Abstract: In exhaust purification apparatus and method for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas purification catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine, a poisoning release control of the exhaust gas purification catalyst is executed when a predetermined condition is established, the poisoning release control including a normal mode and an exhaust gas composition mode before the normal mode, and a manipulation parameter (for example, an ignition timing) of the engine related to an exhaust gas composition is manipulated in such a manner that a hydrogen concentration in the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas composition mode is higher than that in the normal mode.

Abstract: A control system for a direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine is provided which includes a first control section for switchably controlling a combustion mode between a homogeneous combustion mode and a stratified stoichiometric combustion mode, and a second control section for advancing, at a time of switching from the homogeneous combustion mode to the stratified stoichiometric combustion mode, an ignition timing by an amount for offsetting a variation of torque simultaneously with switching of the combustion mode, gradually retarding the ignition timing after the switching of the combustion mode, and after the ignition timing has retarded a predetermined amount, retarding a compression stroke fuel injection timing in the stratified combustion mode while retarding the ignition timing further. A control method is also provided.

Abstract: In exhaust purification apparatus and method for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas purification catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine, a poisoning release control of the exhaust gas purification catalyst is executed when a predetermined condition is established, the poisoning release control including a normal mode and an exhaust gas composition mode before the normal mode, and a manipulation parameter (for example, an ignition timing) of the engine related to an exhaust gas composition is manipulated in such a manner that a hydrogen concentration in the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas composition mode is higher than that in the normal mode.

Abstract: A spark ignited internal combustion engine employs fuel injectors positioned to inject fuel directly into combustion chambers of the engine, and an electronic engine controller (EEC) to control operation of the engine. The EEC implements a routine which controls the quantity of fuel injected, and spark timing by varying a period of time, which is required for advancing the spark timing during switch from a stratified stoichiometric charge combustion by split injection to a homogeneous charge combustion by single injection, with differing degrees of operator torque demand.

Abstract: In an exhaust emission control apparatus of an internal combustion engine with an intake air flow control valve controlling intake air flow exerting an influence upon a behavior of fuel injected from a fuel injector, and an electric valve actuator electrically operated by a storage battery serving as an electric power source to drive the intake air flow control valve, an electronic control unit is provided for controlling an opening of the intake air flow control valve. The control unit controls the opening of the intake air flow control valve to a predetermined intermediate valve opening by the valve actuator during an engine stopping period. Also, the control unit holds the intake air flow control valve at the predetermined intermediate valve opening to which the intake air flow control valve has been driven in advance during the engine stopping period, by inhibiting operation of the valve actuator during an engine-cranking operating mode at a starting period.

Abstract: In an exhaust emission control apparatus of an internal combustion engine with an intake air flow control valve controlling intake air flow exerting an influence upon a behavior of fuel injected from a fuel injector, and an electric valve actuator electrically operated by a storage battery serving as an electric power source to drive the intake air flow control valve, an electronic control unit is provided for controlling an opening of the intake air flow control valve. The control unit controls the opening of the intake air flow control valve to a predetermined intermediate valve opening by the valve actuator during an engine stopping period. Also, the control unit holds the intake air flow control valve at the predetermined intermediate valve opening to which the intake air flow control valve has been driven in advance during the engine stopping period, by inhibiting operation of the valve actuator during an engine-cranking operating mode at a starting period.

Abstract: The control system of a spark-ignited direct fuel injection internal combustion engine has a control unit for operating the internal combustion engine selectively between a homogeneous combustion mode for starting the engine or after a warm-up thereof and a stratified combustion mode for promoting an activation of a catalytic converter, in response to a request according to an engine operating condition. The control unit further adjusts a parameter that affects engine torque of the internal combustion engine so as to reduce the undesired sudden change of the engine torque when the combustion mode is converted.

Abstract: A control system for a direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine is provided which includes a first control section for switchably controlling a combustion mode between a homogeneous combustion mode and a stratified stoichiometric combustion mode, and a second control section for advancing, at a time of switching from the homogeneous combustion mode to the stratified stoichiometric combustion mode, an ignition timing by an amount for offsetting a variation of torque simultaneously with switching of the combustion mode, gradually retarding the ignition timing after the switching of the combustion mode, and after the ignition timing has retarded a predetermined amount, retarding a compression stroke fuel injection timing in the stratified combustion mode while retarding the ignition timing further. A control method is also provided.

