Abstract: The temperature of a component provided in or associated with an internal combustion engine is estimated with no regard to the automatic stop and the automatic start of the internal combustion engine, and at least one of the estimated temperature of the component and a parameter used to estimate the same temperature is initialized in response to the internal combustion engine being started non-automatically.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-assisted method for analyzing the surroundings of a display device. At least two different patterns are displayed successively on a display device connected to a computer. A camera is also connected to the computer and is directed towards objects in front of the display device. Each time a pattern is displayed on the display device, at least one image of the surroundings is captured. The captured images are combined to create a difference image. The difference image is analyzed to interpret the objects in the surroundings. For example, calculations may be performed to segment the foreground from the background of the surroundings or to estimate the range (distance) of the objects from the display device. An apparatus for performing this computer-assisted method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A temporary increase in an amount of fuel at start of an engine is controlled on the basis of an estimated amount of fuel that has adhered to the perimeter of intake ports at start of the engine. If the engine is restarted soon after being stopped, the increase in the amount of fuel is reduced by a correction amount that is reduced gradually with the lapse of time. If only a considerably short length of time has elapsed, the amount of fuel is not increased. If the engine is started twice within a short period, the increase in the amount of fuel at the latter start of the engine changes continuously from the increase in the amount of fuel at the former start of the engine.

Abstract: A temporary increase in an amount of fuel at start of an engine is controlled on the basis of an estimated amount of fuel that has adhered to the perimeter of intake ports at start of the engine. If the engine is restarted soon after being stopped, the increase in the amount of fuel is reduced by a correction amount that is reduced gradually with the lapse of time. If only a considerably short length of time has elapsed, the amount of fuel is not increased. If the engine is started twice within a short period, the increase in the amount of fuel at the latter start of the engine changes continuously from the increase in the amount of fuel at the former start of the engine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-assisted method for analyzing the surroundings of a display device. At least two different patterns are displayed successively on a display device connected to a computer. A camera is also connected to the computer and is directed towards objects in front of the display device. Each time a pattern is displayed on the display device, at least one image of the surroundings is captured. The captured images are combined to create a difference image. The difference image is analyzed to interpret the objects in the surroundings. For example, calculations may be performed to segment the foreground from the background of the surroundings or to estimate the range (distance) of the objects from the display device. An apparatus for performing this computer-assisted method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A curable composition containing (a) 100 parts by weight of an oxyalkylene polymer having a silicon atom-containing group to which a hydroxyl group or a hydrolyzable group is bonded and capable of crosslinking on formation of a siloxane bond and (b) from 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of a hydrolyzable silicon compound represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein X represents a hydrolyzable group; R.sup.1 represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group; R.sup.2 represents a monovalent organic group containing an amino group or an imino group and having a carbon atom number to nitrogen atom number ratio (C/N ratio) of more than 3; m represents 0, 1 or 2; n represents 1, 2 or 3; and (m+n) is less than 4.

Abstract: A glycyrrhetic acid derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein X and Y are hydrogen atom, respectively or X is oxygen atom together with Y, A.sub.1 is methylene or carbonyl radical, A.sub.2 is hydrogen atom, cyano, carbamoyl, carboxyl radical or alkoxycarbonyl group, m and n are an integer, respectively, R.sub.1 is a radical of ##STR2## in which R.sub.2 is an alkyl, alkenyl group, phenyl radical or a substituted phenyl radical, A.sub.3 is S, O or NH, and l is an integer, a process for the preparation of the derivatives, and use of the derivative as a pharmaceutical agent.