Abstract: Glucan with a degree of polymerization of 50 or more includes an inner branched cyclic structure portion and an outer branched structure portion, and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: In an electronic control unit, a pad portion thereof is firmly fixed to a terminal plate and vibration of the terminal plate under supersonic vibration is prevented so as to secure the bonding strength between the terminal plate and the wire during wire bonding. One lead portion of each terminal plate is connected to a pin of the connector and another lead portion is wire bonded to the terminal of the circuit substrate. The leads have bent portions extending from an exposed surface to be bonded in opposite directions to be embedded in the pad portion of the case such that the lead portion of the terminal plate is firmly fixed to the case.

Abstract: An enzyme is altered by introducing an additional hydrophobic group to enhance the hydrophobic environment in the enzyme so as to interfere with entrance of a water molecule. In this connection, the site of introduction and kind of hydrophobic group to be introduced are selected on the basis of comprehensive analysis of amino acid sequence, three-dimensional structure, reaction mechanism or the like of the target enzyme. Using this method, an amino acid residue of neopullulanase derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus was replaced by another amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides glucans and derivatives thereof which are useful as raw materials in the starch processing industries, food and drink compositions, food additive compositions, and starch substitutes for biodegradable plastics, and processes for preparing the same. Particularly, it provides glucans and derivatives thereof having excellent properties such as higher solubility in water than conventional starches, lower viscosity and the glucans are not subject to retrogradation which is observed in conventional starches, and which are capable of preventing the retrogradation of starches.

Abstract: The present invention provides glucans and derivatives thereof which are useful as raw materials in the starch processing industries, food and drink compositions, food additive compositions, and starch substitutes for biodegradable plastics, and processes for preparing the same. Particularly, it provides glucans and derivatives thereof having excellent properties such as higher solubility in water than conventional starches, lower viscosity and the glucans are not subject to retrogradation which is observed in conventional starches, and which are capable of preventing the retrogradation of starches.