Abstract: A mechanical measuring device includes a body case, a probe 10 extending from the body case and abutting against a predetermined portion of a biological soft tissue, a load measuring means 12 which is integrally connected to the probe 10 and which measures a load applied to the biological soft tissue by the probe 10, a moving means 14 for moving the probe 10 at a constant speed, and a distance measuring means 20 for measuring a moving distance by the moving means 14, and in a measuring operation of the biological soft tissue such as muscle and cartilage, the load applied to the biological soft tissue and the moving distance of the probe 10 are simultaneously measured in a state where the probe 10 is moved at a constant speed, thereby realizing inspection and diagnose of a mechanical state of the biological soft tissue.

Abstract: A fastening device is equipped with a stocker. The stocker has a circular arcuate shape which is curved in a horizontal plane, and accommodates fastening tools in a state of being aligned in a row. The fastening tool that is positioned at a most downstream side of the stocker is supplied to the receiving site by an unloading and supplying device. Furthermore, the fastening tool supplied to the receiving site is screw-rotated by a screw-rotating device that is displaced toward the fastening tool.

Abstract: A heating device is provided. The heating device includes a conveyance member, first and second support members, and a heat reflecting plate. The first support member is provided on the conveyance member and supports a substrate during movement of the conveyance member. The second support member includes a heater and supports the substrate during processing of the substrate. The heat reflecting plate travels with the conveyance member and reflects heat from the heater toward the substrate.

Abstract: A wafer separating apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes an electrostatic chuck, a separation structure and a control device. The electrostatic chuck electrostatically supports a wafer during wafer processing using a voltage having a polarity. The separation structure mechanically separate the wafer from the electrostatic chuck. The control device controls the electrostatic chuck to, after the wafer processing is completed, reduce a magnitude of the voltage with the polarity while the separation structure applies a force to the wafer to separate the wafer from the electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: A sewing device includes: a plurality of actuators; and a plurality of seating bodies that are provided in an attachable/detachable manner to the individual actuators to seat on certain regions of an object-to-be-sewn. The sewing device further includes a restraining jig. Due to the restraining jig collectively restraining the plurality of seating bodies provided to the actuators, the plurality of seating bodies can withdraw from the actuators.

Abstract: A wafer separating apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes an electrostatic chuck, a separation structure and a control device. The electrostatic chuck electrostatically supports a wafer during wafer processing using a voltage having a polarity. The separation structure mechanically separate the wafer from the electrostatic chuck. The control device controls the electrostatic chuck to, after the wafer processing is completed, reduce a magnitude of the voltage with the polarity while the separation structure applies a force to the wafer to separate the wafer from the electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: Provided is a camera focus adjustment jig (1) fixed to an inspection device and adjusting a focus of a camera (5), the inspection device including the camera (5) configured to photograph an automobile V, and a movable arm (3) to which the camera (5) is fixed via a fixing part (4) and configured to move the camera (5) to a photographing position where the automobile V is photographed. The camera focus adjustment jig (1) includes: a connection arm (6) connected to the fixing part (4); an adjusting unit (7) provided on the connection arm (6) and positioned, with respect to the camera (5), at a position equivalent to a position of the automobile V located at the photographing position; and display parts (9a, 9b) provided on a surface of the adjusting unit (7) facing the camera (5).

Abstract: A sewing device includes: a plurality of actuators; and a plurality of seating bodies that are provided in an attachable/detachable manner to the individual actuators to seat on certain regions of an object-to-be-sewn. The sewing device further includes a restraining jig. Due to the restraining jig collectively restraining the plurality of seating bodies provided to the actuators, the plurality of seating bodies can withdraw from the actuators.

Abstract: Compounds (citric acid derivatives) represented by formulas (1) and (2) below are novel compounds having an inhibitory effect against liver disorder and can be used as liver disorder inhibitors and food additives (wherein R1 represents a C1 to C3 alkyl group optionally having a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or R1 and R2 optionally form a cyclic structure together to represent a C2 to C3 alkylene chain).

