Abstract: A driver circuit includes a differential amplifier for receiving an input signal, and first and second transistors of different conductivity types. The first and second transistors are connected serially between two power supply terminals in a form (source follower) in which the sources of the transistors are connected to an output point, for push-pull driving the output point in response to an output signal from the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding this polypeptide, an expression vector comprising this polynucleotide, a cell transfected with the expression vector, an antibody binding to the above polypeptide, a convenient screening method for obtaining an agent for treating joint diseases, and a process for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating joint diseases are disclosed. The polypeptide is a novel aggrecanase causative of joint diseases (particularly an OA disease).

Abstract: A driver circuit includes a differential amplifier for receiving an input signal, and first and second transistors of different conductivity types. The first and second transistors are connected serially between two power supply terminals in a form (source follower) in which the sources of the transistors are connected to an output point, for push-pull driving the output point in response to an output signal from the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A voltage comparator circuit is composed of a differential amplifier circuit receiving a pair of input signals to develop an output signal on an output terminal, and a waveform shaping circuit connected to the output terminal.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding this polypeptide, an expression vector comprising this polynucleotide, a cell transfected with the expression vector, an antibody binding to the above polypeptide, a convenient screening method for obtaining an agent for treating joint diseases, and a process for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating joint diseases are disclosed. The polypeptide is a novel aggrecanase causative of joint diseases (particularly an OA disease).

Abstract: A voltage comparator that realizes high-speed operation with a simple structure includes an input differential stage having a first differential pair and a second differential pair, into which a differential voltage is inputted from differential input terminals In+ and In?, with reverse polarity to each other, folded cascode-type differential stages, which adds a differential output signal of the first differential pair and a differential output signal of the second differential pair and is connected to a differential output of the input differential stage, and oppositely disposed first and second current mirror circuits, which receive differential outputs of the folded cascode-type differential stages into their respective inputs, with reverse polarity to each other and their outputs connected in common to an output terminal. The folded cascode-type differential stage adds the differential output signal of the first differential pair and the differential output signal of the second differential pair.

Abstract: A differential amplifier circuit includes a first differential transistor pair, a second differential transistor pair, an adder section and an amplifying unit. The first differential transistor pair receives first and second input signals and an output signal as a third input signal, and the second differential transistor pair receives the first and second input signals and the output signal as a fourth input signal. The adder section adds first output signals from the first differential transistor pair and second output signals from the second differential transistor pair, and the amplifying unit amplifies an addition resultant signal from the adder section to output to the first and second differential transistor pairs.

Abstract: A driver circuit includes a differential amplifier for receiving an input signal, and first and second transistors of different conductivity types. The first and second transistors are connected serially between two power supply terminals in a form (source follower) in which the sources of the transistors are connected to an output point, for push-pull driving the output point in response to an output signal from the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A transmitter circuit for use in a display device of the type having a transmission line consisting of aluminum or copper conductor formed on a glass substrate includes a driver circuit, which has a non-inverting output terminal and an inverting output terminal, for outputting a signal current, which has a loop direction that changes based upon an input signal, to the non-inverting and inverting output terminals; and an output-waveform control circuit for detecting the edge of the waveform of the input signal and responding by increasing the signal current temporarily.

