Abstract: A cutout part is formed at the approximate center of the connecting member. The cutout part in the connecting member is a circular penetrating hole that penetrates a convex part and a main body part. On the side of a lower surface of the connecting member, the convex part is formed around the cutout part. The convex part includes a tapered part and a rib. The tapered part gradually inclines in the direction toward the center from the side of the main body part (the side of the base part of the convex part) to the tip side (the side of the top part thereof). The rib part is formed on the edge part of the cutout part, which is the top part of the tapered part. The rib part is a part that protrudes downward from the top part of the tapered part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means effective for bone regeneration or bone augmentation. Provided is a method of bone regeneration or bone augmentation, comprising: implanting a porous composite at a site in need of the bone regeneration or bone augmentation, and administering parathyroid hormone (PTH) to a subject in need of the bone regeneration or bone augmentation, wherein the porous composite comprises calcium phosphate.

Abstract: An object detection apparatus is arranged to detect the distance to the object and includes: a transceiver repeatedly transmitting a wave as an ultrasonic wave and receives a reflection wave of the transmission wave; a transmission controller controlling the transceiver to transmit the transmission wave; a distance calculator calculating a distance to the object, based on a time interval from a moment when the transceiver transmits the wave to a moment when the reflection wave is received; and a transmission timing controller controlling timing at which the transmission controller controls the transmission wave to be transmitted. Moreover, the transmission timing controller inserts at least one type of temporary waiting time between a transmission/reception period in which the transceiver transmits the transmission wave and receives the reflection wave and a next transmission/reception period, when a predetermined crosstalk identification condition is established based on the distance to the object.

Abstract: Provided is a lead-free piezoelectric material having satisfactory piezoelectric constant and mechanical quality factor in a device driving temperature range (?30° C. to 50° C.) The piezoelectric material includes a main component containing a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula 1, a first auxiliary component composed of Mn, and a second auxiliary component composed of Bi or Bi and Li. The content of Mn is 0.040 parts by weight or more and 0.500 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide on a metal basis. The content of Bi is 0.042 parts by weight or more and 0.850 parts by weight or less and the content of Li is 0.028 parts by weight or less (including 0 parts by weight) based on 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide on a metal basis. (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3 . . . (1), wherein, 0.030?x<0.090, 0.030?y?0.080, and 0.9860?a?1.0200.

Abstract: Provided is a lead-free piezoelectric material having satisfactory and stable piezoelectric constant and mechanical quality factor in a wide practical use temperature range. The piezoelectric material includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1): (Ba1?xCax)a(Ti1?yZry)O3 (wherein, 1.00?a?1.01, 0.125?x?0.300, and 0.041?y?0.074), Mn, and Mg. The content of Mn is 0.12 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the perovskite-type metal oxide on a metal basis. The content of Mg is 0.10 parts by weight or less (excluding 0 part by weight) based on 100 parts by weight of the perovskite-type metal oxide on a metal basis.

Abstract: A lateral distance sensor diagnosis apparatus cooperating with a lateral distance sensor in a vehicle includes a travel enabled distance acquisition section and a diagnosis test section. The travel enabled distance acquisition section determines whether the vehicle is estimated to have contact with an object detected by the lateral distance sensor, based on a distance detected by the lateral distance sensor and a present steering angle. When determining that the vehicle is estimated to have contact with the detected object, the travel enabled distance acquisition section acquires a travel enabled distance based on a distance detected by the lateral distance sensor. The diagnosis test section determines that the lateral distance sensor fails to operate normally when a movement distance becomes greater than the travel enabled distance under state where the steering angle is an angle causing the vehicle to have contact with an object detected by the lateral distance sensor.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric material not containing any lead component, having stable piezoelectric characteristics in an operating temperature range, a high mechanical quality factor, and satisfactory piezoelectric characteristics. The piezoelectric material includes a main component containing a perovskite-type metal oxide that can be expressed using the following general formula (1), and subcomponents containing Mn, Li, and Bi. When the metal oxide is 100 parts by weight, the content of Mn on a metal basis is not less than 0.04 parts by weight and is not greater than 0.36 parts by weight, content ? of Li on a metal basis is not less than 0.0013 parts by weight and is not greater than 0.0280 parts by weight, and content ? of Bi on a metal basis is not less than 0.042 parts by weight and is not greater than 0.850 parts by weight (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-y-zZrySnz)O3??(1) (in the formula (1), 0.09?x?0.30, 0.074<y?0.085, 0?z?0.02, and 0.986?a?1.02).

