Abstract: A virus inactivation method is provided. The method includes irradiating a solution containing an artificially expressed antibody or antibody fragment with ultraviolet rays in the presence of a radical scavenger. The irradiating only aggregates 5% or less of the antibody or antibody fragment. A wavelength of the ultraviolet rays is 200 nm or longer and 315 nm or shorter. An irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays is 300 mJ/cm2 or more. An irradiation time of the ultraviolet rays is 3 minutes or less. A concentration of the radical scavenger in the solution is 0.03 mM or more.

Abstract: A cell stimulating apparatus for detaching adhesive cells adhered on a culture substrate from the culture substrate by stimulating the cells, comprising: an application unit configured to apply an alternating field between a first electrode and a second electrode opposing each other by sandwiching cells and a solution in which the cells are dipped, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is not in contact with the cells and the solution, wherein the cells and the solution are contained in a vessel, and the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged outside the vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cell culture apparatus that can achieve appropriate culture conditions. The cell culture apparatus (1) includes: a cylindrical culture vessel (10) that holds a culture liquid containing cells; a supporting column (20) that stands upright in a center of an inner surface of a bottom (12) in the culture vessel; and a stirring device (30) that includes an attaching portion (32) that is attached to an upper portion of the supporting column so as to be rotatable relative to the supporting column and a stirring blade (34) whose upper portion is fixed to the attaching portion so as to rotate around the supporting column.

Abstract: A combination electrode for ion concentration measurement is provided including a glass electrode and a reference electrode whose internal electrode is made of silver-silver chloride, wherein a sealing means is provided configured to seal an upper surface of a reference electrode chamber formed in an outer tube which houses an internal electrode and an internal solution of the reference electrode, and around a glass support tube penetrating the outer tube along a substantially center axis thereof an annular silver member which the glass support tube penetrates along a center axis thereof, annular sealing elastic members for liquid-tightly sealing a space between the silver member and the glass support tube, and a space between the silver member and the outer tube, respectively, and the reference electrode internal electrode is connected to a terminal for a reference electrode through the silver member.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a technique to inhibit methanogens from producing methane. The use of Alcaligenes faecalis can inhibit methanogens from producing methane.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a technique to inhibit methanogens from producing methane. The use of Alcaligenes faecalis can inhibit methanogens from producing methane.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a technique to inhibit methanogens from producing methane. The use of Alcaligenes faecalis can inhibit methanogens from producing methane.

Abstract: A combination electrode for ion concentration measurement is provided including a glass electrode and a reference electrode whose internal electrode is made of silver-silver chloride, wherein a sealing means is provided configured to seal an upper surface of a reference electrode chamber formed in an outer tube which houses an internal electrode and an internal solution of the reference electrode, and around a glass support tube penetrating the outer tube along a substantially center axis thereof an annular silver member which the glass support tube penetrates along a center axis thereof, annular sealing elastic members for liquid-tightly sealing a space between the silver member and the glass support tube, and a space between the silver member and the outer tube, respectively, and the reference electrode internal electrode is connected to a terminal for a reference electrode through the silver member.

Abstract: Heater or dryer apparatus to be installed to aircraft fixed structure, comprising in combination, a heater and blower unit to be attached to the fixed structure, an elongated flexible hose extending away from the unit, and configured to receive a flow of heated air from the unit, a nozzle at a distal end of the hose to direct heated air at a person using the apparatus, and a retainer for releasably retaining the hose proximate fixed structure at a location remote from the heater and blower unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of supplying dissolved carbon dioxide to plants in an aqueous medium characterized by electrolyzing the water in the aqueous medium by electrodes disposed in the aqueous medium and supplied with electric current. At least one of the electrodes is a carbon electrode which acts as a positive electrode. The current density is supplied to the electrodes at or below the level at which no, or substantially no, gaseous oxygen is formed at the positive carbon electrode.

Abstract: An electrical machine has a stator, and a rotor defining an axis of rotation, the stator including laminations located along that axis, the laminations having protrusions, the protrusions on each lamination being circularly spaced apart about the axis to define cooling air flow passages, and a fan mounted on the rotor to effect flow of cooling air into and through such passages as the rotor rotates.

