Abstract: A conduit switching device includes a body, an endoscope connection port, a fluid supply port, a fluid suction port, a first conduit in the body and the fluid supply port, a second conduit in the body and the fluid suction port, a common conduit in the body and the endoscope connection port, and a switching mechanism configured to be switched between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first conduit communicates with the common conduit, and the second conduit does not communicate with the common conduit. In the second state, the first conduit does not communicate with the common conduit, and the second conduit communicates with the common conduit.

Abstract: A welding burn remover includes: a mover including a movable body to which a support of an electrolytic end effector is attached and at least one actuator that moves the movable body; and processing circuitry configured to control the actuator. The processing circuitry is configured to execute an electrolytic treatment in which the processing circuitry controls the actuator to slide an electrode on a welding burn portion of a welded workpiece through a short-circuit prevention cover while controlling a pump to supply an electrolytic solution to a boundary by an electrolytic solution feeder. The support of the electrolytic end effector includes: a base attached to the movable body of the mover; and a coupler connecting the electrode to the base such that the electrode is angularly displaceable relative to the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phytic acid ester derivative and a use thereof. The phytic acid ester derivative of the present invention has a structure of the following formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11 and R12 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, the following formula II: wherein —CH2— is optionally substituted by one or two substituents, the following formula III: wherein —CH2—C6H4— is optionally substituted by one or more substituents, and the following formula IV: wherein —CH2—CH2— is optionally substituted by one or more substituents, provided that a compound where all of R1 to R12 are H is excluded.

Abstract: A steering angle restricting device includes an input shaft that is rotated when a steering wheel is turned, a first member that includes a first base which surrounds the input shaft and is capable of rotating together with the input shaft, and a first protrusion that protrudes in the radial direction or in the axial direction from the first base, a second member that includes a second base that surrounds the first base, and a second protrusion that protrudes from the second base and on the trajectory of the first protrusion. The second member is capable of rotating together with the first member only in the state in which the first protrusion is abutting the second protrusion, and a stopper that is provided on the trajectory of the second protrusion and is capable of restricting the turning of the steering wheel via the input shaft when the second protrusion abuts.

Abstract: A terminal plating material includes a metallic base that contains copper or a copper alloy, and a carbon composite silver plating layer that disposed on the metallic base and contains either silver or a silver alloy and carbon.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fan, a duct including an air intake port, an air discharge port, and a body portion having a tubular shape and forming an air passage through which air taken in through the air intake port is flown to the air discharge port, the body portion including a holed wall portion to which a plurality of through holes are formed, the plurality of through holes being passed through between an inner surface, forming the air passage, of the holed wall portion and an outer surface, that is on an opposite side from the inner surface, of the holed wall portion, and a noise absorbing member attached to the outer surface of the holed wall portion so as to cover the plurality of through holes, the noise absorbing member having a noise absorbing property.

Abstract: Provided is a method for improving the yield of a harvested product of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the families Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae. A method for cultivating at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the families Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae comprises applying a plant-vitalizing agent comprising an exogenous elicitor and an endogenous elicitor to a young seedling of the plant at least one time.

Abstract: An action recognition system includes a controller that computes, in a time division manner, a plurality of feature vectors using as feature quantities information of a machine with respect to running that varies in a time sequence, generates a classification model by classifying the feature vectors into a plurality of clusters and allocating identification IDs to the clusters, generates an ID pattern model by allocating the identification IDs to the feature vectors computed in the time division manner on the basis of the classification model and associating a pattern of the identification IDs that vary in a time sequence according to a predetermined action of the machine with identification information of the predetermined action, generates output information for recognizing the predetermined action on the basis of changes in the identification IDs in the time sequence and the ID pattern model, and controls the display device to output the output information.

Abstract: A sprocket support comprises at least ten internal spline teeth configured to engage with a bicycle hub assembly. The at least ten internal spline teeth of the sprocket support includes at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces. The at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces each include a radially outermost edge and a radially innermost edge. A radial length is defined from the radially outermost edge to the radially innermost edge. A total of the radial lengths of the at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces is equal to or larger than 7 mm. At least one internal-spline driving surface of the at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces has a first internal-spline-surface angle defined between the at least one internal-spline driving surface of the at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces and a first radial line. The first internal-spline-surface angle ranges from 0 degree to 10 degrees.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus has an objective variable acquirer configured to acquire a multi-dimensional objective variable, an objective variable dimension compressor configured to compress the number of dimensions of the objective variable, an explanatory variable acquirer configured to acquire an explanatory variable, and an influence degree calculator configured to set at least one of a basis characterizing the objective variable and a coefficient weighting the basis as a new objective variable and calculate an influence degree on the new objective variable by using the explanatory variable.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a substrate processing apparatus includes a processing tank configured to store a chemical solution for processing a substrate by immersion in a chemical solution. The substrate is held by a holding member during the processing. A lid is configured to open and close an upper end portion of the processing tank. The lid has a first bubble dispensing pipe formed or integrated therein. The first bubble dispensing pipe is configured to dispense a gas into the processing tank. A bottom surface side of the lid on a processing tank side may come into direct contact with the chemical solution in some examples. The first bubble dispensing pipe may dispense an inert gas into the chemical solution to improve process stability or the like.