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head configured to eject liquid onto a medium, a mounting portion on which a liquid collection container including an absorber that absorbs liquid is removably mounted, a liquid receiving portion configured to receive the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting head, and a relay portion located in a region communicating with the liquid receiving portion. The relay portion is located at a position in contact with the absorber of the liquid collection container mounted in the mounting portion.

Abstract: A beam reinforcing metallic material includes a welding surface, a counter-flange-part surface, a contacting surface, a protrusion, and the like. The beam reinforcing material is a member that is made of metal such as steel for example. The beam reinforcing metallic material is not plate shaped but has a three dimensional shape. More particularly, the cross-sectional shape varies from the edge parts toward the center part in longitudinal direction. The cross section (cross-sectional area) of the center part of the beam reinforcing metallic material in longitudinal direction is larger than the cross sections (cross-sectional areas) of the both end parts. Increasing the cross-sectional area of the vicinity of the center part of the beam reinforcing metallic material allows the part that receives maximum stress to securely obtain the flexural strength when the beam reinforcing metallic material is fixed to the beam.

Abstract: A beam is an H-shaped steel having flange parts above and under a web part. A through hole is formed on web part to let pipes and the like pass through. A ring beam reinforcing metallic material is disposed through hole. A beam reinforcing metallic material is disposed along the upper and lower flange parts at positions away from the through hole. The beam reinforcing metallic material on the front surface of the web part (opposite side of a flange of the ring beam reinforcing metallic material). The beam reinforcing metallic material in a direction in which a counter-flange surface of the beam reinforcing metallic material faces the flange part. A contacting surface is in contact with web part and is fixed to the web part with a welded section. At this time, the welded section is formed up to the height to which an angle varying part is covered.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic includes: a metal oxide represented by General Formula (1); and 0.04 parts by weight or more and 0.36 parts by weight or less of Mn and 0.042 parts by weight or more and 0.850 parts by weight or less of Bi on a metal basis relative to 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide, wherein the piezoelectric ceramic includes a plurality of first crystal grains having a perovskite structure, and a plurality of second crystal grains provided at a grain boundary between the first crystal grains and having a crystal structure different from that of the first crystal grain, and the second crystal grain mainly contains at least one metal oxide selected from Ba4Ti12O27 and Ba6Ti17O40. (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3??(1) (where 0.09?x?0.30, 0.025?y?0.085, 0.986?a?1.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nerve regeneration-inducing tube with excellent pressure resistance, shape recovery property, anti-kink property, film exfoliation resistance, resistance to invasion of outer tissues, and leakage resistance. The tubular body is formed by weaving together fibers made up of biodegradable polymer. The outer surface of the tubular body is coated multiple times with a collagen solution. The lumen of the tubular body is filled with collagen. Viscosity of the collagen solution that is first applied to the outer surface of the tubular body is between 2 to 800 cps. Viscosity of the collagen solution that is subsequently applied is higher than viscosity of the first applied collagen solution.

Abstract: A ceramic powder contains a metal oxide represented by the following general formula (1). The ceramic powder has a single perovskite-type crystal phase. The ceramic powder is composed of particles having an average equivalent circular diameter in the range of 100 nm or more and less than 1000 nm and has a ratio c1/a1 in the range of 1.000?c1/a1?1.010, wherein c1 and a1 denote the c-axis length and a-axis length, respectively, of unit cells of the perovskite-type metal oxide, c1 being greater than or equal to a1. formula (1)(Ba1-xCax)?(Ti1-y-zZryMnz)O3(0.9900???1.0100, 0.125?x?0.300, 0.020?y?0.095, 0.003?z?0.016).

