Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for predicting prognosis for a cancer patient. The present invention provides a method for predicting prognosis for a cancer patient, wherein at least one index selected from the group consisting of an index of nutritional state, an index of sugar metabolism state, and an index of inflammatory state in the cancer patient is used as an index of prognosis. The index of nutritional state is preferably a concentration of albumin in the blood, the index of sugar metabolism state is preferably a concentration of glucose in the blood, and the index of inflammatory state is preferably a concentration of CRP in the blood.

Abstract: Provided is fermented milk for promoting elevation of amino acid concentration in the blood, by which elevation of amino acid concentration in the blood of a subject can be promoted. By making a subject ingest the fermented milk comprising a milk protein concentration of 1.9% by mass or more, elevation of amino acid concentration in the blood of the subject can be promoted.

Abstract: Mass flow sensors, mass flow meters, and methods of making the same are disclosed. A flow sensor may include one sensor tube, a pair of sensor wires wound around the sensor tube, and a covering layer disposed in the surroundings of the sensor tube and the sensor wires. The covering layer includes a first covering layer disposed in contact with the surface of the sensor tube, a second covering layer disposed in contact with the surface of the sensor wires, a third covering layer disposed in a space surrounded by the first covering layer and the second covering layer, and a fourth covering layer disposed so as to cover the whole of the sensor wires wound around the sensor tube. In variations, the covering layer includes one or two organic materials chosen from polyamide-imide and polyimide, and the film thickness of the first covering layer is 10 micrometers or more.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide: a method for producing a citrulline-containing fermented milk; and a citrulline-containing fermented milk produced by the method. The method can prevent milk quality from deteriorating, even when citrulline is added, and the citrulline-containing fermented milk has the effect of improving blood flow. The present invention pertains to: a method for producing a citrulline-containing fermented milk, the method comprising heat-treating a raw material mix that contains citrulline, and fermenting the heat-treated raw material mix, wherein the content of citrulline in the raw material mix that is heat-treated is 0.1-4%; and a fermented milk produced by the method.

Abstract: Among covering layers constituting a covering layer 4 of a flow sensor 1, a second covering layer 42 disposed in contact with the surface of a sensor wire 3 has a configuration in which an inorganic material finely dispersed in a base material consisting of an organic material and the film thickness of a first covering layer 41 disposed in contact with the surface of a sensor tube 2 is 10 micrometers or more. An interval d between the adjacent second covering layers 42 is preferably 10 micrometers or less. Thereby, a flow sensor which can be used longer than a flow sensor according to a conventional technology even when it is used at a high temperature in order to prevent the condensation of condensable gas is provided. Furthermore, a reduction of the electrical resistance of the sensor wire associated with the use in an elevated temperature is suppressed by an annealing treatment under an inert gas atmosphere and a predetermined condition, after a formation of a mass flow sensor.

Abstract: An interferometer for demodulating a differential M-phase shift keying signal includes a PLC type interferometer main body, a heating portion that heats the PLC type interferometer main body, and an intermediate member having a higher stiffness than that of the PLC type interferometer main body, for bonding the PLC type interferometer main body and the heating portion with each other while being sandwiched therebetween. A linear expansion coefficient difference between the PLC type interferometer main body and the intermediate member is equal to or smaller than 4.5×10?6/° C., and a thermal conductivity difference between the PLC type interferometer main body and the intermediate member is equal to or larger than 10 W/mK. A phase of an optical signal flowing through the interferometer is adjusted by using the heating portion and a second heating portion.

Abstract: An interferometer for demodulating a differential M-phase shift keying signal includes a PLC type interferometer main body, a heating portion that heats the PLC type interferometer main body, and an intermediate member having a higher stiffness than that of the PLC type interferometer main body, for bonding the PLC type interferometer main body and the heating portion with each other while being sandwiched therebetween. A linear expansion coefficient difference between the PLC type interferometer main body and the intermediate member is equal to or smaller than 4.5×10?6/° C., and a thermal conductivity difference between the PLC type interferometer main body and the intermediate member is equal to or larger than 10 W/mK. A phase of an optical signal flowing through the interferometer is adjusted by using the heating portion and a second heating portion.

Abstract: A waveguide type variable optical attenuator has: a substrate; two optical circuits that are in parallel formed on the substrate, each of the optical circuits including two couplers that conduct the branching and coupling of light and are connected to the input port and output port of light and two waveguides through which the two couplers are connected; a polarization maintaining fiber one end of which is connected to the output port of one of the two optical circuits and the other end of which is connected to the input port of the other of the two optical circuits while being twisted 90°; and a heater that is provided around neighboring waveguides of the two optical circuits such that the neighboring waveguides share heat to be generated by the heater.

Abstract: A waveguide type variable optical attenuator has: a substrate; two optical circuits that are in parallel formed on the substrate, each of the optical circuits including two couplers that conduct the branching and coupling of light and are connected to the input port and output port of light and two waveguides through which the two couplers are connected; a polarization maintaining fiber one end of which is connected to the output port of one of the two optical circuits and the other end of which is connected to the input port of the other of the two optical circuits while being twisted 90°; and a heater that is provided around neighboring waveguides of the two optical circuits such that the neighboring waveguides share heat to be generated by the heater.