Abstract: Each word to be recognized is represented by gender-specific hidden Markov models that are stored in a ROM 6 along with output probability functions and preset transition probabilities. A speech recognizer 4 determines an occurrence probability of a feature parameter sequence detected by a feature value detector 3 using the hidden Markov models. The speech recognizer 4 determines the occurrence probability by giving each word a state sequence of one hidden Markov model common to the gender-specific hidden Markov models, multiplying each preset pair of an output probability function value and a transition probability together among the output probability functions and transition probabilities stored in the ROM 6, selecting the largest product as the probability of each state of the common hidden Markov model, determining the occurrence probability based on the selected product, and recognizing the input speech based on the occurrence probability thus determined.

Abstract: Microcalorimeters are arranged in a n×m matrix, and plural element groups are composed of the microcalorimeters. Each element group is composed of n calorimeters arranged in a column. AC biases having different frequencies are applied to their respective element groups. The elements produce output signals in response to given external information. The output signals from corresponding elements belonging to their respective different element groups are superimposed on their respective AC biases and added with signal adders. A multiplex signal of the thus added output signals can be taken out on one signal line and read. Each microcalorimeter is placed in a bridge-type circuit to cancel out the AC bias in the output in the absence of a signal in the microcalorimeter.

Abstract: Microcalorimeters are arranged in a n×m matrix, and plural element groups are composed of the microcalorimeters. Each element group is composed of n calorimeters arranged in a column. AC biases having different frequencies are applied to their respective element groups. The elements produce output signals in response to given external information. The output signals from corresponding elements belonging to their respective different element groups are superimposed on their respective AC biases and added with signal adders. A multiplex signal of the thus added output signals can be taken out on one signal line and read. Each microcalorimeter is placed in a bridge-type circuit to cancel out the AC bias in the output in the absence of a signal in the microcalorimeter.

Abstract: An agent for inhibiting an accumulation of visceral fat is disclosed which comprises an amylase inhibitor of wheat origin as an active ingredient. The agent is effective for inhibiting the accumulation of visceral fat in the viscus, thus preventing the visceral fat obesity which may be one of the causes of adult diseases.

Abstract: An amylase inhibitor consisting of a protein constructed of 244 amino acid residues having two subunits each identified as SEQ ID NO:1, in which a single band is observed at a mobility of 0.26 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and having a high inhibitory activity against human pancreatic .alpha.-amylase to inhibit an increase in blood glucose level, control an insulin secretion or maintain the duration in a feeling of satiety for diet. The amylase inhibitor can be used alone or in combination with other known amylase inhibitors.

Abstract: An amylase inhibitor consisting essentially of a protein constructed of 248 amino acid residues having two subunits, each identified as SEQ ID NO:1, in which a single band is observed at a mobility of 0.26 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amylase inhibitor can be extracted from wheat and purified by absorption on a cation exchange resin. It is useful for inhibiting an increase in blood glucose level, controlling insulin secretion, suppressing appetite, and as a food additive. The new amylase inhibitor can be used in combination with a protein composed of two subunits, each identified as SEQ ID NO:2, the total content of both proteins being not less than 20% by weight.

Abstract: A process of producing an amylase inhibitor from an amylase inhibitor-containing solution extracted from wheat flour, etc with water, a dilute acid, a dilute alkali or from an amylase inhibitor-containing starch waste solution, by utilization of an adsorption of the amylase inhibitor on a calcium phosphate gel, while removing impure proteins contained in the solution. The process can produce in economy and high yields the amylase inhibitor having a very high amylase inhibitory activity but no or very little trypsin inhibitory activity.

Abstract: A lipolytic enzyme inhibitor is disclosed which comprises as an active ingredient at least one of a basic protein, a basic polypeptide and salt thereof. The inhibitor is useful as a dieting agent for the prevention of obesity and lipemia and as an additive for food and feed.

Abstract: A CRT display device on which an input signal which has been processed can form an image signal which results in an image being displayed. The CRT display device has a separate message section which can be a dot matrix display. On this separate message section there is a display where displayed messages indicative of the input signal. The message display section displays messages related to the input signal even when there is no image on the cathode ray tube of the CRT display device so that a user based on these messages can input parameters to provide an image on the CRT. The messages on the display device can be shown in various languages.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting enzymatic hydrolysis of lipids in a mammal concerns orally administering an effective amount of a purothionin or an .epsilon.-polylysine of the formula: ##STR1## or a salt thereof, wherein n is a number of from 5 to 9, to a mammal in need thereof. Alternatively, the method concerns orally administering an .epsilon.-polylysine of the formula above or a salt thereof, wherein n is a number of from 4 to 30, to a mammal suffering from lipemia or obesity. The purothionin, .epsilon.-polylysine or salt thereof is a lipolytic enzyme inhibitor, useful as a dieting agent, an agent for the prevention of obesity and lipemia, and as an additive for food and feed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an amylase inhibitor is disclosed which comprises the steps of:(a) extracting wheat, wheat flour or wheat gluten with water, a dilute acid, a dilute alkali or an aqueous alcohol to produce a solution containing the amylase inhibitor;(b) adding a polysaccharide to said solution to form an insoluble complex of the amylase inhibitor with the polysaccharide and separating the insoluble complex from the solution;(c) dissolving or dispersing said complex in a solution, then separating the polysaccharide from the solution to collect a solution containing the amylase inhibitor; and(d) treating the collected solution with a cation exchanger to recover the amylase inhibitor from fractions that have not been adsorbed on the cation exchanger.

Abstract: A main magnetic field is applied to a target to excite the nuclear spin of a chosen type of atoms in a selected slice of the target. Subsequently, first and second gradient fields, which are parallel to the main magnetic field noted above and the strengths of which vary in the directions of respective first and second crossing axes in the slice, are applied to the target for predetermined period of time. Then, a readout magnetic gradient field, which is parallel to the first gradient field, and the strength of which varies in the direction of the first axis, is applied to the target to detect a free induction signal from the target. The detection of the free induction signal is repeatedly performed with a plurality of different strengths of the first and second gradient fields, whereby NMR data containing chemical shift data is obtained from the slice of the target noted above.