Abstract: A probiotic lactobacillus was discovered from lactobacilli of the Lactobacillus genus independently isolated from human adult feces.

Abstract: For the purpose of increasing the area of an adsorbent to be in contact with the air, a heat exchanger (47, 49) includes: a fin set (59) including a plurality of fins (57) arranged parallel to each other with an interval therebetween; a framework (61) arranged to surround end faces of the fin set (59) in the arrangement direction of the fins and end faces of the fin set (59) in the lengthwise direction of the fins; a serpentine heat transfer tube (63) having straight parts (63a) penetrating the fin set (59) in the arrangement direction of the fins and U-shaped parts (63b) protruding out of the framework (61); and a connector tube (65) for connecting the heat transfer tube with a refrigeration pipe. An adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture from the air and desorbing the moisture into the air is supported on the surfaces of the fin set (59), the framework (61), the heat transfer tube (63) and the connector tube (65), respectively.

Abstract: A humidity controller apparatus (10) includes a refrigerant circuit provided with first and second heat exchangers (61, 62). An adsorbent is supported on the surface of each of the first and second heat exchangers (61, 62). The refrigerant circuit is configured to allow for switching of the circulation direction of a refrigerant by operation of a four-way selector valve. In addition, in the humidity controller apparatus (10), a switching mechanism (50) switches the distribution routes of air streams. The humidity controller apparatus (10) operates the four-way selector valve and the switching mechanism (50), whereby a first air stream is dehumidified in the heat exchanger (61) or (62), whichever is acting as an evaporator while, on the other hand, a second air stream is humidified in the heat exchanger (61) or (62), whichever is acting as a condenser.

Abstract: A refrigerant circuit (40) is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger (54), an indoor heat exchanger (55) and two adsorption heat exchangers (56, 57). The indoor heat exchanger (55) is disposed in an indoor unit (11), while the outdoor heat exchanger (54) and the two adsorption heat exchangers (56, 57) are disposed in an outdoor unit (12). Moisture in outdoor air taken in the outdoor unit (12) is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorption heat exchanger (56, 57) serving as an evaporator and the air is dehumidified. The dehumidified air is cooled by the indoor heat exchanger (55) serving as an evaporator and the air is supplied to the room space.

Abstract: A humidity controller apparatus comprises: a first heat exchange chamber (69) for accommodating a first heat exchanger (3), an adsorbent material being supported on a surface of said first heat exchanger (3); and a second heat exchange chamber (73), formed adjacently to said first heat exchange chamber (69), for accommodating a second heat exchanger (5), an adsorbent material being supported on a surface of said second heat exchanger (5). A first air inflow passage (63) and a first air outflow passage (65) are formed along one end surface in a thickness direction in which respective one surfaces of said two heat exchange chambers (69, 73) continue and which are arranged in a superimposed manner in the thickness direction of both said heat exchange chambers (69, 73).

Abstract: A composition containing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid at a high concentration is obtained by intracellularly and extracellularly producing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid using a bacterium belonging to the genus Propionibacterium and collecting it. This composition is efficacious in improving intestinal flora, alleviating abdominal ailments in association with the intake of milk, and preventing metabolic bone diseases.

Abstract: The present inventors produced lotus leaf extracts, and discovered that quercetin is one of the active ingredients. As a result of treating ?3-adrenergic receptor-expressing cells and feeding diabetes model mice with quercetin and evaluating its effects, the present inventors discovered specifically that quercetin produces obesity-improving effects and antidiabetic effects by acting as a ?3-adrenergic receptor agonist.

Abstract: A composition containing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid at a high concentration is obtained by intracellularly and extracellularly producing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid using a bacterium belonging to the genus Propionibacterium and collecting it. This composition is efficacious in improving intestinal flora, alleviating abdominal ailments in association with the intake of milk, and preventing metabolic bone diseases.

Abstract: A humidity controller (1) has a configuration composed of a cold/hot water circuit (10) through which cold/hot water circulates, an adsorption heat exchanger (20) that is provided in the cold/hot water circuit (10) and supports an adsorbent on its surface, and an air passage (30) that supplies air that has passed through the adsorption heat exchanger (20) at the time of hot water circulation to the inside of a room.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between fluid such as refrigerant and air, an object of the present invention is to extend the surface area of fins while suppressing an increase in ventilation resistance, thereby improving performances of the heat exchanger. Corrugated sheet fins (70) are provided as the fins of the heat exchanger (60). The corrugated sheet fins (70) are each shaped like a corrugated sheet. The ridgeline direction of the waveform of the corrugated sheet fins (70) is orthogonal to front edges and rear edges. In the heat exchanger (60), the plurality of corrugated sheet fins (70) are arranged at constant pitches in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube (61).

Abstract: An adsorption heat exchanger (20) is constituted by a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. In the adsorption heat exchanger (20), a first tube column (41), a second tube column (42) and a third tube column (43) are formed in order from upstream to downstream in air flow. The adsorption heat exchanger (20) is formed of a first column part (21) including the first tube column (41), a second column part (22) including the second tube column (42) and a third column part (23) including the third tube column (43). In the adsorption heat exchanger (20), a first adsorption layer (36) is formed on the fins (30) in the first column part (21), a second adsorption layer (37) is formed on the fins (30) in the second column part (22) and a third adsorption layer (38) is formed on the fins (30) in the third column part (23). The amount of adsorbent contained in each adsorption layer increases in order of the first adsorption layer (36), the second adsorption layer (37) and the third adsorption layer (38).

