Abstract: [Object] To provide a composition for inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis by using a rare sugar D-psicose and a method of inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis. [Means for Resolution] The composition for inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis is characterized by comprising D-psicose as an active ingredient for an antiatherogenic action. The antiatherogenic action as described above includes an action of inhibiting or reducing the expression of a chemokine or a cytokine related to arteriosclerosis in vivo and an action of promoting the expression of a receptor involved in the improvement of arteriosclerosis without affecting the expression of an arteriosclerosis inducer. This composition is used in the form of a product selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, seasonings, food additives, food materials, foods and drinks, health foods and drinks, drugs, quasi drugs and feeds blended with D-psicose and/or its derivative and/or a mixture thereof as the active ingredient.

Abstract: Object: To provide a composition for preventing periodontal diseases (prophylactic agent of periodontal diseases), the composition having an excellent cariostatic property, being safe and stable for prolonged use and having less effects on flavor. Means for Resolution: A non-cariogenic material prepared by blending a rare sugar in the D form as selected from the group consisting of D-psicose, D-sorbose and D-tagatose, a rare sugar in the L form as selected from L-fructose, L-psicose and L-tagatose, or allitol as a rare sugar derivative, singly or in combination. A cariostatic agent comprising D-psicose, D-sorbose, D-tagatose, L-fructose, L-psicose and/or L-tagatose. A cariostatic agent in combination with catechins.

Abstract: Screening for a glucokinase-activating substance among rare sugars and providing a composition for treating disordered conditions in association with glucokinase activity, the composition containing the glucokinase-activating substance as the active ingredient. A promoting agent of glucokinase transfer from nucleus to cytoplasm, the promoting agent containing D-psicose and/or D-tagatose as the active ingredient, or a composition for preventing the onset of disordered conditions in association with glucokinase activity or for therapeutically treating the disordered conditions, which is in a form selected from a group consisting of food additives, food materials, drinks and foods, health drinks and foods, pharmaceutical product and feeds in blend with D-psicose and/or D-tagatose as the active ingredient for use in preventing the onset of disordered conditions in association with glucokinase activity or for therapeutically treating the disordered conditions.

Abstract: Silicon in prismatic shape is produced by using a silicon wafer with (110) surface and sequentially carrying out an alignment configuration forming step for forming alignment configurations having surfaces that are along two (111) surfaces perpendicular to a substrate surface inside the silicon wafer, a primary anisotropic etching step for forming perpendicular walls having wall surfaces aligned to one of these (111) surfaces, and a secondary anisotropic etching step for forming silicon in the prismatic shape having wall surfaces aligned to the other of these (111) surfaces with respect to the perpendicular walls.

Abstract: Providing a D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose, comprising 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: The object is to provide a novel application of D-allose (e.g., use for prevention of hypertension or hypercardia). Thus, disclosed is a composition for preventing the increase in blood pressure which comprises D-allose as an active ingredient; or a composition containing D-allose and/or a derivative thereof, preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 50% by weight. Preferably, the composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of a food additive, a food material, a beverage/food, a health beverage/food, a pharmaceutical and a feeding stuff which can be used for the prevention and treatment of a cardiovascular system disorder (e.g., hypertension, hypercardia). The increase in blood pressure may be caused by salt-sensitive hypertension. Also disclosed is use of D-allose for preventing the increase in blood pressure (excluding medical practices).

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To control neuropathic pain produced by various mechanisms. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] Disclosed is a composition for elimination, relief or reduction of neuropathic pain comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one substance selected from the group consisting of D-allose, a derivative of D-allose, D-psicose and a derivative of D-psicose preferably in an amount of 0.01 to 90% by weight. The composition may comprise a mixture of D-allose and/or a derivative thereof and D-psicose and/or a derivative thereof at a ratio of 1:1 to 10:1. The neuropathic pain may be one induced by a disease selected from the group consisting of trigeminal neuralgia, postoperative pain, periodontitis, gingivitis, gingivostomatitis, oral ulcer, herpes zoster, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuritis, causalgia, phantom limb pain and malignant tumor.

