Abstract: The present invention provides a gene that can be used extensively in studies relating to resistant rice blast fungi. The gene codes for either one of the following proteins (a) or (b): (a) a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2; or (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 by deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acids, which exhibits scytalone dehydratase activity in the presence of a scytalone dehydratase inhibitor.

Abstract: An object lens unit for an optical pickup device is disclosed. The object lens unit includes a first optical element facing an optical information recording medium; a second optical element positioned on a light source side of the first optical element; and a frame in which the first optical element and the second optical element are fixed. The frame includes a first fitting portion and a second fitting portion, and has a prescribed clearance in a perpendicular direction to the optical axis between at least one of the first fitting portion of the frame and the first optical element, and the second fitting portion of the frame and the second optical element to adjust a position of at least one of the first optical element and the second optical element in a perpendicular direction to the optical axis. An optical pickup device including such object lens unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: An object lens unit for an optical pickup comprising: a first optical element positioned facing an optical information recording medium; a second optical element positioned on a light source side of the first optical element; and a frame which has a first reference surface in contact with the first optical element to position the first optical element in an optical axis direction and a second reference surface in contact with the second optical element to position the second optical element in the optical axis direction so that the first optical element and the second optical element are fixed to be integrated with the frame, wherein the first optical element, the second optical element and the frame are attached, as a single optical component, to another member.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing tissue-specific expression, which includes preparing an expression vector having a promoter. The promoter includes any one of the following DNAs (a) to (c): (a) a DNA, which includes the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a DNA, which includes the nucleotide sequence ranging from nucleotides 1344 to 2843 of SEQ ID NO: 1; and (c) a DNA, which is a DNA fragment that can hybridize under stringent conditions to a DNA fragment including a nucleotide sequence fully complementary to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein (a), (b) or (c) can control the transcription of a coding sequence located downstream thereof; and wherein the stringent conditions are 5×SSC at 42° C.; The expression vector, also, includes a coding sequence located downstream of the promoter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene encoding ALS protein which shows a extremely high level of resistance to pyrimidinyl carboxy herbicides. The gene of the present invention encodes an acetolactate synthase protein, for instance, according to SEQ ID NO:1, where the acetolactate synthase protein has resistance to a pyrimidinyl carboxy herbicide and has acetolactate synthase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene that can be used extensively in studies relating to resistant rice blast fungi. The gene codes for either one of the following proteins (a) or (b): (a) a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2; or (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 by deletion substitution or addition of one or more amino acids, which exhibits scytalone dehydratase activity in the presence of a scytalone dehydratase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel strain of Bacillus sp. D747 (deposited as FERM BP-8234) and methods for controlling plant diseases and insect pests, comprising administering cultures of Bacillus sp. D747 (including the viable bacteria) or viable bacteria isolated by culturing, on the plant parts such as roots, stems, leaves, seeds, and the like, or in the culture soil.

Abstract: An object lens unit for an optical pickup comprising: a first optical element positioned facing an optical information recording medium; a second optical element positioned on a light source side of the first optical element; and a frame which has a first reference surface in contact with the first optical element to position the first optical element in an optical axis direction and a second reference surface in contact with the second optical element to position the second optical element in the optical axis direction so that the first optical element and the second optical element are fixed to be integrated with the frame, wherein the first optical element, the second optical element and the frame are attached, as a single optical component, to another member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in planta transformation method of kenaf plants, which is characterized in that wounds on the axillary buds of a kenaf plant are inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene coding for the following protein (a) or (b) showing a high level of resistance to PC herbicides or sulfonylurea herbicides: (a) a protein which consists of an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4, 6 and 8; (b) a protein which consists of an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4, 6 and 8 by substitution, deletion or addition of at least one or more amino acids, has resistance to a pyrimidinyl carboxy herbicide, and has acetolactate synthase activity.

