Abstract: A charging base includes: a base seat installed on a floor surface; a columnar tower part provided on the base seat; a first support provided on the tower part and capable of supporting a vertical first electric vacuum cleaner; and a second support provided on the tower part and capable of supporting a vertical second electric vacuum cleaner. An electric vacuum cleaner system includes the charging base configured as described above, the vertical first electric vacuum cleaner, and the vertical second electric vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A DC power supply unit is provided that allows for improving efficiency and reducing harmonic currents. A DC power supply unit includes: a bridge rectification circuit having diodes and MOSFETs; a reactor that is arranged between the AC power supply and the bridge rectifier circuit; a smoothing capacitor that is connected to an output side of the bridge rectifier circuit and smoothes a voltage; and a converter control unit that executes, based on predetermined threshold values, a diode rectification control that uses diodes and parasitic diodes of the MOSFETs, a synchronous rectification control that switches the MOSFETs in synchronization with a polarity of the voltage of the AC power supply, a partial switching control that repeats partially short-circuiting the reactor multiple times in a half cycle of the AC power supply, or a fast switching control that short-circuits the reactor at a predetermined frequency over a full AC cycle.

Abstract: A DC power supply unit is provided that allows for improving efficiency and reducing harmonic currents. A DC power supply unit includes: a bridge rectification circuit having diodes and MOSFETs; a reactor that is arranged between the AC power supply and the bridge rectifier circuit; a smoothing capacitor that is connected to an output side of the bridge rectifier circuit and smoothes a voltage; and a converter control unit that executes, based on predetermined threshold values, a diode rectification control that uses diodes and parasitic diodes of the MOSFETs, a synchronous rectification control that switches the MOSFETs in synchronization with a polarity of the voltage of the AC power supply, a partial switching control that repeats partially short-circuiting the reactor multiple times in a half cycle of the AC power supply, or a fast switching control that short-circuits the reactor at a predetermined frequency over a full AC cycle.

Abstract: A generator unit is installed locally to supply power to an electricity consumer. A management center monitors operation status of the generator unit and monitors the amount of electricity supplied to the electricity consumer by the generator unit. A service company performs maintenance and management for the generator unit based on instructions from the management center or the operation status of the generator unit. An electricity provider operating the generator unit bills the electricity consumer for an electricity supply service fee based on information sent to the management center. The resulting electricity generation equipment management system maintains and manages a generator unit without placing a burden on an electricity consumer, allowing efficient billing and payment of electricity supply service fees.

Abstract: An air conditioner and a control software updating system capable of easily updating and adding control software desired by a customer. An internet system including telephones and/or personal computers is provided between a service center and customers. Each of air conditioners is provided with a connection terminal for connection to a communication terminal. Software for controlling operation of the air conditioner is updated by using the internet or a memory card after explaining a control software to the customer and confirming the customer's desire.

Abstract: An air conditioner and a control software updating system capable of easily updating and adding control software desired by a customer. An internet system including telephones and/or personal computers is provided between a service center and customers. Each of air conditioners is provided with a connection terminal for connection to a communication terminal. Software for controlling operation of the air conditioner is updated by using the internet or a memory card after explaining a control software to the customer and confirming the customer's desire.

Abstract: A generator unit is installed locally to supply power to an electricity consumer. A management center monitors operation status of the generator unit and monitors the amount of electricity supplied to the electricity consumer by the generator unit. A service company performs maintenance and management for the generator unit based on instructions from the management center or the operation status of the generator unit. An electricity provider operating the generator unit bills the electricity consumer for an electricity supply service fee based on information sent to the management center. The resulting electricity generation equipment management system maintains and manages a generator unit without placing a burden on an electricity consumer, allowing efficient billing and payment of electricity supply service fees.

Abstract: Xanthene compounds represented by the formula: wherein R1 is a carboxyl group which may be esterified or amidated; R2 is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a hydrocarbon group which may be substituted; R3 and R4 are the same or different and are a hydroxyl group which may be substituted; R5 and R6 are a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; R7 is a hydrogen atom, a nitro group, a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group which may be substituted, a heterocyclic group which may be substituted, or an acyl group which may be substituted; n is an integer of 0 to 2; and Y is an oxygen atom or two hydrogen atoms; and when n is 0, R2 may be a group represented by the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined above, or a salt thereof inhibit a binding of B7-1 to CD28, prevent the B7-1-dependent activation of T cells and inhibit IL-2 production from T cells, thus being used as an immunomodulator such as a graft rejection inhibitor or a pharmaceutical composition for thera

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody is produced from a cloned hybridoma, and the monoclonal antibody combines specifically with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Therefore, the monoclonal antibody can be advantageously used for assay reagents on bFGF or for purification of bFGF.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody is produced from a cloned hybridoma, and the monoclonal antibody combines specifically with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Therefore, the monoclonal antibody can be advantageously used for assay reagents on bFGF or for purification of bFGF.