Abstract: A humidity control system (10) is disclosed which includes a refrigerant circuit (60). The refrigerant circuit (60) includes first and second absorbent-supported heat exchangers (61, 62) and performs a refrigeration cycle by the circulation of refrigerant. In addition, in the refrigerant circuit (60), the circulation direction of refrigerant is reversible. The first and second heat exchangers (61, 62) are disposed in a casing (11). In the humidity control system (10), the distribution route of air is changed such that a first air stream is passed through either one of the first and second heat exchangers (61, 61) that is functioning as an evaporator while a second air stream is passed through the other heat exchanger that is functioning as a condenser. A compressor (63), an expansion mechanism (65), and a four-way valve (64) in the refrigerant circuit (60) are disposed together with the heat exchangers (61, 62) in the casing (11).

Abstract: The difference in linear thermal expansion coefficient between the fins (57) and the adsorbent layer (58) is made smaller than the difference in the linear thermal expansion coefficient between the fins (57) and the adsorbent.

Abstract: For the purpose of increasing the area of an adsorbent to be in contact with the air, a heat exchanger (47, 49) includes: a fin set (59) including a plurality of fins (57) arranged parallel to each other with an interval therebetween; a framework (61) arranged to surround end faces of the fin set (59) in the arrangement direction of the fins and end faces of the fin set (59) in the lengthwise direction of the fins; a serpentine heat transfer tube (63) having straight parts (63a) penetrating the fin set (59) in the arrangement direction of the fins and U-shaped parts (63b) protruding out of the framework (61); and a connector tube (65) for connecting the heat transfer tube with a refrigeration pipe. An adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture from the air and desorbing the moisture into the air is supported on the surfaces of the fin set (59), the framework (61), the heat transfer tube (63) and the connector tube (65), respectively.

Abstract: A refrigerant circuit (40) is provided with two adsorption heat exchangers (56, 57) in addition to an outdoor heat exchanger (54) and an indoor heat exchanger (55). The indoor heat exchanger (55) and the two adsorption heat exchangers (56, 57) are disposed in an indoor unit (11), while the outdoor heat exchanger (54) is disposed in an outdoor unit (12). In the adsorption heat exchanger (56, 57) serving as an evaporator, moisture in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent. In the adsorption heat exchanger (56, 57) serving as a condenser, moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent and then applied to the air. Then, the air dehumidified or humidified by the adsorption heat exchanger (56, 57) is supplied to a room to cope with latent heat load in the room. On the other hand, in the indoor heat exchanger (55), air is cooled or heated. Then, the air cooled or heated by the indoor heat exchanger (55) is supplied to the room to cope with sensible heat load in the room.

Abstract: A refrigerant circuit (10) is provided with two adsorption heat exchangers (31, 32) in addition to an outdoor heat exchanger (21) and an indoor heat exchanger (22). An adsorbent is carried on the surface of each of the adsorption heat exchangers (31, 32). In the adsorption heat exchanger (31, 32) serving as an evaporator, moisture in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent. In the adsorption heat exchanger (31, 32) serving as a condenser, moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent and then applied to the air. Then, the air dehumidified or humidified by the adsorption heat exchanger (31, 32) is supplied to a room to cope with latent heat load in the room. On the other hand, in the indoor heat exchanger (22), air is cooled or heated. Then, the air cooled or heated by the indoor heat exchanger (22) is supplied to the room to cope with sensible heat load in the room.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus is provided which includes a plurality of heat exchangers (11, 12, 13) for effecting heat exchange between a heating medium (such as refrigerant, cold and hot water et cetera) and air and which is adapted to separately perform sensible heat processing and latent heat processing of room air (RA). In the air conditioning apparatus, at least one heat exchanger (13) is made up of an adsorption heat exchanger (13) that supports on its surface an adsorbent, thereby preventing the increase in apparatus size and making it possible to perform operations at high COP.

Abstract: The present inventors focused on the lotus plant and prepared lotus extracts. When ?-glucosidase and its substrate sucrose were reacted with the lotus extracts to examine the effect of adding the extracts on the enzymatic reaction, the lotus extracts were found to have ?-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, when the lotus extract and sucrose were administered to mice and their blood glucose levels were measured, the lotus extracts were found to suppress blood glucose levels. More specifically, the present inventors discovered that the lotus extracts have ?-glucosidase inhibitory activity and can be used to control blood glucose levels.

Abstract: A humidity controller apparatus (10) includes a refrigerant circuit provided with first and second heat exchangers (61, 62). An adsorbent is supported on the surface of each of the first and second heat exchangers (61, 62). The refrigerant circuit is configured to allow for switching of the circulation direction of a refrigerant by operation of a four-way selector valve. In addition, in the humidity controller apparatus (10), a switching mechanism (50) switches the distribution routes of air streams. The humidity controller apparatus (10) operates the four-way selector valve and the switching mechanism (50), whereby a first air stream is dehumidified in the heat exchanger (61) or (62), whichever is acting as an evaporator while, on the other hand, a second air stream is humidified in the heat exchanger (61) or (62), whichever is acting as a condenser.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerant circuit (1) which includes a first heat exchanger (3) and a second heat exchanger (5). The refrigerant circuit (1), through which a refrigerant circulates, performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. An adsorbent material is supported on a surface of the first heat exchanger (3) as well as on a surface of the second heat exchanger (5). The circulation of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (1) and the distribution of air are switched so that moisture present in a stream of air flowing through the refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger (3, 5) is adsorbed by the adsorbent material of the heat exchanger (3, 5) and the stream of air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is supplied indoors while, on the other hand, moisture desorbed from the adsorbent material of the refrigerant condensing heat exchanger (5, 3) is released to a stream of air flowing through the heat exchanger (5, 3) whereby the adsorbent material of the heat exchanger (5, 3) is regenerated.