Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide: a two-phase alloy as a metal material that can be preferably utilized under circumstances of a temperature range and a high corrosion as in an oil well, the two-phase alloy having a high corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties that are equivalent or more than those of conventional ones, and saving a cost; a product of the two-phase alloy; and a method for producing the product. There is provided a two-phase alloy containing Cr as a major component and including two phases of an austenite phase and a ferrite phase in a mixed state. The alloy has a chemical composition containing: 34-70 mass % of Cr; 17-45 mass % of Ni; 10-35 mass % of Fe; 0.1-2 mass % of Mn; 0.1-1 mass % of Si; and impurities. The total content of the Ni and the Fe is 30-65 mass %.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor transmits an ultrasonic wave, and receives the ultrasonic wave reflected by an obstacle. An electrical characteristic measuring means measures the electrical characteristic of the ultrasonic sensor, and outputs electrical characteristic information. An environmental state determining means receives the electrical characteristic information from the electrical characteristic measuring means, and outputs environmental information on at least one of the temperature and humidity of the ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: An attachment member (1) has a through hole (11). An ultrasonic sensor (2) is fixed to the attachment member (1) in such a manner that an emitting surface (22) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) is exposed from the through hole (11) of the attachment member (1). A vibration propagation preventing layer (3) is interposed between the entire periphery of a side surface of the ultrasonic sensor (2) and a wall surface of the through hole (11) of the attachment member (1). Vibration plates (41) and (42) are disposed on one of a first straight line passing through the center point of the emitting surface (22) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) on a horizontal plane parallel to the emitting surface (22) and a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line, and connect the emitting surface (22) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) to the attachment member (1).

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement apparatus (1) estimates a property/state of a test object (100) that allows an injected ultrasonic wave to propagate as plate waves (UW) of propagation modes. The ultrasonic measurement apparatus (1) includes: a receiver (30) configured to receive a detected signal obtained by detecting the plate waves (UW) propagating through the test object (100) to output a received signal indicating a time-domain waveform of the detected signal; an intensity detector (12) configured to detect the signal intensity of a waveform part corresponding to a first propagation mode, and the signal intensity of a waveform part corresponding to a second propagation mode; and an estimator (13) configured to make a comparison between the signal intensities to estimate a property/state of the test object (100) on the basis of a result of the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that IRGM, encoded by a uniquely human gene which confers risk for inflammatory diseases, affects autoophagy through a hitherto unknown mechanism. The present invention shows that IRGM controls autophagy and that IRGM modulators, in particular, double-stranded RNA, including poly I:C, poly-UG (polyUGUGU) and polyICLC and muramyldipeptide and related analogs of same, including N-acetyl muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (Muramyl dipeptide or MDP) and numerous other compounds as identified herein, which may be used alone, in combination, or in combination with alternative autophagy modulators and additional bioactive agents to provide effective therapies for a number of diseases, including cancer, bacterial infections and inflammatory diseases, especially including tuberculosis infections and Crohn's disease, among others.

Abstract: A vehicular image-display system includes an image capturing device, a control device, and an image display device. The image capturing device includes an imaging element configured to capture an image of surroundings of a vehicle, and an image acquirer configured to acquire, based on the captured image captured by the imaging element, an image that is smaller in area than the captured image. The control device includes an image generator configured to generate an image that is smaller in area than the acquired image based on the acquired image acquired by the image acquirer. The image display device is configured to display the image to be displayed generated by the image generator. The acquired image is transmitted from the image capturing device to the control device.

Abstract: A vehicular image-display system includes an image capturing device, a control device, and an image display device. The image capturing device includes an imaging element configured to capture an image of surroundings of a vehicle, and an image acquirer configured to acquire, based on the captured image captured by the imaging element, an image that is smaller in area than the captured image. The control device includes an image generator configured to generate an image that is smaller in area than the acquired image based on the acquired image acquired by the image acquirer. The image display device is configured to display the image to be displayed generated by the image generator. The acquired image is transmitted from the image capturing device to the control device.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a method for predicting the prognosis for kidney disease for a subject on the basis of the amount of D- and L-amino acids, from a blood sample; and an analysis system that determines prognosis predictions. This purpose is achieved by using at least one amino acid to predict the prognosis for kidney disease, said amino acid being selected from the group consisting of D-serine, D-asparagine, D-proline, D-alanine, D-leucine, D-lysine, D-allo-isoleucine, L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tryptophan, and L-asparagine.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a blood sample analysis method for determining diabetes complications in subjects with kidney damage on the basis of D- and L-amino acid content, from a blood sample; a method for examining diabetes complications; and a sample analysis system that outputs pathological information about diabetes complications. The purpose of this invention is achieved by using at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of D-aspartic acid, D-proline, L-glutamine, and L-isoleucine, in order to determine diabetes complications.

Abstract: There is provided a Cr-based two-phase alloy including two phases of a ferrite phase and an austenite phase that are mixed with each other. A chemical composition of the Cr-based two-phase alloy consists of a main component, an auxiliary component, impurities, a first optional auxiliary component, and a second optional auxiliary component. The main component consists of 33-61 mass % Cr, 18-40 mass % Ni and 10-33 mass % Fe, and a total content of the Ni and the Fe is 37-65 mass %. The auxiliary component consists of 0.1-2 mass % Mn, 0.1-1 mass % Si, 0.005-0.05 mass % Al, and 0.02-0.3 mass % Sn. The impurities include 0.04 mass % or less of P, 0.01 mass % or less of S, 0.03 mass % or less of C, 0.04 mass % or less of N, and 0.05 mass % or less of O.