Abstract: A device for measuring an intraocular pressure that includes: a pressure sensor configured to measure the intraocular pressure; an ultrasonic transducer electrically coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to receive ultrasonic waves and emit ultrasonic backscatter encoding a pressure measured by the pressure sensor, and a substrate attached to the pressure sensor and the ultrasonic transducer, and configured to interface a surface on or within an eye.

Abstract: A rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a lock device. The lock device includes a first lock member, a second lock member, and a biasing member. The first lock member includes a first axial end and a second axial end. The second lock member includes a third axial end and a fourth axial end. The fourth axial end has at least one radial projection configured to abut against the first sprocket in the axial direction in a mounting state. The biasing member is disposed between the first sprocket and the at least one radial projection in the axial direction in the assembled state to bias the first sprocket and the at least one radial projection in a biasing direction in which the first sprocket and the at least one radial projection are separated from each other.

Abstract: The invention suppresses hysteresis. A relief valve switching between whether to discharge oil through movement of a valve body includes: a first spacing part, in which the valve body moves; a second space part, connected with the first space part and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first space part; an elastic body, connected with the valve body; a seal part, disposed in a circumferential direction of the valve body; and a third space part, formed in the first space part.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a hole through a first film; forming a semiconductor layer along a side surface of the hole; forming a second film overlaying a first region of the semiconductor layer; forming a third film along a side surface of a second region of the semiconductor layer that is above the first region; removing the second film to expose a side surface of the first region; forming a fourth film containing a plurality of first atoms and disposed along the side surface of the first region of the semiconductor layer; and diffusing the first atoms into the first region of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A rear hub thru-axle is provided for a human powered vehicle. The rear hub thru-axle is basically provided with a first axle portion and a second axle portion. The first axle portion has a first hollow interior passage defining a first interior dimension. The second axle portion has a second hollow interior passage defining a second interior dimension. The first axle portion is connected to the second axle portion in an axial direction with respect to the rear thru-axle. The first interior dimension of the first hollow interior passage is larger than the second interior dimension of the second hollow interior passage.

Abstract: An estimation system estimates the arrangement of objects. The estimation system includes an estimation unit. The estimation unit obtains information related to an arrangement pattern of the objects as first information and obtains, from wireless devices respectively connected to the objects, information including response times between the wireless devices as second information to estimate the arrangement of the objects based on the first information and the second information.

Abstract: A construction site management device receives operation information indicating an operation content of a loading machine, and positional information sent from a haulage vehicle; stores a positional history, and stores an operation history. The operation history includes a content of work of the loading machine performed in a work area and information of time when the work has been performed. Haulage history indicates when the haulage vehicle has entered the work area, and loading history indicates the time when the loading machine has performed loading work for the haulage vehicle and a work area in which the loading machine has performed the loading work for the haulage vehicle. The loading history is created on the basis of the haulage history and the operation history; and work result data indicating from which work area to which work area a load has been hauled is output.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for measuring the thickness, roughness, and morphology index of the mandibular cortical bone using a dental panorama image to assist in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, wherein the thickness, roughness, and morphological index of the cortical bone is measured more accurately and the diagnosis of osteoporosis can be supported more accurately. An osteoporosis diagnostic support apparatus, wherein the apparatus has a contour extraction unit adapted to extract a mandibular contour from an image of a mandibular cortical bone photographed by a photographic apparatus adapted to photograph the mandibular cortical bone and surroundings thereof, a line segment extraction unit adapted to extract line segments from the image of the mandibular cortical bone photographed by the photographic apparatus; and a cortical bone thickness calculation unit adapted to calculate a thickness of the cortical bone based on the extracted mandibular contour and line segments.

Abstract: Provided is a method for improving the cotton crop yield. This method for cultivating cotton comprises treating seedlings at least once with a plant activator containing an exogenous elicitor and an endogenous elicitor.