Abstract: A novel protease derived from Bacillus licheniformis is provided. The protease cleaves the peptide bonds at the carboxyl termini of glutamic acid residues in polypeptides. The protease contains an amino acid sequence from serine in the +1 position to glutamine in the +222 position of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire polishing and protective composition including, as dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent, 2 to 25% by weight of a silicone varnish, 0.1 to 4% by weight of a rubber type polymer and 0.1 to 10% by weight of a tackifier.

Abstract: The present invention first provides monoclonal antibodies recognizing membrane phospholipase A.sub.2, namely, monoclonal antibodies PL-49, PL-71, PL-76, and PL-78, hybridomas producing them, methods for producing them, and immunoassays of membrane phospholipase A.sub.2 using them.The immunoassay of PLA.sub.2 M is useful for the diagnosis of articular rheumatism, cancers, and a wide variety of inflammatory states.

Abstract: A gas generation device for a vehicular passenger protecting system. The gas generation device is equipped with an auto ignition device that is ignitable at a predetermined temperature when the gas generator is heated from an external source. Thus a primary ignition agent having an ignition temperature lower than the ignition temperature of a secondary ignition agent ignites first, causing a pressure rise which in turn moves a sealing member. In one embodiment, the sealing member breaks a gas-tight container which causes the ignition of the secondary igniton agent, which in turn causes ignition of a gas generating agent. In a second embodiment, the sealing member causes ignition of the gas generating agent directly. In either case, the primary ignition agent ignites prior to sufficient loss in mechanical strength of the gas generation casing body housing the gas-tight container.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding modified varieties of human PSTI possessing excellent stability in terms of decreased susceptibility to decomposition by proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin, as compared with natural human PSTI, as well as the modified varieties of human PSTI obtained by the expression of the DNA sequences.

Abstract: In a gate array including a plurality of output buffer circuits whose output levels change simultaneously with one another, a power source voltage or a reference voltage is supplied to the plurality of output buffer circuits whose output levels change simultaneously with one another by the same and exclusive power source voltage wiring or reference voltage wiring and is separated from power source voltage wirings or reference voltage wirings connected to other output buffer circuits and this wiring design is made by DA (Design Automation) combining fixed patterns with connection patterns. This designing method can prevent any adverse influences of the operations of the output buffer circuits whose output levels change simultaneously with one another on the other output buffer circuits and on input buffer circuits.

Abstract: A method for explosive cladding a metal surface with one or more layers of the same or different metal with a water-in-oil type emulsion explosive and an explosive clad metal composite comprising two or more layers of the same or different metal produced by explosive cladding with a water-in-oil type emulsion explosive.

Abstract: The disclosed peptide derivative of the formula:Y--Tyr--Gly--RWherein, Y represents a hydrogen atom or an amino protecting group, Tyr represents a tyrosine residue wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms on the phenyl ring may be substituted by a radioactive iodine, Gly represents a glycine residue, and R represents a peptide residue corresponding to an amino acid sequence which includes at least positions 7 through 21 of human proinsulin C-peptide proves to be useful for determining C-peptide level in human serum.

Abstract: A catadioptric light system such as a module lens system capable of being mounted on a camera is provided. A plurality of light reflecting and refracting optic members are designed to provide a desired image forming light path through the lens system. Disposed within the lens system is an electrochromic device that is responsive to an applied voltage to provide a predetermined degree of light transmission intensity through the lens system. The electrochromic device can be a thin film mounted on a transparent plate or on a reflective surface. The housing of the lens system can be advantageously designed to contain its own power source.

Abstract: Waste water issued from a wet type desulfurization apparatus and containing thionic acid ions is introduced into ion-exchange towers filled with weak-basic anion-exchange which has to effect anion exchange therein. The weak-basic anion-exchange resin which has adsorbed the thionic acid ions is desorbed by contacting an alkaline solution. The thionic acid ions included in the desorbing solution are decomposed by heating them in the presence of acid. A decomposed solution is issued out of the system after its neutralization.

Abstract: Oil is extracted from vegetable material, such as cottonseed, rapeseed, safflower seed, sunflower seed, and linseed, by mechanically expelling crude oil from the vegetable material and then chemically extracting crude oil from the pulp cakes produced in the expelling step by using a suitable solvent. After the expelling step the oil is separated from the cakes and, thereafter, the mechanically expelled crude oil is passed through a layer of the cakes prior to at least a portion of chemical extraction to filter fine sediment from the expelled oil and thus eliminate separate fine sediment filtering steps of the mechanically expelled crude oil.