Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material that is useful for foods, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetic products, etc. The equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material of the invention is obtained by fermenting soybean hypocotyls using at least one microorganism having an equol-producing ability by utilizing at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of diadzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein.

Abstract: An equol-producing lactic acid bacteria-containing composition comprises, as an essential component thereof, a lactic acid bacterial strain belonging to the genus Lactococcus having an ability to utilize at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of daidzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein to produce equol. Such a composition is effective for the prevention and alleviation of malaise inclusive of climacteric disturbance in middle-aged and elderly women for which no effective prophylactic method or alleviating means has heretofore been available.

Abstract: An equol-producing lactic acid bacteria-containing composition comprises, as an essential component thereof, a lactic acid bacterial strain belonging to the genus Lactococcus having an ability to utilize at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of daidzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein to produce equol. Such a composition is effective for the prevention and alleviation of malaise inclusive of climacteric disturbance in middle-aged and elderly women for which no effective prophylactic method or alleviating means has heretofore been available.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material that is useful for foods, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetic products, etc. The equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material of the invention is obtained by fermenting soybean hypocotyls using at least one microorganism having an equol-producing ability by utilizing at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of diadzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material that is useful for foods, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetic products, etc. The equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material of the invention is obtained by fermenting soybean hypocotyls using at least one microorganism having an equol-producing ability by utilizing at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of diadzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an equol-producing lactic acid bacteria-containing composition comprising, as an essential component thereof, a lactic acid bacterial strain belonging to the genus Lactococcus having an ability to utilize at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of daidzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein to produce equol. Such a composition is effective for the prevention and alleviation of malaise inclusive of climacteric disturbance in middle-aged and elderly women for which no effective prophylactic method or alleviating means has heretofore been available.

Abstract: An equol-producing lactic acid bacteria-containing composition comprises, as an essential component thereof, a lactic acid bacterial strain belonging to the genus Lactococcus having an ability to utilize at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of daidzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein to produce equol. Such a composition is effective for the prevention and alleviation of malaise inclusive of climacteric disturbance in middle-aged and elderly women for which no effective prophylactic method or alleviating means has heretofore been available.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material that is useful for foods, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetic products, etc. The equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material of the invention is obtained by fermenting soybean hypocotyls using at least one microorganism having an equol-producing ability by utilizing at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of diadzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material that is useful for foods, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetic products, etc. The equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material of the invention is obtained by fermenting soybean hypocotyls using at least one microorganism having an equol-producing ability by utilizing at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of diadzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein.

Abstract: A spot sun visor for use in transportation vehicles having a body of a little larger area than the disk of the sun. By moving the body in the direction of the penetrating sunlight and place the body directly in front of the position of the sun, the sunlight from the front view can be blocked or effectively reduced without undue interference of the field of the front view. The body has at least one arm to support and move the body and an axle of the arm is equipped with a slide device stored in a unit case, which stores the body during non-use. The arm pulls out the body along the front glass and is controlled by a brake device installed at the end of the arm. An electric control and drive system may be used to manually or automatically position the spot sun visor.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material that is useful for foods, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetic products, etc. The equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material of the invention is obtained by fermenting soybean hypocotyls using at least one microorganism having an equol-producing ability by utilizing at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of diadzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein.

