Abstract: A brake stroke simulator includes a first movable member freely slidably disposed in a housing and defining a hydraulic pressure chamber at one end of the first movable member that is adapted to be supplied with hydraulic pressure corresponding to braking operation of a brake pedal, and a second movable member disposed at the other end of the first movable member in the housing movable integrally with the first movable member. A first spring biases the first movable member and a second spring biases the second movable member. A shock absorbing elastic member is compressed by the sliding movement of the first movable member against the biasing force of the first spring and is compressed by the sliding movement of the second movable member against the biasing force of the second piston.

Abstract: A brake control device for a vehicle includes a master cylinder generating a master cylinder hydraulic pressure in response to a brake pedal depressing force, a wheel cylinder connected with the master cylinder via a hydraulic conduit, a stroke simulator connected to a branch hydraulic conduit branching from the hydraulic conduit, a first solenoid valve connecting or disconnecting the master cylinder with the wheel cylinder and disposed at the hydraulic conduit between a branch portion where the branch hydraulic conduit branches from the hydraulic conduit and the wheel cylinder, a second solenoid valve connecting or disconnecting the master cylinder with the stroke simulator, a pressure controlling mechanism having a pressure source and connected at a portion of the hydraulic circuit between the first solenoid valve and the wheel cylinder, and a controller for controlling the pressure controlling mechanism, the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve.

Abstract: A spool valve which can set the relative location between the spool and the sleeve adequately and easily and which can ensure the smooth flow of the fluid includes a sleeve and a spool. The sleeve has a first communicating hole which is opened into the cylinder bore and a second communicating hole which is opened into the cylinder bore and which is separated from the first communicating hole with a predetermined distance in the axial direction of the cylinder bore. The spool is fluidtightly accommodated in the cylinder bore to slide and has one end portion which opens and closes the first communicating hole in response to the sliding operation thereof and the other end portion which opens and closes the second communicating hole is response to the sliding operation thereof.

Abstract: A brake stroke simulator includes a first movable member freely slidably disposed in a housing and defining a hydraulic pressure chamber at one end of the first movable member that is adapted to be supplied with hydraulic pressure corresponding to braking operation of a brake pedal, and a second movable member disposed at the other end of the first movable member in the housing movable integrally with the first movable member. A first spring biases the first movable member and a second spring biases the second movable member. A shock absorbing elastic member is compressed by the sliding movement of the first movable member against the biasing force of the first spring and is compressed by the sliding movement of the second movable member against the biasing force of the second piston.

Abstract: A method of processing starch grain material for use in a fermenting process subsequently thereto is disclosed. Prior to subjecting the material to the fermenting step, the material is subjected to a microwave irradiating step and this microwave irradiating step is effected on the starch grain material which is in a dry condition storable at a room temperature with simultaneous application of hot air current thereto. A method of manufacturing a fermented product using the material processed by the method above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A brake control device for a vehicle includes a master cylinder generating a master cylinder hydraulic pressure in response to a brake pedal depressing force, a wheel cylinder connected with the master cylinder via a hydraulic conduit, a stroke simulator connected to a branch hydraulic conduit branching from the hydraulic conduit, a first solenoid valve connecting or disconnecting the master cylinder with the wheel cylinder and disposed at the hydraulic conduit between a branch portion where the branch hydraulic conduit branches from the hydraulic conduit and the wheel cylinder, a second solenoid valve connecting or disconnecting the master cylinder with the stroke simulator, a pressure controlling mechanism having a pressure source and connected at a portion of the hydraulic circuit between the first solenoid valve and the wheel cylinder, and a controller for controlling the pressure controlling mechanism, the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve.

