Abstract: To provide a brown and beige adipocyte activating agent and a brown and beige adipocyte activating food, each containing D-allulose as an active ingredient. Provided are a brown and beige adipocyte activating agent containing D-allulose as an active ingredient; a brown and beige adipocyte activating agent containing at least D-allulose and having a UCP-1 expression promoting action; a brown and beige adipocyte activating agent which enhances UCP-1 expression and thereby activates brown and beige adipocytes; an energy consumption promoting agent containing D-allulose as an active ingredient; an energy consumption promoting agent which activates brown and beige adipocytes and thereby promotes energy consumption; a UCP-1 expression enhancing agent containing D-allulose as an active ingredient; and a composition or food composition containing these agents.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a rare sugar-containing composition having improved properties as a sweetener while maintaining the excellent functionality of D-psicose. The invention relates to a method of producing a rare-sugar containing composition with D-fructose as a raw material. An intended product having a novel composition of D-glucose, D-fructose, and D-psicose is obtained by preparing a mixture of D-fructose and D-psicose by using ketose 3-epimerase in the first stage and converting D-fructose into D-glucose by using D-xylose isomerase inert to D-psicose in the second stage. The first-stage product is a mixture of D-fructose and rare sugar D-psicose. The resulting mixture is a sweetener having a taste quality equal to that of sugar.

Abstract: To provide a vascular sap measurement sensor in which a flow channel that receives incoming flow of vascular sap is unlikely to be blocked by tissues of a plant. A vascular sap measurement sensor 1 includes: a trapping probe 20 for trapping vascular sap; and a support 10 that supports the trapping probe 20. A trapping flow channel 21 that receives incoming flow of the vascular sap is formed in the trapping probe 20. The trapping flow channel 21 has an inlet opening 24 formed on a side surface of the trapping probe 20. This makes it unlikely that the trapping flow channel 21 will be blocked by tissues of a plant when sticking the trapping probe 20 into the plant.

Abstract: A light source, a standing wave forming unit, a detector, and an absorbance calculating unit. The light source irradiates a sample with light. The standing wave forming unit forms, in the sample, an acoustic standing wave perpendicular to a surface of the sample. A node of the acoustic standing wave is positioned at a predetermined distance from the surface of the sample, the light from the light source entering the surface of the sample. The detector detects light emitted from the surface of the sample, and is disposed on the surface of the sample on a side where the light source is disposed. The absorbance calculating unit obtains absorbance.

Abstract: To provide a vascular sap flow speed sensor having a size allowing measurement of the flow speed of vascular sap in a part of a plant such as a stem and capable of being manufactured at low cost. A vascular sap flow speed sensor 1 includes a heater sensor HS and a reference sensor RS. The heater sensor HS includes: a first probe unit 10a including a heat transfer plate 11 and a probe 12; a heater 20; a first temperature sensor 30a; and a first housing 40a in which the heat transfer plate 11, the heater 20, and the first temperature sensor 30a are housed. The reference sensor RS includes: a second probe unit 10b including a heat transfer plate 11 and a probe 12; a second temperature sensor 30b; and a second housing 40b in which the heat transfer plate 11 and the second temperature sensor 30b are housed. Each of the first probe unit 10a and the second probe unit 10b is made of a metallic material.

Abstract: A D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose includes D-psicose, a sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity sweetener, preferably containing D-psicose as the main component, particularly a low-calorie sweetener and/or a sweetener giving refreshing feel in the oral cavity, as well as foods and drinks obtained by using the D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose, and other products given with sweetness. The sugar alcohol is one or more sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol, while the high intensity sweetener is one or more high intensity sweeteners as selected from aspartame, acesulfame K, sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, Sucralose (under trade name), stevia sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame and monellin.

Abstract: Optical measuring apparatus includes: a light source irradiating an object to be measured; a splitter splitting transmitted light or reflected light from the object to be measured; a phase changer changing a phase of a first light which is one of the lights split; a phase fixer maintaining a phase of a second light which is the other light split; a multiplexer multiplexing lights output from the phase changer and the phase fixer; a detector detecting the light (interference image) output from the multiplexer; and a controller that extracts a reference point from the interference image, when a displacement of the reference point is detected, corrects a luminance value for each pixel of the interference images in accordance with a displacement of the object to be measured indicated by a displacement of the reference point, constructs an interferogram based on the luminance value for each pixel of the interference images after the correction.

