Abstract: A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, that includes an engine air intake arrangement with a variable length intake passage. The motorcycle includes an engine having an intake port. A fixed funnel delivers air to the intake port of the engine. A moveable funnel is positioned on the intake side of the fixed funnel and selectively cooperates with the fixed funnel to deliver air to the intake port of the engine. A parallel linkage moveably supports the moveable funnel relative to the fixed funnel. An air cleaner box, in which the fixed funnel and the moveable funnel are disposed, includes a protrusion at a portion that covers the moveable funnel and that prevents the occurrence of contact with the moveable funnel.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide an electronic throttle valve control system which can prevent rapid rotation of a throttle valve when the control system has a failure. [Solution] There are provided a throttle valve 10 for controlling the amount of intake air to an internal combustion engine, an electric motor 20 for driving the throttle valve 10, and a control section 21 for controlling the electric motor 20. The throttle valve has an urging mechanism 31 for urging the throttle valve 10 in the closing direction. The control section 21 shifts the electric motor 20 to a regenerative mode when the control system has a failure to control the speed at which the throttle valve 10 is rotated in the closing direction by the urging force of the urging mechanism 30. The throttle valve 10 is therefore rotated slowly in the closing direction by the urging force of the urging mechanism 30 and then held in a predetermined opening position 10b.

Abstract: An electronic throttle valve system more suitable for use in straddle type vehicles. A straddle type vehicle has an electronic throttle valve system for adjusting the amount of intake air to an internal combustion engine. The electronic throttle valve system includes a throttle valve for adjusting the amount of intake air to the internal combustion engine, an electric motor for actuating the throttle valve, and a control unit for controlling the electric motor. The throttle valve is fixed to a valve shaft. The electric motor is connected to the valve shaft. The valve shaft is provided with a throttle opening sensor on the right end, and a mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism on the left end. A throttle cable is engaged with the mechanism, while being coupled to a throttle grip (acceleration controller) provided on a right one of a pair of handlebars.

Abstract: An electronic throttle valve system more suitable for use in straddle type vehicles. A straddle type vehicle has an electronic throttle valve system for adjusting the amount of intake air to an internal combustion engine. The electronic throttle valve system includes a throttle valve, an electric motor and a control unit. A guard mechanism is provided on a valve shaft of the throttle valve. The guard mechanism includes a pulley with which the throttle cable is engaged and a lever pulley which rotates in conjunction with the opening of the pulley. A cushion spring is provided on an edge face of a notched portion of the lever pulley, the edge face generally coming into contact with a protrusion that extends from the valve shaft of the throttle valve.

Abstract: A system including a cellular phone or a telephone card having, pre-registered therein, the identification number of a connection telephone company and a user ID, a store processing terminal unit handling it, a point-of-sale POS terminal, and a management host computer of the telephone company, wherein these are connected through a communication line. A merchandise information of the cellular phone that is transacted, etc., is sent to, and stored in, the host computer. When a call is made using the cellular phone, or the like, the host computer carries out reduction processing of a prepaid telephone charge depending upon a call rate on the basis of the stored merchandise information of the cellular phone, or the like. When the cellular phone or the telephone card is used, telephone charges can be paid in a store handling such a cellular phone, or the like.

Abstract: A new plant variety of Hydrangea paniculata named ‘Shikoku Flash’ having clear white mottled foliage growth throughout the growing season.

Abstract: A new plant variety of Euphorbia cyathophora having cream yellow-margined variegated foliage.

Abstract: It relates to fiber reinforced silicon carbide ceramics in which heat-resistant inorganic short fibers such as flawless SiC or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 are three-dimensionally dispersed in a matrix composed of silicon carbide and entangled with each other to form a high strength shaped body as well as a method of producing the same. Further, it relates to high density silicon carbide ceramica in which metallic silicon is filled in pores of the shaped body, so that these fiber reinforced silicon carbide ceramics possesses both high strength and high toughness and are composite ceramics suitable as a heat-resistant structural material or a material with bio hard texture.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate series compound ceramics are provided in which heat-resistant inorganic short fibers such as flawless SiC or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 are three-dimensionally dispersed in a matrix composed of calcium phosphate series compound and entangled with each other to form a high strength shaped body as well as a method of producing the same. Also, a high density silicon carbide ceramic is provided in which biological glass is impregnated and filled in a porous shaped body. These composite ceramics have high strength and high toughness and are suitable as a heat-resistant structural material or a material for bio hard texture.

Abstract: It relates to calcium phosphate series compound ceramics in which heat-resistant inorganic short fibers such as flawless SiC or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 are three-dimensionally dispersed in a matrix composed of calcium phosphate series compound and entangled with each other to form a high strength shaped body as well as a method of producing the same. And also, it relates to a high density silicon carbide ceramic in which biological glass is impregnated and filled in a porous shaped body, which provides composite ceramics having high strength and high toughness and suitable as a heat-resistant structural material or a material for bio hard texture.

Abstract: A new plant variety of Hydrangea paniculata named ‘Shikoku Flash’ having clear white mottled foliage growth throughout the growing season.

Abstract: A new plant variety of Euphorbia cyathophora named ‘Yokoi's White’, characterized by its distinctive cream-colored leaf variegation.

Abstract: A new plant variety of Albizia julibrissin having burgundy colored foliage and pink and white flowers.