Abstract: A ZrO2—Al2O3-based ceramic sintered compact containing tetragonal ZrO2 particles having a crystallite size of from 5 to 20 nm as a main component and having an ?-Al2O3 crystallite size of not greater than 75 nm and a relative density of not less than 99% can be produced by preparing a Y2O3 partially stabilized ZrO2—Al2O3-based powder having a molar ratio (mol %) of zirconia (ZrO2) and yttria (Y2O3) of from 96.5:3.5 to 97.5:2.5 and a mass ratio (mass %) of ZrO2 containing Y2O3 and alumina (Al2O3) of from 85:15 to 75:25, molding this powder by cold isostatic pressing, and then performing sintering to a high density by microwave sintering for 45 to 90 min in an inert gas atmosphere at 1200 to 1400° C. When performing microwave sintering, a heating rate is preferably from 5 to 20° C./min up to 600° C. and from 50 to 150° C./min at 600° C. or higher.

Abstract: A ZrO2—Al2O3-based ceramic sintered compact containing tetragonal ZrO2 particles having a crystallite size of from 5 to 20 nm as a main component and having an ?-Al2O3 crystallite size of not greater than 75 nm and a relative density of not less than 99% can be produced by preparing a Y2O3 partially stabilized ZrO2—Al2O3-based powder having a molar ratio (mol %) of zirconia (ZrO2) and yttria (Y2O3) of from 96.5:3.5 to 97.5:2.5 and a mass ratio (mass %) of ZrO2 containing Y2O3 and alumina (Al2O3) of from 85:15 to 75:25, molding this powder by cold isostatic pressing, and then performing sintering to a high density by microwave sintering for 45 to 90 min in an inert gas atmosphere at 1200 to 1400° C. When performing microwave sintering, a heating rate is preferably from 5 to 20° C./min up to 600° C. and from 50 to 150° C./min at 600° C. or higher.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for treating the cornea. More specifically, the present invention is an agent for the treatment or prevention of a state of corneal endothelial disease, the agent including at least one factor selected from the group consisting of laminin and fragments thereof, wherein the problem is solved by also providing a technique characterized in that this agent is administered together with corneal endothelial cells. Specifically, the present invention can include laminin 511 (?5?1?1), laminin 521 (?5?2?1), or a fragment of these.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for treating retinal epithelium and/or nerves. More specifically, the present invention is an agent for the treatment or prevention of retinal disease or the like and/or a disease, disorder, or ophthalmological state of the nerves, the agent including at least one factor selected from the group consisting of laminin and fragments thereof, wherein the problem is solved by also providing a technique characterized in that this agent is administered together with retinal pigment epithelial cells and/or nerve cells. Specifically, the present invention can include laminin 411 (?4?1?1), laminin 511 (?5?1?1), laminin 521 (?5?2?1), or fragments of these.

Abstract: An electrowinning system is provided that is capable of suppressing accumulation of a side reaction product on an anode and a rise of an electrolysis voltage caused thereby, and an electrowinning method is provided using the system. To solve this problem, the electrowinning system of the present invention applies predetermined electrolysis current between an anode and a cathode placed in an electrolyte, thereby depositing a desired metal on the cathode, in which the electrolyte is a sulfuric acid-based or chloride-based solution containing ions of the metal, and the anode has a catalytic layer, containing amorphous iridium oxide or amorphous ruthenium oxide, formed on a conductive substrate.