Abstract: An autoclave (1) is provided with an internal table (1) upon which articles to be sterilised can be placed. The autoclave is provided with a mechanism (2, 3, 5) for shaking or vibrating the table, and thereby shaking or vibrating the liquid undergoing sterilization, resulting in a more even temperature distribution within the liquid, thereby reducing the length of time for sterilization and reducing the occurrence of flash evaporation of the culture medium. The shaking or vibration may, for example, be induced by a shaft (2) which passes sealingly through a wall of the autoclave or may be induced by a number of magnets (41) located on a ring (38) around the autoclave which magnetically attract associated magnets (35) on the table within the autoclave.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carbon dioxide-generating electrode apparatus made up of a carbon anode, the upper end part thereof being fixed to a terminal part, and a cathode disposed in a non-contacting relationship so as to face the carbon anode, characterized in that the distance between the carbon anode and the cathode is broadened relatively and continuously from the lower part toward the upper part. The distances between the carbon anode and the cathode are set to be an equal distance at positions on the same horizontal cross section, and the difference (W.sub.1 -W.sub.2) between a distance (W.sub.1) between the side face at the upper end part of the carbon anode and the inner face of the cathode from a distance (W.sub.2) between the side face at the lower end part of the carbon anode and the inner face of the cathode is preferably set to a range of 1.0 to 5.0 mm.

Abstract: An aerial refueling system for refueling aircraft in flight from a tanker airplane, via a fuel supply hose and drogue system comprising an elongated boom having inboard and outboard end portions, and having pivotal support structure at the inboard end portion to accommodate pivoting of the boom between retracted position adjacent the airplane fuselage and extended position in which the boom projects away from the fuselage; the boom having a guide to guide endwise extension and retraction of the hose and drogue to and from aircraft refueling deployed position; and hose and drogue control structure carried by the aircraft fuselage for effecting storage, and hose and drogue endwise extension and retraction via the guide.

Abstract: A game machine is provided with an automatic gift ejecting function of selecting gifts, even if in different forms, through game-like operations and automatically ejecting the gifts without using special capsules or the like by using devised gift display, gift selection and selection indication methods. The game machine has a gift display portion including a plurality of vertically arranged tiers each having a plurality of gifts placed horizontally, a selection indicating device for indicating gift display positions respectively corresponding to the gifts, a tier selection device for selecting one of the plural tiers, a horizontal position selection device for selecting one of the gift display positions of the horizontally arranged gifts, and an automatic gift ejecting device for automatically ejecting one of the gifts selected by the tier selection device and the horizontal position selection device into a gift outlet.

Abstract: A lamination for the stator or rotor of an electrical machine, the improvement comprising the lamination having a first periphery extending about a central axis defined by the lamination; the lamination also having a series of circularly spaced protrusions projecting away from the periphery and from the main extent of the lamination; whereby a stack of laminations, at least some of which incorporate the protrusions, define fluid coolant passages adjacent the protrusions.

Abstract: A landscaping border is provided which is attractive, safe for animals and children to play around and less susceptible to biological growth. Provided is a landscaping border comprising: a tubular polyethylene mesh with a mesh size of at least about 0.25 inches and no more than about 3 inches and a diameter of at least about 3 inches and no more than about 10 inches; biodegradable ground cover, preferably pine straw, wherein at least 95% of the weight of the biodegradable ground cover is contained within the mesh and no more than about 5% of the total weight of the biodegradable ground cover protrudes through said mesh. The inventive border also preferably comprises a biocide.

Abstract: A low pressure drop valve connectible to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for modulating hydraulic fluid flow is provided; it includes a valve body defining an axially extending tapered bore and having hydraulic flow inlet and outlet ports, a plug valve movable axially in that bore and having an externally tapered surface facing the tapered bore and movable axially relative thereto to increase or decrease a gap formed between the tapered surface and the tapered bore, for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid via the gap and at least one of said ports, and apparatus responsive to a side stream of pressurized hydraulic fluid to control axial movement of the plug valve in the tapered bore, including first and second pistons connected with the plug valve to move axially therewith, the valve body forming first and second cylinders respectively receiving the pistons for application of hydraulic fluid pressure to the pistons for displacing the pistons and plug valve axially, and protective O-rings in the cy

Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting the surface of a liquid or foam, for example in a fermentation vessel a detector electrode (10) is surrounded at its lower end by a protective shroud (12) so as to protect a confined vapor space (14) surrounding the detector electrode. The vapor in the space (14) is maintained at a relatively low humidity either by heating the detector electrode or some other part of the apparatus or by purging the space (14) with a relatively dry air or gas. It is thereby ensured that no condensation onto the O-ring seal (20) and surrounding parts takes place. The shroud (12) also protects the parts from splashing.

Abstract: A control circuit for a DC inverter for an induction motor comprises:circuitry to produce a control waveform characterized by a sequence of pulse groups wherein the durations of the pulse groups increase with time, and wherein the widths of the pulses within each group increase with time, the circuitry supplying the waveform to the inverter.The circuits typically includes:(i) a first oscillator having a sawtooth output,(ii) a ramp generator having a voltage output which changes with time,(iii) a first comparator operatively connected with and responsive to the first oscillator and ramp generator outputs to produce an output characterized by a duty cycle which increases with time, and(iv) a second oscillator responsive to the comparator output to produce an output having a frequency which increases with time.