Abstract: An ion source includes a plasma chamber, and a suppression electrode disposed downstream of the plasma chamber, and is operable to irradiate the suppression electrode with an ion beam produced from a cleaning gas to clean the suppression electrode. Prior to cleaning, the ion source moves the suppression electrode or the plasma chamber in a first direction to increase a distance between the plasma chamber and the suppression electrode.

Abstract: A heating device is provided. The heating device includes a conveyance member that conveys a substrate between a heating position and a non-heating position, a support member that is provided on the conveyance member and that supports the substrate, a heater provided at the heating position and operable to heat a first surface of the substrate, and a heat reflecting plate attached to the conveyance member in facing relation to a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface.

Abstract: A heating device is provided. The heating device includes a conveyance member, first and second support members, and a heat reflecting plate. The first support member is provided on the conveyance member and supports a substrate during movement of the conveyance member. The second support member includes a heater and supports the substrate during processing of the substrate. The heat reflecting plate travels with the conveyance member and reflects heat from the heater toward the substrate.

Abstract: An energy planning system that proposes an appropriate energy plan for a home includes: a sensor that senses a state of an energy facility in a home; a predictor that predicts a future lifestyle of a resident of the home; and a proposer that determines information about an energy plan for the home based on a result of the sensing by the sensor and the lifestyle predicted by the predictor, and outputs the information.

Abstract: A fastening device is equipped with a stocker. The stocker has a circular arcuate shape which is curved in a horizontal plane, and accommodates fastening tools in a state of being aligned in a row. The fastening tool that is positioned at a most downstream side of the stocker is supplied to the receiving site by an unloading and supplying device. Furthermore, the fastening tool supplied to the receiving site is screw-rotated by a screw-rotating device that is displaced toward the fastening tool.

Abstract: Provided is a camera focus adjustment jig (1) fixed to an inspection device and adjusting a focus of a camera (5), the inspection device including the camera (5) configured to photograph an automobile V, and a movable arm (3) to which the camera (5) is fixed via a fixing part (4) and configured to move the camera (5) to a photographing position where the automobile V is photographed. The camera focus adjustment jig (1) includes: a connection arm (6) connected to the fixing part (4); an adjusting unit (7) provided on the connection arm (6) and positioned, with respect to the camera (5), at a position equivalent to a position of the automobile V located at the photographing position; and display parts (9a, 9b) provided on a surface of the adjusting unit (7) facing the camera (5).

Abstract: An ion source includes a plasma chamber, and a suppression electrode disposed downstream of the plasma chamber, and is operable to irradiate the suppression electrode with an ion beam produced from a cleaning gas to clean the suppression electrode. Prior to cleaning, the ion source moves the suppression electrode or the plasma chamber in a first direction to increase a distance between the plasma chamber and the suppression electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and particularly non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) comprising an ume (Japanese apricot) juice concentrate or a processed product thereof. The prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent is obtained by utilizing a component contained in a plant or a processed product thereof, and hence is safe and easily taken. It has been confirmed that when the ume juice concentrate or the processed product thereof is orally administered to a streptozocin (STZ)-induced NAFLD model mouse or an STZ-induced NASH model mouse, liver fibrogenesis can be reduced.

Abstract: An ion source is provided. The ion source includes a plasma generation chamber, a plate member, and an extraction electrode. The plasma generation chamber is supplied with a halogen-containing material. The plate member is provided on an end of the plasma generation chamber located on a side toward which an ion beam is extracted. The extraction electrode is disposed downstream of the plate member. The plate member is formed with a gas supply passage via which hydrogen gas is supplied to the extraction electrode.

Abstract: Compounds (citric acid derivatives) represented by formulas (1) and (2) below are novel compounds having an inhibitory effect against liver disorder and can be used as liver disorder inhibitors and food additives (wherein R1 represents a C1 to C3 alkyl group optionally having a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or R1 and R2 optionally form a cyclic structure together to represent a C2 to C3 alkylene chain).

Abstract: Compounds (citric acid derivatives) represented by formulas (1) and (2) below are novel compounds having an inhibitory effect against liver disorder and can be used as liver disorder inhibitors and food additives (wherein R1 represents a C1 to C3 alkyl group optionally having a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or R1 and R2 optionally form a cyclic structure together to represent a C2 to C3 alkylene chain).