Abstract: Provided is a novel production system that does not involve, or can minimize, the transport of liquid ammonia in the production of an organic compound or the production of a microorganism by microbial fermentation. A production system for an organic compound or a microorganism includes: an ammonia synthesis apparatus in which an ammonia-containing gas is synthesized by reaction of a source gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of a supported ruthenium catalyst; and a culture apparatus that cultures a microorganism having organic compound productivity using ammonia originating from the ammonia-containing gas obtained by using the ammonia synthesis apparatus.

Abstract: A wet wipe includes a nonwoven fabric impregnated with a liquid. A surface layer in a first surface of the nonwoven fabric has an apparent density of 0.030-0.10 g/cm3 in a dry state. A surface layer in a second surface of the nonwoven fabric has an apparent density of 0.12-0.20 g/cm3 in a dry state. Fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric are raised on at least the first surface.

Abstract: A wet wipe includes a nonwoven fabric impregnated with a liquid. A surface layer in a first surface of the nonwoven fabric has an apparent density of 0.030-0.10 g/cm3 in a dry state. A surface layer in a second surface of the nonwoven fabric has an apparent density of 0.12-0.20 g/cm3 in a dry state. Fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric are raised on at least the first surface.

Abstract: An easy-open encasement formed of a soft encasement member in the form of a film. An opening or an openable portion is formed in the soft encasement member, which allows a user to extract contents from the encasement. Furthermore, a lid member, which can be peelably adhered to the soft encasement member, is adhered to the surface of the soft encasement member such that it covers the opening or openable portion. With such a structure, a tab is provided at a part of the perimeter of the lid member, which serves as a starting point that allows the user to peel off the lid member. Furthermore, the tab includes a hinge portion, which allows the user to raise the tab, or a flap elevated from the surface of the encasement.

Abstract: The two coil spring terminals have the structure of double coil spring terminal including a small diameter coil spring terminal and a large diameter coil spring terminal. In this case, a terminal holder is provided with a clamping portion for clamping the large diameter coil spring terminal between the terminal holder and an internal circuit board. Specifically, the terminal holder is formed, in an upper end portion of its outer peripheral surface, with an annular groove which is adapted to be engaged with a small diameter portion formed in an upper end portion of the large diameter coil spring terminal. This omits fixation of the large diameter coil spring terminal to the internal circuit board, and necessity of soldering the two coil spring terminals respectively to the internal circuit board as a conventional art, enhancing mounting workability of the terminal holder.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easy-open encasement 100 formed of a soft encasement member in the form of a film. An opening or an openable portion 150 is formed in the soft encasement member, which allows a user to extract contents from the encasement. Furthermore, a lid member 200, which can be peelably adhered to the soft encasement member, is adhered to the surface of the soft encasement member such that it covers the opening or openable portion 150. With such a structure, a tab 210 is provided at a part of the perimeter of the lid member 200, which serves as a starting point that allows the user to peel off the lid member 200. Furthermore, the tab 210 includes a hinge portion 212, which allows the user to raise said tab 210, or a flap elevated from the surface of the encasement.

Abstract: Peptides are provided having an excellent safety, stability due to relatively low molecular weights thereof, and cell growth promotion, which are different from cell growth factors produced by abnormal cells such as tumor cells. Peptide compositions which are excellent in promoting cell growth containing partial peptides of one or more peptide chains selected from peptide chains forming noncrystalline portions constituting silk protein. The partial peptides have specific amino acid sequences formed of four to forty amino acid residues. This invention has succeeded in providing novel peptides excellent for cell growth by separating and fractionating peptides, having specific amino acid sequences of molecular weights not higher than 10,000, preferably ranging from 4,000 to 400, from the noncrystalline portions of silk protein as well as by synthesizing peptides similar to such peptides.

Abstract: The two coil spring terminals have the structure of double coil spring terminal including a small diameter coil spring terminal and a large diameter coil spring terminal. In this case, a terminal holder is provided with a clamping portion for clamping the large diameter coil spring terminal between the terminal holder and an internal circuit board. Specifically, the terminal holder is formed, in an upper end portion of its outer peripheral surface, with an annular groove which is adapted to be engaged with a small diameter portion formed in an upper end portion of the large diameter coil spring terminal. This omits fixation of the large diameter coil spring terminal to the internal circuit board, and necessity of soldering the two coil spring terminals respectively to the internal circuit board as a conventional art, enhancing mounting workability of the terminal holder.

Abstract: Peptides are provided having an excellent safety, stability due to relatively low molecular weights thereof, and cell growth promotion, which are different from cell growth factors produced by abnormal cells such as tumor cells. Peptide compositions which are excellent in promoting cell growth containing partial peptides of one or more peptide chains selected from peptide chains forming noncrystalline portions constituting silk protein. The partial peptides have specific amino acid sequences formed of four to forty amino acid residues. This invention has succeeded in providing novel peptides excellent for cell growth by separating and fractionating peptides, having specific amino acid sequences of molecular weights not higher than 10,000, preferably ranging from 4,000 to 400, from the noncrystalline portions of silk protein as well as by synthesizing peptides similar to such peptides.

