Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic agent and methods thereof for the treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. The agent comprises a compound represented by formula (I): wherein, R1 represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc., R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc., X represents CHR4, NR4, CO, O or S (wherein, R4 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc.), Y represents C, CH or N, represents a single bond or double bond, ring A represents an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered oxygen-containing heterocyclic ring, ring B represents an optionally substituted benzene ring, and m represents an integer of 1 to 4, or a salt thereof, wherein the compound represented by formula (I) or a salt thereof is (S)—N-[2-(1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)ethyl]propionamide.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe connection structure for interconnecting a connection pipe and an exhaust pipe that are arranged in an exhaust system of an, internal combustion engine. Either of the connection pipe or the exhaust pipe is inserted into the other, and the portion where the connection pipe and the exhaust pipe overlap each other is radially deformed and swaged.

Abstract: A vibration electrode plate 112 is formed on the upper face of a silicon substrate 32 with an insulating coat film 35 interposed in between. An opposing electrode plate 113 is placed on the vibration electrode plate 112 with an insulating coat film interposed in between, and acoustic holes 40 are opened through the opposing electrode plate 113. Etching holes 36 and 104, each having a semi-elliptical shape, are opened through the vibration electrode plate 112 and the opposing electrode plate 113 so as to face each other longitudinally. A concave section 37 having a truncated pyramid shape is formed in the upper face of the silicon substrate 32, by carrying out an etching process through the etching holes 36 and 104. The vibration electrode plate 112 is held in the silicon substrate 32 by a holding portion 112 placed between the etching holes 36.

Abstract: A user interface system, and an image forming apparatus using the user interface system for displaying an operation menu and transferring the contents thereof based on an operation input received in response to operation menu selection. The display and transfer of the operation menu are achieved using a group of independent software objects that include a menu flow software object that controls the transfer of the contents of the operation menu and a separate operation software object that functions in cooperation with the menu flow software object to control processing of the operation input by a processor and for creating, changing, and deleting the input operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for irritable bowel syndrome, which comprises a compound represented by formula (I): wherein, R1 represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc., R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc., X represents CHR4, NR4, CO, O or S (wherein, R4 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc.), Y represents C, CH or N, represents a single bond or double bond, ring A represents an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered oxygen-containing heterocyclic ring, ring B represents an optionally substituted benzene ring, and m represents an integer of 1 to 4, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an alkaloid, for example, reticuline, comprising providing dopamine as a substrate for a series of actions of monoamine oxidase, norcoclaurine-6-O-methyltransferase, coclaurine-N-methyltransferase and 3?-hydroxy-N-methylcoclaurine-4?-O-methyltransferase.

Abstract: The present invention judges whether the amount of change in the accelerator opening is larger than a reference change amount. If the amount of change in the accelerator opening is found to be larger than the reference change amount, the present invention performs setup so that a throttle valve 32 has a large throttle opening, which is larger than a target opening that is set in accordance with an intake air amount necessary for generating a target torque. Further, the present invention performs ignition timing setup so as to generate the target torque at the large throttle opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for irritable bowel syndrome, which comprises a compound represented by formula (I): wherein, R1 represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc., R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc., X represents CHR4, NR4, CO, O or S (wherein, R4 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc.), Y represents C, CH or N, represents a single bond or double bond, ring A represents an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered oxygen-containing heterocyclic ring, ring B represents an optionally substituted benzene ring, and m represents an integer of 1 to 4, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: An imidazole compound represented by the formula (I), a salt thereof and a compound of the formula (V), which is one of the intermediates thereof. wherein each symbol is as defined in the present specification. The compound of the present invention shows a superior anti-ulcer activity, a gastric acid secretion inhibitory action, a mucosa-protecting action, an anti-Helicobacter pylori action and the like. Since it shows low toxicity, the compound is useful as a pharmaceutical product.

Abstract: A bumper absorber for protecting pedestrians is formed into a W-shaped cross-sectional configuration, as taken along a direction which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the bumper absorber. The W-shaped cross sectional configuration has portions in which a front notch portion, an upper rear notch portion, and a lower rear notch portion overlap with one another in a vertical direction of a vehicle. Ribs are formed respectively at the upper rear notch portion and the lower rear notch portion, and a triangular notch is formed from a vehicle rear side at each of the rib. Further, the ribs 30 are formed at the upper rear notch portion and the lower rear notch portion so as to be separated from each other at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the bumper absorber, namely, in a transverse direction of the vehicle. With this structure, a rise in impact load acting on a pedestrian who is hit by a bumper can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an intermediate in alkaloid biosynthesis, which comprises: inhibiting the expression of an enzyme that uses said intermediate as its substrate in an alkaloid producing plant cell, plant tissue or plant body by using RNAi technology as well as RNAi gene used for said method.

Abstract: A vibration electrode plate 112 is formed on the upper face of a silicon substrate 32 with an insulating coat film 35 interposed in between. An opposing electrode plate 113 is placed on the vibration electrode plate 112 with an insulating coat film interposed in between, and acoustic holes 40 are opened through the opposing electrode plate 113. Etching holes 36 and 104, each having a semi-elliptical shape, are opened through the vibration electrode plate 112 and the opposing electrode plate 113 so as to face each other longitudinally. A concave section 37 having a truncated pyramid shape is formed in the upper face of the silicon substrate 32, by carrying out an etching process through the etching holes 36 and 104. The vibration electrode plate 112 is held in the silicon substrate 32 by a holding portion 112 placed between the etching holes 36.

