Abstract: A detailed linkage analysis of the Ehd1 region was performed with a large segregating population, essential for map-based cloning. As a result, the Ehd1 gene promoting rice heading (flowering) was successfully isolated. Rice heading time was also found to be altered upon introduction of this gene. Based on these facts, the newly isolated and identified Ehd1 gene is expected to be useful in promoting plant flowering.

Abstract: A detailed linkage analysis of the Ehd1 region was performed with a large segregating population, essential for map-based cloning. As a result, the Ehd1 gene promoting rice heading (flowering) was successfully isolated. Rice heading time was also found to be altered upon introduction of this gene. Based on these facts, the newly isolated and identified Ehd1 gene is expected to be useful in promoting plant flowering.

Abstract: Compounds useful as preventive and therapeutic agents for bone and cartilage diseases; and drug compositions containing the same. The compounds are polyhydroxyphenol derivatives of general formula (I) and quinione analogues derived therefrom (wherein R1 is alkyl, optionally substituted benzyl or optionally substituted aryl; R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or optionally substituted benzyl; R3 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, optionally substituted benzyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkenyloxy or optionally substituted benzyloxy; R4 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, optionally substituted benzyl or hydroxyl; and R5 and R6 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or optionally substituted benzyl). The polyhydroxyphenol derivatives and the quinone analogues exhibit a potent inhibitory activity against bone resorption and are useful as preventive and therapeutic agents for bone and cartilage diseases.

Abstract: In a construction machine of a small rotational inertia such as an intrawidth swing machine or a small-sized excavator, a rotative operability varies depending on the posture of a working attachment, and in a reduced state of reach, a change in rotating force is oversensitive to the operation of a working lever, so operation is difficult. To cope with this point, means for detecting the operation of a rotating direction control valve is provided, and an outlet of a center bypassing oil path in the rotating direction control valve and an oil tank are brought into communication with each other through a cut-off valve used for controlling the bleed-off thereof.

Abstract: An isolated protein having the amino terminal sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 and having a molecular weight of about 200 KDa is described. This animal brain-derived protein binds to OSF-1 (HBGF-8), which is a heparin-binding growth factor that has neuronal differentiation-enhancing activity, and a proliferative action on osteoblasts.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating bone fracture comprising as an active ingredient a platelet factor 4.The present composition can promote differentiation of osteoblasts so that they are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of such diseases requiring bone differentiation and proliferation as bone fracture and the like.

Abstract: The invention is directed to purified and isolated concanavalin A-binding proteins from chondrocytes that are not present in dedifferentiated cells from chondrocytes. The invention is also directed to a purified and isolated chondrocyte membrane protein, (CMP), which is a concanavalin A-binding protein, with a molecular weight of about 76 kD in SDS-PAGE. After treatment with endoglycosidase, CMP has an apparent molecular weight of about 67 kD. The N-terminal amino acid sequence and several internal amino acid sequences are given for CMP. These proteins can be used in assays, methods, or treatments involving differentiation of chondrocytes and the control of cartilaginous osteogenesis.

Abstract: A protein named PHBP-70 having a wound-healing activity which has a molecular weight of about 60-80 KDa by analysis with SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and can be obtained from the blood of the fetus and neonates of mammals including human beings. The protein PHBP-70 is a novel protein having a fibroblast proliferating activity and thus it is useful as a wound-healing agent.

Abstract: A control system having a flow-dividing selector valve mechanism (52) for changing the channels for causing a pressure fluid to flow from two main pumps (40), (50) into two control valve groups (60), (70) therethrough, and confluent selector valve mechanisms (80), (90) for causing the pressure fluid flowing into each group to flow into a working device control valve of the other group. The confluent selector valve mechanism (80) of the group wherein the working device control valve (62) has a need to compensate for the flow of fluid thereinto cancels the confluence function. The system has a mechanism for restricting the stroke of the spool of a working device control valve (160) to be subjected to varying loads to cause the fluid discharged from the actuator connected thereto to flow into the actuator again when the load is small. A sequence valve (170) operates the spool stroke restricting mechanism (190) by a pilot primary pressure.

Abstract: An industrial robot system comprising a single working machine, and a plurality of robots arranged so as to transfer a work to and from this working machine. The operation of these robots and the working machine is controlled by a single control unit, and the operation of all the robots is controlled in a realtime manner in synchronism with the operation of the working machine, thereby ensuring the smooth operation of the overall system while obviating waiting time of each robot and the working machine without using a conventional mutual interlock system.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling the hydraulic system of a construction machine, such as a hydraulic shovel, having a structure capable of being simply and quickly changed from one setup for another setup suitable for a desired mode of control operation. The control unit comprises a control lever pivotally supported for movement in longitudinal and transverse directions, and first and second link rods for transmitting the operating force of the control lever to first and second hydraulic control valves when the control lever is shifted in the longitudinal and transverse directions, respectively. An operating force transmitting member is put on the control lever so as to be rotatable about the axis of the control lever, and a locking member is mounted on the control lever so as to be slidable along the axis of the control lever and so as to be unable to rotate relative to the control lever.

Abstract: A method for coating steel structures in water which comprisescoating as a first layer an underwater-curable composition comprising(1) a two-pack resin blend system comprising(a) a blend system comprising an epoxy-based resin, and(b) a blend system comprising an underwater-curable curing agent capable of hardening the epoxy-based resin blend system, and(2) from 5 to 75% by weight, based on the total weight of the underwater-curable composition, of a metal powder having an ionization tendency greater than that of iron,on the steel structures, andcoating an underwater-curable composition comprising the two-pack resin blend system and a coloring pigment on the first layer as a second layer.

Abstract: A stereo signal demodulator includes a switching circuit for separating the stereo composite signal into left and right signal components. A composite stereo signal is attenuated in a preset quantity and superimposed upon the left and right signal components after they are separated by the switching circuit. The superimposed signals cancel the crosstalk components, not by switching the composite signal, but only by attenuating the stereo composite signal in the preset quantity. Consequently, the attenuator for reducing the stereo composite signal can be provided separately from the switching circuit for the stereo demodulation. The switching circuit can then be driven by the entire power supply voltage without any DC potential loss caused by the attenuator. Moreover, there is no DC potential loss by the attenuator, and transistors of the stereo switching circuit can operate with a power voltage margin. The distortion-free dynamic range of the output can be widened and the separation factor can be enhanced.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip contains a multi-channel signal-processing circuit for processing signals in different frequency bands (e.g., an AM and an FM receiver). An inductor is coupled via an external terminal on a package for the semiconductor chip to a first signal-processing circuit. A circuit detects when a connection is made between the inductor and a power supply terminal contained in the semiconductor chip. When the inductor is connected to the power supply terminals, the first signal-processing circuit is activated, while the second signal-processing circuit is deactivated. When the inductor is disconnected from the power supply terminal, the second signal-processing circuit is activated, while the first signal-processing circuit is deactivated. The circuit for detecting a connection between the inductor and the power supply terminal is either a circuit for detecting a potential change or a circuit for detecting an oscillating signal.