Abstract: An atomic flux measurement device for measuring the amount of dissociated atomic flux produced by discharge and emitted from a plasma generation cell into a vacuum camber. The atomic flux measurement device includes a counter electrode body including a pair of first and second sheet-like electrodes that are arranged substantially parallel to each other with a predetermined spacing between them, a direct-current power supply configured to maintain the first sheet-like electrode at a negative potential so that atoms attached to the inner surface of the sheet-like electrode undergo self-ionization and to apply a direct-current voltage between the first and second sheet-like electrodes so that a current flows between the first and second sheet-like electrodes, and a direct-current ammeter configured to measure a current flowing due to electrons emitted by the self-ionization of the dissociated atoms attached to the inner surface of the first sheet-like electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a differentiation marker and a differentiation controlling technique for an eye cell. More particularly, the present invention has attained an object of providing a differentiation marker for an eye cell among the aforementioned problems, by providing a marker for identifying a cell having a high proliferation ability among corneal endothelial cells and/or the differentiation ability of a corneal endothelial cell, the marker comprising GPR49/LGR5, as well as a detection agent or detection method for identifying a cell having a high proliferation ability among corneal endothelial cells and/or the differentiation ability of a corneal endothelial cell, comprising a substance binding to GPR49/LGR5. In addition, the present invention has attained an object of providing a differentiation controlling technique for an eye cell, by providing an agent for suppressing differentiation and/or promoting proliferation of an eye cell, comprising R-spondins.

Abstract: An inexpensive ion sensor catalyst capable of detecting hydrogen phosphate ions in water and determining hydrogen phosphate ion concentration on the basis of oxidation current density for the ions, along with an ion sensor and a quantification method, the ion sensor catalyst being characterized by providing higher detection sensitivity than conventional ion sensor catalysts, being capable of maintaining high detection sensitivity over a wide range of hydrogen phosphate ion concentration, achieving a proportional relationship between concentration and oxidation current density, so that the concentration can be determined with accuracy regardless of the concentration range, and allowing oxidation current to reach a steady-state value in a short time, so that time to determine current density is short, resulting in shortened time to quantify hydrogen phosphate ions, and stable response to hydrogen phosphate ion oxidation can be made repeatedly.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes: an injection cylinder having a tip opening communicating with a cavity of a molding die; a resin supply portion configured to supply thermoplastic resin to a space in the injection cylinder; a reinforced fiber supply portion configured to supply fiber reinforced aggregates to the space in the injection cylinder; and a screw rotatably disposed in the injection cylinder, the screw being configured to compress and knead the thermoplastic resin in the injection cylinder and defibrate the fiber reinforced aggregates so as to disperse the fiber reinforced aggregates in the thermoplastic resin. The resin supply portion and the reinforced fiber supply portion are provided as different bodies. The reinforced fiber supply portion is placed on a tip opening side relative to the resin supply portion. The screw has a uniform groove depth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament for preventing or treating an ocular disease comprising cyclo-trans-4-L-hydroxyprolyl-L-serine as an active ingredient, a medicament for preventing or treating dry eye comprising the compound as an active ingredient, and, in particular, a medicament for preventing or treating dry eye having an action of enhancing mucin secretion and an action of enhancing repair of ocular tissue damage caused by dry eye.

Abstract: Provided is an anode for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, and the anode which is low in potential when compared with a conventional anode, able to decrease an electrolytic voltage and an electric energy consumption rate and may also be used as an anode for electroplating various types of metals, and which is low in cost. Also provided is a method for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, in which the anode is low in potential and electrolytic voltage, thereby making it possible to decrease the electric energy consumption rate. The anode for electroplating of the present invention is an anode for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, in which a catalytic layer containing amorphous ruthenium oxide and amorphous tantalum oxide is formed on a conductive substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of culturing corneal endothelial cells. More specifically, the present invention provides a composition for culturing or growing corneal endothelial cells, comprising at least one agent consisting of laminins and fragments thereof which express in corneal endothelial cells. Specifically, the present invention can comprise laminin 511 (alpha5 beta1 gamma1) and laminin 512 (alpha5 beta2 gamma 1). The present invention further provides a culture container for corneal endothelial cells, which is coated with the composition of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for culturing corneal endothelial cells comprising the step of using the composition or the container of the present invention to culture the corneal endothelial cells.