Abstract: A spark ignited internal combustion engine employs fuel injectors positioned to inject fuel directly into combustion chambers of the engine, and an electronic engine controller (EEC) to control operation of the engine. The EEC implements a routine which controls the quantity of fuel injected, and spark timing by varying a period of time, which is required for advancing the spark timing during switch from a stratified stoichiometric charge combustion by split injection to a homogeneous charge combustion by single injection, with differing degrees of operator torque demand.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated non-A, non-B hepatitis virus genomic CDNA covering the entire region of the virus gene nucleotide sequence from the 1st to 9416th nucleotides shown in FIG. 2(1) through FIG. 2(16) hereof, wherein the coding region is from the 333rd to 9362nd nucleotides, and the 5′- and 3′-noncoding sequences contain 332 nucleotides and 54 nucleotides, respectively. Part of the cDNA and an antigen polypeptide as an expression product thereof are useful as a diagnostic reagent for non-A, non-B hepatitis. The antigen polypeptide is also useful as an active ingredient for a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus vaccine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated non-A, non-B hepatitis virus genomic cDNA covering the entire region of the virus gene nucleotide sequence from the 1st to 9416th nucleotides shown in FIG. 2(1) through FIG. 2(16) hereof, wherein the coding region is from the 333rd to 9362nd nucleotides, and the 5'- and 3'- noncoding sequences contain 332 nucleotides and 54 nucleotides, respectively. Part of the cDNA and an antigen polypeptide as an expression product thereof are useful as a diagnostic reagent for non-A, non-B hepatitis. The antigen polypeptide is also useful as an active ingredient for a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus vaccine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated non-A, non-B hepatitis virus genomic cDNA covering the entire region of the virus gene nucleotide sequence from the 1st to 9416th nucleotides shown in FIG. 2(1) through FIG. 2(16) hereof, wherein the coding region is from the 333rd to 9362nd nucleotides, and the 5'- and 3'-noncoding sequences contain 332 nucleotides and 54 nucleotides, respectively. Part of the cDNA and an antigen polypeptide as an expression product thereof are useful as a diagnostic reagent for non-A, non-B hepatitis. The antigen polypeptide is also useful as an active ingredient for a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus vaccine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated non-A, non-B hepatitis virus genomic cDNA covering the entire region of the virus gene nucleotide sequence from the 1st to 9416th nucleotides shown in FIG. 2(1) through FIG. 2(16) hereof, wherein the coding region is from the 333rd to 9362nd nucleotides, and the 5'- and 3'-noncoding sequences contain 332 nucleotides and 54 nucleotides, respectively. Part of the cDNA and an antigen polypeptide as an expression product thereof are useful as a diagnostic reagent for non-A, non-B hepatitis. The antigen polypeptide is also useful as an active ingredient for a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus vaccine.

Abstract: There is disclosed an antigen comprising an amino acid sequence of the suce antigen of a hepatitis B virus. The present antigen can be produced easily and safely at low cost by means of recombinant DNA technique. The present antigen can be used as an effective vaccine and diagnostic for hepatitis B.

Abstract: There is provided a recombinant Marek's disease virus comprising the genomic DNA of an attenuated Marek's disease virus and a foreign gene from another source. The present recombinant virus can advantageously be used as an active ingredient for a multifunctional live vaccine, exhibiting not only the antigenicity and immunogenicity of the Marek's disease virus but also the properties ascribed to the foreign gene. Since the suitable host cell for the recombinant virus of the present invention is an avian cell which is available in a large quantity and not expensive, the recombinant virus of the present invention can be produced efficiently at low cost on a commercial scale.

Abstract: There is disclosed a DNA which codes for an antigen comprising at least part of an amino acid sequence of the antigen of a flavivirus, which part contains at least one epitope of the flavivirus antigen. The present DNA can be used for producing the antigen easily and safely at low cost by means of recombinant DNA technique. The antigen produced using the present DNA can be used as an effective vaccine and diagnostic for Japanese encephalitis.

Abstract: A Bordetella pertussis variant which produces a pertussis toxin mutant protein partially devoid of subunits. When the variants of the present invention are cultured, a pertussis toxin mutant protein partially devoid of subunits, particularly at least subunit S1, can be harvested from the culture. The thus-obtained pertussis toxin mutant protein partially devoid of subunits can be applied to the preparation of a pertussis vaccine by a conventional method.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for culturing Bordetella pertussis in the presence of a cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives. The present method is useful for obtaining a mixed antigen comprising pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in a large amount at low cost. From the antigen, there can be obtained a stable and effective pertussis toxoid to be used for a pertussis vaccine. There is also disclosed a vaccine comprising the pertussis toxoid as an active ingredient and a gelatin and/or gelatin derivatives as a stabilizing agent. The present vaccine is extremely stable and can be stored for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for purifying a gene-expression product produced by recombinant DNA technique which comprises a specific sequence of steps including adsorption treatment with silica gel, adsorption treatment with activated carbon, at least twice density gradient centrifugation and at least twice equilibrium density gradient centrifugation. The method of the present invention is very effective to remove allergen from gene-expression products contaminated therewith, enabling highly purified gene-expression products to be produced on a large scale.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for culturing Bordetella pertussis in the prece of a cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives. The present method is useful for obtaining a mixed antigen comprising pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in a large amount at low cost. From the antigen, there can be obtained a stable and effective pertussis toxoid to be used for a pertussis vaccine. There is also disclosed a vaccine comprising the pertussis toxoid as an active ingredient and a gelatin and/or gelatin derivatives as a stabilizing agent. The present vaccine is extremely stable and can be stored for a prolonged period of time.