Abstract: A start-up processing unit of a server sends to a client a character inputting web-page and a program of applications that the server handles concurrently. After converting reading information of an input character string received from the client and for which an operating character code is designated, into kanji character strings of an intermediate code and an operating character code, a kana-to-kanji conversion unit creates a candidate list of a kanji character string consisting of character images of the operating character code and the intermediate code, sends the candidate list to the client together with a candidate selection program and causes the client to select a candidate character string of kanji. An editing/outputting unit receives the operating character code of a character string containing the selected kanji candidate from the client and transfers it to a corresponding operation system.

Abstract: In a method for evaluating in vivo human cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A), at least a 2-hour urine collection and one blood sample are obtained. Endogenous cortisol in plasma and 6?-hydroxycortisol in urine are measured. Metabolic clearance specific for the 6?-hydroxylation of cortisol is then expressed as the amount of urinary excreted 6?-hydroxycortisol divided by the area under the concentration-time curve of cortisol, being a safe and reliable index for CYP3A phenotyping to assess in vivo CYP3A activity in humans.

Abstract: To predice impending system failures, dummy messages are periodically transmitted from a surveillance computer via a message broker to a host computer that executes processes in response to electronic messages from terminals and returns an electronic message. The dummy electronic messages are time-stamped when transmitted from the surveillance computer, when received and transmitted by the message broker, and when a process is executed by the host. The surveillance computer predicts impending failures by comparing the time required while a transmitted dummy electronic message returns to the surveillance computer, a mean value of the required time, a time required while the dummy electronic message passes through the message broker, a mean value of the time for the passage, a time required for a dummy electronic message transmission between each computer and a mean value of the time for transmission to each base value.

Abstract: A start-up processing unit of a server sends to a client a character inputting web-page and a program of applications that the server handles concurrently. After converting reading information of an input character string received from the client and for which an operating character code is designated, into kanji character strings of an intermediate code and an operating character code, a kana-to-kanji conversion unit creates a candidate list of a kanji character string consisting of character images of the operating character code and the intermediate code, sends the candidate list to the client together with a candidate selection program and causes the client to select a candidate character string of kanji. An editing/outputting unit receives the operating character code of a character string containing the selected kanji candidate from the client and transfers it to a corresponding operation system.

Abstract: To predice impending system failures, dummy messages are periodically transmitted from a surveillance computer via a message broker to a host computer that executes processes in response to electronic messages from terminals and returns an electronic message. The dummy electronic messages are time-stamped when transmitted from the surveillance computer, when received and transmitted by the message broker, and when a process is executed by the host. The surveillance computer predicts impending failures by comparing the time required while a transmitted dummy electronic message returns to the surveillance computer, a mean value of the required time, a time required while the dummy electronic message passes through the message broker, a mean value of the time for the passage, a time required for a dummy electronic message transmission between each computer and a mean value of the time for transmission to each base value.

Abstract: In a method for evaluating in vivo human cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A), at least a 2-hour urine collection and one blood sample are obtained. Endogenous cortisol in plasma and 6&bgr;-hydroxycortisol in urine are measured. Metabolic clearance specific for the 6&bgr;-hydroxylation of cortisol is then expressed as the amount of urinary excreted 6&bgr;-hydroxycortisol divided by the area under the concentration-time curve of cortisol, being a safe and reliable index for CYP3A phenotyping to assess in vivo CYP3A activity in humans.

Abstract: A system for sharing profits gain from an agency service, includes a storage module for storing amounts of share target money, which should be shared to a plurality of providers, of profits obtained by operating for a predetermined period an agency service for providing users with a plurality of services provided from a plurality of providers, and a calculation module for calculating an amount of shared money allocated to each service from within the amount of share target money stored in the storage module on the basis of a frequency of providing each service during the predetermined period.

Abstract: Formed on a p-type semiconductor substrate are bipolar transistors and CMOS transistors. A bipolar transistor has a base extraction electrode a side-surface of which is covered with an oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, and a polysilicon layer. A CMOS transistor has a gate electrode a side-surface of which is covered with an oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, and a side-wall layer. The silicon nitride layer on the side-surface of the base extraction electrode is formed by the same fabrication step that the silicon nitride layer on the side-surface of the gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: The shock absorber of the present invention is provided with a piston which has a damping force generating mechanism and which partitions the interior of a cylinder into a rod-side chamber and a piston-side chamber; a piston rod with the piston mounted thereto, the piston rod being moved into and out of the cylinder, a base valve provided at an open end of the piston-side chamber in the cylinder; and an outer shell having a constant wall thickness throughout the overall length thereof and enclosing the outside of the cylinder to form a reservoir chamber. The outer periphery of a lower end portion of the outer shell is supported by a knuckle bracket, and a bottomed cylinder, having a cylindrical portion which cooperates with the thin-walled outer shell, is fitted in the lower end portion of the outer shell along the inner periphery thereof. In this state, the bottomed cylinder is welded together with the outer shell and the knuckle bracket.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second oxide film regions formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. A first impurity diffusion region is located at a distance from one of the first and second oxide regions. A second impurity diffusion region is located along the surface of the semiconductor substrate and partially overlaps the first impurity diffusion region. The width of the second impurity diffusion region is greater than that of the first impurity diffusion region. A contact hole is provided extending substantially over the second impurity diffusion region. The contact hole has a first side wall defined by one of the first and second oxide film regions and a second side wall defined by an insulating film. The width of the opening of the contact hole is greater than or equal to the width of the first impurity diffusion region. A conductive film is formed along the bottom portion and along the opposite side walls of the contact hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second oxide film regions formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. A first impurity diffusion region is located at a distance from one of the first and second oxide regions. A second impurity diffusion region is located along the surface of the semiconductor substrate and partially overlaps the first impurity diffusion region. The width of the second impurity diffusion region is greater than that of the first impurity diffusion region. A contact hole is provided extending substantially over the second impurity diffusion region. The contact hole has a first side wall defined by one of the first and second oxide film regions and a second side wall defined by an insulating film. The width of the opening of the contact hole is greater than or equal to the width of the first impurity diffusion region. A conductive film is formed along the bottom portion and along the opposite side walls of the contact hole.

Abstract: A gas engine of a pre-chamber type in which a pre-chamber is arranged in communication to a main combustion chamber, an intake passage is arranged to supply lean mixture to the main chamber, a gas pipe is provided to form rich mixture by fuel gas in the pre-chamber, and a spark plug adapted to ignite the rich mixture in the pre-chamber prior to the combustion of lean mixture in the main combustion chamber, is characterized in that an area of a section of the pre-chamber gradually decreases toward the main combustion chamber.