Abstract: A light source, a standing wave forming unit, a detector, and an absorbance calculating unit. The light source irradiates a sample with light. The standing wave forming unit forms, in the sample, an acoustic standing wave perpendicular to a surface of the sample. A node of the acoustic standing wave is positioned at a predetermined distance from the surface of the sample, the light from the light source entering the surface of the sample. The detector detects light emitted from the surface of the sample, and is disposed on the surface of the sample on a side where the light source is disposed. The absorbance calculating unit obtains absorbance.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one monosaccharide selected from D-tagatose, D-allose, D-psicose, D-talose, D-sorbose, D-galactose, Lfructose, D-mannose and D-mannitol as an active ingredient and multiple surfactants selected from an anionic surfactant selected from aryl sulfonates, formalin condensates of aryl sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl diphenyl ether disulfonates, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfonates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfosuccinic acid half esters, alkyl sulfates, sulfosuccinates, polyoxyalkylene aryl ether sulfates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer sulfates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether acetates, polyoxyalkylene aryl ether phosphates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether phosphates, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer phosphates, alkyl phosphate esters, methyl taurates, polycarboxylates and fatty acid salts, wherein the anionic surfactants are at a blending ratio of 0.

Abstract: A light measurement device that maintains high measurement precision. The light measurement device includes: light source that irradiates light upon measurement object; branch part that splits transmitted light or reflected light from measurement object; phase-changing unit that changes the phase of one beam of the branched light beams; phase-fixing unit that maintains the phase of the other beam of the branched light beams; adjustment mechanism, which is provided in phase-changing unit or phase-fixing unit, for adjusting the propagation direction of light; multiplexer that causes the light emitted by each of phase-changing unit and phase-fixing unit to interfere with each other; detection unit that detects light that is interfered with by multiplexer; and control unit that controls the adjustment mechanism on the basis of the luminance values of an interference image that is detected by detection unit and adjusts the propagation direction of light in phase-changing unit or phase-fixing unit.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

Abstract: [Subjects] To provide a biliary tract drainage tube in which both an external drainage tube and an internal drainage tube can be installed in a single endoscopic procedure. [Method to Solve] A biliary tract drainage tube used to drain a biliary tract is provided with long external drainage tube 2 and internal drainage tube 3 that is provided on the tip of the external drainage tube so as to be separable from the external drainage tube. Both external drainage tube 2 and internal drainage tube 3 are placed in biliary tract Cd. Since internal drainage tube 3 can be left behind in the biliary tract by removing external drainage tube 2, another endoscopic procedure is not required when switching from external drainage tube 2 to internal drainage tube 3, and the burden placed on the patient can be lessened.

Abstract: Reflected light detecting device and method with surface reflected light components collectively be extracted/removed when detecting reflected light arising in casting light onto target-object range having non-planar surface.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

Abstract: A light measurement device that maintains high measurement precision. The light measurement device includes: light source that irradiates light upon measurement object; branch part that splits transmitted light or reflected light from measurement object; phase-changing unit that changes the phase of one beam of the branched light beams; phase-fixing unit that maintains the phase of the other beam of the branched light beams; adjustment mechanism, which is provided in phase-changing unit or phase-fixing unit, for adjusting the propagation direction of light; multiplexer that causes the light emitted by each of phase-changing unit and phase-fixing unit to interfere with each other; detection unit that detects light that is interfered with by multiplexer; and control unit that controls the adjustment mechanism on the basis of the luminance values of an interference image that is detected by detection unit and adjusts the propagation direction of light in phase-changing unit or phase-fixing unit.

Abstract: A muscular strength assisting apparatus includes a drive means held by a first attachment tool attached to a torso, and a transmission means for transmitting a force output by the drive means to a second attachment tool attached to an upper arm. The transmission means includes an output shaft member coupled to the second attachment tool, and a switching means capable of switching between transmission and interruption of a force from the drive means to the output shaft member. The switching means is disposed on a rear, upper or laterally outer side of the output shaft member.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

Abstract: To provide a tactile sensor that allows a contact to be displaced largely and can detect fine ruggedness, flexibility, and other features of a surface of a measuring object. A sensor part S includes a frame 10 that includes a side part of a substrate B, a contact 20 that is disposed in parallel to the substrate B so that a tip of the contact 20 projects from a side face of the substrate B, a suspension 30 that supports the contact 20 to the frame 10, and displacement detectors 41 and 42 each of which detects displacement of the contact 20. The side face of the substrate B functions as a sensing surface. The contact 20 coming in contact with a measuring object O is displaced on a level parallel to the substrate B. Since the sensor part S can be configured widely in a planar manner along the substrate B, the structure has higher flexibility of design.