Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method for producing a cartilage tissue which comprises a step of providing a substrate for producing cell aggregates provided with a plurality of spots comprising a copolymer containing recurring units derived from monomers represented by the following formulae (I) and (II): [wherein Ua1, Ua, Ra1, Ra2 and Rb are as described in the specification and claims] on a substrate having an ability to suppress adhesion of cells; a step of seeding human cartilage progenitor cells which are positive for PRRX1 protein and derived from pluripotent stem cells on the substrate; a step of producing cell aggregates by culturing the cells; and a step of culturing the aggregates to produce a cartilage tissue.

Abstract: A substrate for producing cell aggregates provided with a plurality of spots which comprises a polymer containing a recurring unit derived from a monomer represented by the following formula (I): wherein Ua1, Ua2, Ra1 and Ra2 are as defined herein, on a substrate having an ability to inhibit adhesion of cells, wherein a ratio of a total area of the spots to a surface area of the substrate is 30% or more, a diameter of each spot is 50 to 5,000 ?m, and a distance between the spots is 30 to 1,000 ?m, a method for producing the same, and a method for producing cell aggregates using such a substrate and a method of improving cell utilization efficiency at the time of producing the cell aggregates.

Abstract: It is to provide an agent for preventing or improving hearing loss, which comprises a low molecular compound which can be produced relatively easily and inexpensively as an active ingredient. One or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulas (I0), (II), and (III) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compounds when R3 is OH are used as an agent for preventing or improving hearing loss.

Abstract: To provide a bioabsorbable stent including: a first tubular unit containing a plurality of cells coupled to each other, each of the cells formed from substantially linear parts and a substantially circular arc part and having a substantially U shape which opens to one end in the axial direction of the stent; and a second tubular unit having the same shape as that of the first tubular unit, the second tubular unit containing a plurality of cells each of which has a substantially U shape which opens to a direction opposite to the opening direction of the opposing first cell. The first tubular unit and the second tubular unit are alternately arranged in sequence to surround a central axis of the stent. Coupling members couple substantially linear parts in some of the opposing cells in the respective neighboring tubular units.

Abstract: A gas sensor containing counter electrodes and a semiconductor nanowire 4 disposed between the counter electrodes 2, 3, wherein the semiconductor nanowire 4 is in a state where light can be irradiated, which sensor measures changes in the electric current associated with adsorption of a gas to the semiconductor nanowire 4, wherein the electric current is generated by irradiation of light on the semiconductor nanowire with a voltage applied to the counter electrodes 2, 3.

Abstract: A gas sensor array containing a gas flow path in which a gas to be analyzed flows, and a plurality of gas sensors set along the gas flowing direction of the gas flow path, wherein the gas sensors each has a constitution wherein semiconductor microcrystals that come into contact with the gas to be analyzed that flows in the above gas flow path are disposed between two electrodes.

Abstract: A gas sensor containing counter electrodes and a semiconductor nanowire 4 disposed between the counter electrodes 2, 3, wherein the semiconductor nanowire 4 is in a state where light can be irradiated, which sensor measures changes in the electric current associated with adsorption of a gas to the semiconductor nanowire 4, wherein the electric current is generated by irradiation of light on the semiconductor nanowire with a voltage applied to the counter electrodes 2, 3.

Abstract: The invention provides a gas sensitive material made from microcrystalline selenium (preferably selenium nanowire) and a gas sensor having an element structure wherein the gas sensitive material is disposed between two electrodes. The invention allows for the kind of organic gas to be distinguished, because microcrystalline selenium reacts with organic gas molecules with high sensitivity at room temperature without being influenced by humidity, and the magnitude of change of the value of the current flowing at a fixed voltage varies depending on the kind of an organic gas to be sensed.

Abstract: The invention provides a gas sensitive material made from microcrystalline selenium (preferably selenium nanowire) and a gas sensor having an element structure wherein the gas sensitive material is disposed between two electrodes. The invention allows for the kind of organic gas to be distinguished, because microcrystalline selenium reacts with organic gas molecules with high sensitivity at room temperature without being influenced by humidity, and the magnitude of change of the value of the current flowing at a fixed voltage varies depending on the kind of an organic gas to be sensed.

Abstract: Buck-boost type or buck type chopper circuits and transistors are employed as inverters (IV1, IV2) and power synchronizing switches (SW1, SW2), respectively. A PWM signal is applied to transistors of the chopper circuits to convert DC voltage generated by solar cells (DC1, DC2) into positive and negative half-wave AC voltages for an AC power supply (AC1). The inverters (IV1, IV2) output the AC voltages from their AC output terminals on alternate half cycles thereby to cause backflow of power. The power synchronizing switches (SW1, SW2) performs not only the function of transmitting the half-wave AC voltages generated by the inverters (IV1, IV2) to the AC power supply (AC1) in accordance with the AC cycle of the AC power supply (AC1), but also the function of, when one of the inverters is in operation, insulating the other from the AC power supply (AC1).