Abstract: Provided is an agent for treating or preventing a corneal endothelial disorder wherein cell proliferation is required. More specifically, provided is an agent for treating or preventing a corneal endothelial disorder, wherein cell proliferation is required, said agent comprising a p38MAP kinase inhibitor. In a preferred embodiment, the corneal endothelial disorder is a wound. In a preferred embodiment, the p38MAP kinase inhibitor is soluble in water. The p38MAP kinase inhibitor may comprise 4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-1H-imidazole-5-yl]pyridine (SB203580) or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for treating or preventing a disease, a disorder or a condition of a corneal endothelium, said agent comprising a corneal endothelial cell and a myosin II-specific inhibitor. More specifically, the myosin II-specific inhibitor is blebbistatin. The disease, the disorder or the condition is typically a disorder associated with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy or corneal endothelial dysfunction (bullous keratopathy). Also provided is a method for treating or preventing a corneal endothelial disease, said method comprising a step of administering an effective amount of a myosin II-specific inhibitor together with a corneal endothelial cell to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a treatment drug or prophylactic drug for diseases, disorders, or conditions related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Specifically, the present invention provides a treatment drug or prophylactic drug for diseases, disorders, or conditions related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the corneal epithelium, the drug containing a TGF?-signal inhibitor. As a preferred TGF?-signal inhibitor, the drug contains 4-[4-(1,3-benzodioxole-5-yl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-imidazole-2-yl]benzamide.

Abstract: A resin molding apparatus includes a pair of metal molds respectively arranged so as to be insulated from the ground with insulating materials, and a molding portion including the pair of metal molds and to which a resin material is provided. At least one metal mold of the pair of metal molds is provided with electrodes at two points flanking the molding portion. A high frequency current generator capable of applying high frequency current having a frequency of about 10 kHz or more is connected to the two electrodes.

Abstract: Provided is a chlorine evolution method which includes contacting an anode with chloride based aqueous solution and generating chlorine as a main reaction at the anode, in which a main reaction of the anode is chlorine evolution, and the chlorine evolution anode which is low in potential of the anode for chlorine evolution, thereby being able to decrease an electrolytic voltage and lower an electric energy consumption rate. The chlorine evolution anode of the present invention is a chlorine evolution anode in which chlorine evolution from an aqueous solution is a main reaction of the anode and also in which a catalytic layer containing amorphous ruthenium oxide and amorphous tantalum oxide is formed on a conductive substrate.

Abstract: A heating chamber is divided into a plurality of spaces by barrier sections including a conductive material. Phase shifters having different lengths with respect to a direction and including a dielectric body having permittivity higher than air are inserted in positions of a terminal section, in the spaces except for at least one space, to differentiate positions of bottoms of standing microwaves formed in the respective spaces from each other with respect to the direction. In addition, impedance adjusters having different lengths with respect to the direction and including a dielectric body having permittivity higher than air are inserted in positions on an upstream side of a region passed by the object to be heated, in the spaces except for at least one space, to reduce differences in impedance of the spaces from an entrance of the heating chamber to the terminal section including the phase shifters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel oxidized protein hydrolase activity enhancing agent. The oxidized protein hydrolase activity enhancing agent of the present invention contains at least one kind of plant extract obtained from a plant selected from the group consisting of water chestnut, stevia, rosemary, thyme, chrysanthemum, savory, mugwort, chestnut, spearmint, marjoram, peppermint, lemon balm, allspice, perilla, basil, and caraway.

Abstract: A brake disc is provided capable of effectively reducing the generation of noise such as brake noise by making specifications relating to lightening holes different from each other between two brake disc plates. In the brake disc, two brake disc plates are laminated so as to slide on each other by vibration during braking, and specifications relating to one or more selected from lightening holes, plate thickness, diameter, and warpage are made different from each other between the brake disc plates. In addition, lightening holes are formed on at least one of the brake disc plates, and one or more specifications selected from the number of lightening holes, the shapes of the lightening holes, the sizes of the lightening holes, and the arrangement positions of the lightening holes are made different from each other between the brake disc plates.