Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an antimicrobial and antiviral agent which comprises a naturally occurring component as an active ingredient and is effective against microbes including various classes of fungi and viruses. In one aspect of the present invention, provided is an antimicrobial and antiviral agent comprising Lactobacillus derived from Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii.

Abstract: An antifungal agent derived from an Acidipila bacterium, wherein the antifungal agent inhibits the growth of a filamentous fungus and/or yeast. The Acidipila bacterium may be selected from Acidipila sp. MT3 strain, deposited as NITE BP-03614; Acidipila sp. MT4 strain, deposited as NITE BP-03615; Acidipila sp. MT5 strain, deposited as NITE BP-03616; and Acidipila sp. MT6 strain, deposited as NITE BP-03617.

Abstract: An agent for promoting collagen production, comprising a fermentation product of a Lamiaceae plant.

Abstract: A microorganism culture apparatus includes a three-layer stacked structure having a layered culture unit (1) that cultures a microorganism, a layered nutrient supply unit (2) that is arranged on a first surface (11) of the culture unit (1) and supplies a nutrient to the culture unit (1), and a layered environmental component supply unit (3) that is arranged on a second surface (12) and supplies an environmental component to the culture unit (1).

Abstract: Devices and methods for culturing microorganisms are disclosed. In some aspects, the devices include two frame bodies. The two frame bodies may comprise a first-type frame body and a second-type frame body. The first-type frame body may comprise a first frame body surrounding a first internal space. The first frame body may comprise an inflow passage for a fluid to flow into the first internal space and an outflow passage for the fluid to flow out from the first internal space, the inflow passage and the outflow passage being each provided to be openable and closable. The second-type frame body may comprise a second frame body surrounding a second internal space. In some aspects, the two frame bodies are stackable on each other.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an antimicrobial and antiviral agent which comprises a naturally occurring component as an active ingredient and is effective against microbes including various classes of fungi and viruses. In one aspect of the present invention, provided is an antimicrobial and antiviral agent comprising Lactobacillus derived from Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii.

Abstract: A consumable product having an anti-gram-negative bacterial compound with the amino acid sequence represented by the chemical formula below. Also described is a consumable product having Bacillus subtilis capable of producing a compound having the sequence represented by the chemical formula below. The Bacillus subtilis may be Bacillus subtilis MT2 strain (accession number: NITE BP-02767). Also described are methods of treating enteritis by administering a product as described herein to a patent in need thereof.

Abstract: An agent for modulating expression of a heat shock protein gene, comprising a Lactobacillus sp. derived from Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii or Angelica keiskei. Also described are compositions comprising the same, as well as methods of making and using such agents and compositions.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an antimicrobial and antiviral agent which comprises a naturally occurring component as an active ingredient and is effective against microbes including various classes of fungi and viruses. In one aspect of the present invention, provided is an antimicrobial and antiviral agent comprising Lactobacillus derived from Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator that includes (a) a piezoelectric body made of piezoelectric ceramic, the piezoelectric body having two principal surfaces facing each other and having four side surfaces, (b) external electrodes on the principal surfaces, (c) recessed portions in the four side surfaces, and (d) a coating layer made of resin and provided on the four side surfaces. The coating layer covers the recessed portions in the four side surfaces.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator that includes (a) a piezoelectric body made of piezoelectric ceramic, the piezoelectric body having two principal surfaces facing each other and having four side surfaces, (b) external electrodes on the principal surfaces, (c) recessed portions in the four side surfaces, and (d) a coating layer made of resin and provided on the four side surfaces. The coating layer covers the recessed portions in the four side surfaces.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic substrate includes a firing step wherein low-temperature-sinterable ceramic material contained in green base layers and inorganic material contained in green constraining layers chemically react each other, whereby a reaction layer is formed along an interface between the green base layer and the green constraining layer. The reaction layer acts to enhance a bonding force between the green base layer and the green constraining layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a multilayer ceramic substrate having a cavity with multi-steps therein for mounting an electronic component is provided. A block is inserted into a lower cavity segment of the cavity formed in a green sheet laminate to be the multilayer ceramic substrate, wherein the block has substantially the same three-dimensional shape as that of the cavity segment and has a height equal to or larger than the depth of the cavity segment. Thus, the pressing step is performed in a state such that the cavity has an apparent single step.

