Abstract: The ATP amplification method of the present invention is a method for amplifying and detecting a very trace amount of exogenous ATP by allowing a fusion protein (PPK-ADK) of a polyphosphate kinase and an adenylate kinase, the fusion protein not containing ADP, to act on a mixture of ATP, AMP, and a polyphosphate compound. The present invention also provides an ultrasensitive ATP amplification method by which ATP at a single cell level can be amplified and detected, and an ultrasensitive microbial assay based on this ATP amplification method.

Abstract: The present invention offers resin-coated metal plates that prevent wicket scars from occurring during processes of varnish, print and dry, and there are few scars on the resin-coated surface, the inner surface side of the can and that have superior corrosion resistance and workability, and drawn cans using these metal plates. Therefore, resin film that is applied to the metal plates, is comprised of two layers of a crystallized saturated polyester resin layer [A] and a layer composed of resin [B] that is comprised of saturated polyester resin (i) and ionomer resin (ii), wherein the layer composed of resin [B] is laminated on the above-mentioned metal plate to tightly contact with it, and on the polar surface of the saturated polyester resin layer that is crystallized [A] a highly crystallized layer (X) is formed. The drawn can 10 of the present invention is formed using the resin-coated metal plate 11.

Abstract: A compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: [wherein X1 and X2 each is independently lower alkylene; X3 is ?CH2, ?CHF or ?CF2; R1 is substituent, R2 and R3 each is independently H or lower alkyl; n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.] having the activity inhibiting DPP-IV activity. They are therefore useful in the treatment of conditions mediated by DPP-IV, such as NIDDM.

Abstract: A ball marker is provided with a pivotal member (2) that is constituted by a hinged portion (5), a shaft piercing portion (6) and an insertion portion (7) and allowed to pivot, and a main body (3) that allows the pivotal member (2) to be inserted therein and shaft-engaged thereto, and in this structure, when the hinged portion (5) is raised upright on the surface of the main body (3), the insertion portion (7) is also raised upright on the back surface of the main body (3) cooperatively, and when the hinged portion (5) is laid down on the surface of the main body (3), the insertion portion (7) is also laid down on the back surface of the main body (3) cooperatively, so that a housing section used for housing the insertion portion (7) is formed on the back surface of the main body (3); thus, the insertion portion (7) is made virtually flush with the back surface of the main body, with the hinged portion (5) and the insertion (7) portion being laid down.

Abstract: A compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: [wherein X1 and X2 each is independently lower alkylene; X3 is ?CH2, ?CHF or ?CF2; R1 is substituent, R2 and R3 each is independently H or lower alkyl; n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.]having the activity inhibiting DPP-IV activity. They are therefore useful in the treatment of conditions mediated by DPP-IV, such as NIDDM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ATP-regeneration reaction system comprising the steps of acting adenylate kinase on AMP to convert it into ADP and acting a polyphosphoric acid synthetase in the presence of a polyphosphoric acid compound to convert it into ATP and a polyphosphoric acid compound; an ATP-regeneration reaction system comprising the steps of acting a phosphotransferase on AMP in the presence of a polyphosphoric acid compound to convert it into ADP and then acting a polyphosphoric acid synthetase on the resulting ADP to convert it into ATP; and a method for detecting or inspecting adenine nucleotide or RNA and an ATP-amplification method, which make use of the foregoing regeneration system.

Abstract: Novel anthranilic acid derivatives having an inhibiting activity of cGMP-PDE are represented by the formula I where A is a lower alkylene group: 1

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) where R1 is hydrogen; R2 is nitro, cyano or halo(lower)alkyl; R3 is phenyl substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, cyano and lower alkoxy; A is a lower alkylene group; R4 is a group CR6R7R8 wherein R6 and R7 form, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached a cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with hydroxy, lower alkoxy or a lower alkanoylamino; and R8 is hydrogen; its prodrug and a salt thereof.

Abstract: A continuous hot rolling mill with a metal block conveying apparatus and a metal block joining apparatus which moves with the metal blocks along the metal block conveying apparatus to conform a joining operation. The metal block conveying apparatus uses rollers supported by cylinders with a common hydraulic circuit which allows the cylinders to follow guide rails on the metal block joining apparatus and lower out of the path of the metal block joining apparatus and then return to a metal block support position after the metal block joining apparatus' passage without individual control circuits and valves for each of the cylinders.

