Abstract: A moisture content measurement method that calculates moisture content of dehydrated sludge using a calibration curve for calculating the moisture content of the dehydrated sludge, the calibration curve being obtained by performing multivariate regression analysis after first-order differential processing or an offset correction is performed on absorbance for reflected light or reflectance for infrared rays from dehydrated sludge, the absorbance or the reflectance being obtained by measuring the dehydrated sludge using an infrared measurement apparatus provided with a light-receiving unit that can receive at least infrared rays reflected from a target object to be measured and a light source that has a plurality of infrared LEDs that can emit infrared rays having respectively different wavelengths or a light source having an infrared-region tungsten lamp or halogen lamp.

Abstract: In a sensor device, a sensor unit and a wiring portion are connected. The sensor unit is configured as a sol-gel composite piezoelectric sensor including a base material layer, a piezoelectric film layer formed on the base material layer, an electrode layer formed on the piezoelectric film layer, and a protective layer. The base material layer and the electrode layer are covered by the protective layer except for a portion thereof. The wiring portion includes a signal line and a ground line. The signal line has an end having a pressure-bonding tip. An upper housing portion and a lower housing portion cover at least uncovered portions of the sensor unit and the wiring portion. A pressure-applying portion presses the pressure-bonding tip in contact with a portion of the electrode layer that is not covered by the protective layer, so as to pressure-bond them.

Abstract: Embodiments include a patch-type, ultrasound sensor system and method to monitor the function and motion of a patients anatomical structure, comprising processing at least one received ultrasound image using one or more analytical tools, including radon transformation, higher-order spectra techniques, and/or active contour models, to generate at least one processed ultrasound image; inputting the at least one processed ultrasound image into a deep learning Convolutional Neural Network to obtain an automatic classification result selected from two or more classes indicating the functional state of the anatomical structure. The patch-type, ultrasound sensor system can communicate via a wireless or wired connection. The monitoring can be at rest or during surgery or other procedure or whilst the subject is exposed to any physiological stressors as part of medical examinations, and can be adapted for use in monitoring the function of body structures including the heart, blood vessels, lungs or joints.

Abstract: A piezoelectric film having a porosity between 20 and 40%, a thickness ranging from tens of microns to less than a few millimeters can be used to form an ultrasonic transducer UT for operation in elevated temperature ranges, that emit pulses having a high bandwidth. Such piezoelectric films exhibit greater flexibility allowing for conformation of the UT to a surface, and obviate the need for couplings or backings. Furthermore, a method of fabricating an UT having these advantages as well as better bonding between the piezoelectric film and electrodes involves controlling porosity within the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: A piezoelectric film having a porosity between 20 and 40%, a thickness ranging from tens of microns to less than a few millimeters can be used to form an ultrasonic transducer UT for operation in elevated temperature ranges, that emit pulses having a high bandwidth. Such piezoelectric films exhibit greater flexibility allowing for conformation of the UT to a surface, and obviate the need for couplings or backings. Furthermore, a method of fabricating an UT having these advantages as well as better bonding between the piezoelectric film and electrodes involves controlling porosity within the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: A piezoelectric film having a porosity between 20 and 40%, a thickness ranging from tens of microns to less than a few millimeters can be used to form an ultrasonic transducer UT for operation in elevated temperature ranges, that emit pulses having a high bandwidth. Such piezoelectric films exhibit greater flexibility allowing for conformation of the UT to a surface, and obviate the need for couplings or backings. Furthermore, a method of fabricating an UT having these advantages as well as better bonding between the piezoelectric film and electrodes involves controlling porosity within the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: A piezoelectric film having a porosity between 20 and 40%, a thickness ranging from tens of microns to less than a few millimeters can be used to form an ultrasonic transducer UT for operation in elevated temperature ranges, that emit pulses having a high bandwidth. Such piezoelectric films exhibit greater flexibility allowing for conformation of the UT to a surface, and obviate the need for couplings or backings.