Abstract: The present invention enables characteristic gene expression control and relates to a promoter, which comprises any one of the following DNAs (a) to (c): (a) a DNA, which comprises the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a DNA, which comprises a nucleotide sequence derived from the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 by deletion, substitution, insertion, or addition of 1 or a plurality of nucleotides, and which can control transcription of a gene located downstream thereof; and (c) a DNA, which is a DNA fragment that can hybridize under stringent conditions to a DNA fragment comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, and which can control the transcription of a gene located downstream thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel strain of Bacillus sp. D747 (FERM BP-8234). In addition, the present invention also relates to an agent for controlling plant diseases and an agent for controlling insect pests, comprising the Bacillus sp. D747 strain, and relates to a control method using the agents described above. By administering cultures of Bacillus sp. D747 (including the viable bacteria) or viable bacteria isolated by culturing, on the plant parts such as roots, stems, leaves, seeds, and the like, or in the culture soil, outbreaks of various plant diseases in an extremely wide range can be controlled, and pests can also be controlled. In addition, the plants on which the agents for controlling plant diseases and the agents for controlling pests comprising the D747 strain according to the present invention have been sprayed can exhibit superior controlling effects with respect to various plant diseases and pests.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wettable composition for use in agriculture comprising microorganisms as an active ingredient, which can maintain a high survival rate of the same over long periods, and exhibit superior physical properties during applications, and provide a method for stably storing the wettable composition for use in agriculture for a long period of time. That is, the present invention corresponds to a wettable composition for use in agriculture comprising spores of filamentous fungi which are in the form of dried powders having a volume median diameter ranging from 2 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m, and having a ratio of (volume 90% diameter)/(volume 10% diameter;) of not more than 5.62, and an adsorbent having a water absorption ability in an amount of at least 1% by mass based on the total mass of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene encoding ALS protein which shows extremely high level of resistance to PC herbicides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wettable composition for use in agriculture comprising microorganisms as an active ingredient, which can maintain a high survival rate of the same over long periods, and exhibit superior physical properties during applications, and provide a method for stably storing the wettable composition for use in agriculture for a long period of time. That is, the present invention corresponds to a wettable composition for use in agriculture comprising spores of filamentous fungi which are in the form of dried powders having a volume median diameter ranging from 2 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m, and having a ratio of (volume 90% diameter)/(volume 10% diameter) of not more than 5.62, and an adsorbent having a water absorption ability in an amount of at least 1% by mass based on the total mass of the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a rotational phase is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an input member provided so as to be rotatable, an output member co-axially provided with the input member so as to be rotatable, a planetary gear mechanism co-axially provided with the input member and the output member for connecting the input member with the output member, the planetary gear mechanism including three elements, namely a sun gear, a planetary carrier supporting planetary gears and a ring gear, a drive apparatus connected with one of the three elements of the planetary gear mechanism for shifting a rotation phase, the drive means including two members which are rotatable with respect to each other. One of the input member and the output member is connected with the ring gear, and the other of the input member and the output member is connected with the planetary carrier. The two members of the drive apparatus is co-axially provided with the planetary gear mechanism.

Abstract: A composite hydrogen storage alloy material includes a hydrogen storage alloy material and a surface material bonded to the surface of the hydrogen storage alloy material. The surface material has a potential energy between those of hydride of the hydrogen storage alloy and hydrogen gas and permits migration of hydrogen between the inside and outside of the hydrogen storage alloy material.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas supply system for a hydrogen engine has a hydrogen gas cartridge which is detachably attached to the engine. The cartridge has a casing in which hydrogen gas storage alloy and a heating medium passage for heating the hydrogen gas storage alloy are housed. The engine is provided with a hydrogen gas supply passage which leads hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen gas cartridge to the engine, a heating medium supply passage which supplies heating medium to the heating medium passage in the hydrogen gas cartridge and a heating medium return passage through which the heating medium flows out of the hydrogen gas cartridge is returned. The hydrogen gas cartridge is provided with a hydrogen gas takeout port, a heating medium inlet and a heating medium outlet.

Abstract: A structure of a side portion of a vehicle body having a side outer panel in which a side sill outer member and a pillar outer member are integrally formed. A first enclosed cross-sectional member is formed by a connecting of a side sill inner member and a side sill reinforcing member. Further, the first enclosed cross-sectional member has first connecting members which are formed by a connecting of the side sill reinforcing member and the side sill inner member. A second enclosed cross-sectional member is formed by a connecting of the side sill outer member and the side sill reinforcing member. Moreover, the second enclosed cross-sectional member has second connecting members which are formed by a connecting of the side sill outer member and the side sill reinforcing member. The second connecting members are located outwardly of the first connecting members in the transverse direction of the vehicle body and are apart from the first connecting members.

Abstract: Particles such as magnetic iron oxide capable of being magnetized are crushed to obtain minute magnetic particles each size of which is not larger than 10 .mu.m. The minute magnetic particles are mixed as they are dispersed with such a binding material as cobalt or nickel. Thermal spraying particles each size of which is not smaller than 10 .mu.m are obtained from the mixture. Then, the thermal spraying particles are sprayed upon such a member as a turbine shaft to form a magnetic film on the member with plasma spraying method.