Abstract: A solid immersion lens unit includes a solid immersion lens having a contact surface for coming into contact with semiconductor device formed of a silicon substrate and a spherical surface to be disposed to face an objective lens; a holder holding the solid immersion lens; and an optical element held by the holder to be positioned between the objective lens and the solid immersion lens. The solid immersion lens transmits light having at least a part of wavelength in a range of 200 nm or greater and 1100 nm or lower. The optical element corrects aberration caused by a difference in refractive indices between the silicon substrate and the solid immersion lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for materials that suppress the characteristic body odor of elderly people.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for materials suppressing one or more offensive odors selected from the group consisting of a 1-octen-3-one odor, a 1,5-octadien-3-one odor, a 1-octen-3-ol odor and a 1,5-octadien-3-ol odor, an offensive odor-suppressing composition for reducing the offensiveness of age-related body odors and/or underarm odors, as well as a flavor composition for reducing off-flavors derived from food and beverage products. By using the screening method of the present invention, candidate substances for materials suppressing a 1-octen-3-one odor, a 1,5-octadien-3-one odor, a 1-octen-3-ol odor and a 1,5-octadien-3-ol odor can be selected respectively from among many test substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening a candidate substance for an unpleasant odor masking agent from among test substances using an olfactory receptor that is responsive to an unpleasant odor-causing substance. The screening method of the present invention includes the steps of: adding a test substance and an unpleasant odor-causing substance to an olfactory receptor polypeptide selected from the group consisting of OR2L3 and polypeptides which comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to an amino acid sequence of OR2L3 and are responsive to the unpleasant odor-causing substance; measuring a response of the olfactory receptor polypeptide to the unpleasant odor-causing substance; and identifying the test substance that suppresses the response of the olfactory receptor polypeptide as a candidate substance for the unpleasant odor masking agent based on the measured response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for materials that suppress the characteristic body odor of elderly people.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a novel melanogenesis inhibitor capable of safely inhibiting melanism caused by ultraviolet radiation or the like. The melanogenesis inhibitor according to the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of vetiver oil, cabreuva oil, and cederwood oil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a deodorant composition which specifically acts upon a malodor derived from sulfides and thereby can eliminate or alleviate the malodor. The present invention relates to a deodorant composition for sulfides, which comprises (A) a polyphenol or a polymer thereof and (B) sodium percarbonate or hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel flavor improving agent capable of sufficiently enhancing or alleviating the flavor sensed in oral cavity; for example, enhancing and improving the thickness in taste or the like to provide depth and profoundness to the flavor, and also improving the sense of volume or the sharpness of aftertaste. The present invention also provides a food/drink, a pharmaceutical product and an oral care product having a good taste which can fulfill the recent high-level demand for taste.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel flavor improving agent capable of sufficiently enhancing or alleviating the flavor sensed in oral cavity; for example, enhancing and improving the thickness in taste or the like to provide depth and profoundness to the flavor, and also improving the sense of volume or the sharpness of aftertaste. The present invention also provides a food/drink, a pharmaceutical product and an oral care product having a good taste which can fulfill the recent high-level demand for taste.