Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide signal sequence information capable of secreting an antibody to the outside of cells in generation of the antibody by microorganisms of genus Bifidobacterium, and an antibody expression vector capable of secreting an antibody to the outside of cells by utilizing the signal sequence information. As a means for achieving the aforementioned object, there is prepared Bifidobacterium longum, which is transformed with a vector having inserted thereinto a DNA insert comprising the 5?-terminus of an antibody gene linked to the 3?-terminus of a DNA encoding a signal peptide-linker conjugate having a linker linked to the C-terminus of a signal peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: An object is to provide a signal peptide that can secrete a heterogeneous polypeptide with high efficiency outside the bacterial cell in a bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium, an expression cassette that can secrete a heterogeneous polypeptide with high efficiency outside the bacterial cell, a heterogeneous polypeptide expression vector, a bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium capable of secreting a heterogeneous polypeptide. Means for attaining the object is a bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium transformed by a vector having an expression cassette sequentially comprising a promoter DNA functioning in a bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium, a DNA encoding the secretory signal peptide, a DNA encoding a scFv antibody having an antitumor activity, and a terminator DNA functioning in the bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium; and capable of secreting the scFv antibody with high efficiency outside the bacterial cell.

Abstract: A touch pad with an antenna includes a substrate on an upper side of which an operation surface having a predetermined operation region is set, an electrode group for detecting capacitance configured to be arranged in a region of the substrate corresponding to the operation region, and an antenna for wireless communication configured to be arranged in a region located on a lower side of the substrate, the region overlapping with an electrode forming region in which the electrode group for detecting capacitance is formed, as viewed from above. The electrode group for detecting capacitance includes a first electrode group extended in a predetermined first direction and a second electrode group extended in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the antenna is extended in a direction intersecting with the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A touch pad with an antenna includes an electrode, control means for detecting proximity and a proximate position of an object on the basis of a change in capacitance which is associated with the proximity of the object to the electrode, an antenna, and antenna driving means for supplying power to the antenna. When the proximity of the object is not detected, the control means controls driving of the antenna driving means to set an output of the antenna to an output during ordinary driving. When the proximity of the object is detected, the control means controls driving of the antenna driving means to attenuate the output of the antenna with respect to the output during ordinary driving or to set the output of the antenna to zero.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus 1 cools a casting mold K with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant passage pipe 2 and comprises an expansion tank 3 for pressurizing the refrigerant to a pressure at which the refrigerant has a set boiling temperature T0 at which the refrigerant boils, a mold cooling section 4 inside the casting mold K for cooling the casting mold K through vaporization heat of the refrigerant boiling, an orifice portion 5 that is formed upstream of the mold cooling section 4, a pump 6 that is attached downstream of the expansion tank 3 and upstream of the orifice portion and pumps out the refrigerant pressurized by the pressurizing unit to the orifice portion, and a heating device 7 attached downstream of the pump 6 and upstream of the orifice portion 5 for heating the refrigerant to a temperature T2 close to the set boiling temperature T0.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus including a tubular element (17) for purifying wastewater that flows from outside to inside, and a spray tube (21) for spraying cleaning water onto the external peripheral surface of the tubular element. In the first step, the external peripheral surface of the tubular element is cleaned and most of solid matter is removed. In the second step, compressed air is fed to the tubular element, and fine solid matter that is embedded in the filter is removed by backwashing.

Abstract: Made up of a step of preparing a map expressing a correlation between solid phase percentage and viscosity of a slurry-form semi-solid metal (27) for a given metal composition; a step of setting a target viscosity corresponding to a target solid phase percentage using this map; a viscosity measuring step of measuring the viscosity of a semi-solid metal in a vessel (13) while cooling it; and a step of carrying out cooling until this viscosity reaches the target viscosity, by these steps being carried out in from the preparation of the map expressing the correlation between solid phase percentage and viscosity of the semi-solid metal to the end of cooling of the semi-solid metal the solid phase percentage of the semi-solid metal is made to match the target solid phase percentage.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus includes a work electrode adapted to support a work immersed in a working fluid, a tool electrode located opposing the work electrode with a predetermined gap therebetween, a capacitor that is connected between the work electrode and the tool electrode to provide a series of voltage pulses, a charging circuit having a power supply and a first switching element which are connected in series to the capacitor, a charge regulating circuit having a second switching element connected in series to the capacitor, and a control unit that controls the first and second switching elements, such that the first switching element turns on, and then the second switching element turns on before the first switching element turns off. Then, one voltage pulse, having a leading edge corresponding to the turning on of the first switching element and a trailing edge corresponding to the turning on of the second switching element, is generated.

Abstract: Made up of a step of preparing a map expressing a correlation between solid phase percentage and viscosity of a slurry-form semi-solid metal (27) for a given metal composition; a step of setting a target viscosity corresponding to a target solid phase percentage using this map; a viscosity measuring step of measuring the viscosity of a semi-solid metal in a vessel (13) while cooling it; and a step of carrying out cooling until this viscosity reaches the target viscosity, by these steps being carried out in from the preparation of the map expressing the correlation between solid phase percentage and viscosity of the semi-solid metal to the end of cooling of the semi-solid metal the solid phase percentage of the semi-solid metal is made to match the target solid phase percentage.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus includes a work electrode adapted to support a work immersed in a working fluid, a tool electrode located opposing the work electrode with a predetermined gap, a capacitor that is connected between the work electrode and the tool electrode to provide a series of voltage pulses, a charging circuit having a power supply and a first switching element which are connected in series to the capacitor, a charge regulating circuit having a second switching element connected in series to the capacitor, and a control unit that controls the first and second switching elements, such that the first switching element turns on, and then the second switching element turns on before the first switching element turns off. Then, one voltage pulse, having a leading edge corresponding to the turn on of the first switching element and a trailing edge corresponding to the turn on of the second switching element, is generated.

