Abstract: In neuron transplantation therapy, in terms of safety, it is preferable to use a cell population consisting only of a desired type of cells, and to use postmitotic neurons in consideration to avoid the risk of tumorigenesis. Moreover, greater therapeutic effects would be expected through the use of earlier progenitor cells in consideration of post-transplantation viability, proper network formation ability, and such. According to the present invention, Lrp4, a gene that is specifically expressed in dopaminergic neuron proliferative progenitor cells prior to cell cycle exit, was identified. The use of Lrp4 expression in cells as an index allows for the isolation. of cells suitable for transplantation therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease in terms of safety, survival rate, and network formation ability.

Abstract: This invention provides a tool clamping/unclamping device which allows a tool to be replaced simply and securely by another one in short time, and which prevents a lock nut from being loosened, from yielding a difference in phase, and from dropping off with respect to a main shaft. The tool clamping/unclamping device comprises a tool urging means for holding a tool holding member in its clamped state, a nut positioning means for adjusting the lock nut in its phase in rotation angle position with respect to the main shaft, a nut drop-off preventing means for regulating the amount of rotation angle of the nut, a nut loosening detection means for detecting the position of the nut in the direction of the main shaft, and/or a locking mechanism for engaging a steel ball urged by a spring with a lock hole to thereby lock the lock nut in the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A tool holder is detachably secured to the lower end of a main spindle by means of a clamping nut having a female screw cooperating with a male screw of the main spindle such that keys are inserted into corresponding key recesses formed in an upper end face of the tool holder. Within the main spindle, there is arranged a driving shaft movably in an axial direction. Within the tool holder, a piston member is arranged movably in the axial direction. To a lower end of the driving shaft is provided a projection having a circular recess formed in an outer surface thereof. To an upper end portion of the piston member are secured a plurality of steel balls movably in a radial direction. A lower end of the piston member is formed as an inclined surface which is engaged with a cam surface of a tool fitting plate arranged movably in the radial direction.

Abstract: An electrical terminal device comprises a metallic body or support cut through which an iron-chronmium alloy, conductive lead wire extends in an insulated and sealed manner. The free ends of the lead wire or wires extend out of the cup. A glass-to-metal seal is provided between the wires and the cup. The free ends of the lead wires are partially plated or coated with a layer of an oxidation resistant metal. A portion intermediate the free ends is provided with a layer of chromium oxide to improve the seal between the lead wire and a fused glass bead held in an aperture in said support cup. The method of manufacturing such devices comprises partially plating a nickel, copper or other metal which is resistant to oxidation in a hydrogen atmosphere at high temperature and humidity, on the surface of the terminal end portions of the lead wires, while the intermediate portion where the conductor is secured to a glass bead is left free of such a plating.

Abstract: The present thermal fuse comprises an electrically and thermally conductive housing for hermetically sealing the switching parts and a fusible, temperature sensitive pellet in said housing. The pellet is preferably molded to have a cylindrical shape or body provided with one cavity or several cavities and assembled in the housing, whereby the outside pellet surface contacts the inner surface of the housing. The cavity or cavities take up about 5 to 50 percent of the whole cross sectional area of the pellet. The pellet is made of a mixture of organic and inorganic substances preferably so as to accelerate the fusing function of the pellet when the temperature rises above the melting point of the major component of the organic materials. The cavity or cavities of the pellet greatly facilitate a large and rapid shrinkage in volume and the addition of inorganic substance provides a large thermal conductivity of the pellet, whereby a rapid and exact fuse action is accomplished.