Abstract: Differential amplifier includes a differential amplifier circuit, a bias circuit and an output circuit. The differential amplifier circuit includes first and second differential amplifier sections. The first differential amplifier section includes a first PMOS transistor which has a source connected with a power supply line, and a first pair of PMOS transistors which have sources connected with a drain of the first PMOS and gates respectively receiving first and second input voltages. The second differential amplifier section includes a first NMOS transistor which has a source connected with a ground line, and a second pair of NMOS transistors which have sources connected with a drain of the first NMOS and gates respectively receiving the first and second input voltages. The bias circuit activates one of the amplifier sections in response to a control signal. The output circuit outputs an output signal from an output of the activated differential amplifier section.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel metalloprotease having an aggrecanase activity which causes joint diseases, a gene coding for this metalloprotease, a promoter of the above metalloprotease, a method for screening a drug with the use of the above metalloprotease and a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting degradation of proteoglycans, which comprises as the active ingredient a substance capable of inhibiting the aggrecanase activity of the above metalloprotease.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel metalloprotease having an aggrecanase activity which causes joint diseases, a gene coding for this metalloprotease, a promoter of the above metalloprotease, a method for screening a drug with the use of the above metalloprotease and a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting degradation of proteoglycans, which comprises as the active ingredient a substance capable of inhibiting the aggrecanase activity of the above metalloprotease.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding this polypeptide, an expression vector comprising this polynucleotide, a cell transfected with the expression vector, an antibody binding to the above polypeptide, a convenient screening method for obtaining an agent for treating joint diseases, and a process for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating joint diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: In a digital/analog converter, a digital-to-analog converting section includes a constant current source circuit having a plurality of binary-coding weighted current output terminals and including a plurality of MOS transistor type current switches driven by digital input signals. Each of the MOS transistor type current switches is connected between one of the binary-coding weighted current terminals and an analog output current terminal. A reference voltage generating section generates at least one reference voltage and supplies it to the constant current source circuit. A current-to-voltage converting section converts an analog output current flowing through the analog output current terminal into an analog output voltage in response to the analog output current and supplies the analog output voltage to an analog output voltage terminal.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide, a cell transfected with the expression vector, an antibody or a fragment thereof binding to the polypeptide, and a process for producing the polypeptide are disclosed.

Abstract: In a digital/analog converter, a digital-to-analog converting section includes a constant current source circuit having a plurality of binary-coding weighted current output terminals and including a plurality of MOS transistor type current switches driven by digital input signals. Each of the MOS transistor type current switches is connected between one of the binary-coding weighted current terminals and an analog output current terminal. A reference voltage generating section generates at least one reference voltage and supplies it to the constant current source circuit. A current-to-voltage converting section converts an analog output current flowing through the analog output current terminal into an analog output voltage in response to the analog output current and supplies the analog output voltage to an analog output voltage terminal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display driving circuit is provided with a first amplifier unit, a second amplifier unit, a first bias voltage source, a second bias voltage source, and a bias switch. The first amplifier unit receives a &ggr; corrected negative type image signal or a &ggr; corrected positive type image signal. The second amplifier unit receives the positive type image signal when the first amplifier unit receives the negative type image signal or the negative type image signal when the first amplifier unit receives the positive type image signal. The first bias voltage source generates a first bias voltage. The second bias voltage source generates a second bias voltage. The bias switch applies the first bias voltage to the first amplifier unit when the second bias voltage is applied to second amplifier unit or the second bias voltage to the first amplifier unit when the first bias voltage is applied to the second amplifier unit.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to prevent feedback loops from causing oscillations in clamp circuits. When a video signal is input through a capacitor into a first inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier, the output terminal tends to reach a high level because the potential of the first inverting input terminal is lower than the potential of the non-inverting input terminal to which the black level reference signal is input. Thereby the NPN transistor whose base is connected to the output terminal is turned on to charge the capacitor. When the charging of the capacitor approaches completion, the potential of the first inverting input terminal becomes higher than the potential of the second inverting input terminal.

Abstract: An active matrix liquid crystal display is provided, wherein adjacent two odd and even pixels are commonly connected to a single signal line, and two scanning lines are allocated to one horizontal display line, two switching elements of the adjacent two odd and even pixels are respectively connected to different ones of the two scanning lines and further the odd and even display lines are opposite to each other in connections of the display lines and the switching elements.

Abstract: Molded bodies of a hydrogen absorbing alloy accommodated in a hydrogen storage container are made readily replaceable to ensure stabilized supply of hydrogen gas. When exhibiting an impaired hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity, the molded bodies can be easily replaced by new molded bodies, whereby a specified hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity can be maintained. The hydrogen gas released from the storage container is partly utilized to heat the container and thereby maintain the alloy at a predetermined temperature, consequently assuring a device, such as a fuel cell, of stabilized supply of hydrogen from the container.