Abstract: A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a base body including dielectric ceramic layers and internal electrode layers stacked in a thickness direction, and a pair of external electrodes on first and second end surfaces and electrically connected to the internal electrode layers. The dielectric ceramic layers include, as a main component, crystal grains including a perovskite complex oxide including barium and titanium, and a rare earth element, and include, in a cross section including the thickness direction, a rare earth element high-concentration region in an area proportion of about 50% or more, the rare earth element high-concentration region including the rare earth element in a molar ratio of the rare earth element to titanium of about 0.04 or more and about 0.30 or less.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a multilayer body, first and second external electrodes on first and second end surfaces. The multilayer body includes an inner layer portion, and first and second outer layer portions. The first and second end surfaces each include an inner layer and first and second outer layer end surfaces. The inner layer end surface includes a protruding end surface, a first coupling surface connecting the first outer layer end surface and the protruding end surface, and a second coupling surface connecting the second outer layer end surface and the protruding end surface. Angles between the first and second outer layer end surfaces and between the first and second coupling surfaces at a boundary between the first and second outer layer end surfaces and the first and second coupling surfaces, are obtuse angles.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic that includes multiple crystal grains, each of the multiple crystal grains having an interface, a barium titanate (BaTiO3)-based compound as a main component thereof, and a rare earth element. The dielectric ceramic has a cross-section in which the multiple crystal grains has a concentration varying region, a high concentration region, and a low concentration region. The concentration varying region has an RE/Ti ratio differing by 3% or more. The high concentration region has an RE/Ti ratio of 5% to 20%. The low concentration region has an RE/Ti ratio of 0% to 2%.

Abstract: An additional storage processing part additionally stores, in a test information table, data relating to a test to be performed, each time any one of a plurality of tests is performed. An updating part updates the corresponding record in a skill level table each time the test is performed, and then an additional storage by the additional storage processing part is executed. A man-hour computing part executes the process of estimating a test man-hour relating to an evaluator and a test designated in accordance with the contents of a display in a display part. Thus, a test man-hour estimating apparatus can accurately estimate the man-hour of the test the evaluator performs repeatedly, based to the data stored in the test information table and the skill level table.

Abstract: In a test case selection apparatus according to the present invention, a parameter setting unit 22 displays a test case selection dialogue 400, etc., on a display screen of a display section 40, and test cases that are tentatively determined to be tested in the current round of testing is selected based on various parameters received from the operator. A simulation executing unit 23 calculates a time period predicted to be required for testing test cases, and displays the prediction result in the form of a graph indicating a temporal change in the number of tests. With this configuration, the user can predict an achieved status of testing based on the prediction result, and repeat suitable changes to the various parameters, thereby suitably selecting test cases to obtain a preferably achieved status of testing.

Abstract: In a test case selection apparatus according to the present invention, a parameter setting unit 22 displays a test case selection dialogue 400, etc., on a display screen of a display section 40, and test cases that are tentatively determined to be tested in the current round of testing is selected based on various parameters received from the operator. A simulation executing unit 23 calculates a time period predicted to be required for testing test cases, and displays the prediction result in the form of a graph indicating a temporal change in the number of tests. With this configuration, the user can predict an achieved status of testing based on the prediction result, and repeat suitable changes to the various parameters, thereby suitably selecting test cases to obtain a preferably achieved status of testing.

Abstract: An additional storage processing part additionally stores, in a test information table, data relating to a test to be performed, each time any one of a plurality of tests is performed. An updating part updates the corresponding record in a skill level table each time the test is performed, and then an additional storage by the additional storage processing part is executed. A man-hour computing part executes the process of estimating a test man-hour relating to an evaluator and a test designated in accordance with the contents of a display in a display part. Thus, a test man-hour estimating apparatus can accurately estimate the man-hour of the test the evaluator performs repeatedly, based to the data stored in the test information table and the skill level table.

Abstract: Substance F-0368 of the formula: ##STR1## or salts thereof is prepared by culturing Kitasatosporia sp. F-0368 in a culture medium thereby producing substance F-0368, and then isolating and collecting substance F-0368 from the culture medium.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention are: a substance F-0368 or salts thereof having the following structural formula ##STR1## a method for production of the substance F-0368 or salts thereof, wherein an F-0368-substance-producing-microorganism belonging to a genus Kitasatosporia is cultured, and the substance F-0368 is isolated and collected from the cultured substance; a method for production of the substance F-0368 or salts thereof, wherein 3-methyl-4-lower alkoxy carbonyl-2(5H)-furanone represented by the following general formula is subjected to hydrolytic reaction ##STR2## (where: R represents a straight or branched lower alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms); a composition which consists essentially of the substance F-0368 or salt thereof, a diluent permissible in the agricultural chemicals, and a carrier or an excipient; a preventive agent for plant diseases such as rice blast disease and bacterial leaf blight disease, which consists essentially of an effective amount of the substance F-0368 or salts