Abstract: The invention provides nucleotide sequences that function as enhancers and induce osteoblast-specific expression, expression vectors comprising such an enhancer, a promoter, and a gene containing a coding region, as well as screening methods utilizing such expression vectors.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleotide sequences that function as enhancers and induce osteoblast-specific expression, expression vectors comprising such an enhancer, a promoter, and a gene containing a coding region, as well as screening methods utilizing such expression vectors.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for obtaining a gene involved in regulation of cartilage differentiation, in which a transcription factor, preferably Runx2/Cbfa1, is forcedly expressed in a cell that is deficient such transcription factor, preferably in a Runx2/Cbfa1-deficient chondrocyte, and the gene, the expression of which is thereby induced, is selected using DNA chip analysis, subtraction, or other means as well as a Runx2/Cbfa1-deficient chondrocyte useful for carrying out such method.

Abstract: A machine for continuous kneading, having at least one rotating shaft along which paddles are mounted, wherein notched feed adjusting plates are mounted on each shaft. In some embodiments, each feed adjusting plate is a C-shaped plate having a notch of adjustable width. In other embodiments, the machine has two rotating shafts. One of the shafts rotates at relatively low speed; the other rotates at relatively high speed.

Abstract: A hopper for providing moulding sand having an opened top and a bottom member having through holes for discharging the sand is positioned spaced apart at a suitable distance horizontally from a cover member connected to a suitable source for generating gas for hardening the moulding sand. A pattern plate provided with vacuum evacuating means is disposed to be selectively connected to either one of the hopper and the cover member for discharging and filling the moulding sands into a flask placed on a pattern plate and for introducing hardening gas and allowing said gas to penetrate and permeate through the layer of sand filled in the flask to harden the filled sand, respectively. By using vacuum evacuation of a hollow chamber in the pattern plate instead of pressurized air and hardening gas under pressure, the entire moulding apparatus can be rendered lighter in construction and smaller in size, while any leakage of poisonous hardening gas can be completely prevented from occurring.

Abstract: A molding box apparatus having a horizontal tubular body and a pair of pattern plates having pattern surfaces complementary to the mold chambers to be formed fitting in the tubular body, at least one of the pattern plates being slidable in the tubular body. The apparatus further has a well pattern provided on the pattern surface of one of the pattern plates and a runner pattern provided on the well pattern and extending from one end of the latter substantially perpendicularly to the pattern surface. The end of the runner pattern is adapted to be slidingly received by a guide hole formed in the other pattern plate. With this apparatus, it is possible to easily produce a mold part of a vertical split type flaskless mold assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a mold having the steps of supplying a molding sand containing a gas-hardenable binder into a space defined by a patter plate and a molding flask, covering the upper surface of the molding sand in a gas-tight manner with a film sheet, bringing the space in the molding flask into communication with a vacuum source to reduce the pressure in the space thereby to squeeze the molding sand by means of the film sheet, closing, after removing the film sheet, the upper opening of the molding flask, and connecting a hardening gas source to the space in the molding flask while reducing the pressure in the space to induce a hardening gas into the molding flask to make the gas penetrate the molding sand, thereby to harden the molding sand.