Abstract: Disclosed is a means for enabling fine carbons, which include from nano-sized to micro-sized carbons, to disperse uniformly. Specifically disclosed is a fine carbon dispersion which is produced by using a liquid fine carbon dispersion medium containing fine carbons including from nano-sized to micro-sized carbons and a dispersing agent for fine carbons.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to generate vaccine strains that undergo reversion (atavism) with difficulty and to provide smallpox vaccines with higher safety. The vaccine viruses are deficient in a part or the whole of the B5R gene of a vaccinia viral strain, LC16m8 or LC16mO, and produce no B5R gene products having normal functions. The vaccine viruses can be used as smallpox vaccines or vectors capable of expressing foreign genes. Hence, smallpox vaccines and vaccinia virus vectors are provided that produce no B5R gene products having normal functions due to reverse mutation.

Abstract: A steady-state detonation combustor and a steady-state detonation wave generating method, in which a stabilized detonation wave can be generated by generating a hypersonic and unburned premixed gas. An rich premixed gas whose gas fuel is rich is combusted in a rich premixed gas combustion chamber (11) to generate a fist high-temperature and high-pressure burned gas, while at the same time, a lean premixed gas whose oxygen is rich is combusted in a lean premixed gas combustion chamber (12) to generate a second high-temperature and high-pressure burned gas, and subsequently, after each high-temperature and high-pressure burned gas is accelerated to hypersonic speed and at the same time mixed together through an interpenetrating nozzle (40), a premixed gas obtained by the mixture and containing the gas fuel and the oxygen which are unreacted is impinged on a steady-state detonation stabilizer (60), so that a stabilized detonation wave is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus generates a cutaneous sense stimulus to call a subject attention to a change in posture based on posture change information (the amount of change in the barycenter, a changing direction of the same, and the like) from a device for detecting a change in posture of the subject. The apparatus has stimulus generating means (a plurality of vibrators) for generating a cutaneous sense stimulus, and stimulus control means for driving the stimulus generating means based on the posture change information. The control means comprises means for selecting a plurality of vibrators arranged substantially parallel with the changing direction based on the changing direction of the barycenter, and sequentially driving the selected vibrators, for example, in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which the barycenter changes. The control means also drives the vibrators to generate the tactile sense stimulus of a magnitude corresponding to a changing amount of the barycenter.

Abstract: A hydrogel of the semi-interpenetrating network structure or interpenetrating network structure, characterized in that the hydrogel is one formed from a first monomer ingredient at least 10 mol % of which is accounted for by a charge-possessing unsaturated monomer, the molar ratio of the first monomer ingredient to the second monomer ingredient being from ½ to {fraction (1/100)}, and that the second monomer ingredient has been polymerized and crosslinked to a lower degree of crosslinking than the first monomer ingredient. The hydrogel is usable in a diaper, sanitary good, sustained-release agent, construction material, building material, communication material, soil conditioner, contact lens, ocular lens, hollow fiber, artificial cartilage, artificial organ, material for fuel cells, battery diaphragm, impact-resistant material, cushion, etc.

Abstract: An anti-adhesion agent for marine organisms comprising a hydrogel, which exerts no influences on the ecosystem or natural environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a transplantable liver tissue, cell colonies suitable for the process, and a process for preparing them. At least about 70% of the cells in the small hepatocyte-rich colonies of the present invention are small hepatocytes. In particular, each colony comprises about 10 to 30 cells and the number of the small hepatocytes is at least about 70% based on the total number of the cells in the colony. A process for preparing such small hepatocyte-rich colonies is also disclosed. The present invention also discloses a process for inducing the maturation of the small hepatocyte-rich colonies into a liver tissue and a method of estimating the effect of a drug, particularly the effect thereof connected with normal liver function in vitro, using the cell colonies enriched with the small hepatocytes which have been induced to be matured.

Abstract: A method of preparing small hepatocytes is provided. The method is suitable for cryopreservation wherein the hepatic function and proliferation ability of the small hepatocytes is retained. A method of cryopreserving thus prepared small hepatocytes and the cryopreserved small hepatocytes having hepatic functions and proliferation ability are also provided. According to the present invention, small hepatocytes are cultured using a medium supplemented with nicotinamide to form colonies of small hepatocytes in which the small hepatocytes are encompassed by nonparenchymal cells, and then the formed colonies are dissociated from culture dishes as small hepatocytes aggregate by non-enzymatic treatment, suspended in a cryopreservation solution and are cryopreserved.