Abstract: An image reading device includes a reading unit that reads an image on a surface of a medium; and a calibrating unit that is disposed to face the reading unit with the medium disposed therebetween and that calibrates the reading unit. The calibrating unit is supported such that the calibrating unit is movable about a rotating shaft between a closing position at which the calibrating unit faces the reading unit and an opening position at which the calibrating unit is separated from the reading unit. The calibrating unit is positioned with respect to the reading unit when the calibrating unit is moved to the closing position.

Abstract: An oxidation-reduction substance equilibrium potential estimating method is provided, the method including: applying a voltage to an electrode contacting a sample containing an oxidation-reduction substance and sweeping the voltage; measuring a current flowing through the electrode; if an integrated value of the current becomes a value within a reference range, determining whether to sweep the voltage in an opposite direction to a sweep direction in the previous sweeping or to terminate sweeping of the voltage; if it is determined to terminate sweeping of the voltage, estimating an oxidation-reduction substance equilibrium potential at a value of the voltage; and if it is determined to sweep the voltage, sweeping the voltage in an opposite direction to a sweep direction in the previous sweeping.

Abstract: An oxidation-reduction substance equilibrium potential estimating method is provided, the method including: applying a voltage to an electrode contacting a sample containing an oxidation-reduction substance and sweeping the voltage; measuring a current flowing through the electrode; if an integrated value of the current becomes a value within a reference range, determining whether to sweep the voltage in an opposite direction to a sweep direction in the previous sweeping or to terminate sweeping of the voltage; if it is determined to terminate sweeping of the voltage, estimating an oxidation-reduction substance equilibrium potential at a value of the voltage; and if it is determined to sweep the voltage, sweeping the voltage in an opposite direction to a sweep direction in the previous sweeping.

Abstract: A speech dialogue apparatus, a dialogue control method, and a dialogue control program are provided, whereby an appropriate dialogue control is enabled by determining a user's proficiency level in a dialogue behavior correctly and performing an appropriate dialogue control according to the user's proficiency level correctly determined, without being influenced by an accidental one-time behavior of the user. An input unit 1 inputs a speech uttered by the user. An extraction unit 3 extracts a proficiency level determination factor that is a factor for determining a user's proficiency level in a dialogue behavior, based upon an input result of the speech of the input unit 1. A history storage unit 4 stores as a history the proficiency level determination factor extracted by the extraction unit 3.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device is disclosed herein in which a semiconductor laser chip is mounted on a surface of a semiconductor substrate at one region and a plurality of photo-detecting portions for receiving laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser chip are provided on the surface of the semiconductor substrate at another region separated from the semiconductor laser chip.

Abstract: A method of making a single crystal intermetallic compound semiconductor which includes growing a single crystal in a crucible while maintaining the extent of the melt beyond the growing surface of its single crystal substantially constant during growth.