Abstract: An object of the present invention is to develop a new alternative splicing reporter system and to provide a method for detecting alternative splicing patterns in a mammalian multicellular organism more precisely, a method for identifying efficiently substances and gene regions that affect alternative splicing in a mammalian multicellular organism, and the like by utilizing the alternative splicing reporter system. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for detecting alternative splicing in a mammalian multicellular organism, and a method for identifying substances and gene regions that affect alternative splicing in a mammalian multicellular organism, which use a DNA construct in which at least two different reporter genes are inserted into a specific gene that undergoes alternative splicing, or a combination of DNA constructs (a combination of at least two different DNA constructs) in which DNA construct a reporter gene is inserted into a specific gene that undergoes alternative splicing.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to develop a new alternative splicing reporter system and to provide a method for detecting alternative splicing patterns in a mammalian multicellular organism more precisely, a method for identifying efficiently substances and gene regions that affect alternative splicing in a mammalian multicellular organism, and the like by utilizing the alternative splicing reporter system. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for detecting alternative splicing in a mammalian multicellular organism, and a method for identifying substances and gene regions that affect alternative splicing in a mammalian multicellular organism, which use a DNA construct in which at least two different reporter genes are inserted into a specific gene that undergoes alternative splicing, or a combination of DNA constructs (a combination of at least two different DNA constructs) in which DNA construct a reporter gene is inserted into a specific gene that undergoes alternative splicing.

Abstract: A hood hinge structure for hinge connecting together a hinge lower to be fixed to a body and a hinge upper to be fixed to a hood at a hinge axial center, the engine room side of the vehicle body serving as the fixing portion of the hinge lower is formed as a stepped portion which is situated on the lower side, and the fixing portion of the hinge upper is disposed such that it is opposed to the stepped portion. In this structure, even in case where the head of a pedestrian is butted against the hood in the vicinity of the hinge portion due to a collision, the hinge portion is deformed within a relatively long shock-absorbing stroke formed between the hinge portion and stepped portion formed on the engine room side of the vehicle body to thereby be able to absorb the shock sufficiently.

Abstract: A module carrier incorporating components of a cooling system has a frame structure with frames provided on upper and lower sides thereof and a pair of stays supporting both side ends of the frames. Two fitting faces formed on each of the stays are fixed onto a front edge and a member bracket of a front side member. A pair of the front side members are provided on both sides in a widthwise direction of a vehicle. A lower frame is supported against the front side member by a truss structure provided in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. If an impact load is applied from the front side of the vehicle body to the lower frame, it is possible to receive such impact load securely and to generate a reactive force. Therefore, if a leg of a pedestrian collides from the frontside of the vehicle body, such reactive force is effective for scooping up a lower leg for protection.

Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a frame having a front frame and a floor frame joined together by a curved portion provided along a toe board, the front frame extending in a forward direction from the curved portion, the floor frame extending in a rearward direction therefrom; a side structure disposed transversely outwardly of the frame, respectively; and a closed-section torque box for joining the frame to the side structure. The frame and the side structure are joined to an upper surface of the torque box to be substantially horizontally relative to each other, and are also joined to a lower surface of the torque box which is formed in such a manner as to be oriented downwardly toward the side structure, to thereby increase the joint area of the torque box on a side thereof where the torque box is joined to the side structure.

Abstract: A module carrier incorporating components of a cooling system has a frame structure with frames provided on upper and lower sides thereof and a pair of stays supporting both side ends of the frames. Two fitting faces formed on each of the stays are fixed onto a front edge and a member bracket of a front side member. A pair of the front side members are provided on both sides in a widthwise direction of a vehicle. A lower frame is supported against the front side member by a truss structure provided in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. If an impact load is applied from the front side of the vehicle body to the lower frame, it is possible to receive such impact load securely and to generate a reactive force. Therefore, if a leg of a pedestrian collides from the frontside of the vehicle body, such reactive force is effective for scooping up a lower leg for protection.

Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a frame having a front frame and a floor frame joined together by a curved portion provided along a toe board, the front frame extending in a forward direction from the curved portion, the floor frame extending in a rearward direction therefrom; a side structure disposed transversely outwardly of the frame, respectively; and a closed-section torque box for joining the frame to the side structure. The frame and the side structure are joined to an upper surface of the torque box to be substantially horizontally relative to each other, and are also joined to a lower surface of the torque box which is formed in such a manner as to be oriented downwardly toward the side structure, to thereby increase the joint area of the torque box on a side thereof where the torque box is joined to the side structure.

Abstract: A hood hinge structure for hinge connecting together a hinge lower to be fixed to a body and a hinge upper to be fixed to a hood at a hinge axial center, the engine room side of the vehicle body serving as the fixing portion of the hinge lower is formed as a stepped portion which is situated on the lower side, and the fixing portion of the hinge upper is disposed such that it is opposed to the stepped portion. In this structure, even in case where the head of a pedestrian is butted against the hood in the vicinity of the hinge portion due to a collision, the hinge portion is deformed within a relatively long shock-absorbing stroke formed between the hinge portion and stepped portion formed on the engine room side of the vehicle body to thereby be able to absorb the shock sufficiently.

Abstract: A sidebody structure of a motor vehicle includes a pillar reinforcement member provided in a center pillar so that the center pillar has a substantially strong structure against a bending moment when a side impact load is applied thereto. A first yieldable portion is provided at the connecting portion of the center pillar and a side rail so that the center pillar is bent inwardly at the first yieldable portion when a side impact load is applied to the center pillar, and a second yieldable portion is provided at the second connecting portion of the center pillar and a side sill so that the side sill is deformed inwardly at the second yieldable portion, being pushed by the incoming center pillar. Thus, in an event of a side collision, a passenger's seat swings inwardly around the connecting portion of the center pillar and the side rail like a pendulum, coordinating with the movement of the center pillar, whereby a passenger can avoid being struck by the incoming center pillar.

Abstract: A sidebody structure of a motor vehicle includes a pillar reinforcement member provided in a center pillar so that center pillar has a substantially strong structure against a bending moment when a side impact load is applied thereto. A first yieldable portion is provided at the connecting portion of the center pillar and a side rail so that the center pillar is bent inwardly at the first yieldable portion when a side impact load is applied to the center pillar, and a second yieldable portion is provided at the second connecting portion of the center pillar and a side sill so that the side sill is deformed inwardly at the second yieldable portion, being pushed by the incoming center pillar. Thus, in an event of a side collision, a passenger's seat swings inwardly around the connecting portion of the center pillar and the side rail like a pendulum, coordinating with the movement of the center pillar, whereby a passenger can avoid being struck by the incoming center pillar.