Abstract: A drug in the form of a solid preparation soluble or suspendable in water or an aqueous solution characterized by containing at least one biocompatible, gastric motility suppressing component such as triacetin, which is capable of transmitting ultrasonic wave to a target organ via the solution pooled in the body in a noninvasive examination (for example, an ultrasonic examination of an abdominal organ), identifying the area in which the solution exists, or clarifying the boundary of the solution and an organ in contact therewith, is employed as an auxiliary agent in the examination. In addition, triacetin can be extensively used as a gastric motility suppressor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a crystalline sugar comprising D-psicose and D-allose. Also disclosed is a process for producing the sugar. A complex crystalline sugar comprising D-psicose and D-allose. The compositional ratio between D-psicose and D-allose in the sugar is about 1:1 to 1:4. A process for producing a complex crystalline sugar comprising D-psicose and D-allose, the process comprising producing a complex crystalline sugar comprising D-psicose and D-allose from a sugar solution containing D-psicose and p-allose and collecting the complex crystalline sugar. The solvent of the sugar solution used in the production of the complex crystalline sugar is water or a mixture of water and ethanol. The sugar solution containing D-psicose and D-allose is produced by a process comprising reacting D-psicose with L-rhamnose isomerase to convert D-psicose into D-allose. The L-rhamnose isomerase is derived from a strain (IPOD FERM BP-08593) belonging to Pseudomonas stutzeri.

Abstract: A nanotweezer (1) according to the present invention includes: a supporting member (25); an observation probe (10) that projects out from the supporting member (25), and is used when observing a surface of a specimen; a movable arm (20) that is arranged next to the observation probe (10) projecting out from the supporting member (25), and makes closed or opened between the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20) to hold or release the specimen held between the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20); and a drive mechanism that drives the movable arm (20) so as to make closed or opened between the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20), and the supporting member (25), the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20) are each formed by processing a semiconductor wafer (30) through a photolithography process.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide the sequence of a thermotolerant L-rhamnose isomerase gene. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A DNA comprising the base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2. A protein originating in Bacillus pallidus strain 14a (FERM AP-20172) and having an L-rhamnose isomerase activity. A protein having an L-rhamnose isomerase activity which is specified as having the following characteristics: optimum temperature and working temperature: showing the maximum enzymatic activity at 80° C. (the optimum temperature) and working temperature ranging from 30 to 80° C.; heat stability: concerning the effect of temperature on the enzymatic activity, being stable at up to 50° C. in the case of heating for 1 hour; and catalyzing the isomerization from D-psicose to D-allose.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To find out a specific rare sugar having effects of inhibiting the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and lumen formation and utilize these effects. To provide this rare sugar as a preventive/remedy for diseases with angiogenesis, a cosmetic or a functional food. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A method of controlling the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells characterized by utilizing the vascular endothelial cell proliferation-controlling effect of D-mannose, D-allose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, 3-deoxy-D-glucose, L-sorbose, 2-deoxy-D-ribose and/or 2-deoxy-L-ribose. A method of inhibiting lumen formation of vascular endothelial cells characterized by utilizing the vascular endothelial cell lumen formation-inhibiting effect of D-allose, D-altrose, D-gulose, D-talose, L-allose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, 3-deoxy-D-glucose, D-ribose, L-ribose, 2-deoxy-D-ribose and/or 2-deoxy-L-ribose.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a preservative solution for cells, tissues and organs using a rare sugar and a preservation method using the solution. [Means for Resolution] A preservative solution for cryopreservation of animal or human organs and animal or plant tissues or cells, the solution containing a rare sugar D-allose. A preservative solution for cryopreservation of the human kidney, cells derived from animals or humans, or human or animal sperm and/or ovum and/or fermented ovum in which the cryopreservation is conducted at from ?5 to 20° C. A preservative solution for cryopreservation of cells derived from animals or humans, or human or animal sperm and/or ovum and/or fermented ovum in which the cryopreservation is conducted at a temperature at which to start freezing to ?196° C.