Abstract: A bumper absorber for protecting pedestrians is formed into a W-shaped cross-sectional configuration, as taken along a direction which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the bumper absorber. The W-shaped cross sectional configuration has portions in which a front notch portion, an upper rear notch portion, and a lower rear notch portion overlap with one another in a vertical direction of a vehicle. Ribs are formed respectively at the upper rear notch portion and the lower rear notch portion, and a triangular notch is formed from a vehicle rear side at each of the rib. Further, the ribs 30 are formed at the upper rear notch portion and the lower rear notch portion so as to be separated from each other at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the bumper absorber, namely, in a transverse direction of the vehicle. With this structure, a rise in impact load acting on a pedestrian who is hit by a bumper can be controlled.

Abstract: A bumper absorber for protecting pedestrians (20) is formed into a W-shaped cross-sectional configuration, as taken along a direction which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the bumper absorber. The W-shaped cross sectional configuration has portions in which a front notch portion (22), an upper rear notch portion (24), and a lower rear notch portion (26) overlap with one another in a vertical direction of a vehicle. Ribs (30) are formed respectively at the upper rear notch portion (24) and the lower rear notch portion (26), and a triangular notch (32) is formed from a vehicle rear side at each of the rib (30). Further, the ribs 30 are formed at the upper rear notch portion (24) and the lower rear notch portion (26) so as to be separated from each other at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the bumper absorber, namely, in a transverse direction of the vehicle. With this structure, a rise in impact load acting on a pedestrian who is hit by a bumper can be controlled.

Abstract: To provide an optical wave guide that may be produced by reproduction method in easy and simple manner, and has a structure that prevents light signal in its inside from leaking out from core, and a method for producing the same optical wave guide. A concave slot for forming a core is formed on the upper surface of a cladding substrate. And on both sides of the concave slot, cavities are formed via flat portions. An ultraviolet ray hardening type transparent resin is applied onto the surface of the cladding substrate, thereafter the transparent resin is pressed by a stamper. At this moment, a core is formed in the concave slot and excessive transparent resin is pressed between the stamper and the flat portions flows into cavities, as a result, it is possible to make the transparent resin thin in a short time. Thereby, it is possible to make the transparent resin left on the flat portions into thickness and width enough to prevent light in the core from leaking out.

Abstract: A misfire detector for an internal combustion engine sets an operating state of the internal combustion engine as a parameter and detects misfire based on the parameter. The misfire detector includes a friction-torque estimating unit and a misfire determining unit. The friction-torque estimating unit estimates indicated torque and inertial torque of the internal combustion engine when the load of the internal combustion engine is stable, obtains a difference between the indicated torque and the inertial torque, and estimates friction torque of the internal combustion engine using the difference. The misfire determining unit determines misfire by correcting the parameter using the friction torque estimated.

Abstract: A bumper absorber for protecting pedestrians (20) is formed into a W-shaped cross-sectional configuration, as taken along a direction which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the bumper absorber. The W-shaped cross sectional configuration has portions in which a front notch portion (22), an upper rear notch portion (24), and a lower rear notch portion (26) overlap with one another in a vertical direction of a vehicle. Ribs (30) are formed respectively at the upper rear notch portion (24) and the lower rear notch portion (26), and a triangular notch (32) is formed from a vehicle rear side at each of the rib (30). Further, the ribs 30 are formed at the upper rear notch portion (24) and the lower rear notch portion (26) so as to be separated from each other at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the bumper absorber, namely, in a transverse direction of the vehicle. With this structure, a rise in impact load acting on a pedestrian who is hit by a bumper can be controlled.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio sensor includes a sensor element inserted through a cylindrical housing for detecting an air-fuel ratio in an atmosphere of unburnt gas, and a measured gas side cover disposed on an end of the cylindrical housing so as to cover the sensor element and defining an inside chamber for storing therein a gas to be measured. The cover has a nested structure composed of a plurality of cup-shaped cover members disposed one inside another, each cover member having a gas inlet hole formed in a side wall thereof and a bottom hole formed in a bottom wall thereof. The gas inlet hole of an innermost one of the plural cover members that directly faces the sensor element is offset from an air-fuel ratio detecting portion of the sensor element toward the housing in an axial direction of the sensor.

Abstract: An imidazole compound represented by the formula (I), a salt thereof and a compound of the formula (V), which is one of the intermediates thereof. wherein each symbol is as defined in the present specification. The compound of the present invention shows a superior anti-ulcer activity, a gastric acid secretion inhibitory action, a mucosa-protecting action, an anti-Helicobacter pylori action and the like. Since it shows low toxicity, the compound is useful as a pharmaceutical product.

Abstract: A misfire detector for an internal combustion engine sets an operating state of the internal combustion engine as a parameter and detects misfire based on the parameter. The misfire detector includes a friction-torque estimating unit and a misfire determining unit. The friction-torque estimating unit estimates indicated torque and inertial torque of the internal combustion engine when the load of the internal combustion engine is stable, obtains a difference between the indicated torque and the inertial torque, and estimates friction torque of the internal combustion engine using the difference. The misfire determining unit determines misfire by correcting the parameter using the friction torque estimated.