Abstract: The present invention provides a parthenocarpy regulatory gene including any of the following polynucleotides and use of the parthenocarpy regulatory gene. (1) A polynucleotide that encodes an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, (2) a polynucleotide that encodes an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity of 70% or higher relative to the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, (3) a polynucleotide that encodes an amino acid sequence in which 1 to 87 amino acids are substituted and/or the like in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and (4) a polynucleotide that is hybridized with a polynucleotide having a sequence complementary to the polynucleotide described in the above (1) under a stringent condition.

Abstract: Infrared cameras (51, 54) and infrared illuminators (53, 55) thereof are opposed to each other across a transparent belt (41a). The infrared cameras (51, 54) photograph the front sides and the backsides of pitted fruits (prunes) which are conveyed by a conveyor (41) of the transparent belt (41a). A region of the fruit at a predetermined level or lower is determined based on the photographing data of the infrared cameras (51, 54), an average brightness level on the edge surface of the fruit region is determined, a depressed portion at a predetermined level or lower is determined based on the determined average brightness level, and it is decided whether a seed fragment remains in the fruit based on the shape of the depressed portion that is a characteristic of a measurable brightness level (shade) property.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to develop a technique for preventing the release of pollens in order to keep varieties from hybridizing. It has become clear that the application of jasmonic acid derivatives to the ear of a gramineous plant before the time of flowering inhibits the bloom and prevents the release of pollens.

Abstract: Levoglucosenone is prepared by reaction sequence using 1,6-anhydro-.beta.-D-galactopyranose as a starting material. First, the starting material is reacted with ortho formate, obtaining an ortho ester of said starting material. Then, the ortho ester is placed under the conditions for a reductive elimination reaction of the ortho formate part of said ortho ester, thereby converting said ortho ester to a 1,6-anhydro-3,4-dideoxy derivative. The dideoxy derivative is placed under the conditions for oxidation of the hydroxy group of said dideoxy derivative, thereby forming levoglucosenone.

Abstract: A speaker system comprises a cylindrical enclosure and at least one speaker attached to the cylindrical side wall of the enclosure. The speaker is attached to the side wall of the enclosure in such a state that the front thereof is supported at a position depressed from the side surface of the enclosure by a baffle plate or that it is inserted through an opening formed on the side wall and supported by a support member.

Abstract: Heat pipes comprising an outer tubular material closed at both ends, a wick of metal fibers, an inner tubular material covered with the wick and inserted in the outer tubular material and a heat transfer volatile liquid confined in the closed outer tubular material. An evaporation region and a condensing region are respectively constituted in the end portions of the outer tubular material. The liquid in the evaporation region vaporizes when heated and the vapor is passed to the condensing region to condense while giving the heat of the vapor to other materials outside the heat pipe, and the condensed liquid is returned to the evaporation region by the capillary action of said wick, thus repeating a cycle of the evaporation and condensation.

Abstract: Heat pipes comprising an outer tubular material closed at both ends, a wick of metal fibers, an inner tubular material covered with the wick and inserted in the outer tubular material and a heat transfer volatile liquid confined in the closed outer tubular material. An evaporation region and a condensing region are respectively constituted in the end portions of the outer tubular material. The liquid in the evaporation region vaporizes when heated and the vapor is passed to the condensing region to condense while giving the heat of the vapor to other materials outside the heat pipe, and the condensed liquid is returned to the evaporation region by the capillary action of said wick, thus repeating a cycle of the evaporation and condensation.