Abstract: A masterbatch contains 13 parts by mass or more and 130 parts by mass or less of hydrophilic fumed silica, and 1 part by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less of a silane coupling agent, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a diene-based rubber. A rubber composition for a tire contains 5 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less of hydrophilic fumed silica, and 1.5 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less of a silane coupling agent, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a diene-based rubber. A method for producing a masterbatch includes kneading a diene-based rubber, hydrophilic fumed silica, and a silane coupling agent.

Abstract: A method for evaluating biofilm formation on a medical device material in vivo using an invertebrate includes: a step of inserting the medical device material between a hypodermal portion and an intestinal tract of an invertebrate, a step of extracting the medical device material from the invertebrate, and a step of evaluating biofilm formation on the surface of the medical device material; the invertebrate is for use in this evaluation of the biofilm formation.

Abstract: There is provided an acoustic apparatus whose front-side exterior appearance construction can be freely changed and which can be easily added with a new function. A freely detachable control panel 2 is provided to an acoustic apparatus body 1 mounted on a vehicle 101, and audio units Au-1, Au-2, Au-3 which are connected to the acoustic apparatus body 1 through the control panel 2 are freely detachably provided to the control panel 2.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy part includes a part body composed of a magnesium alloy containing aluminum; a paint film at least partially covering the part body; and a magnesium fluoride layer provided immediately under the paint film. The magnesium alloy has an aluminum content of about 6.5 weight % or less.

Abstract: There is provided an acoustic apparatus whose front-side exterior appearance construction can be freely changed and which can be easily added with a new function. A freely detachable control panel 2 is provided to an acoustic apparatus body 1 mounted on a vehicle 101, and audio units Au-1, Au-2, Au-3 which are connected to the acoustic apparatus body 1 through the control panel 2 are freely detachably provided to the control panel 2.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy part includes a part body composed of a magnesium alloy containing aluminum; a paint film at least partially covering the part body; and a magnesium fluoride layer provided immediately under the paint film. The magnesium alloy has an aluminum content of about 6.5 weight % or less.

Abstract: A wiring layer formed on a field insulating film covering the surface of a semiconductor substrate is covered with an interlayer film. The interlayer film is covered with a flat film such as spin-on-glass formed by spin coating. The flat film has, for example, a laminated structure of an organic SOG film and an inorganic SOG film. The inorganic SOG film is suitable for obtaining a polishing speed generally equal to that of a CVD oxide film. The insulating film and the flat film are chemical-mechanical polished at a same polishing speed until the flat film is thoroughly removed, to leave a planarized insulating film.

Abstract: A multi-layered wiring structure, having a first level metal wiring layer and a second level metal wiring layer, is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first level interlayer insulating film which has an undulation caused by the first level metal wiring layer, a second level metal wiring layer which also has an uneven surface, and a second level interlayer insulating layer are consecutively deposited on the semiconductor substrate. A reflection preventing film (TiN) of 80 nm or more thickness is deposited over the second level interlayer insulating film, and a resist layer is coated on the reflection preventing film. Then, an ultra-violet ray is irradiated through a patterning mask to make an opening corresponding to a contact hole. The reflection preventing film constrains a multi-reflection of the ultra-violet ray. Thus, an accuracy of the patterning of the contact hole is improved.

Abstract: A floor coating agent applying machine having a movable machine body, an applying member attached to the movable machine body for applying a floor coating agent onto a floor surface. The applying member includes a plurality of elastic rods vertically suspended from the movable machine body, with the rods being arranged in a loop-like formation as viewed from above the movable machine body, an eccentric rotary cam drivably attached to the movable machine body and rotatable on a vertical axis positioned inside the loop of the elastic rods and a circular recess vertically slidably fitted about the eccentric rotary cam so as to cause a rotational force of the cam to elastically deform the elastic rods thus producing vertical vibration of the applying member.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a multi-level wiring structure starts with preparation of a semiconductor substrate covered with a lower insulating film, and comprises the steps of forming lower-level wiring strips on the lower insulating film, covering the lower-level wiring strips and exposed portions of the lower insulating film with a first intermediate insulating film, coating the entire surface with an organic glass film, removing the organic film except for pieces of the organic glass film in valleys between the lower-level wiring strips, coating the entire surface with an inorganic glass film, removing the inorganic glass film except for pieces of the inorganic glass film on the pieces of the organic glass film, covering the entire surface with a second intermediate insulating film, and forming upper-level wiring strips on the intermediate insulating film, wherein the pieces of the inorganic glass film prevent the upper-level wiring strips from corrosion due to water vapor produced from the pieces of the org