Abstract: The method of the present invention for producing ?-chitin comprises a step of cultivating an alga capable of producing ?-chitin using a medium that contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), silicon (Si), and selenium (Se), wherein the weight ratio of phosphorus to nitrogen (P/N) is 0.1 or above, the weight ratio of silicon to nitrogen (Si/N) is 0.1 or above, and nitrogen (N) is contained at 160 ppm or more. It is preferable that selenium (Se) is present in the medium at a concentration of 0.08 ppm to 0.008 ppb.

Abstract: An automatic transmission is controlled by the use of estimation of a disturbance so that an input shaft rotates as desired to suppress shock caused during a speed-change transient mode. The disturbance is estimated from an actual rotational speed of an input shaft of the automatic transmission and a control command value to a pressure regulating device based on a predetermined transfer function model. The disturbance may be estimated alternatively by the use of a speed change in the rotational speed of the input shaft.

Abstract: A slip control apparatus provides a smooth response of actual slippage amount during a transitional period when a lock-up clutch is shifting from a disengaged state to a slipping state, and quickly determines a response to external disturbances when the slipping of the clutch is in a steady state. The apparatus has a first control unit for outputting a first control value based on the difference between target slippage amount and actual slippage amount, a second control unit for outputting a second control value based on the actual slippage amount, and a clutch pressure regulating unit for controlling an electromagnetic valve to control a lockup system on the basis of the sum of the first and second control values. The first control unit performs control for the transitional state of the lock-up clutch between the disengaged state and the slipping state.