Abstract: A steering lock device for use with a steering shaft includes a lock bar, a camshaft, and a counterweight. The lock bar is moved between an engagement position where the lock bar is engaged with the steering shaft and a non-engagement position where the lock bar is disengaged from the steering shaft. The camshaft is rotated in response to a locking operation and an unlocking operation. The camshaft includes a lock actuation cam that moves the lock bar to the engagement position in a locking direction, and rotation of the steering shaft is prohibited when the lock bar is engaged with the steering shaft. The counterweight is arranged on the camshaft to adjust rotational balance of the camshaft.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a two-phase alloy which contains inexpensive Cr as a main component, and which is superior in strength properties including corrosion resistance and toughness, and in abrasion resistance to conventional ones under a high corrosion circumstance such as in an oil well. The invention is a Cr based two-phase alloy including two phases of a ferrite phase and an austenite phase in a mixed state, in which a chemical composition of the Cr based two-phase alloy consists of a major component, an accessory component, impurities, a first optional accessory component, and a second optional accessory component, and the major component consists of 33% by mass or more and 65% by mass or less of Cr, 18% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less of Ni, and 10% by mass or more and 33% by mass or less of Fe.

Abstract: A zoom lens has, in order from an object side to an image side, a positive first lens unit, a negative second lens unit, a positive third lens unit, a positive fourth lens unit, and a fifth lens unit. In the zoom lens, the loci of the lens units moving for zooming are set appropriately, and a reflector for bending an optical path is placed at an appropriate position within the fifth lens unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that IRGM, encoded by a uniquely human gene which confers risk for inflammatory diseases, affects autoophagy through a hitherto unknown mechanism. The present invention shows that IRGM controls autophagy and that IRGM modulators, in particular, double-stranded RNA, including poly I:C, poly-UG (polyUGUGU) and polyl-CLC and muramyldipeptide and related analogs of same, including N-acetyl muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (DMP) and numerous other compounds as identified herein, which may be used alone, in combination, or in combination with alternative autophagy modulators and additional bioactive agents to provide effective therapies for a number of diseases, including cancer, bacterial infections and inflammatory diseases, especially including tuberculosis infections and Crohn's disease, among others.

Abstract: An imaging unit includes a plurality of imaging devices configured to capture images of an object; a circuit substrate configured to generate image data based on the images captured by the imaging devices; a chassis that holds the imaging devices; and a heat transfer member including a contacting portion configured to contact an installed member in a case where the imaging unit is installed on the installed member. The heat transfer member contacts the chassis or the circuit substrate, and heat conductivity of the heat transfer member is greater than the heat conductivity of the chassis.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide: a two-phase alloy as a metal material that can be preferably utilized under circumstances of a temperature range and a high corrosion as in an oil well, the two-phase alloy having a high corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties that are equivalent or more than those of conventional ones, and saving a cost; a product of the two-phase alloy; and a method for producing the product. There is provided a two-phase alloy containing Cr as a major component and including two phases of an austenite phase and a ferrite phase in a mixed state. The alloy has a chemical composition containing: 34-70 mass % of Cr; 17-45 mass % of Ni; 10-35 mass % of Fe; 0.1-2 mass % of Mn; 0.1-1 mass % of Si; and impurities. The total content of the Ni and the Fe is 30-65 mass %.

Abstract: A vehicular image-display system includes an image capturing device, a control device, and an image display device. The image capturing device includes an imaging element configured to capture an image of surroundings of a vehicle, and an image acquirer configured to acquire, based on the captured image captured by the imaging element, an image that is smaller in area than the captured image. The control device includes an image generator configured to generate an image that is smaller in area than the acquired image based on the acquired image acquired by the image acquirer. The image display device is configured to display the image to be displayed generated by the image generator. The acquired image is transmitted from the image capturing device to the control device.

Abstract: A steering lock device for use with a steering shaft includes a lock bar, a camshaft, and a counterweight. The lock bar is moved between an engagement position where the lock bar is engaged with the steering shaft and a non-engagement position where the lock bar is disengaged from the steering shaft. The camshaft is rotated in response to a locking operation and an unlocking operation. The camshaft includes a lock actuation cam that moves the lock bar to the engagement position in a locking direction, and rotation of the steering shaft is prohibited when the lock bar is engaged with the steering shaft. The counterweight is arranged on the camshaft to adjust rotational balance of the camshaft.

Abstract: A steering lock device is for use with a steering shaft and includes a lock mechanism that includes a lock bar, a housing that includes an opening and accommodates the lock mechanism, a cover that closes the opening of the housing, and one or more protective walls arranged on the cover. The lock bar locks the steering shaft when the lock bar is moved to an engagement position where the lock bar is engaged with the steering shaft. The one or more protective walls are located in one or more imaginary unauthorized access routes to the lock mechanism extending from outside the steering lock device.

Abstract: A zoom lens has, in order from an object side to an image side, a positive first lens unit, a negative second lens unit, a positive third lens unit, a positive fourth lens unit, and a fifth lens unit. In the zoom lens, the loci of the lens units moving for zooming are set appropriately, and a reflector for bending an optical path is placed at an appropriate position within the fifth lens unit.