Abstract: A mutein of basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) possesses fibroblast growth promoting activity, growth stimulating activity of capillary endothelial cells and angiogenic activity, has high stability and is low toxicity. And therefore, the present mutein is advantageously used as a healing accelerator for burns etc., a therapeutic drug for thrombosis etc., and a cell cultivation promoter.

Abstract: Disclosed are (A) an antibody to a peptide consisting of 8 to 9, or 12 to 14 successive amino acids from a polypeptide having nerve growth factor-like activity, (B) a method for producing the antibody, (C) a cloned hybridoma which produces the antibody, (D) a method for producing the cloned hybridoma, (E) a conjugate of the above mentioned peptide with a carrier protein, and (F) a method for purifying, and a method for detecting and assaying a polypeptide having nerve growth factor-like activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are (A) an antibody to a peptide including at least 8 successive amino acids of an amino acid sequence represented by formulaTyrAlaGluHisLysSerHisArgGlyGluTyrSerValCys AspSerGluSerLeuTrpValThrAspLysSerSerAlaIle AspIleArgGlyHisGlnValThrValLeuGlyGluIleLys ThrGlyAsnSerProValLysGlnTyrPheTyrGluThrArg CysLysGluAlaArgProValLysAsnGlyCysArgGlyIle AspAspLysHisTrpAsnSerGlnCysLysThrSerGlnThr TyrValArgAlaLeuThrSerGluAsnAsnLysLeuValGly TrpArgTrpIleArgIleAspThrSerCysValCysAlaLeu SerArgLysIleGlyArg[1],wherein said antibody has no substantial cross-reactivity with human NGF,(B) a method for producing the antibody, (C) a cloned hybridoma which produces the antibody, (D) a method for producing the cloned hybridoma, (E) a partial peptide of a polypeptide (I) including an amino acid sequence represented by formula (1), (F) a conjugate of a peptide including at least 8 successive amino acids of formula (1) with a carrier protein, (G) a method for purifying the polypeptide (I) and (H) a method for detecting and assaying t

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a novel glia activating factor which has glial cell growth promoting activity; (2) a glia activating factor containing a polypeptide; (3) a DNA coding for a glia activating factor; (4) a host transformed with a vector containing the DNA and (5) a method for producing the above glia activating factor which comprises cultivating the transformant described in a medium, accumulating the glia activating factor in a culture broth, and collecting the resulting glia activating factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glia activating factor (GAF) in which 33 to 49 N-terminal amino acids are deleted from the N-terminus of the GAF polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3, as well as an anti-GAF antibody which is highly sensitive to assay the GAF and is capable of neutralizing GAF's activity, is produced.Using the antibody, GAF and its biological activity can be assayed easily with high sensitivity. Further, the neutralizing antibody can be expected to have preventive and curative effects on diseases caused by GAF's excessive action. Furthermore, the GAF polypeptide disclosed herein is more stable to acids and heat than the conventional GAFs, therefore, it can be used as a platelet-increasing agent, etc., more advantageously than the previously known GAFs.

Abstract: A method of increasing platelets in mammals which comprises administering to mammals an effective amount of a heparin-binding secretory transforming factor 1 protein (hst-1) having an N-terminal deletion of 27 amino acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a novel glia activating factor which has glial cell growth promoting activity; (2) a glia activating factor containing a polypeptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or a mutein thereof having activity of the factor; (3) a DNA containing a polynucleotide coding for a glia activating factor represented by SEQ ID NO: 10; (4) a host transformed with a vector containing the DNA described in (3); and (5) a method for producing the above glia activating factor which comprises cultivating the transformant described in (4) in a medium accumulating the glia activating factor in a culture broth, and collecting the resulting glia activating factor.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody is produced from a cloned hybridoma, and the monoclonal antibody combines specifically with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Therefore, the monoclonal antibody can be advantageously used for assay reagents on bFGF or for purification of bFGF.