Abstract: An aseptic sampling apparatus includes an isolator, a liquid delivery port that is disposed in the isolator, a sampling section that is disposed inside the isolator, a first flow path that communicates with a discharge flow path of the sampling section, and that connects an inside and outside of the isolator to each other through the liquid delivery port, a fluid supplying unit that supplies a fluid to the sampling section, a gas supplying unit that communicates with the fluid supplying unit, and a seal member that prevents the fluid supplied from fluid supplying unit to the discharge flow path from leaking.

Abstract: This half thrust bearing having a half-ring shape has: a sliding surface for receiving force in the axial direction; a back surface opposed to the sliding surface; and a resin covering layer on the sliding surface. The half thrust bearing is characterized in that the thickness of the resin covering layer is greatest at the circumferential central part of the half thrust bearing, and becomes lesser toward both circumferential ends of the half thrust bearing. The present invention also pertains to a thrust bearing, a bearing device, and an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Provided is an opening/closing mechanism for an intake member which enables backlash suppression a working member and positioning of a choke lever. The opening/closing mechanism includes the intake member that accommodates a filter part and has an opening leading to a carburetor at an end wall portion facing the filter part; an opening/closing member that is disposed between the filter part and the end wall portion, and opens and closes the opening; and a working member that is disposed on a side opposite to the opening/closing member with the end wall portion interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A tension measuring device include a first container in which a cell structure is disposed and which is charged with a culture medium so that the cell structure is immersed therein; a second container in which a medical agent to be given to the inside of the first container is injected; a first tube which links the first container and the second container liquidtightly; and a pump which is disposed over the first tube and causes liquid to flow into the first container from the second container.

Abstract: A synthetic resin skin material composite, including: a urethane resin skin material including a urethane resin skin layer provided at one surface of a substrate; and a cushion layer that is placed at a surface on an opposite side of the substrate from the surface of the urethane resin skin material at which the urethane resin skin layer is provided; in which the urethane resin skin material has recesses at a side of the urethane resin skin layer, and each of the recesses has a depth in a thickness direction of the synthetic resin skin material composite, such that the recesses extend from the urethane resin skin layer into the cushion layer beyond an interface between the urethane resin skin material and the cushion layer that is present in a region without a recess, as well as a method of producing a synthetic resin skin material composite.

Abstract: An opening/closing mechanism of an intake member includes: an intake member that accommodates a filter part and has an opening leading to a carburetor in an end wall opposing the filter part; an opening/closing member disposed between the filter part and the end wall, and opens/closes the opening; and a working member disposed on an opposite side to the opening/closing member so as to interpose the end wall, and allows the opening/closing member to be operated. The working member includes: an arm part which extends along the end wall and is linked with the opening/closing member to interpose the end wall at one end part, and a holding part provided to another end part of the arm part. The intake member has a guide hole into which the arm part is inserted and guides movement of the arm part.

Abstract: An output-torque estimation unit obtains a value of a current input to a motor, from a power converter, and calculates an estimated output torque value which is an estimated value of output torque of the motor, from the obtained value of the current. A load estimation unit estimates a load value of a hanging cargo based on the estimated output torque value which is calculated by the output-torque estimation unit, a speed reduction ratio of a speed reducer, an effective radius of a winch drum, and the winding number which is set by the number setting unit.

Abstract: A resin coating layer has a shape line that indicates the shape of a surface and is divided by virtual straight lines parallel to the X axis and setting an area of recessed sections that protrudes below the virtual straight lines and an area of protruding sections that protrudes above the virtual straight lines. A virtual straight line at a position at which the area totals for the area of recessed sections and the area of protruding sections are equal is defined as the average line for unevenness. Areas that protrude downwards from this average line for unevenness are defined as recessed sections and areas that protrude above this average line for unevenness are defined as protruding sections. The average area Sa for one recessed section is 4-120 ?m2 and the number M of recessed sections between two points having a distance of 1 mm therebetween is 3-20.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, a reformer, and an exhaust gas combustor. The fuel cell module further includes an exhaust gas combustion chamber equipped with the exhaust gas combustor and a preheating unit for heating a raw fuel by combustion exhaust gas produced in the exhaust gas combustor before the raw fuel is supplied to the reformer. The preheating unit forms one surface of the exhaust gas combustion chamber.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is to provide a hepatocyte structure, particularly, a hepatocyte structure that mimics nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A hepatocyte construct including an aggregate containing hepatocytes and adherent cells that are non-hepatocytes, and wherein the hepatocytes include ballooned hepatocytes is provided. Further, a method for producing a hepatocyte construct, comprising: (i) forming an aggregate by aggregating a cell group comprising hepatocytes and adherent cells that are non-hepatocytes; and (ii) culturing the aggregate is provided.

Abstract: Provided is an electric winch apparatus capable of preventing irregular winding of a wire rope caused by landing of a hoisted-down suspended load. The electric winch apparatus includes a winch drum (5) around which a wire rope (2) is wound, an electric motor (8) which rotates the winch drum (5), an operation lever (13a), a measurement unit (18) which measures a tension index value corresponding to a tension in the wire rope (2), and a controller (12) which controls motion of the electric motor (8). The controller (12) stops motion of the electric motor (8) when an operation in a lowering operation direction is applied the operation lever (13a) and a tension average value as an average value of a tension in the wire rope (2) becomes less than or equal to a predetermined tension reference value, the average value of the tension corresponding to an average value of the tension index value in a predetermined period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyor, a sensor, and control circuitry. The conveyor is configured to convey a sheet. The sensor is configured to detect the sheet conveyed by the conveyor. The control circuitry is configured to cause the conveyor to eject the sheet without stopping conveyance of the sheet and prohibit recovery printing when a size of the sheet determined based on detection of the sheet by the sensor is different from a setting size in a first operation mode. The control circuitry is configured to cause the conveyor to stop conveyance of the sheet and allow recovery printing when the size of the sheet is different from the setting size in a second operation mode in which a number of times of printing is larger than a number of times of printing in the first operation mode.

Abstract: This half thrust bearing having a half-ring shape has: a sliding surface for receiving force in the axial direction; a back surface opposed to the sliding surface; and a resin covering layer on the sliding surface. The half thrust bearing is characterized in that the thickness of the resin covering layer is greatest at the circumferential central part of the half thrust bearing, and becomes lesser toward both circumferential ends of the half thrust bearing. The present invention also pertains to a thrust bearing, a bearing device, and an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A sample storage apparatus includes: a lid member; a sample storage container; first and second fluid sucking sections; first and second fluid discharging sections; first to fourth flow paths; and a first fluid identification sensor. The first flow path is connected to the first fluid sucking section, the second flow path is connected to the second fluid sucking section, the third flow path is connected to the first fluid discharging section, and the fourth flow path is connected to the second fluid discharging section. The first fluid identification sensor for identifying a fluid is disposed in the first flow path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyor, a sensor, and control circuitry. The conveyor is configured to convey a sheet. The sensor is configured to detect the sheet conveyed by the conveyor. The control circuitry is configured to cause the conveyor to eject the sheet without stopping conveyance of the sheet and prohibit recovery printing when a size of the sheet determined based on detection of the sheet by the sensor is different from a setting size in a first operation mode. The control circuitry is configured to cause the conveyor to stop conveyance of the sheet and allow recovery printing when the size of the sheet is different from the setting size in a second operation mode in which a number of times of printing is larger than a number of times of printing in the first operation mode.

Abstract: An output-torque estimation unit obtains a value of a current input to a motor, from a power converter, and calculates an estimated output torque value which is an estimated value of output torque of the motor, from the obtained value of the current. A load estimation unit estimates a load value of a hanging cargo based on the estimated output torque value which is calculated by the output-torque estimation unit, a speed reduction ratio of a speed reducer, an effective radius of a winch drum, and the winding number which is set by the number setting unit.

Abstract: A catalyst particle is composed of an inner particle and an outermost layer that includes platinum and covers the inner particle. The inner particle includes on at least a surface thereof a first oxide having an oxygen defect.

Abstract: An electrically driven winch device includes a winch drum, a plurality of axial-gap electric motors, and a drive shaft. The winch drum rotates around a drum axis in order to wind or unwind a work rope. The plurality of electric motors are electric motors configured to drive the winch drum to rotate, and are each provided with a stator, and rotors which rotate around a rotation axis and are disposed at an axial distance from the stator. The drive shaft is disposed coaxially with the drum axis and serially connects the rotors of the plurality of electric motors on the rotation axis.

Abstract: Provided is an electric winch apparatus capable of preventing irregular winding of a wire rope caused by landing of a hoisted-down suspended load. The electric winch apparatus includes a winch drum (5) around which a wire rope (2) is wound, an electric motor (8) which rotates the winch drum (5), an operation lever (13a), a measurement unit (18) which measures a tension index value corresponding to a tension in the wire rope (2), and a controller (12) which controls motion of the electric motor (8). The controller (12) stops motion of the electric motor (8) when an operation in a lowering operation direction is applied the operation lever (13a) and a tension average value as an average value of a tension in the wire rope (2) becomes less than or equal to a predetermined tension reference value, the average value of the tension corresponding to an average value of the tension index value in a predetermined period.

Abstract: An aseptic sampling apparatus includes an isolator, a liquid delivery port that is disposed in the isolator, a sampling section that is disposed inside the isolator, a first flow path that communicates with a discharge flow path of the sampling section, and that connects an inside and outside of the isolator to each other through the liquid delivery port, a fluid supplying unit that supplies a fluid to the sampling section, a gas supplying unit that communicates with the fluid supplying unit, and a seal member that prevents the fluid supplied from fluid supplying unit to the discharge flow path from leaking.