Abstract: Provided is a vibrator and an ultrasonic motor that are capable of exhibiting a sufficient drive speed even when a lead-free piezoelectric ceramics is used. The ultrasonic motor includes an annular vibrator and an annular moving member arranged so as to be brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The piezoelectric ceramic piece contains lead in a content of less than 1,000 ppm. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, at least one non-drive phase electrode, and at least one detection phase electrode.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic motor including an annular vibrator and an annular moving member that is brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular lead-free piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, one or more non-drive phase electrodes, and one or more detection phase electrodes. A second surface of the vibrating plate includes a plurality of groove regions extending radially, and the depths of the groove regions change in a circumferential direction along a curve obtained by superimposing one or more sine waves on one another. The ultrasonic motor exhibits a sufficient drive speed while suppressing generation of an unnecessary vibration wave.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic motor including an annular vibrator and an annular moving member that is brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular lead-free piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, one or more non-drive phase electrodes, and one or more detection phase electrodes. A second surface of the vibrating plate includes a plurality of groove regions extending radially, and the depths of the groove regions change in a circumferential direction along a curve obtained by superimposing one or more sine waves on one another. The ultrasonic motor exhibits a sufficient drive speed while suppressing generation of an unnecessary vibration wave.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic motor and a drive control system and the like using the ultrasonic motor. The ultrasonic motor includes an annular vibrator and an annular moving member arranged so as to be brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The piezoelectric ceramic piece contains lead in a content of less than 1,000 ppm. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, one or more non-drive phase electrodes, and one or more detection phase electrodes.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic contains a main component, Mn as a first auxiliary component, and a second auxiliary component containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, B, and Si. The main component contains a perovskite metal oxide having the following general formula (1): (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3(0.100?x?0.145,0.010?y?0.039)??(1) The amount b (mol) of Mn per mole of the metal oxide is in the range of 0.0048?b?0.0400, the second auxiliary component content on a metal basis is 0.001 parts by weight or more and 4.000 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide, and the value a of the general formula (1) is in the range of 0.9925+b?a?1.0025+b.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic compatibly represents both an excellent piezoelectric constant and an excellent mechanical quality factor. The piezoelectric ceramic contains a metal oxide expressed by general formula (1) shown below and Mn by not less than 0.04 weight parts and not more than 0.36 weight parts relative to 100 weight parts of the metal oxide in terms of metal. The piezoelectric ceramic includes a plurality of first crystal grains having a perovskite structure and a plurality of second crystal grains existing at grain boundaries between the first crystal grains. The second crystal grains contain at least a metal oxide expressed by general formula (2) shown below: (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3??(1) where 0.09?x?0.30, 0.025?y?0.085 and 0.986?a?1.020; (Ba1-vCav)b(Ti1-wZrw)cOd??(2) where 0?v?1, 0?w?1, 1?b?6, 2?c?19, b+2c?1?d?b+2c and b<c where b, c and d are integers.

Abstract: There is provided a lead-free piezoelectric material having a satisfactory piezoelectric constant and mechanical quality factor in the range of device operating temperatures (from ?30° C. to 50° C.). The piezoelectric material contains a main constituent containing a perovskite-type metal oxide expressed by the general formula (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3, where x, y and a satisfy the 0.030?x<0.090, 0.030?y?0.080, and 0.9860?a?1.0200. The material also contains 0.040 to 0.500 part by weight of Mn, 0.042 to 0.850 part by weight of Bi, 0 to 0.028 part by weight of Li, 0.001 to 4.000 part by weight of a third sub-constituent including at least one of Si and B, and 0.001 to 4.000 parts by weight of Cu, each in terms of element relative to 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide.