Abstract: Disclosed is a compound characterized by comprising a linker, an oxygen-concentration-responsive phosphorophore which is linked to a first end of the linker, and a fluorophore which is lined to a second end of the linker. In the compound, it is preferred that the triplet level of the phosphorophore be lower than that of the fluorophore. The compound can be used as an oxygen-responsive luminescent probe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound characterized by comprising a linker, an oxygen-concentration-responsive phosphorophore which is linked to a first end of the linker, and a fluorophore which is lined to a second end of the linker. In the compound, it is preferred that the triplet level of the phosphorophore be lower than that of the fluorophore. The compound can be used as an oxygen-responsive luminescent probe.

Abstract: A positioning system for radiation therapy comprises a patient positioner drive unit for moving a patient positioner supporting a patient, a snout drive unit for rotating a snout including a collimator set therein, and a processing unit for controlling the snout drive unit and the patient positioner drive unit such that the positioning of the patient is performed by moving the patient positioner supporting the patient after the positioning of the collimator has been performed by rotating the snout including the collimator set therein. Exposure of the patient to X-rays irradiated for the positioning can be reduced.

Abstract: A positioning system for radiation therapy comprises a patient positioner drive unit for moving a patient positioner supporting a patient, a snout drive unit for rotating a snout including a collimator set therein, and a processing unit for controlling the snout drive unit and the patient positioner drive unit such that the positioning of the patient is performed by moving the patient positioner supporting the patient after the positioning of the collimator has been performed by rotating the snout including the collimator set therein. Exposure of the patient to X-rays irradiated for the positioning can be reduced.

Abstract: There is developed a method of obtaining a natural-texture laminated plate material having colors or textures of grains of a plate material obtained from a natural large-diameter tree such as ebony, red sandalwood, Chinese quince, cheek, maple, ash, or oak by use of a wood which can be cyclically produced in a short cycle in an artificial forest of paulownia, poplar, Radiata pine, whitewood, rubber or the like.

Abstract: Light distribution characteristics are defined which define a correspondence relation between the position of a reflection point on a reference plane and the position of an image of a light source. In accordance with the light distribution characteristics, a path line in the reference plane is determined. A profile curve for each of a plurality of sampling points dispersibly distributed on the path line, is determined in accordance with the light distribution characteristics, the profile curve passing through the sampling point and corresponding to the topological shape of a reflecting surface to be determined. As the reflection point moves along the profile curve, the image of the light source moves in the direction crossing the reference plane in accordance with the light distribution characteristics. The topological shape of the reflecting surface is determined in accordance with the profile curve determined for each sampling point.