Abstract: The present invention identified Lmx1a genes, which are expressed in dopaminergic neurons at all differentiation stages, from proliferating dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells before cell cycle exit to cells after cell cycle exit. Lmx1a expression in cells can be used as an indicator when selecting cells suitable for transplantation therapy for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, and is useful as a marker for screening agents involved in the induction of dopaminergic neuron differentiation.

Abstract: A novel gene 65B13 expressed specifically and transiently in dopaminergic neuron precursor cells immediately after cell cycle exit was obtained by the present invention. The cellular expression of 65B13 can be used as an index to select cells that are suitable in terms of their safety, survival rate, and network formation ability, for transplant therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A mouse cDNA library from gene fragments encoding proteins localizing at cell-cell junctions was screened by a technique visualizing localization of a protein to to identify a junction-enriched and -associated protein, JEAP. GenBank homology search was performed based on the sequence. Based on the obtained sequence, a mouse cDNA library was screened to identify JEAP-2. By using prepared antibodies against these proteins, it was revealed that these proteins express specifically at tight junctions, in particular, tight junctions in exocrine glands.

Abstract: A novel gene 65B13 expressed specifically and transiently in dopaminergic neuron precursor cells immediately after cell cycle exit was obtained by the present invention. The cellular expression of 65B13 can be used as an index to select cells that are suitable in terms of their safety, survival rate, and network formation ability, for transplant therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

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: A method of normalizing contents of DNA fragments in a sample among respective DNA fragments, comprising: preparing DNA fragments in which adaptors each comprising an oligodeoxyribonucleotide are attached to both ends of each DNA fragment in the sample to form restriction enzyme recognition sites that do not exist in the DNA fragments in the sample, and at least a part between the restriction enzyme recognition sites at both ends, including the restriction enzyme recognition sites, is double-stranded; denaturing the prepared double-stranded DNA fragments; hybridizing the denatured DNA fragments under a condition that a part of the DNA fragments remains single-stranded; cleaving the hybridized double-stranded DNA fragments with a restriction enzyme having a cleavage site exclusively in the adaptors; and performing PCR using the obtained DNA fragments as templates and using a primer having a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of the adaptors before the cleavage; and a subtraction method

Abstract: A mouse cDNA library from gene fragments encoding proteins localizing at cell-cell junctions was screened by a technique visualizing localization of a protein to to identify a junction-enriched and -associated protein, JEAP. GenBank homology search was performed based on the sequence. Based on the obtained sequence, a mouse cDNA library was screened to identify JEAP-2. By using prepared antibodies against these proteins, it was revealed that these proteins express specifically at tight junctions, in particular, tight junctions in exocrine glands.

Abstract: A tongs apparatus includes an upper frame suspended from a crane, a pair of first arms journaled on the upper frame, a pair of second arms journaled on the first arms and disposed to cross each other, and a supplemental-holding-force apparatus. The supplemental-holding-force apparatus comprises a chain motor; a chain wound and unwound by the chain motor; a ring-shaped member connected to the chain and having an elongated hole; and a lifting metal fitting having a guide pin slidably engaged with the ring-shaped member. The chain is wound or unwound by the chain motor in order to move the ring-shaped member vertically to thereby supplement a holding force generated through closing of the second arms.

Abstract: A fluid clutch comprises a driving disc rotationally driven by a driving section, a rotatable casing enhousing the driving disc, a blower attached to the casing, and an oil supply means for supplying an oil from an outside to a torque transmission gap between the driving disc and the casing. Further, a driving section may be connected by means of a flexible joint to either one of the casing or the disc. The fluid clutch can always attain optimum control by adjusting the amount of the oil at a high accuracy and rapidly depending on various kinds of operation conditions. A breezer also is provided for releasing gas from the torque transmission chamber when pressure exceeds a predetermined upper limit, and for enabling inflow of atmospheric air to the torque transmission chamber when pressure is less than a predetermined lower limit. The clutch is endurable to external vibrations.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide or a hydrogen peroxide producing agent is added to a water system having copper or copper alloy such as a thermal storage water system or a closed water system whereby the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the circulating water becomes 1 to 200 mgH.sub.2 O.sub.2 /L. Hydrogen peroxide produces oxygen and oxygen works microbes directly so as to remove the microbial fouling and thus prevent the pitting corrosion in copper or its alloy due to microbial contamination.

Abstract: In a polarization dependency type optical isolator comprising wedgelike polarizing prisms 3 and 5 and a Faraday rotator 4, the mode field diameters of an input side fiber 1 and an output side fiber 7 are the same as that of a transmission fiber and an erbium-doped fiber to be connected to them. The shape and other features of each lens are controlled so that the spot size of a parallel ray which is converted from an incident ray by an input side lens 2 is equal to the spot size of a parallel ray which is converted by an output side lens 6 when a reference beam is irradiated from the fiber 7. In a rare-earth-doped fiber optical amplifier using an optical isolator which is configured in a manner similar to this, the connecting portion of the fiber and the optical isolator can be spliced by fusion without increasing the insertion loss of the optical isolator in the forward direction and the connection loss due to a difference in the mode field diameter is reduced.