Abstract: There is provided a medicament capable of enhancing the antimicrobial peptide production ability. The medicament contains, as an active ingredient, a compound which is glycyrrhizin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and capable of inhibiting the production of at least one of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and chemokine CCL2. The antimicrobial peptide is preferably defensin or cathelicidin.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide the use of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives for inhibition of MCP-1 production. The present invention discloses an MCP-1 production inhibition method and pharmaceutical composition for the same comprising administration of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives in an amount effective for said inhibition to mammals in which migration of monocytes or T lymphocytes is increased, or production of IL-10 is increased, and inhibition of said increase is desired, thereby treating or preventing decreases in infection resistance.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide the use of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives for inhibition of MCP-1 production. The present invention discloses an MCP-1 production inhibition method and pharmaceutical composition for the same comprising administration of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives in an amount effective for said inhibition to mammals in which migration of monocytes or T lymphocytes is increased, or production of IL-10 is increased, and inhibition of said increase is desired.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide the use of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives for induction of RANTES. The present invention discloses an RANTES induction method and pharmaceutical composition for the same comprising administration of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives in an amount effective for treating or preventing decreases in infection resistance to opportunistic infections occurring in burn patients, AIDS patients, cancer patients, encephalitis patients, individuals having suffered serious injuries or undergone major surgery, or individuals subject to stress.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide the use of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives for inhibition of MCP-1 production. The present invention discloses an MCP-1 production inhibition method and pharmaceutical composition for the same comprising administration of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives in an amount effective for said inhibition to mammals in which migration of monocytes or T lymphocytes is increased, or production of IL-10 is increased, and inhibition of said increase is desired.

Abstract: An information processing device comprises a display control unit for making a display device display a screen containing a data input box for data specified by data identifying information in accordance with definition information on the screen, a storage unit for storing the data inputted to the data input box together with the data identifying information, and a control unit for searching for the data corresponding to the data identifying information from the storage unit when having the screen displayed, and setting the searched data into the data input box specified by the data identifying information.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting replication of HIV, which comprises subjecting HIV-infected cells to a composition (a) comprising as a primary component a polysaccharide derived from a hot aqueous solvent extract of tubercle bacillus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating AIDS, which comprises administering to an HIV-infected patient (a) a composition containing as the primary component a polysaccharide derived from a hot water extract of human-type tubercle bacillus and (b) a nucleoside-type anti-HIV agent. Due to the incorporation of composition (a), the present invention enhances the therapeutic effect of nucleoside-type anti-HIV agents on AIDS.

Abstract: Organothiocyclopentanes of the formula ##STR1## wherein E represents >C.dbd.O or ##STR2## in which Z' represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a protected hydroxyl group; X represents --S--, --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.; represents a single or double bond; R' represents a monovalent or divalent organic group containing 1 to 25 carbon atoms; R represents a monovalent organic group containing 1 to 25 carbon atoms; Z represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a protected hydroxyl group; and when both E and Z represent a hydroxyl group or a protected hydroxyl group, X represents --S--.Also, 2-organothio-2-cyclopentenones of the formula ##STR3## wherein R and Z are as defined above. The compounds of formula (I) are prepared by reacting 2,3-epoxy-cyclopentanone or its derivatives with mercaptans in the presence of basic compounds.

Abstract: 1,3-Dicarbonyl compounds useful as medicines, agricultural chemicals, perfumes, and their intermediates are prepared by reacting a specific .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compound with a specific organic copper lithium compound in the presence of an aprotic inert organic solvent, and then reacting the reaction product with an organic carboxylic acid halide or anhydride. In particular, novel 2-acyl-3-substituted cyclopentan-1-ones and 2-acyl-3-substituted cyclohexan-1-ones having important physiological activities are provided.

Abstract: Novel optically active compounds of 4-protected hydroxy-cyclopent-2-en-1-ones of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a splittable protective group for an alcoholic hydroxyl group, and a process for preparing the 4-protected hydroxycyclopent-2-en-1-ones by oxidizing monohydroxy-protected derivatives of cyclopent-1-ene-3,5-diol expressed by the following formula ##STR2## wherein R is the same as defined above. Optically active 4-hydroxycyclopent-2-en-1-one which is an optically active isomer of the compound of formula (2); or optically active cyclopent-1-en-3,5-diol (R-isomer) and a novel diacyl derivative of the diol, a novel monoacylmonosilyl-derivative of the diol and a novel monoacylmonotetrahydropyranol-derivative of the diol, which are intermediates for the protective derivative of formula (1). Processes are also provided for preparing the protective derivatives of formula (1) by converting these intermediates by esterification, hydrolysis, enzymatic processes, etc.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclopent-2-en-1-one derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, andR.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a substituent which is not substantially brominated under the treating conditions, which comprises treating a cyclopentanone derivative of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same as defined above, with pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide.

Abstract: 1,3-Dicarbonyl compounds useful as medicines, agricultural chemicals, perfumes, and their intermediates are prepared by reacting a specific .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compound with a specific organic copper lithium compound in the presence of an aprotic inert organic solvent, and then reacting the reaction product with an organic carboxylic acid halide or anhydride. In particular, novel 2-acyl-3-substituted cyclopentan-1-ones and 2-acyl-3-substituted cyclohexan-1-ones having important physiological activities are provided.