Abstract: A method of quantifying autoinducer-2, including the steps of: preparing a calibration curve using 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone as a standard sample; and quantifying autoinducer-2 in a test sample based on the calibration curve prepared.

Abstract: Provided is a solid preparation for oral application containing (a) gum tragacanth and (b) a polyphosphoric acid or salt thereof and constituted so that the polyphosphoric acid or salt thereof starts to dissolve firstly and the gum tragacanth starts to dissolve subsequently. The solid preparation for oral application according to the present invention has a high plaque formation inhibiting effect.

Abstract: A ceramic circuit substrate and a manufacturing method thereof are provided, which has excellent thermal shock tolerance by forming a gap between a circuit pattern section and a ceramic substrate, and has a capability of preventing etchant residue from remaining therein. The ceramic circuit substrate according to the present invention includes patterns of brazing material (8 and 9) formed on the ceramic substrate, and a circuit pattern section jointed to the patterns of brazing material. The patterns of brazing material includes a line pattern along the edge of the circuit pattern. Also, a gap is formed within the line pattern located between the ceramic substrate and the circuit pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternative agent with vitamin D-like activity or an improving agent for age-related depression of intestinal function, comprising a sugar-phosphate ester or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: An air conditioner indoor unit has a casing main body and a front panel. The casing main body has an outlet for passing air out into a room. The front panel covers the outlet as seen in a front surface view. Furthermore, the front panel opens and closes the outlet. In addition, the front panel has a projection area greater than the outlet as seen in a front view when the outlet is closed.

Abstract: There is provided a substrate support device capable of preventing powder dust from being produced. A thermoconductive intermediate member is interposed between a base table and a substrate support table and has a communication aperture path for communicating the aperture path of the base table with the aperture path of the substrate support table. An elastic member such as bellows tube is disposed in the communication aperture path of the thermoconductive intermediate member, for insulating the thermoconductive intermediate member from the inert gas which flows through the communication aperture path.

Abstract: A cleaning method of cleaning a surface of a substrate that is processed by a developing process. The method includes pouring a cleaning liquid onto a central part of the substrate. A dry area that is not wetted with the cleaning liquid is created in a central part of the substrate by stopping pouring the cleaning liquid or by shifting a cleaning liquid pouring position to which the cleaning liquid is poured from the central part while the substrate holding device is rotating. The dry area is expanded outward from the central part of the substrate by rotating the substrate holding device at a rotating speed not lower than 1500 rpm without pouring the cleaning liquid onto the dry area. The cleaning liquid is poured onto an outer area contiguously surrounding the dry area on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A cleaning method highly effectively cleans a surface of a semiconductor wafer by removing a dissolution product, produced when a surface of a semiconductor wafer is processed by a developing process that develops an exposed film formed on the semiconductor wafer by wetting the exposed film with a developer, from the surface of the semiconductor wafer. A cleaning liquid is poured through a cleaning liquid pouring nozzle onto a central part of a rotating wafer processed by a developing process to spread the cleaning liquid in a film over the surface of the wafer. Then, the cleaning liquid pouring nozzle is shifted to create a dry area in a central part of the wafer and the wafer is rotated at 1500 rpm to expand the dry area.

Abstract: A novel multicomponent oxidation catalyst that can be effectively used in, for example, an epoxidation reaction of olefins, etc., being inexpensive and high in versatility and that exhibits high catalytic activity; and a process for producing an epoxy compound through hydrogen peroxide oxidation of an olefin with the use of the multicomponent oxidation catalyst. There is provided a multicomponent oxidation catalyst comprising a tungsten compound, a quaternary ammonium salt, any of phosphoric acids and/or boric acids and a hydrogen sulfate salt. Further, there is provided a process for producing an epoxy compound, characterized in that an olefin is oxidized with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of the above multicomponent oxidation catalyst. The epoxy compound obtained by this process is useful as an intermediate of agricultural chemicals, medicines or the like, a raw material of various polymers, etc.

Abstract: A massage machine includes a backrest having a support surface for sustaining a back of a user, the support surface having an opening, a massage member for making contact with the back of the user through the opening of the support surface to perform a massage and a drive unit for causing the massage member to perform the massage. In the massage machine, a first intensity adjustment unit is arranged for changing the position of the massage member to adjust the massage intensity of the massage member and a second intensity adjustment unit is arranged for changing the position of the support surface to adjust the massage intensity of the massage member. A control circuit controls the operation of the drive unit, the first intensity adjustment unit and the second intensity adjustment unit.