Abstract: A spot sun visor for use in transportation vehicles having a body of a little larger area than the disk of the sun. By moving the body in the direction of the penetrating sunlight and place the body directly in front of the position of the sun, the sunlight from the front view can be blocked or effectively reduced without undue interference of the field of the front view. The body has at least one arm to support and move the body and an axle of the arm is equipped with a slide device stored in a unit case, which stores the body during non-use. The arm pulls out the body along the front glass and is controlled by a brake device installed at the end of the arm. An electric control and drive system may be used to manually or automatically position the spot sun visor.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a purified aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The apparatus includes at least one purifier tower packed with an ion exchange resin, a chelate resin or an adsorption resin for receiving a charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution containing impurities so as to effect contact thereof with the ion exchange resin, chelate resin or adsorption resin, thereby purifying the charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, which apparatus further comprises a feed pump of given output capable of causing the charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to flow to the purifier tower, a flow sensor capable of sensing a flow rate of charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution being fed to the purifier tower by means of the feed pump, and a flow control unit capable of controlling the output of the feed pump on the basis of a detection result of the flow sensor so as to maintain the flow of charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution being fed to the purifier tower at a constant rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an equol-producing lactic acid bacteria-containing composition comprising, as an essential component thereof, a lactic acid bacterial strain belonging to the genus Lactococcus having an ability to utilize at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of daidzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein to produce equol. Such a composition is effective for the prevention and alleviation of malaise inclusive of climacteric disturbance in middle-aged and elderly women for which no effective prophylactic method or alleviating means has heretofore been available.

Abstract: An optical fiber bundle includes a plurality of optical fibers bundled on an input terminal side and on an output terminal side. The optical fiber bundle receives light from the input terminal side, and outputs the light to the output terminal side. The optical fiber bundle has a feature in that the optical fiber are divided, on the input terminal side, individually or into a plurality of groups in accordance with output terminal side positions of the optical fiber. The optical fiber bundle is arranged to adjust input light for each of the optical fibers or for each of the groups.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical fiber for amplification suitable for amplifying signals in the L-band, an optical fiber amplifier including the optical fiber, and an optical transmission system. The optical fiber amplifier according to the invention includes a silica-based optical fiber as an optical fiber for amplification, which has a core region doped with Er and Al. The optical fiber for amplification has an Er concentration of 1,500 wt.ppm or less, and has the characteristics at a wavelength of 1.53 ?m of: an absorption loss of 10 dB/m or more but 25 dB/m or less; and an unsaturated absorption of 900 dB or less.

Abstract: A method of regenerating an ion exchange resin, comprising the steps of packing a used ion exchange resin in a regeneration tower; and repeating at least twice a step comprising passing an aqueous solution of regenerant through the regeneration tower downward from a top part of the regeneration tower and thereafter passing ultra-pure water through the regeneration tower upward from a bottom of the regeneration tower. This method enables regenerating an ion exchange resin efficiently and homogeneously without mixing of the regenerant into ion exchange resin towers for purification.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a purified aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The apparatus includes at least one purifier tower packed with an ion exchange resin, a chelate resin or an adsorption resin for receiving a charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution containing impurities so as to effect contact thereof with the ion exchange resin, chelate resin or adsorption resin, thereby purifying the charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, which apparatus further comprises a feed pump of given output capable of causing the charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to flow to the purifier tower, a flow sensor capable of sensing a flow rate of charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution being fed to the purifier tower by means of the feed pump, and a flow control unit capable of controlling the output of the feed pump on the basis of a detection result of the flow sensor so as to maintain the flow of charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution being fed to the purifier tower at a constant rate.

Abstract: A process for producing a purified aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, comprising passing a charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution containing impurities through a purifier tower packed with an ion exchange resin, a chelate resin or an adsorption resin to thereby purify the charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, wherein there are provided a feed pump of given output capable of causing the charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to flow to the purifier tower and further a flow sensor capable of sensing a flow rate of charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution being fed to the purifier tower and wherein the output of the feed pump is controlled in cooperation with the flow sensor so as to bring the charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution into contact with the ion exchange resin, chelate resin or adsorption resin while maintaining the flow of charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution at a constant rate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical fiber for amplification suitable for amplifying signals in the L-band, an optical fiber amplifier including the optical fiber, and an optical transmission system. The optical fiber amplifier according to the invention includes a silica-based optical fiber as an optical fiber for amplification, which has a core region doped with Er and Al. The optical fiber for amplification has an Er concentration of 1,500 wt.ppm or less, and has the characteristics at a wavelength of 1.53 &mgr;m of: an absorption loss of 10 dB/m or more but 25 dB/m or less; and an unsaturated absorption of 900 dB or less.