Abstract: A non-human animal or a part of the same in which the function of Mipep gene is totally or partially lost in adipose tissues or the expression level of Mipep gene in adipose tissues is lowered compared to a wild type; and mesenchymal stem cells or adipocytes in which the function of Mipep gene is totally or partially lost or the expression level of Mipep gene is lowered compared to a wild type. A therapeutic or prophylactic drug that includes the mesenchymal stem cells or adipocytes or a culture supernatant thereof; and a method for preparing a mitokine mixture using the non-human cells, mesenchymal stem cells or adipocytes.

Abstract: A process for producing an ether compound represented by the general formula (II) or (III): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent each an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group and n represents an integer of 1 to 50, which comprises bringing an acetal compound represented by the general formula (I): ##STR2## into reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a solid catalyst comprising (A) nickel in an amount corresponding to 10 to 70% by weight of metallic nickel, and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oxides of silicon, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and zirconium; and synthetic or natural inorganic oxides containing one or more of these oxides as the constituents thereof. A vinyl ether polymer having a terminal ether group can be obtained with a good yield without causing corrosion of the apparatus used for the reaction.

Abstract: A fail-safe computer system for vehicle control, the system comprising a CPU having at least two computer status information outputs and an interruption request input. The system further comprises a detecting logic circuit having the inputs thereof coupled to the status information outputs and having the output thereof coupled to the interruption request input, wherein upon detection of a HALT signal at any of the status outputs by the logic circuit, the logic circuit applies an output to the interruption request input whereby the computer system is reset to a predetermined state thereof.

Abstract: An abnormality detecting apparatus for detecting abnormality in sensing means for sensing a value of an operating parameter of an internal combustion engine in synchronism with generation of pulses of a signal indicative of predetermined rotational angle positions of said engine. When the sensed value of the operating parameter lies outside a predetermined range, first timer means measures time elapsed from the instant at which the sensed value of the operating parameter falls outside the predetermined range, and decision means decides that the operating parameter sensing means is faulty when the elapsed time measured by the first timer means exceeds a first predetermined period of time.