Abstract: An information distribution apparatus includes an obstacle identification apparatus that identifies an obstacle to a vehicle traveling in an area and then outputs obstacle information related to the position of the obstacle, a road database representing the positions of roads, and an impassable-road determination means that determines a road through which the vehicle cannot pass, based on the obstacle information outputted from the obstacle identification apparatus and the road database, and then outputs impassable-road information. A narrow-area automatic driving system is provided with the information distribution apparatus and the vehicle that travels from a departure point to a target point, along a route formed based on information outputted from the information distribution apparatus.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a cathode off-gas discharge channel, a gas-liquid separator, and a cover member. The gas-liquid separator includes a body, a first discharge channel including a first valve seat at an end, and a first valve device including a first valve element and a first driver. The cover member covers at least the first discharge channel and the first valve seat in the gas-liquid separator, and includes a gas channel defining portion that defines a gas channel communicating with the cathode off-gas discharge channel between the cover member and the gas-liquid separator. The gas channel is configured such that a cathode off-gas flowing into the cover member comes into contact with the first discharge channel and the first valve seat and does not come into contact with the first driver.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a cathode off-gas discharge channel, a gas-liquid separator, and a cover member. The gas-liquid separator includes a body, a first discharge channel including a first valve seat at an end, and a first valve device including a first valve element and a first driver. The cover member covers at least the first discharge channel and the first valve seat in the gas-liquid separator, and includes a gas channel defining portion that defines a gas channel communicating with the cathode off-gas discharge channel between the cover member and the gas-liquid separator. The gas channel is configured such that a cathode off-gas flowing into the cover member comes into contact with the first discharge channel and the first valve seat and does not come into contact with the first driver.

Abstract: A valve device includes: a housing having an inner peripheral wall defining a cylindrical space therein; a fluid introduction path formed in the housing to communicate with the cylindrical space; fluid discharge paths formed in the housing to communicate with the cylindrical space; a valve body accommodated in the cylindrical space and formed of a spherical body having a communication path communicating the fluid introduction path with at least one of the fluid discharge paths; a valve body rotating mechanism rotating the valve body about an axis of the cylindrical space; a protrusion protruding from the inner peripheral wall toward the axis of the cylindrical space to surround at least a portion of an opening in the fluid introduction path; and a seal member provided on the protrusion and capable of abutting on the valve body.

Abstract: A valve device includes: a housing having an inner peripheral wall defining a cylindrical space therein; a fluid introduction path formed in the housing to communicate with the cylindrical space; fluid discharge paths formed in the housing to communicate with the cylindrical space; a valve body accommodated in the cylindrical space and formed of a spherical body having a communication path communicating the fluid introduction path with at least one of the fluid discharge paths; a valve body rotating mechanism rotating the valve body about an axis of the cylindrical space; a protrusion protruding from the inner peripheral wall toward the axis of the cylindrical space to surround at least a portion of an opening in the fluid introduction path; and a seal member provided on the protrusion and capable of abutting on the valve body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an L-aminoacylase which is able to produce L-tert-leucine being useful as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals. A protein which is characterized in being represented by any of the following (a) to (d): (a) a protein coded by a gene consisting of a nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 1; (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 2; (c) a protein coded by a polynucleotide which hybridizes under a stringent condition with a nucleic acid sequence which is complementary to the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 1 and having an L-succinylaminoacylase activity; and (d) a protein which consists of an amino acid sequence where one or several amino acid (s) is/are substituted, deleted, inserted and/or added in the protein consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 2 and has an L-succinylaminoacylase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an L-aminoacylase which is able to produce L-tert-leucine being useful as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals. A protein which is characterized in being represented by any of the following (a) to (d): (a) a protein coded by a gene consisting of a nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 1; (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 2; (c) a protein coded by a polynucleotide which hybridizes under a stringent condition with a nucleic acid sequence which is complementary to the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 1 and having an L-succinylaminoacylase activity; and (d) a protein which consists of an amino acid sequence where one or several amino acid (s) is/are substituted, deleted, inserted and/or added in the protein consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 2 and has an L-succinylaminoacylase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an advantageous method for producing an intermediate which is useful for production of a compound which exhibits excellent VLA-4 inhibitory effect and safety. An intermediate (14) is produced through the following reaction scheme.

Abstract: The present invention provides an advantageous method for producing an intermediate which is useful for production of a compound which exhibits excellent VLA-4 inhibitory effect and safety. An intermediate (14) is produced through the following reaction scheme.