to the outer peripheries of the diaphragms covers the electromagnet side, and pump casings cover the opposite sides. The pump casing includes a compression chamber adjacent to the diaphragm, a suction chamber connected to the compression chamber via a suction valve and an exhaust chamber connected to the compression chamber via an exhaust valve, the suction chamber or the exhaust chamber being connected to the frame via a continuous hole.

Abstract: Structure of control valve body of automatic transmission has valve body enclosures having channels on opposing surfaces thereof; a separate plate sandwiched between the valve body enclosures for defining oil passages on both sides of the separate plate; and an orifice provided at the separate plate. The oil passages on both sides of the separate plate, which are upstream and downstream side oil passages located on upstream and downstream sides of the separate plate, communicate with each other through the orifice. Depth h, in a part facing to the orifice, of the channel corresponding to the downstream side oil passage is set to be shallower than depth of the channel corresponding to the upstream side oil passage, and the depth h of the channel in the part facing to the orifice and a diameter d of the orifice are set so as to satisfy relationship of h?3d.

Abstract: Structure of control valve body of automatic transmission has valve body enclosures having channels on opposing surfaces thereof; a separate plate sandwiched between the valve body enclosures for defining oil passages on both sides of the separate plate; and an orifice provided at the separate plate. The oil passages on both sides of the separate plate, which are upstream and downstream side oil passages located on upstream and downstream sides of the separate plate, communicate with each other through the orifice. Depth h, in a part facing to the orifice, of the channel corresponding to the downstream side oil passage is set to be shallower than depth of the channel corresponding to the upstream side oil passage, and the depth h of the channel in the part facing to the orifice and a diameter d of the orifice are set so as to satisfy relationship of h?3d.

Abstract: There is provided an electromagnetically driven fluid pump. Even if deviation of a center plate from the diaphragm arises, centering of the center plate is carried out during the work for setting the center plate to an oscillator. The diaphragm and the center plate are fixed to the oscillator by means of a screw member, the diaphragm has a rising portion fitting to a through-hole at the center of the center plate, and the center plate has a ring-shaped rib on its surface where the screw member is inserted. The screw member is formed integrally with a washer portion and a diameter of the washer portion is nearly the same as an inner diameter of a bottom surface of the rib and the washer portion is formed so as to press a part of the rib in the case of maximum deviation of the center plate from the diaphragm.

Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrating diaphragm pump enabling improvement of working efficiency in fitting center plates to a diaphragm, reduction of production cost and stabilization of performance between products. The disk-like second plate includes the cruciform rising portion having the concave portions, and the second ring rib. The first ring rib is formed at the center of the surface of the disk-like first plate coming into contact with the diaphragm, and a fitting groove provided with convex portions to be press-fitted to the concave portions is formed by this first ring rib. The diaphragm has the protrusions for preventing the diaphragm from being pressed out on the periphery of the through-hole at its center, and the protrusions are engaged with the ring ribs from the circumference of the protrusion.

Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrating diaphragm pump is provided which is safe even when a diaphragm of a diaphragm pump is damaged and liquid or flammable gas penetrates an electromagnetic drive. An electromagnet coil container containing electromagnet coils in an airtight manner is further provided inside a casing, preventing fluid which has penetrated into the space outside the electromagnet coil container from penetrating into the space inside the electromagnet coil container. The electromagnet coil container has a passage formed for an oscillator to move in reciprocation and the passage is formed of a partition wall outside the container. The electromagnetic coil container is configured to prevent fluid which has penetrated into the space inside the passage from penetrating into the space inside the electromagnet coil container.

Abstract: A multilayer sintered body having alternately stacked Ni-based inner electrodes and piezoelectric ceramic layers. The piezoelectric ceramic layers contain a main ingredient of a perovskite compound containing Nb, K, Na, and Li, at least one element M1 selected from Nd and Dy, and at least one element M2 selected from Ga and Al. The element M2 content is 0.071 parts by mole or less per 1 part by mole of the Nb in a solution obtained through a dissolution process. This multilayer piezoelectric ceramic electronic component is manufactured through the cofiring of conductive films as a precursor of the inner electrodes and ceramic green sheets as a precursor of the piezoelectric ceramic layers in a reducing atmosphere in which the oxidation of Ni is inhibited.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic that contains an alkali niobate compound as its main ingredient. The alkali niobate compound has a perovskite crystal structure represented by AmBO3 and contains an alkali metal. There exists Sn in part of site A, and Zr in part of site B. A radial distribution function obtained from a K-edge X-ray absorption spectrum of Sn has a first peak intensity P1 at a first distance from a Sn atom and a second peak intensity P2 at a second distance from the Sn atom. The second distance is greater than the first distance, and the peak intensity ratio P1/P2 is 2.7 or less.

Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrating diaphragm pump is provided with a draining structure which can easily drain water flowed into the pump without a separate member preventing inflow of water. A first communicating passage is formed at a bottom end of a partition wall between a suction chamber and a compression chamber. A bottom portion inside the suction chamber slopes down toward the passage, making its compression chamber side lower than the suction chamber side. A second communicating passage is formed at a bottom end of a partition wall between an exhaust chamber and the compression chamber. A bottom portion inside the compression chamber slopes down toward the passage, making its exhaust chamber side lower than the compression chamber side. A bottom portion inside the exhaust chamber slopes down toward the exhaust port to make the exhaust port side lower. The exhaust port slopes down to make an outlet side thereof lower.