Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling a plant disease caused by a bacterium of genus Xanthomonas, comprising contacting a bacteriophage to a target plant, and for identifying a bacterium of the genus Xanthomonas, involving: culturing a test bacterium isolated from a plant tissue affected by a plant disease to obtain a culture; mixing the culture with a bacteriophage to obtain a mixture; culturing the mixture under a predetermined condition; and determining that the test bacteria are bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas when the test bacteria are lysed after the mixture-culturing step.

Abstract: A composition for plant disease control containing a bacteriophage, wherein the composition for plant disease control is inhibited from decreasing in the bacteriolytic activity or maintains the bacteriolytic activity, and has excellent persistence characteristics, is provided. The composition for plant disease control contains a bacteriophage with bacteriolytic activity against bacteria and an organic silicone-based surfactant.

Abstract: To control plant diseases caused by Xanthomonas spp., a novel bacteriophage exhibiting bacteriolysis activity specifically on Xanthomonas spp. was isolated. Thus, developed and provided is a plant disease control composition containing the bacteriophage as an active ingredient. Provided are a bacteriolytic agent containing a bacteriophage that has a novel genomic DNA sequence and exhibits bacteriolysis activity specifically on Xanthomonas spp., and a plant disease control composition containing the same as an active ingredient.

Abstract: To control plant diseases caused by Xanthomonas spp., a novel bacteriophage exhibiting bacteriolysis activity specifically on Xanthomonas spp. was isolated. Thus, developed and provided is a plant disease control composition containing the bacteriophage as an active ingredient. Provided are a bacteriolytic agent containing a bacteriophage that has a novel genomic DNA sequence and exhibits bacteriolysis activity specifically on Xanthomonas spp., and a plant disease control composition containing the same as an active ingredient.

Abstract: To control plant diseases caused by Xanthomonas spp., a novel bacteriophage exhibiting bacteriolysis activity specifically on Xanthomonas spp. was isolated. Thus, developed and provided is a plant disease control composition containing the bacteriophage as an active ingredient. Provided are a bacteriolytic agent containing a bacteriophage that has a novel genomic DNA sequence and exhibits bacteriolysis activity specifically on Xanthomonas spp., and a plant disease control composition containing the same as an active ingredient.

Abstract: To control plant diseases caused by Xanthomonas spp., a novel bacteriophage exhibiting bacteriolysis activity specifically on Xanthomonas spp. was isolated. Thus, developed and provided is a plant disease control composition containing the bacteriophage as an active ingredient. Provided are a bacteriolytic agent containing a bacteriophage that has a novel genomic DNA sequence and exhibits bacteriolysis activity specifically on Xanthomonas spp., and a plant disease control composition containing the same as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Electro-conductive fibers comprise synthetic fibers and an electro-conductive layer containing carbon nanotubes and covering a surface of the synthetic fibers, and the coverage of the electro-conductive layer relative to the whole surface of the synthetic fibers is not less than 60% (particularly not less than 90%). The electric resistance value of the electro-conductive fibers ranges from 1×10?2 to 1×1010 ?/cm, and the standard deviation of the logarithm of the electric resistance value is less than 1.0. The thickness of the electro-conductive layer ranges from 0.1 to 5 ?m, and the ratio of the carbon nanotubes may be 0.1 to 50 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the synthetic fibers. The electro-conductive layer may further contain a binder. The electro-conductive fibers may be produced by immersing the synthetic fibers in a dispersion with vibrating the synthetic fibers to form the electro-conductive layer adhered to the surface of the synthetic fibers.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel strain that is capable of effectively inhibiting the growth of microorganisms such as fungi and Staphylococcus aureus, is safe, and does not influence the flavor and taste of foods. The present invention relates to a strain of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis WB1006 (FERMABP-11246), and also relates to a food produced with the use of the strain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a random-number generating apparatus and method for generating physical random numbers in accordance with noises randomly generated by a noise generating element, and allows for generating true random numbers at a high speed and uniformizing the generation frequency of each random number value, even in a simplified circuit configuration. The random-number generating apparatus is operable to amplify a waveform based on thermal noises generated in a thermal-noise generating element, and generate a random pulse at the time when the amplified output signal exceeds a given threshold from the state of being less than the threshold. The random-number generating apparatus is also provided with a reference-pulse generator for generating a reference pulse having a constant period, and a timer for measuring a time interval between the reference pulse and the random pulse. The measured value in the timer is output as a random number value.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel strain that is capable of effectively inhibiting the growth of microorganisms such as fungi and Staphylococcus aureus, is safe, and does not influence the flavor and taste of foods. The present invention relates to a strain of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis WB1006 (FERM ABP-11246), and also relates to a food produced with the use of the strain.