Abstract: In a ceramic green-sheet stack to be fired to form a multilayered ceramic substrate having a cavity, a shrinkage-reducing pad is formed along a boundary interface between first ceramic green sheets having an opening for defining a cavity, and second ceramic green sheets having no opening. The shrinkage-reducing pad is exposed on the entire periphery of the inner peripheral surface of the cavity at the bottom end of the inner peripheral surface. The shrinkage-reducing pad contains a glass component, and serves to reduce shrinkage stress produced at the boundary interface between the first and second ceramic green sheets during the firing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for readily and efficiently manufacturing a ceramic substrate having an excellent dimensional accuracy and small degree of warp comprising the steps of: preparing a non-sintered multilayer ceramic body formed by laminating ceramic layers and conductor layers; forming a multilayer ceramic body with constraint layers by adhering a first constraint layer and a second constraint layer on one major surface and the other major surface, respectively, of the multilayer ceramic body, the first and second constraint layers being prepared by dispersing a ceramic powder that is not sintered under the sintering condition of the multilayer ceramic body; firing the multilayer ceramic body with the constraint layers under the firing condition of the multilayer ceramic body; and removing the first constraint layer and the second constraint layer after sintering the multilayer ceramic body, wherein the thickness of the first constraint layer is made to be larger than the thickness of the

Abstract: A method for fabricating a multilayer ceramic substrate having a cavity with multi-steps therein for mounting an electronic component is provided. A block is inserted into a lower cavity segment of the cavity formed in a green sheet laminate to be the multilayer ceramic substrate, wherein the block has substantially the same three-dimensional shape as that of the cavity segment and has a height equal to or larger than the depth of the cavity segment. Thus, the pressing step is performed in a state such that the cavity has an apparent single step.

Abstract: A composite monolithic electronic component has a laminate including a base layer having a relative dielectric coefficient of about 10 or less and a functional layer which is at least one of a high-dielectric-coefficient layer having a relative dielectric coefficient of about 15 or more and a magnetic layer. The base layer contains a crystallized glass containing SiO2, MgO, Al2O3 and B2O3, and a ceramic oxide having a thermal expansion coefficient of about 6.0 ppm/°C. or more. The functional layer contains an amorphous glass having a softening point of about 800° C. or less.

Abstract: A glass ceramic multilayer circuit board uses Ag as a conductive material, in which oxidation and diffusion of silver are suppressed. The glass ceramic multilayer circuit board is formed by stacking glass ceramic layers and conductor layers, and then simultaneously burning the layered product. The glass ceramic layers are made of a glass ceramic insulating material which is composed of a glass component and a ceramic component, and to which a metal powder of Cu, Ni or the like is added.

Abstract: In a ceramic green-sheet stack to be fired to form a multilayered ceramic substrate having a cavity, a shrinkage-reducing pad is formed along a boundary interface between first ceramic green sheets having an opening for defining a cavity, and second ceramic green sheets having no opening. The shrinkage-reducing pad is exposed on the entire periphery of the inner peripheral surface of the cavity at the bottom end of the inner peripheral surface. The shrinkage-reducing pad contains a glass component, and serves to reduce shrinkage stress produced at the boundary interface between the first and second ceramic green sheets during the firing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for readily and efficiently manufacturing a ceramic substrate having an excellent dimensional accuracy and small degree of warp comprising the steps of: preparing a non-sintered multilayer ceramic body formed by laminating ceramic layers and conductor layers; forming a multilayer ceramic body-with constraint layers by adhering a first constraint layer and a second constraint layer on one major surface and the other major surface, respectively, of the multilayer ceramic body, the first and second constraint layers being prepared by dispersing a ceramic powder that is not sintered under the sintering condition of the multilayer ceramic body; firing the multilayer ceramic body with the constraint layers under the firing condition of the multilayer ceramic body; and removing the first constraint layer and the second constraint layer after sintering the multilayer ceramic body, wherein the thickness of the first constraint layer is made to be larger than the thickness of the