Abstract: In a micro electro discharge machining method and apparatus, the shapes of minute holes are transferred to a tool electrode through a plate electrode serving as an intermediate electrode, and a workpiece is machined using the tool electrode. As a result, the time for machining is reduced. During the electro discharge machining process, the relative distance between the tool electrode and the plate electrode or the workpiece is changed at a prescribed frequency and discharge pulse output is controlled in synchronization with the change in the relative distance between the tool electrode and the plate electrode or the workpiece, so that high precision machining is enabled.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating a ride on a vehicle has a base, and a simulated vehicle body which is supported on the base with a freedom of two-axis rotation about a rolling axis and a pitching axis. A pair of linear actuators are disposed in a position offset to one side in an axial direction of one of the rolling axis and the pitching axis, e.g., offset to one axial side of the rolling axis relative to the pitching axis. The actuators are disposed symmetrically relative to a plane which crosses the pitching axis at a right angle and which includes an axial line of the rolling axis. A fixing member and a movable member of each of the actuators are coupled to the base and the simulated vehicle body, respectively, through universal joints.

Abstract: An electrode discharge machining apparatus includes a first holder for holding a workpiece to be subjected to electro discharge machining, an electrode provided opposing the workpiece held by the first holder, a capacitor for supplying electric charge to the electrode and the workpiece so as to generate pulse electro discharge between the workpiece and the electrode, a power source for applying a voltage to the capacitor, a switching element provided between the capacitor, and at least one of the electrode, the workpiece and the power source, a switch controller for controlling on and off of the switching element, a current detecting element for detecting a current flowing between the workpiece and the electrode, and a control unit for, based on the current detected by the current detecting element, judging whether or not a short circuit occurs between the workpiece and the electrode.

Abstract: A workpiece 7 is held on a table and moved in X and Y directions relative to a tool electrode 4, which is displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the X and Y directions. The position of the workpiece 7 to which it should be moved is calculated based on the current positional data of the tool electrode 4 relative to the workpiece 7 and the machining data. The workpiece 7 is moved continuously in X and Y directions to the thus obtained position in accordance with the shape being machined.

Abstract: An electro discharge machining apparatus comprises a first holder for holding a workpiece to be subjected to electro discharge machining, an electrode provided opposing the workpiece held by the first holder, a capacitor for supplying electric charge to the electrode and the workpiece so as to generate pulse electro discharge between the workpiece and the electrode, a power source for applying a voltage to the capacitor, a switching element provided between the capacitor, and at least one of the electrode, the workpiece and the power source, a switch controller for controlling on and off of the switching element, a current detecting element for detecting a current flowing between the workpiece and the electrode, and a control unit for, based on the current detected by the current detecting element, judging whether or not a short circuit occurs between the workpiece and the electrode.

Abstract: In a micro electro discharge machining method and apparatus, the shapes of minute holes are transferred to a tool electrode through a plate electrode serving as an intermediate electrode, and a workpiece is machined using the tool electrode. As a result, the time for machining is reduced. During the electro discharge machining process, the relative distance between the tool electrode and the plate electrode or the workpiece is changed at a prescribed frequency and discharge pulse output is controlled in synchronization with the change in the relative distance between the tool electrode and the plate electrode or the workpiece, so that high precision machining is enabled.

Abstract: A machining program is prepared based on design data obtained by CAD and machining conditions stored in advance in a data base, while machining status information is obtained from a machining site. Based on the machining program and the machining status information, a machining status is simulated in order to subsequently prepare machining commands required for appropriate NC control.

Abstract: An optical axis of a headlight of a vehicle is adjusted by picturing an illuminating pattern of the headlight to appear on a screen which is disposed in front of the vehicle. A position of a center of gravity of a region above a predetermined illuminance in the illuminating pattern is obtained. A position of a stepped region in which a stepped portion of a light/dark border line of the illuminating pattern is present is obtained. A position of a point of inflection, in the stepped region, of an iso-illuminance curve having a predetermined rate of illuminance relative to an illuminance in the center of gravity is measured. The optical axis is adjusted based on this point of inflection.

Abstract: In an electric discharge machine and machining method for processing an object through electric discharge by impressing a voltage between a processing electrode and the object, the processing electrode and object are relatively vibrated by a vibrating part using a piezoelectric element while a gap between the processing electrode and object is properly retained at all times. The electric discharge is accelerated when the gap is small, whereas the insulated state is maintained when the gap is large. This kind of condition is stably produced in accordance with a frequency of the vibration. If the frequency is set in the range of 50-500 Hz, a shortcircuit or an arc state is less likely to occur. The vibration is effective to quickly discharge processing debris at the discharging gap.

Abstract: That illuminating pattern of the headlight which appears on a screen disposed in front of the vehicle is pictured. The optical axis of the headlight is adjusted based on an image of the illuminating pattern. A distribution of illuminance of the illuminating pattern along a scanning line which bridges a light portion and a dark portion of the image of the illuminating pattern is measured. A position of a reference point which serves as a reference in adjusting the optical axis is obtained from that point on the scanning line which corresponds to a crossing point of a first straight line and a second straight line. The first straight line is obtained from a portion corresponding at least to one of the light portion and the dark portion of a curve which represents the measured distribution of illuminance. The second straight line is obtained from a portion corresponding to a transient region which is positioned between the light portion and the dark portion.