Abstract: The present invention provides a pancreatic islet isolation method comprising the steps of (1) injecting a protection solution containing a protease inhibitor into the pancreatic duct of an procured pancreas; (3) digesting the pancreas into which the protection solution has been injected; and (4) purifying the digested pancreatic tissue using a purification solution containing a density gradient reagent. The present invention also provides a protection solution for injection into the pancreatic duct, a pancreas preservation solution for the two-layer method, and an islet purification solution.

Abstract: In a sheet forming device having a supplying unit (1) for extruding an amount of plastically deformable material (W), a storing unit (3) for temporally storing the material (W) extruded from the supplying unit (1), and a rolling unit (2) for rolling the material (W) stored in the storing unit (3) into a sheet form, the device comprises a pressing mechanism (4) for pressing the material (W) stored in the storing unit (3) from the upper side thereof with a preset pressure, wherein a pressing member (41) constituting the pressing mechanism (4) has a pressing face (41a) whose area is set to from 30 to 95% of the area of an upper opening portion (31) of the storing unit (3).

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes a master oscillator capable of outputting a laser beam having a spectrum that includes at least three wavelength peaks, a multi-wavelength oscillation control mechanism capable of controlling energy of each of the wavelength peaks, a spectrum detecting unit that detects the spectrum of the above-mentioned laser beam, and a controller that controls the multi-wavelength oscillation control mechanism based on a detection result detected by the spectrum detecting unit.

Abstract: the wavelength detector includes a diffusion element that diffuses the laser beam; a light collection optical system provided downstream from the diffusion element; a member, including an aperture, provided downstream from the light collection optical system; a discharge tube that is provided downstream from the member and that includes a cylindrical anode and a cylindrical cathode that each have a through-hole formed therein, and that is configured so that an electrical property between the anode and the cathode changes due to an opto-galvanic effect when a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength passes through the through-hole of the cathode in a state in which a DC voltage is applied to the anode; and a high-voltage DC power source. The discharge tube is disposed so that the laser beam that passes through the aperture passes through the through-hole of the cathode of the discharge tube without directly irradiating the cathode.

Abstract: Provided is a microphase-separated structure membrane including a block copolymer in which a hydrophilic polymer component and a hydrophobic polymer component are coupled to each other via a structural unit having a reactive group, an electron acceptor or electron donor, or a dye. In the microphase-separated structure membrane, a cylinder structure composed of the hydrophilic polymer component lies in a matrix composed of the hydrophobic polymer component and is oriented in the direction perpendicular to the membrane surface, and the structural unit having a reactive group, an electron acceptor or electron donor, or a dye lies between the matrix and the cylinder structure.

Abstract: A metal oxide catalyst carrier particle has a center portion and an outer skin portion each containing a first metal oxide and a second metal oxide. The center portion and the outer skin portion are different in composition. The mole fraction of the metal of the first metal oxide is higher in the center portion than in the outer skin portion and the mole fraction of the metal of the second metal oxide is higher in the outer skin portion than in the center portion. The second metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of rare earth oxides, except for ceria, and alkali earth metal oxides. In addition, platinum is supported on the metal oxide catalyst carrier particle, thus forming an exhaust gas purification catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pancreatic islet isolation method comprising the steps of (1) injecting a protection solution containing a protease inhibitor into the pancreatic duct of an procured pancreas; (3) digesting the pancreas into which the protection solution has been injected; and (4) purifying the digested pancreatic tissue using a purification solution containing a density gradient reagent. The present invention also provides a protection solution for injection into the pancreatic duct, a pancreas preservation solution for the two-layer method, and an islet purification solution.

Abstract: Mobile nodes are allowed to move around within an intermittent communication environment. A mobile node wirelessly communicates with an access node when approaching the access node, and stores data. The access node stores an action history for each mobile node, and generates a forwarder list in association with a destination node, based on action histories of the mobile nodes. The forwarder list stores one or more identifies each identifying a first mobile node in the order of an arrival probability indicating a probability that the first mobile node succeeds in delivering the data to the destination node. The access node selects second mobile nodes that are to carry the data to the destination node, based on the forwarder list, and transfers the data to one of the second mobile nodes when a communication link is established between the access node and the one of the second mobile nodes.

Abstract: An X-ray image diagnosis apparatus which can accept operations from a plurality of operation panels can ensure convenience for operators while avoiding the risk of excessively exposing an object to X-rays. This invention is a control method in an X-ray image diagnosis apparatus which irradiates an object with X-rays and processes a captured image obtained by imaging the object. This method includes the steps of receiving information associated with an imaging condition at the time of X-ray irradiation which is input via an operation panel, discriminating, when the information associated with the imaging condition is received, an operation panel from which the information associated with the imaging condition has been input, and restricting, when the information associated with the imaging condition is received, the reception of a specific instruction input via an operation panel other than the discriminated operation panel.

Abstract: A power unit includes a case, a first rotary electric machine arranged inside the case, a second rotary electric machine that is arranged parallel to the first rotary electric machine and that is arranged inside the case, a plurality of conductors that send electric power to the first rotary electric machine and the second rotary electric machine, and that receive electric power from the first rotary electric machine and the second rotary electric machine, and a cover member that covers a single opening provided in the case and communicating an inside of the case with an outside of the case, the plurality of conductors passing through the cover member. A valley shape is formed by an outer peripheral surface of the first rotary electric machine and an outer peripheral surface of the second rotary electric machine. The opening is provided in a portion of the case that faces the valley shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pancreatic islet isolation method comprising the steps of (1) injecting a protection solution containing a protease inhibitor into the pancreatic duct of an procured pancreas; (3) digesting the pancreas into which the protection solution has been injected; and (4) purifying the digested pancreatic tissue using a purification solution containing a density gradient reagent. The present invention also provides a protection solution for injection into the pancreatic duct, a pancreas preservation solution for the two-layer method, and an islet purification solution.