Abstract: A piezoelectric acceleration sensor comprising an acceleration detecting unit having a weight fixed to one surface of a diaphragm and a piezoelectric element fixed to another surface there of by bonding a reverse surface of the piezoelectric element thereto, and surface electrodes and reverse electrodes being respectively formed on respective surfaces of the piezoelectric element, wherein a supporting pattern for maintaining a distance between the diaphragm and the surface electrodes uniformly is formed on the reverse surface of the piezoelectric element so as to suppress unevenness in bonding at the time of a connection of the piezoelectric element and the diaphragm, and eliminate a variation of detection sensitivity of each axis.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to elucidate a biologically active function of a component constituting undegraded sericin and to provide a novel medical material, cosmetic material, etc. utilizing the functional composition. Disclosed is a cell growth promoter obtainable by elution from a fiber discharged by a domestic silkworm, e.g., cocoon filaments or the like, wherein the cell growth promoter comprises sericin having a molecular weight of about 400,000 as measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as a main component. This cell growth promoting agent (substance) is extremely useful because growth of cells is promoted when it is used in a wound dressing material, a vascular endothelium forming material and an organ forming material for medical use, in a cell culture base material for biological use, or in a cosmetic material for skin care use.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to elucidate a biologically active function of a component constituting undegraded sericin and to provide a novel medical material, cosmetic material, etc. utilizing the functional composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel material for activating epidermal cell multiplication on which not only effective adhesion and multiplication of human and mammalian epidermal cells is accomplished also intercellular adhesion is promoted to form a plain cellular layer. The present invention provides a material for activating epidermal cell multiplication which contains silk fibroin of &agr;-type or &agr;-helix X-ray diffraction pattern as a principal constituent. The present material fulfills the principal requirements for activating epidermal cells of greatly improved cellular adhesion rate, multiplication, intercellular adhesion and growth of cell layers.

Abstract: An optical time-division multiplexing transmitter module which includes an optical circulator, an optical coupler which splits in two an optical signal in the form of a pulse beam output from the circulator, first and second double-pass electro-absorption (DPEA) modulators positioned respectively to receive and modulate one and the other of the two split signals, and reflect the modulated signals back through the coupler to the circulator. The coupler multiplexes the reflected signals and directs the multiplexed signals to the circulator which then guides them to exit through a circulator output port. An optical delay circuit is positioned between in the path of one of the split signals so as to delay it relative to the other.

Abstract: A positive charge type organic photoconductor in which the surface of the photoconductor having a film thickness of from 10 to 30 .mu.m and containing at least from 15 to 40% by weight of a phthalocyanine type photoconductive compound in a resin binder, is treated with a reactive monomer or oligomer capable of extinguishing ionic active and radical active parts.

Abstract: A recording density correction apparatus in a printer, comprises; a correction gradation level data selection device for producing class numbers for selecting correction gradation level data for respective heating elements constituting a thermal head on the basis of information concerning unevenness in recording density; an odd/even line discriminator for discriminating as to whether a recording line is an odd or even line and for providing the thus obtained line information; and a correction device for providing the correction gradation level data on the basis of the class numbers and the line information so as to correct drive signals for the thermal head.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector comprises a retaining plate (20,60,85,95,113,142,173) made of comparatively thin sheet metal and having a slot (22,61,86,113a,173a) fomred therein which has an opening at one end, the opening having a width smaller than an outer diameter of an optical fiber jacket (5a,101b,103a) and larger than a diameter of a fiber optic core (5a,101a, 103d). The retaining plate is inserted in a connector body (10,70,80,90,111,141,171) at almost a right angle to an axial direction of the optical fiber cable (5,101,103) disposed in the connector body with the opening of the slot facing toward the optical fiber cable, and the retaining plate is pressed into the connector body and the jacket of the optical fiber cable in the connector body.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for mounting on a printed circuit board comprises a first housing (31) carrying stamped and formed male contacts (41) having resilient, forked mating ends (43) each supported by a rib (37) in the first housing (31), and a second housing (11) carrying female contacts (22) with forked mating ends (43) of the male contacts (41).

Abstract: A low profile electrical connector assembly comprises matable first and second dielectric housing members having first and second matable electrical contacts secured respectively therein. The first electrical contact comprises a resilient hooked contact portion disposed about a supporting rib extending from a wall in the first housing member in the mating direction. The second electrical contact comprises a base plate which extends parallel to the mating direction and includes a conductor-connecting portion extending outwardly from the ends of the base plate from one side of the base plate and a contact portion extending outwardly from sides of the base plate from the other side of the base plate so that the contact portion resiliently engages the hooked contact portion in an interference fit when the housings mate together.