Abstract: A culturing device (1) includes a carrier unit having a carrier (2) to which a culture subject adheres, a supply unit (3) that supplies a culture solution to the carrier (2), and a reservoir unit (5) in which the culture solution flowing out from the carrier (2) is stored. The carrier (2) includes a base (21) and a plurality of protrusions (23) which are formed on the surface of the base (21) and of which a relative position of each tip (233) with respect to the base (21) can be changed. The carrier unit includes a swinging mechanism (27) that swing the the carrier (2) and changes the relative positions of the protrusions (23).

Abstract: A plurality of catalysts (7), (9) are disposed in an engine exhaust passage (13). At least the catalyst disposed downstream of these catalysts comprises a multi-layered catalyst (7) which is covered in a catalyst layer (24a) on the surface and an HC absorbent layer (24b) on an inner layer with respect to a catalyst carrier (23). A ratio of the downstream multi-layered catalyst (7) (catalyst heat capacity/catalyst surface area) is set so that it is greater than the same ratio for the upstream catalyst (9). In this way, temperature increase in the upstream catalyst (9) is advanced, the temperature gradient in the downstream catalyst (7) is increased and temperature rises in the HC absorbent layer are reduced. As a result, the HC emission period approximates the activation period of the catalyst layer (24a).

Abstract: A three-way catalytic converter is provided in the exhaust passage of an engine. An HC trap type catalytic converter which acts as an HC trap and which has a greater oxygen storage capacity than the three-way catalytic converter is disposed downstream of the three-way catalytic converter. It is necessary to create a super-oxygenated atmosphere above an HC emission temperature in order to release HC which has been absorbed by the HC trap type catalytic converter. Since the oxygen storage capacity of the three-way catalytic converter is low, a super-oxygenated atmosphere is immediately created in the HC trap type catalytic converter by varying the air-fuel ratio to a lean air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst (9) which has an oxygen storage capacity is disposed in an exhaust passage (3) and HC adsorbent-catalysts (10, 11) which can adsorb and oxidize HC are disposed further downstream. If release of HC from the HC adsorbent-catalysts is determined, the lean level of an air-fuel ratio is increased temporarily after HC release is commenced. Thereafter the air-fuel ratio is controlled to a lower lean level which corresponds to an HC concentration during release. In this way, after lean control is commenced, the three-way catalyst is saturated in a short time and oxygen is sent to the HC adsorbent-catalysts (10, 11) and released HC is oxidized.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for lapping teeth of a pair of gears by rotating one of the gears in engagement with the other gear, while applying a load torque to the other gear and moving the gears relative to each other such that a teeth contact area of the gears is moved in a direction of width of contacting faces of the teeth of the gears, so that the face of each tooth of the gears is lapped over a substantially entire width thereof. A lapping controller is adapted to change at least one of the load torque applied to the relevent gear, rotating speeds of the gears, and a rate of movement of the teeth contact area of the gears, as the gears are moved relative to each other to move the teeth contact area of the gears in the direction of width of the contacting faces of the gears, so that the gear teeth are lapped efficiently, depending upon the configurations and conditions of use of the gears.