Abstract: A brake control device for a vehicle includes a master cylinder, a wheel cylinder, a brake pedal behavior simulator, a normally-open type electromagnetic valve, a normally-closed type electromagnetic valve, and a brake pressure control device. The brake pressure control device includes a pump, a reservoir, and two electromagnetic valves to increase and decrease wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure. When the brake pressure control device is normally operated, a hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinder is controlled by the brake pressure control device. On the other hand, when the brake pressure control device malfunctions or is abnormally operating, the wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure is controlled by hydraulic pressure generated from the master cylinder. At least the normally-closed type electromagnetic valve is opened when the brake pedal is in the non-operational state.

Abstract: Hirudin is the most potent and specific thrombin inhibitor and is derived from the medicinal leech. It is reported to inhibit thrombin with an equilibrium dissociation constant (K.sub.i) value of 2.2.times.10.sup.-14 M. synthetic thrombin inhibitors have been designed based on the hirudin sequence but with a dramatically reduced size. The bulky active site inhibitor segment, hirudin.sup.1-48, has been substituted by small non-substrate type active site inhibitors of thrombin, e.g., dansyl-Arg-(D-pipecolic acid). The linker segment has also been modified using a combination of .omega.-amino acids to reduce the molecular weight but retaining sufficient length to span the two principal binding domains. Among the inhibitors designed, dansyl-Arg-(D-pipecolic acid)-(12-aminododecanoic acid)-4-aminobutyric acid)-Asp-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Ile-Pro-Glu-Glu-Ala-(L-.beta.-cyclohexylalamine)-(D- Glu)-OH (SEQ ID NO:45) showed the highest affinity and displays a competitive-type inhibition.

Abstract: A thrombin inhibitor comprising a first bulky hydrophobic portion interacting with the catalytic site of thrombin responsible for proteolysis and a second portion at least maintaining the hydrophobic and acidic character of amino acids 55 to 60 of native hirudin at the C-terminal non-catalytic region of N-acetyl-hirudin45-65. Between the first and second portions is a divalent linker moiety having a chain length of at least 10 carbon atoms. Connecting the first bulky hydrophobic portion and the linker is a peptidomimetic bond. Preferably, the bulky hydrophobic portion comprises at least one amino acid of D-configuration. The compounds are useful in the treatment of thrombotic disorders.

Abstract: A process for preparing acetic acid from methanol and carbon monoxide or a mixed gas of carbon monoxide with hydrogen, which process comprises contacting methanol with a gaseous component selected from a group consisting of carbon monoxide and a mixed gas of carbon monoxide with hydrogen of 2% by volume or less in the presence of a carbon-supported rhodium metal catalyst and methyl iodide promoter in vapor phase under the conditions of a reaction temperature of 180.degree.-220.degree. C., a reaction pressure of 5-10 kg/cm.sup.2 .multidot.G, and a weight of catalyst to feed gas flow rate ratio (W/F) of 10-20 g.multidot.h/mole; and a process for preparing acetic acid from methanol and carbon monoxide, which process comprises contacting methanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbon-supported rhodium metal catalyst, methyl iodide promoter and water in vapor phase.

Abstract: A process for preparing acetic acid from methanol and carbon monoxide or a mixed gas of carbon monoxide with hydrogen, which process comprises contacting methanol with a gaseous component selected from a group consisting of carbon monoxide and a mixed gas of carbon monoxide with hydrogen of 2% by volume or less in the presence of a carbon-supported rhodium metal catalyst and methyl iodide promoter in vapor phase under the conditions of a reaction temperature of 180.degree.-220.degree. C., a reaction pressure of 5-10 kg/cm.sup.2 .multidot.G, and a weight of catalyst to feed gas flow rate ratio (W/F) of 10-20 g.multidot.h/mole; and a process for preparing acetic acid from methanol and carbon monoxide, which process comprises contacting methanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbon-supported rhodium metal catalyst, methyl iodide promoter and water in vapor phase.

Abstract: A method of recovering biologically active somatotropins which are produced as insoluble refractile bodies in transformed microorganisms which comprises dissolving refractile bodies in a denaturant and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, homogenizing, and diluting to fold.