Abstract: The invention comprises a continuous hot rolling method in which a rear end portion of a preceding metal block and a fore end portion of a succeeding metal block are cut and the metal blocks are joined to each other by heating and pressing followed by a finish rolling. A region of each metal block is restrained from a clamping position to the end portion thereof in order to prevent a change in level of the metal blocks in heating and pressing the piece. The end portions of the metal blocks can be thus prevented from deformation.

Abstract: According to the invention, the rear end of a preceding metal piece and a front end of a succeeding metal piece are heated, pressed and joined prior to the finishing hot rolling. An alternating magnetic field running through the metal pieces in the thickness direction thereof is generated in an end region on opposed faces of the respective metal pieces to perform heating. Another alternating magnetic field whose direction is reverse with respect to that of the former alternating magnetic field is partially generated in the end region on the opposed faces of the metal pieces and in either a region where the metal pieces exist or a region outside width ends of the metal pieces. This assures a uniform heating of the end region on the opposed faces of the metal pieces over their full width to reliably join the both metal pieces to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining metal pieces wherein the rear end of a preceding metal piece and a front end of a metal piece are heated and then pressed together prior to hot finished rolling. The temperature the ends of the metal pieces are heated to is a temperature range between the solidus and liquidus line temperatures of the metal(s) to be joined.

Abstract: According to the invention, the rear end of a preceding metal piece and a front end of a succeeding metal piece are heated, pressed and joined prior to the finishing hot rolling. An alternating magnetic field running through the metal pieces in the thickness direction thereof is generated in an end region on opposed faces of the respective metal pieces to perform heating. Another alternating magnetic field whose direction is reverse with respect to that of the former alternating magnetic field is partially generated in the end region on the opposed faces of the metal pieces and in either a region where the metal pieces exist or a region outside width ends of the metal pieces. This assures a uniform heating of the end region on the opposed faces of the metal pieces over their full width to reliably join the both metal pieces to each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for joining metal pieces using induction heating. Metal pieces to be joined are placed end-to-end with a gap between them and induction heated in the thickness portion. To maximize speed and even heating edge-to-edge of the ends, members of a magnetic substance are provided in a gap between the inductor and the piece to be heated, thereby enhancing local heating effect by increasing magnetic flux density. Once heated, the ends are pressed together end-to-end for joining.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining metal pieces using induction heating. Preceding and succeeding metal pieces are followed by a carriage which carries an inductor. The inductor has the ability to move in the longitudinal direction of the metal pieces relative to the carriage to allow the inductor to move more or less upon the preceding or succeeding metal pieces to increase or decrease the induction heating effect, thereby taking into account any thickness variation of the metal pieces and yet still heating them evenly with regard to each other, prior to their being pressed against each other for joining before hot finishing rolling.

Abstract: The invention comprises a continuous hot rolling method in which a rear end portion of a preceding metal block and a fore end portion of a succeeding metal block are cut and the metal blocks are joined to each other by heating and pressing followed by a finish rolling. A region of each metal block is restrained from a clamping position to the end portion thereof in order to prevent a change in level of the metal blocks in heating and pressing the piece. The end portions of the metal blocks can be thus prevented from deformation.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## and their pharmaceutically acceptable compositions are useful in inhibiting the activity of cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase.

Abstract: A post continuous hot rolling method where a rear end portion of a preced metal block and a fore end portion of a succeeding metal block are cut and the metal blocks joined to each other by heating and pressing followed by a finish rolling, wherein a poorly joined portion is removed by shaving the defective portion through application of rotating cutters prior to a final finish rolling of the joined blocks.

Abstract: According to the invention, the rear end of a preceding metal piece and a front end of a succeeding metal piece are heated, pressed and joined prior to the finishing hot rolling. An alternating magnetic field running through the metal pieces in the thickness direction thereof is generated in an end region on opposed faces of the respective metal pieces to perform heating. Another alternating magnetic field whose direction is reverse with respect to that of the former alternating magnetic field is partially generated in the end region on the opposed faces of the metal pieces and in either a region where the metal pieces exist or a region outside width ends of the metal pieces. This assures a uniform heating of the end region on the opposed faces of the metal pieces over their full width to reliably join the both metal pieces to each other.

Abstract: A new process for preparing a compound of the formula: ##STR1##