Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the following general formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a pharmaceutical composition containing such a compound, and the like. The compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the pharmaceutical composition containing such a compound, or the like is useful as a medicine or the like for therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia, cancer, osteoporosis, psoriasis, secondary hyperparathyroidism, chronic glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis and/or diabetic nephropathy and the like.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a process for efficiently producing poly-?-glutamic acid having a high L-glutamic acid content and excellent quality. The process for producing poly-?-glutamic acid according to the present invention is characterized in using a bacterium belonging to species Bacillus megaterium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the following general formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a pharmaceutical composition containing such a compound, and the like. The compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the pharmaceutical composition containing such a compound, or the like is useful as a medicine or the like for therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia, cancer, osteoporosis, psoriasis, secondary hyperparathyroidism, chronic glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis and/or diabetic nephropathy and the like.

Abstract: A lining material composed of felt impregnated with a thermosetting resin is used to line a pipe to be rehabilitated. 0.5 to 30 wt % of a filler containing at least carbon nanotubes is added to the thermosetting resin impregnated in the felt of the lining material in order to improve the thermal conductivity of the felt. The thermal conductivity is greatly improved up to 0.3 W/m·K or greater over the conventional thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/m·K, making it possible to reduce the time needed for heating, and to heat the lining material more uniformly.

Abstract: An electric heating apparatus comprises a sheet heating element having two end electrodes and a center electrode. The sheet heating element is wound around the external peripheral surface of an airtight and elastic expandable balloon. The balloon is disposed inside a lining material impregnated with a thermosetting resin for repairing a pipe and is swelled against the inside wall of the pipe through the lining material. The end and center electrodes are supplied with electricity to generate heat in the sheet heating element, thereby curing the thermosetting resin impregnated in the lining material. This allows pipe lining to be performed with much higher energy efficiency and simpler steps.

Abstract: A continuous-atmosphere high-temperature furnace apparatus comprises a high-temperature furnace section, a mechanism for continuously supplying substrates or samples to the high-temperature furnace section, and a mechanism for continuously discharging treated substrates or samples from the high-temperature furnace section. Gas is exhausted from the high-temperature furnace section and ambient gas is supplied thereto for reaction to produce carbon materials and various other nanomaterials or to burn and graphitize the nanomaterials. The substrates or samples are sequentially moved for heat treatment, thereby improving the work efficiency of the high-temperature furnace.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a vitamin D derivative exhibiting excellent physiological activity as medicines, in particular as therapeutic agents for skin disease including psoriasis, and having decreased hypercalcemic activity. The present invention provides vitamin D derivatives represented by the general Formula (1): wherein in Formula (1), X is oxygen or sulfur; R1 is hydrogen or Formula (2) R2 is hydrogen or alkyl; R3 and R4 are hydrogen or alkyl or R3 and R4 together form a double bond between the 16- and 17-positions; R5 is hydrogen or —OR13 in which R13 is hydrogen or a protecting group; and R6 is hydrogen or a protecting group.

Abstract: The present invention discloses bisphenyl compounds of the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X, Y, W are defined herein after. These compounds are useful as pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide vitamin D derivatives that have excellent physiological activities as medicines, particularly as therapeutic agents for skin diseases such as psoriasis, and that have a reduced hypercalcemic effect.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a vitamin D derivative exhibiting excellent physiological activity as medicines, in particular as therapeutic agents for skin disease including psoriasis, and having decreased hypercalcemic activity.