Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid automobile is provided. Only a drive force of the motor is outputted to wheels by stopping the engine while operating the motor when a required drive force is below a predetermined switch value, and at least a drive force of the engine is outputted to the wheels by operating at least the engine when the required drive force is above the switch value. The method includes estimating, when the required drive force is below the switch value, a switching possibility of the required drive force increasing above the switch value, operating the engine so that a temperature of a catalyst becomes a first temperature when the estimated switching possibility is above a predetermined level, and operating the engine so that the temperature of the catalyst becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature when the estimated switching possibility is below the predetermined level.

Abstract: A porous scaffold having pores for seeding cells characterized in that, in the outer peripheral face of the porous main body having the pores for seeding cells, a porous membrane having pores smaller than the cells is located. Thus, it is possible to provide a porous scaffold whereby the cells can be seeded at a high efficiency while preventing cell leakage and, moreover, even cells having little adhesiveness can be adhered.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid automobile is provided. Only a drive force of the motor is outputted to wheels by stopping the engine while operating the motor when a required drive force is below a predetermined switch value, and at least a drive force of the engine is outputted to the wheels by operating at least the engine when the required drive force is above the switch value. The method includes estimating, when the required drive force is below the switch value, a switching possibility of the required drive force increasing above the switch value, operating the engine so that a temperature of a catalyst becomes a first temperature when the estimated switching possibility is above a predetermined level, and operating the engine so that the temperature of the catalyst becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature when the estimated switching possibility is below the predetermined level.

Abstract: A porous scaffold having pores for seeding cells characterized in that, in the outer peripheral face of the porous main body having the pores for seeding cells, a porous membrane having pores smaller than the cells is located. Thus, it is possible to provide a porous scaffold whereby the cells can be seeded at a high efficiency while preventing cell leakage and, moreover, even cells having little adhesiveness can be adhered.

Abstract: This invention provides novel composite biomaterials having excellent bioadaptability and bone inductivity and a process for producing the same. The composite biomaterials comprise hydroxyapatite, collagen, and alginate and have microporous structures in which the c-axis of the hydroxyapatite is oriented along the collagen fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing porous and composite materials comprising steps of: freezing a complex containing at least one calcium salt selected from calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite and collagen, at least a part of which is gelatinized; and then lyophilizing the resultant. The porous and composite materials obtained by the method of the present invention have large pore diameters, high porosities, and adequate mechanical strengths and biodegradability. Thus, they are suitable for implants such as bone fillers, drug carriers for sustained-release, and the like.

Abstract: This invention provides novel composite biomaterials having excellent bioadaptability and bone inductivity and a process for producing the same. The composite biomaterials comprise hydroxyapatite, collagen, and alginate and have microporous structures in which the c-axis of the hydroxyapatite is oriented along the collagen fibers.

Abstract: This invention provides alternative bone implants that have high bioadaptability and enable rapid bone regeneration. Specifically, this invention relates to implants consisting of a bioadaptable material comprising cells transfected with growth factor genes. Such implants are produced by inoculating bone-marrow-derived cells transfected with the genes of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) into a bioadaptable material, such as porous ceramics, and culturing them.

Abstract: This invention relates to composite biomaterials having a sponge-like structure and comprising phosphophoryn and collagen, and to artificial bones obtained by culturing bone marrow-derived cells on the aforementioned composite biomaterials.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of rapid and adequate culture of cells isolated from a body to effectively construct bone/cartilage tissues and implants containing the bone/cartilage tissues constructed by the aforementioned method. In this method, osteo-/chondro-inducible transcription factor genes are transfected into bone-marrow-derived cells isolated from a body using an adenoviral or a retroviral vector to grow on adequate scaffolds. The constructed bone/cartilage tissues are transplanted into a body together with the scaffolds. Thus, they can be used as substitutional bone/cartilage implants.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing porous and composite materials comprising steps of: freezing a complex containing at least one calcium salt selected from calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite and collagen, at least a part of which is gelatinized; and then lyophilizing the resultant. The porous and composite materials obtained by the method of the present invention have large pore diameters, high porosities, and adequate mechanical strengths and biodegradability. Thus, they are suitable for implants such as bone fillers, drug carriers for sustained-release, and the like.

Abstract: This invention aims at providing a method of rapidly generating bone tissue having the mechanical strength, shape and size suitable for use in implantation, to provide the obtained normal regenerated bone tissue, and to provide a bone treatment material utilizing the same. Bone tissue suitable for implantation, having a specific shape and size is generated/regenerated by the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells having the multi-potentiality for differentiation or osteoblasts in a fibrous and/or porous material which can serve as a scaffold for these cells.

Abstract: A cone-plate type apparatus for evaluating compatibility with blood or the like includes: a bottom plate (1) that secures test material (2), a cone (16) made of transparent material that rotates while in contact with blood or the like supplied upon the test material, a cone holder (13) that secures the cone therein and that has a rotary driver (14) on its periphery, a driving apparatus (8) that rotates the cone holder via the rotary driver and an incident light fluorescent microscope (2) for observing blood or the like on the test material from above the cone. The test material is secured to the bottom plate by means of ring members so it is possible to observe and quantitatively evaluate the state of adherence of blood cell components to not only plate-shaped material but also materials having the shape of a membrane, sponge, filter or any other shape, along with opaque materials, in the presence of shear stresses and in real time.

Abstract: A composite material is provided that exhibits excellent biocompatibility, is easy to handle in clinical applications, and has an excellent mechanical strength. The composite material can be used as a scaffold for supporting chondrocytes or progenitor cells differentiating thereto and is useful for an implant for cartilage tissue regeneration.

Abstract: An analyzer for determining the resultant force at a bone joint has a pair of cursors which are successively set to crucial points on an X-ray picture of the bone joint. The cursors are connected to potentiometers which produce signals corresponding to their positions. The signals are fed to a data processing unit which calculates the resultant force from a known formula.

Abstract: Possible sedimentation of finely powdered coal in colloidal fuel can be effectively prevented by subjecting the colloidal fuel to the action of an electric field and thereby allowing the viscosity of the colloidal fuel to be enhanced owing to the electroviscous effect brought about by the electric field.