Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuator device having a large ratio of contraction ratio to initial tension. The actuator device according to the present disclosure comprises an actuator band and a control device. The actuator band is formed by braiding, knitting, or weaving a plurality of actuator single wires. The plurality of the actuator single wires each comprise an actuator wire and a mesh-shaped heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire. The actuator wire is formed of a polymer fiber. The fiber is twisted around the long axis thereof and folded so as to have a cylindrical coil shape. The control device is configured to supply electric power for heating the mesh-shaped heating element. The actuator band is heated to be contracted along the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A SCCA-1 production inhibitor, comprising as an active ingredient, at least one carboxamide derivative selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (I): wherein X is CR5 or N, R1, R4 and R5 each independently represent hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or a C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl group having 1-5 hydroxy groups, R2 and R3 each independently represent hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or a C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl group having 1-5 hydroxy groups, or each represents a group —(CH2)n—, wherein n represents an integer of 1 or 2, and may form a 5- to 6-membered ring together with the atoms to which they are bonded and with the carbonyl group, allantoin, and salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a parakeratosis inhibitor, a pore-shrinking agent, and a rough skin inhibiting or ameliorating agent comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound that has excellent effects and high safety without safety problems such as sensory irritation, and provides an external composition for skin containing the same. The compound is selected from the glutamic acid derivatives represented by formula (1) or (2) and the salts thereof: wherein A represents a carbamoyl group, a benzyloxycarbonyl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an allyl group, or an amidino group; wherein Z represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides a parakeratosis inhibitor, pore-shrinking agent, or rough skin preventing/amaliorating agent that has a function such as parakeratosis inhibition, pore shrinkage, or rough skin-inhibition/abatement, poses no safety problems such as sensory irritation, and is very safe, and to further provide an external composition for skin to which a compound having the above-mentioned function has been added. The parakeratosis inhibitor agent, pore-shrinking agent, or rough skin preventing/amaliorating agent comprises one, two, or more compounds selected from the group consisting of ?-amino acid derivatives and salts thereof. The external composition for skin comprises the one, two, or more compounds selected from the group consisting of ?-amino acid derivatives and salts thereof as the above-mentioned parakeratosis inhibitor, pore-shrinking agent, or rough skin preventing/amaliorating agent.

Abstract: A microplate having a base and wells is disclosed. The base has mark parts at least on one edge thereof. Each mark part is defined by notches cut in the edge of the base. The wells are provided in the base and arranged in rows and columns. The mark parts can be used as indicia for identifying not only the microplate but also the wells so that the microplate and the wells can be easily identified without writing numerals or marks on the edges of the base with a felt pen or the like.

Abstract: A microplate having a base and wells is disclosed. The base has mark parts at least on one edge thereof. Each mark part is defined by notches cut in the edge of the base. The wells are provided in the base and arranged in rows and columns. The mark parts can be used as indicia for identifying not only the microplate but also the wells so that the microplate and the wells can be easily identified without writing numerals or marks on the edges of the base with a felt pen or the like.