Abstract: An X-ray image diagnosis apparatus which can accept operations from a plurality of operation panels can ensure convenience for operators while avoiding the risk of excessively exposing an object to X-rays. This invention is a control method in an X-ray image diagnosis apparatus which irradiates an object with X-rays and processes a captured image obtained by imaging the object. This method includes the steps of receiving information associated with an imaging condition at the time of X-ray irradiation which is input via an operation panel, discriminating, when the information associated with the imaging condition is received, an operation panel from which the information associated with the imaging condition has been input, and restricting, when the information associated with the imaging condition is received, the reception of a specific instruction input via an operation panel other than the discriminated operation panel.

Abstract: A separator of a fuel cell stack, which has flat surfaces that face MEAs, includes a cathode-side plate, an anode-side plate and an intermediate plate. The intermediate plate has a plurality of oxidant gas supply channel openings that communicate with an oxidant gas supply manifold and oxidant gas supply holes of the cathode-side plate, and a plurality of oxidant gas exhaust channel openings that communicate with an oxidant gas exhaust manifold and oxidant gas exhaust holes of the anode-side plate. The width and spacing of the oxidant gas exhaust channel openings are set to be larger than those of the oxidant gas supply channel openings.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system includes: a catalyst (3) provided in an exhaust gas passage of an internal combustion engine (1) and having a carrier containing a basic oxide and platinum carried on the carrier; a catalyst (4) for purifying NOx; and oxygen supply means (2).

Abstract: Methods for generating pancreatic stem cells from a pancreatic tissue of 24-week old mice by transient overexpression of reprogramming factors combined with Pdx1 selection is described herein. The generated cells were designated as iPaS (induced pancreatic stem) cells and exhibit the same morphology as the pancreatic stem cells previously established from young donors without genetic manipulation and express genetic markers of endoderm and pancreatic progenitors. Transplantation of the iPaS cells into nude mice resulted in no teratoma formation. Moreover, iPaS cells were able to differentiate into insulin-producing cells more efficiently than ES cells. In addition, the technology of transient overexpression of reprogramming factors and tissue-specific selection of the present invention may also be useful for the generation of other tissue-specific stem cells.

Abstract: When a camera server receives an instruction involving invalidation of viewing limitation (masking processing) of video from a privileged client, the camera server limits viewing of video data with respect to a general client and a recording client. The camera server stores the video data of a limited period in a secondary storage device. When the camera server receives an instruction involving validation of the viewing limitation from the privileged client, the camera server transmits the stored video data of the limiting period to the recording client.

Abstract: The introduction of the human NeuroD1 gene into human non-endocrine pancreatic epithelial cells (NEPECs) for producing insulin producing cells in vitro is described herein. Cytokeratin19 (CK19) positive NEPECs were transfected with plasmids encoding human NeuroD1 gene under human CK19 promoter. On characterization following the induction it was found that NEPEC+ND strongly expressed NeuroD1 and insulin mRNA. The ratio of NeuroD1 and human insulin positive cells in NEPEC+ND was significantly higher than NEPEC. Human insulin and C-peptide levels in culture media in NEPEC+ND were significantly higher than NEPEC. The findings demonstrate that human NeuroD1 under control of the CK19 promoter induces the differentiation of CK19 positive NEPECs into insulin producing cells.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is separably connected to a display device. The display device has a remote power supply control function of activating or deactivating the image capturing apparatus via a circuit. The image capturing apparatus activates the image capturing apparatus when a power supply button arranged on the image capturing apparatus is operated by the user, causes the display device to activate the power supply by remote control, causes the display device to deactivate the image capturing apparatus by remote control, and switches between inhibiting power supply deactivation and permitting power supply deactivation depending on whether the power supply is activated by a direct power supply activation unit or by a remote power supply activation unit.

Abstract: Method and compositions for reducing the inflammation after cytokine exposure of an islet cell transplant without affecting the viability and potency are disclosed herein. The present invention describes a composition comprising Withaferin A (WA), a steroidal lactone derived from Withania somnifera to effectively block NF-kB activation in beta cells, minimize cytokine-induced cell death and improve survival of transplanted islets. The method of the present invention involves identifying a subject having islet cells in need of treatment; and providing a effective amount of a Withaferin A composition disposed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in an amount sufficient to reduce the inflammation after cytokine exposure without affecting the viability and potency of the islet cell population.

Abstract: The power generation performance of a fuel cell is improved by reducing a concentration overvoltage of an anode, without increasing the cost thereof. A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell that generates electricity by means of electrochemical reactions between a fuel containing liquefied ammonia and an oxidizing agent, a fuel supply unit that supplies the fuel to the fuel cell, an oxidizing agent supply unit that supplies the oxidizing agent to the fuel cell, a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature of the fuel cell, and a control unit that controls the pressure of the fuel to be supplied from the fuel supply unit to the fuel cell in accordance with the temperature of the fuel cell.