Abstract: This method includes a laser irradiation step of radiating, in at least a part of a preset cleaving line (CL) of a mother glass sheet (MG), laser light (L) to a position (OSP) separated from the preset cleaving line (CL) so that a crack (CR2) propagates along the preset cleaving line (CL).

Abstract: This method includes: an initial crack forming step of forming an initial crack (CR1) on a first surface (MG1) of a mother glass sheet (MG); and a laser irradiation step of irradiating the mother glass sheet (MG) with laser light (L) to cause a crack (CR2) to propagate along a preset cleaving line (CL) through use of the initial crack (CR1) as a starting point. The laser irradiation step includes irradiating a second surface (MG2) of the mother glass sheet (MG) with the laser light (L) to heat a surface layer (SL) and an inner portion (IL) of the second surface (MG2), to thereby cause, through a thermal shock caused by the heating, the crack (CR2) to propagate in an entire thickness direction of the mother glass sheet (MG) while propagating along the preset cleaving line (CL).

Abstract: A laser irradiation step in the present method includes irradiating a first surface (MG1) of a mother glass sheet (MG) with laser light (L) to heat a surface layer (SL) and an inner portion (IL) of the first surface (MG1), to thereby cause, through a thermal shock caused by the heating, a crack (CR) to propagate to a second surface (MG2) of the mother glass sheet (MG) along a thickness direction of the mother glass sheet (MG) while propagating along a preset cleaving line (CL).

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for preparing a conditioned medium of astrocyte-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells, characterized in that astrocyte-like cells, which are prepared by differentiation of embryonic stem cells, are cultured; the medium obtained by said method, the use of the conditioned medium for culturing neural cells as well as for inducing the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neural cells.

Abstract: A rubber damper is disposed between a valve plunger, which forms a valve mechanism of a brake booster, and a plate plunger. An air gap is defined around the outer and the inner periphery of the rubber damper to permit an elastic deformation of the rubber damper. When a brake pedal is further depressed under a servo balance condition, the valve plunger compresses the rubber damper, whereby it is driven forward. This arrangement allows a force of depression required when the brake pedal is further depressed under the servo balance condition to be reduced relative to the force of depression required in a conventional arrangement in which the valve plunger must be driven forward by compressing a reaction disc which is surrounded by an output shaft, a valve body and a valve plunger. As a consequence, the response of the brake booster is improved.