Abstract: A method for heating an entire spring, including regions adjacent to electrodes attached thereto, in a single electrical heating process includes (i) causing at least a pair of electrodes to make contact with the spring, and then (ii) electrically heating the spring by applying a voltage across the pair of electrodes. Each of the electrodes includes a first part having a first electric resistance value and a second part having a second electric resistance value that is higher than the first electric resistance value.

Abstract: A nephropathy-associated gene which encodes a transcription repressor; and a nonhuman transgenic animal suffering from nephropathy which is constructed by transferring the above gene and allows the observation of increases in urinary volume, urinary albumin and urinary NAG, pyelectasis, enlargement in kidney tubule and glomerular swelling at the early stage and the following sclerosis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a boot shape keeper capable of holding a boot in a fixed shape, removing malodor from the insole of the boot by allowing the insole of the boot to be opened to outside air while the boot is held, and capable of adjusting the height to the shaft part of the boot. The boot shape keeper, which is inserted into a shaft part of a boot to keep a shape of the shaft part of a boot, includes a cylindrical body part made by forming a plastic sheet having a gas pre-encapsulated into a cylindrical shape, and at least one projecting part projecting downward from a lower end of the body part, wherein the body part has a fixed shape provided by the encapsulated gas, and the projecting part has a gas pre-encapsulated, and allows the gas to be fed into and out between the body part and the projecting part, so that the projecting part is elastically contractable up and down.

Abstract: Disclosed is a boot shape keeper capable of holding a boot in a fixed shape, removing malodor from the insole of the boot by allowing the insole of the boot to be opened to outside air while the boot is held. The boot shape keeper 1, which is inserted into a shaft part 21 of a boot to keep a shape of the shaft part 21 of a boot, includes a cylindrical body part 30 made by forming a plastic sheet 10 having a gas pre-encapsulated into a cylindrical shape, and a through hole 42b provided at a lower portion of a side wall surface of the body part 30, or a groove portion formed at a lower end of the side wall of the body part 30, wherein the body part 30 has a fixed shape provided by the encapsulated gas.

Abstract: A refractory magnesium alloy includes magnesium as a principal ingredient, and an element having a radius 9–14% larger than a magnesium atom and a maximum concentration of 2 mass % or larger in a solid solution with magnesium is mixed in an amount not exceeding a maximum amount that can be homogeneously mixed in the solid solution with magnesium, whereby internal strength of grains thereof is enhanced. Alternatively, gadolinium with a content thereof ranging from 0.5 to 3.8 mass % is added, so that remaining part other than the gadolinium is composed of the magnesium and unavoidable impurities. This magnesium alloy serves to inhibit decrease in proof stress and creep deformation, especially primary creep deformation when used at high temperatures, typically at 200° C. The magnesium alloy may be employed for a structural material for a vehicle, so that a lightweight and heat-resistant structural material can be obtained.

Abstract: A nephropathy-associated gene which encodes a transcription repressor; and a nonhuman transgenic animal suffering from nephropathy which is constructed by transferring the above gene and allows the observation of increases in urinary volume, urinary albumin and urinary NAG, pyelectasis, enlargement in kidney tubule and glomerular swelling at the early stage and the following sclerosis.

Abstract: A refractory magnesium alloy includes magnesium as a principal ingredient, and an element having a radius 9-14% larger than a magnesium atom and a maximum concentration of 2 mass % or larger in a solid solution with magnesium is mixed in an amount not exceeding a maximum amount that can be homogeneously mixed in the solid solution with magnesium, whereby internal strength of grains thereof is enhanced. Alternatively, gadolinium with a content thereof ranging from 0.5 to 3.8 mass % is added, so that remaining part other than the gadolinium is composed of the magnesium and unavoidable impurities. This magnesium alloy serves to inhibit decrease in proof stress and creep deformation, especially primary creep deformation when used at high temperatures, typically at 200° C. The magnesium alloy may be employed for a structural material for a vehicle, so that a lightweight and heat-resistant structural material can be obtained.