Abstract: A driver fatigue assessment device may include; a look information generator to generate look information regarding at least one of a driver's direction of a look and a locus at which a driver is looking; a visual stimulator to provide a visual stimulus within a driver's field of view at a first position and then move the location thereof to a second position; a change determination unit to determine whether the look information has changed in response to the movement of the visual stimulus; and a fatigue decision unit to assess driver fatigue based upon an output of the change determination unit.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a composition for inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis by using a rare sugar D-psicose and a method of inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis. [Means for Resolution] The composition for inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis is characterized by comprising D-psicose as an active ingredient for an antiatherogenic action. The antiatherogenic action as described above includes an action of inhibiting or reducing the expression of a chemokine or a cytokine related to arteriosclerosis in vivo and an action of promoting the expression of a receptor involved in the improvement of arteriosclerosis without affecting the expression of an arteriosclerosis inducer. This composition is used in the form of a product selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, seasonings, food additives, food materials, foods and drinks, health foods and drinks, drugs, quasi drugs and feeds blended with D-psicose and/or its derivative and/or a mixture thereof as the active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to A high strength steel sheet having a structure which is mainly composed of MD structure (Micro Duplex structure) comprising a ferrite matrix, and as a secondary phase, martensite or martensite and retained austenite, finely dispersed in said matrix, wherein the proportion that the MD structure occupies in the whole structure is 90% or more, wherein the proportion that the secondary phase present in the whole structure occupies in the whole structure is from 10 to 60%, wherein the secondary phase in the MD structure is present in ferrite grains and at grain boundary, in which the proportion of the secondary phase present in the ferrite grains is 50% or more, and wherein the average grain size of the secondary phase in the whole structure is 3 ?m or less. The secondary phase is constituted of martensite, or martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: In the rare sugar strategy of Izumoring (FIG. 1), it is intended to establish a reaction system of producing rare sugars of many types by acquiring an isomerase which acts on various rare aldoses and, therefore, is most efficient in producing various rare ketoses. A DNA encoding the following protein (a) or (b). The above-mentioned DNA which is L-rhamnose isomerase derived from Pseudomonas stutzerii. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2. A process for producing a recombinant protein characterized by culturing a host cell containing an expression system that can express the above-mentioned protein in a medium and collecting a recombinant protein having an L-rhamnose isomerase activity from the thus obtained culture. A method of applying FIG.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of removing toxic substances such as fluorine, boron, copper, lead, arsenic, hexavalent chromium, and cadmium from strongly acid wastewater safely and without fail. The method comprises the steps of (i) adding hydroxyapatite 11 to strongly acid wastewater 1A to precipitate its toxic substances as solid constituents, (ii) adding an alkaline substance 12 to the wastewater 1A to neutralize it, (iii) adding a coagulant 13 to the wastewater 1A to coagulate the precipitated solid constituents, and (iv) removing the coagulated solid constituents from the wastewater 1A. According to this method, toxic substances in the strongly acid wastewater 1A can be fixed, or immobilized, effectively and removed safely. Besides, because the strongly acid wastewater 1A can be treated at normal temperature without heating it in any step, the wastewater 1A can be treated safely.

Abstract: There are provided a method and an apparatus for data processing and a method and an apparatus which are able to precisely diagnose each parameter of an object, such as a machine, capable of operating in a plurality of operation modes.

Abstract: In the rare sugar strategy of Izumoring (FIG. 1), it is intended to establish a reaction system of producing rare sugars of many types by acquiring an isomerase which acts on various rare aldoses and, therefore, is most efficient in producing various rare ketoses. A DNA encoding the following protein (a) or (b). The above-mentioned DNA which is L-rhamnose isomerase derived from Pseudomonas stutzerii. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2. A process for producing a recombinant protein characterized by culturing a host cell containing an expression system that can express the above-mentioned protein in a medium and collecting a recombinant protein having an L-rhamnose isomerase activity from the thus obtained culture. A method of applying FIG.