Abstract: A system automatically sets the prices of items that are marketed in a web marketing system based on such factors as past prices and marketing trends so as to maximize the seller's profit. An automatic price calculating unit is provided that refers to item information and marketing information that are gathered from the web marketing system, updates the prices of items, and outputs the result as price information. At each point in time, the calculating unit repeats the steps of: outputting price information such that items are marketed for fixed time intervals at a price that is one step size higher than, and a price that is one step size lower than the optimal price estimate at that time, comparing the profits that are obtained as a result, and updating the optimal price estimate at that time in the direction of the price at which the higher profit was obtained.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide a method for obtaining a barley malt oil abundantly containing ceramide derivatives of plant origin which is highly safe and gives a good image as a material in an efficient, simple and easy manner as well as to provide a barley malt oil which is obtained by such method above and is enriched in highly safe ceramide derivatives. The present invention provides a method for producing barley malt oil containing ceramide derivatives, comprising the steps of: dipping spent grains obtained in a process of beer production in a polar organic solvent as a dipping solution, separating an extract liquid from the dipping solution, and concentrating the extract liquid and also provides a barley malt oil containing ceramide derivatives obtainable by dipping spent grains obtained in a process of beer production in a polar organic solvent, separating an extract liquid from the resulting solution, and concentrating the extract liquid.

Abstract: A broadcast program storing system, in which a combination of programs to be stored is optimized, and a program set that makes the degree of satisfaction of a user optimal can be stored, is provided. The broadcast program storing system provides a preference learning means that learns the preferences of a user for programs by viewing behavior of the user, a degree of preference predicting means for predicting the degree of preference of the user for each program from information of the program, and a storing planning means, which chooses a combination of programs by solving a temporally expanded knapsack problem that obtains a solution that the sum of the predicted degree of satisfaction in a planned schedule becomes maximal in a storing capacity having a bound when programs to be stored and programs to be deleted are decided.

Abstract: A general-purpose knowledge finding method for efficient knowledge finding by selectively sampling only data in large information amounts from a database. Learning means 104 causes a lower-order learning algorithm, inputted via an input unit 107, to perform learning on plural partial samples generated by sampling from data stored in a high-speed main memory 120, to obtain plural hypotheses. Data selection means 105 uses the hypotheses to estimate information amounts of respective candidate data read from a large-capacity data storage device 130, and additionally stores only data in large information amounts into the high-speed main memory 120. A control unit 106 repeats the processing a predetermined number of times, and stores obtained final hypotheses. A prediction unit 102 predicts a label value of unknown-labeled data inputted into the input unit 107 by the final hypotheses, and an output unit 101 outputs the predicted value.

Abstract: Unique benzothiazole derivatives which exert superior aldose redactase inhibiting actions are unexpectedly and advantageously useful in the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of diabetic complications. A benzothiazole derivative compound of the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein X is halogen, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which are the same or different, are each independently hydrogen or halogen, A is a methylene group or a sulfur atom, and --B--COOR.sup.3 is a group as defined in the specification; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same which is a useful prophylactic or therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetic complications.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating an aqueous colloidal solution into water and agglomerate of colloidal particles by applying a high frequency voltage to the aqueous colloidal solution comprises a tank accommodating the aqueous colloidal solution, and at least one pair of electrodes disposed in the tank. The electrodes is configured such that lines of electric force are locally concentrated when the voltage is applied to said solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of removing metal contained in a solution through chelation, which makes it possible to preclude undesired aggregation and permit effective aggregation through an aggregating process. A surface active agent containing a hydrophobic group, a hydrophilic group and a chelating group is added to the solution to be processed, and subsequently an aggregating process is carried out. The chelating group chelates metal, the hydrophilic group prevents undesired aggregation, and the hydrophobic group is effectively aggregated in the aggregating process. Various uses are possible by selecting the charge of ligand.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing metal contained in a solution through chelation which includes a means for adding a surface active agent containing a hydrophobic group, a hydrophilic group and a chelating group to a metal containing solution held within a metal solution accommodating means. An electric field applying means is adapted to apply an electric field to the solution containing means and further means is provided for separating an aggregate from the metal contained solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of removing metal contained in a solution through chelation, which makes it possible to preclude undesired aggregation and permit effective aggregation through an aggregating process. A surface active agent containing a hydrophobic group, a hydrophilic group and a chelating group is added to the solution to be processed, and subsequently an aggregating process is carried out. The chelating group chelates metal, the hydrophilic group prevents undesired aggregation, and the hydrophobic group is effectively aggregated in the aggregating process. Various uses are possible by selecting the charge of ligand.

Abstract: An apparatus for verifying service user's information consists of a switch system for setting a call between one terminal and the other terminal and a data memory connected to this switch system. This data memory stores information indicating the number of a service user on which a charge previously applied by a subscriber is imposed and information on a validity of this service user's information. The switch system includes a checking section. The checking section checks at first effects, when the subscriber requests setting of a call to be charged for a talk on the basis of the above-mentioned information from one terminal, a formal check of the service user's information sent with the request by the subscriber. If this formal check is passed, the checking section requests the data memory for a collation as to whether or not the service user's information is valid.

Abstract: A method of separating an aqueous colloidal solution by agglomeration into water and agglomerate of colloidal particles by applying voltage to the aqueous colloidal solution to promote the agglomeration of colloidal particles. The frequency of the voltage to be applied to the aqueous colloidal solution is increased to about 10 kHz to improve efficiency of agglomeration and suppress electrolysis of water. As the frequency is increased, hydrogen is generated earlier than the reaction of oxygen generated by the electrolysis of water with the colloidal particles, thus not oxidizing the colloidal particles. Further, as the frequency is increased, the colloidal particles tend to obtain a greater oscillation energy, thus facilitating the agglomeration thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel HP530 compounds, their derivatives or their pharmaceutically permissible salts, a process for preparing them and an antitumor substances containing them as active ingredient. The HP530 compounds and their derivatives expressed by the general formula below can be prepared by cultivating Streptomyces sp. HP530 (FERM BP-2786) or and chemically derivation. ##STR1## where X is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 acyl group or a hydrogen atom, Y is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 acyl group or a hydrogen atom and Z is a group expressed by the formula (II), (III) or (IV).