Abstract: Provided is a cBN sintered material for a tool body in which a ratio (PNTB/PNBN) of the number (PNTB) of cBN particles in contact with a Ti boride having a long axis of 150 nm or more to the total number (PNBN) of cBN particles is 0.05 or less.

Abstract: A cubic boron nitride-based sintered material includes cubic boron nitride particles of 70 to 95 vol %, in which in a structure of a cross-section of the sintered material, a binder phase with a width of 1 nm to 30 nm is present between the adjacent cubic boron nitride particles, the binder phase being made of a compound containing at least Al, B, and N and having a ratio of an oxygen content to an Al content of 0.1 or less in terms of atomic ratio.

Abstract: The virtual communication system 10 includes: the communication server 100 that is connectable to the terminal 12 and includes the virtual machine 108; and the authentication server 20 that performs the authentication when the terminal 12 use the communication server 100. The terminal 12, the communication server 100, and the authentication server 20 connect to one another via the intranet 40 and communicate with one another through the VPN. The terminal 12 communicate with the virtual machine 108 using the remote display protocol, and connect to the public line 46 via the virtual machine 108.

Abstract: A cBN tool that exhibits: excellent chipping resistance and wear resistance; and excellent cutting performance, for a long term use even in intermittent cutting work on high hardened steel is provided. The cutting tool includes a cutting tool body that is a cubic boron nitride-based material containing cubic boron nitride particles as a hard phase component. In the cutting tool, the cubic boron nitride particles includes an Al2O3 layer with an average layer thickness of 1.0-10 nm on a surface of the cubic boron nitride particles, a rift with an average rift formation ratio of 0.02-0.20 being formed in the Al2O3 layer, and the cubic boron nitride-based sintered material includes a binding phase containing at least one selected from a group consisting of: titanium nitride; titanium carbide; titanium carbonitride; titanium boride; aluminum nitride; aluminum oxide; inevitable products; and mutual solid solution thereof, around the cubic boron nitride particles.

Abstract: A cutting tool made of cubic boron nitride-based sintered material that exhibits excellent chipping resistance and fracturing resistance in the intermittent cutting work on high hardness steel is provided. In the cutting tool, the average size of the cubic boron nitride particles is 0.5 to 8 ?m. A portion of the cubic boron nitride particles are coated with aluminum oxide films having an average thickness of 10 to 90 nm on surfaces thereof, and a rift is partially formed in the aluminum oxide film. The average rift formation ratio satisfies the formula 0.02?h/H?0.08, wherein h is a breadth of the rift of the aluminum oxide film and H is a girth of the particle of cubic boron nitride.

Abstract: A cBN tool that exhibits: excellent chipping resistance and wear resistance; and excellent cutting performance, for a long term use even in intermittent cutting work on high hardened steel is provided. The cutting tool includes a cutting tool body that is a cubic boron nitride-based material containing cubic boron nitride particles as a hard phase component. In the cutting tool, the cubic boron nitride particles includes an Al2O3 layer with an average layer thickness of 1.0-10 nm on a surface of the cubic boron nitride particles, a rift with an average rift formation ratio of 0.02-0.20 being formed in the Al2O3 layer, and the cubic boron nitride-based sintered material includes a binding phase containing at least one selected from a group consisting of: titanium nitride; titanium carbide; titanium carbonitride; titanium boride; aluminum nitride; aluminum oxide; inevitable products; and mutual solid solution thereof, around the cubic boron nitride particles.

Abstract: A cutting tool made of cubic boron nitride-based sintered material that exhibits excellent chipping resistance and fracturing resistance in the intermittent cutting work on high hardness steel is provided. In the cutting tool, the average size of the cubic boron nitride particles is 0.5 to 8 ?m. A portion of the cubic boron nitride particles are coated with aluminum oxide films having an average thickness of 10 to 90 nm on surfaces thereof, and a rift is partially formed in the aluminum oxide film. The average rift formation ratio satisfies the formula 0.02?h/H?0.08, wherein h is a breadth of the rift of the aluminum oxide film and H is a girth of the particle of cubic boron nitride.

Abstract: The present invention provides the chromosomal location and structure of a gene involved in the determination of row type and panicle morphology of barley. The present inventors have found that the row type and panicle morphology of barley can be altered by introducing the Vrs1 gene provided by the present invention into barley and regulating its expression. Furthermore, the present inventors found the possibility of enhancing the resistance of barley to Fusarium head blight. Thus, barley having phenotypes suitable for the intended purpose can be created by efficiently altering the row type and panicle morphology of barley.

Abstract: The present invention provides the chromosomal location and structure of a gene involved in the determination of row type and panicle morphology of barley. The present inventors have found that the row type and panicle morphology of barley can be altered by introducing the Vrs1 gene provided by the present invention into barley and regulating its expression. Furthermore, the present inventors found the possibility of enhancing the resistance of barley to Fusarium head blight. Thus, barley having phenotypes suitable for the intended purpose can be created by efficiently altering the row type and panicle morphology of barley.

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: The present inventors successfully isolated a lesion formation suppressing gene (Spl7) from rice via a linkage analysis. It was revealed that introduction of this gene into plants enhances their heat stress resistance and that lesion formation can be suppressed.

Abstract: A rice photosensitivity gene Hd1 is successfully isolated by linkage analysis. It is found out that the photosensitivity of a plant can be modified by transferring this gene or controlling the expression thereof. It is further found out that the photosensitivity of a plant can be evaluated by examining the presence/absence of this functional gene.

Abstract: By linkage analysis, the Hd3a gene was successfully isolated. It was discovered that the flowering time of plant could be modified either by introducing the Hd3a gene or by controlling its expression.

Abstract: Genomic DNA and cDNA encoding GA 3?-hydroxylase were isolated from rice. When the expression of these genes was suppressed in rice plants, the plants became dwarfed compared with the wild type plants.

Abstract: The present inventors successfully isolated a photoperiod sensitivity gene Hd6 from rice by a linkage analysis. It was revealed that the photoperiod sensitivity of plants can be modified by introducing the gene or controlling the expression of the gene. Further, it was demonstrated that the photoperiod sensitivity of plants can be assessed by detecting the presence or absence of the functional gene.

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: By linkage analysis, the Hd3a gene was successfully isolated. It was discovered that the flowering time of plant could be modified either by introducing the Hd3a gene or by controlling its expression.

Abstract: The present inventors successfully isolated a lesion formation suppressing gene (Sp17) from rice via a linkage analysis. It was revealed that introduction of this gene into plants enhances their heat stress resistance and that lesion formation can be suppressed.

Abstract: Genomic DNA and cDNA encoding GA 3&bgr;-hydroxylase were isolated from rice. When the expression of these genes was suppressed in rice plants, the plants became dwarfed compared with the wild type plants.

Abstract: A method of dwarfing plants comprises controlling the expression of the genes involved in the dwarfism of the plants is provided. A molecule to be utilized for dwarfing plants is also provided. A single gene that causes the d1 mutation, which results in the dwarf abnormality of rice, was identified and isolated from a vast chromosomal region by the map-based cloning technique. This method enables, for example, creating ornamental plants and agricultural products with new commercial values, and therefore is useful especially in the areas of agriculture and horticulture.