Abstract: When temperature of a second power source of a vehicle becomes higher than a threshold value during a first mode in which three rotating elements of a differential gear can make differential movement and when four-wheel drive is needed, switching is performed to a second mode in which the three rotating elements are unified, and when four-wheel drive is not needed even when the temperature of the second power source becomes higher than the threshold value during the first mode, output of the second power source is restricted, while the first mode is maintained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel microorganism-derived enzyme having an activity to cut disaccharide glycosides (particularly, ?-primeveroside and/or analogous disaccharide glycosides) in disaccharide unit, a method for producing the enzyme, a gene which encodes the enzyme and use of the enzyme. Various components can be formed by the action of this enzyme upon disaccharide glycosides.

Abstract: Galactosyl maltooligosaccharide derivatives represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein at least one of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 represents a galactosyl group and the other represents a hydrogen atom, R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and n is an integer of from 2 to 5. The derivatives are prepared by reacting a sugar with a galactosyl group with a maltooligosaccharide represented by formula (2): ##STR2## R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and n is an integer of from 2 to 5; in the presence of .alpha.-galactosidase or .beta.-galactosidase. The derivatives are used for measurement of .alpha.-amylase activity.

Abstract: Highly purified derivatives of maltooligosaccharides can be produced at a high yield by reacting, in a mixture of a hydrophilic organic solvent and water, a mixture of maltooligosaccharides or a substance capable of being converted into the maltooligosaccharides upon reaction with an amylase, and an o-glucosyl derivative, with the amylase.The resulting derivatives of maltooligosaccharides are useful as a substrate for the determination of .alpha.-amylase activity in a humor, physiologically active substances, natural dieteic sweetenings, coloring agents and the like.