Abstract: An axial-flow fan to be attached to an output shaft of an internal combustion engine is provided with a circular resistance plate disposed between the fan and the engine housing. The resistance plate extends perpendicularly to a fan driving output shaft of the engine, while surrounding the output shaft. Air flow flowing against the resistance plate is deflected in the radial directions, deviating from the output shaft. This air flow turns back toward the upstream side of the fan, turbulent flow is effectively minimized, and the absorption power of the fan is remarkably reduced.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a temperature sensitive fluid type fan coupling apparatus which comprises: a sealed container including a casing and a cover, a partition dividing the inside of the sealed container into an oil sump and a torque transmission chamber housing the drive disc; a dam formed in a portion of such an inner circumference of the sealed container as faces the outer circumference of the drive disc, on which the oil is collected at the time of rotation; a circulation passage communicating with the dam and leading from the torque transmission chamber to the oil sump; a valve member fitted in the oil sump for opening an outflow adjusting orifice leading to the torque transmission chamber, if the ambient temperature exceeds a preset value, and closing the same if below the preset value; and a spiral temperature sensing element mounted on the front face of the cover and associated with the valve member if spirally deformed in accordance with the temperature change.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser having a stripe-like lasing region, wherein the structure of the lasing region such as the mechanism of optical guiding of the lateral mode control structure is made different between the central portion in the lasing region and portions close to facets, in order to reduce optical feedback induced noise and astigmatism, and to facilitate the manufacture thereof.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a temperature sensitive type fluid fan coupling apparatus which comprises: a sealed container including a casing and a cover, the container being borne through a bearing on a rotating shaft, which has a drive disc fixed to its leading end, and having a cooling fan attached to its outer circumference; a partition dividing the inside of the sealed container into an oil sump and a torque transmission chamber housing the drive disc, a dam formed in a portion of such an inner circumference of the sealed container as faces the outer circumference of the drive disc, on which the oil is collected at the time of rotation; a circulation passage communicating with the dam and leading from the torque transmission chamber to the oil sump; a valve member fitted in the oil sump for opening an outflow adjusting orifice leading to the torque transmission chamber, if the ambient temperature exceeds a preset value, and closing the same if below the preset value; and a temperature sensing element mounted on t

Abstract: A temperature sensitive fluid-type fan coupling device comprises a closed enclosure including a casing journalled on a rotary shaft through a bearing and having a cooling fan at its outer periphery, and a cover, a partition adapted to divide the interior of the closed enclosure into an oil chamber and a torque transmission chamber within which a drive disk is located and including a oil flow adjustment opening, a dam mounted to the inner periphery of the closed enclosure in a face-to-face relation to the outer periphery of the drive disk, an oil flowing toward the inner periphery of the closed enclosure during spinning of the closed enclosure, a circulation passage extending from the torque transmission chamber to the oil chamber through the dam, a valve element mounted within the oil chamber and having one end operable to open the flow adjustment opening when external temperature exceeds a given temperature and close the flow adjustment opening when external temperature is below the given temperature, a temp

Abstract: There is disclosed a temperature-controlled fan fluid coupling which supplies cooling air to the engine of an automobile according to the operating conditions at all times. The coupling includes a rotating shaft, a driving disk fixed to the shaft, and an enclosed housing consisting of a cover and a casing. The coupling further includes a dam for collecting oil, a circulation passage, a valve member for opening and closing a hole formed in a partition plate, and a temperature-sensing element. Radially protruding fins or recessed walls are formed to force oil to the dam.

Abstract: A fan fluid coupling for use with an automotive engine. The coupling comprises a sealed housing, a partition plate that partitions the inside of the housing into an oil reservoir chamber and a torque transmission chamber, a resilient tonguelike valve member, and a rod member. The partition plate is provided with an outflow-adjusting hole located close to the outer end of the partition plate. The hole is a slot extending circumferentially of the partition plate. One end of the valve member is fixed to the partition plate. The valve member is curved upward. The front end of the valve member is in resilient contact with the rod chamber against which a bimetallic strip is pressed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the cross-sectional or three-dimensional form of an object using video cameras. The object or the camera means is moved to provide a partial overlap on the measurement object, and local form segments of the object are measured and the segments are connected to synthesize a stereo image of the form of the object, unaffected by fluctuations in the motion of the measurement system.

Abstract: A high-power low-noise semiconductor laser device required for light sources for an erasable optical disc is a self-sustained pulsating semiconductor laser device in which an MQW structure is used for an active layer, and thus a kink output power and a light output power by which the self-pulsation is enabled are increased to 10 mW or more and noise is reduced. Another semiconductor laser device of a self-pulsation type has impurities that are doped in the active layer to reduce the self-pulsating frequency to obtain a low-noise characteristic even if higher optical feedback occurs.