Abstract: Electro-conductive fibers comprise synthetic fibers and an electro-conductive layer containing carbon nanotubes and covering a surface of the synthetic fibers, and the coverage of the electro-conductive layer relative to the whole surface of the synthetic fibers is not less than 60% (particularly not less than 90%). The electric resistance value of the electro-conductive fibers ranges from 1×10?2 to 1×1010 ?/cm, and the standard deviation of the logarithm of the electric resistance value is less than 1.0. The thickness of the electro-conductive layer ranges from 0.1 to 5 ?m, and the ratio of the carbon nanotubes may be 0.1 to 50 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the synthetic fibers. The electro-conductive layer may further contain a binder. The electro-conductive fibers may be produced by immersing the synthetic fibers in a dispersion with vibrating the synthetic fibers to form the electro-conductive layer adhered to the surface of the synthetic fibers.

Abstract: An composite material is disclosed, which includes carbon fibrous structures which are capable of being included in a relatively large amount in the composite material, and which are capable of improving the physical properties, such as electric, mechanical, or thermal properties. The carbon fibrous structure comprises (a) carbon fibrous structures each of which comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers, each of the carbon fibers having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part, at which the carbon fibers are bound in a state that the carbon, fibers are extended outwardly therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers, and (b) an material other than the carbon fibrous structures, wherein the amount of carbon fibrous structures added is more than 30% and not more than 100% by weight of the total weight of the composite.

Abstract: A composition for injection molding by which a reactive injection molded article of good mechanical strength and electrical conductivity is prepared is provided. The disclosed is a composition for injection molding which includes carbon fibrous structures in a liquid curing resin composition, at a rate of 0.1-20% by weight based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part with which the carbon fibers are tied together in the state that the concerned carbon fibers are externally elongated therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers.

Abstract: The disclosed is an electrically conductive sheet which includes carbon fibrous structures in polymer matrix, at a rate of 0.01-30% by weight based on the total weight of the sheet, wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part with which the carbon fibers are tied together in the state that the concerned carbon fibers are externally elongated therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers. The electrically conductive sheet shows a high electrical conductivity while possessing a good film strength.

Abstract: An recycled composite material is disclosed, which is prepared by using as a raw material a waste composite material which comprises a matrix component and carbon fibrous structures added to the matrix, and adding an additional matrix component which is homogeneous and/or heterogeneous with the matrix of the spent composite material, and then kneading them together; wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers, each carbon fiber having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, and a granular part, at which the fibers are bound in a state that the carbon fibers extend outwardly therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers. The recycled composite material performs much the same with the original composite material, and is produced briefly at a low cost.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon fibrous structure which comprises a granular part and 2-20 pieces of carbon fibers each of which has an outside diameter of 15-100 nm and which are extend outwardly from the granular part, wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers, wherein the size of granular part is 1.3 or more of times larger than the outside diameter of the carbon fibers, and wherein the mean length of the carbon fibers is not more than 20 ?m. The carbon fibrous structure improves the physical properties of the matrix, such as electric, mechanical, or thermal properties, while maintaining the other properties of the matrix, even when added at a small amount.

Abstract: The disclosed is a colored polymer composition which includes carbon fibrous structures and a coloring agent in a polymer matrix, wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part with which the carbon fibers are tied together in the state that the concerned carbon fibers are externally elongated therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers. It is the colored polymer composition which includes novel carbon fibrous structures having preferable physical properties as a filler for composite material, and of being able to improve electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of a matrix while maintaining other properties of the matrix, in a small adding amount, and which can show a color as pleases.

Abstract: In order to maintain the dust collection efficiency, it comprises: a filtration chamber 20 which has an carbon fiber outlet 10 from which carbon fibers are discharged and to which a gas including the carbon fibers is introduced; a flexible cylindrical filter cloth 22 one end of which is suspended in the filtration chamber and which collects the carbon fibers in the gas in order to clean up the gas; and a pathway 30 for cleaned-up gas which is connected to the filtration chamber 20 through the cylindrical filter cloth 22 and which allows the cleaned-up gas to pass through it.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing carbon fibrous structures each of which comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers, which is characterized in that, in the procedure of carbon fiber vapor phase deposition utilizing decomposition of organic carbon compound, at least two kinds of organic carbon compounds as carbon sources are in existence at least at predetermined thermal decomposition reaction temperature range in a reaction furnace and partial pressures of gases of these compounds are regulated so that these compounds are decomposed at mutually different decomposition temperatures, and/or a raw material gas supplied into the reaction furnace is forced to form a turbulent flow. It is possible to obtain efficiently the carbon fibrous structures each of which comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers and which are suitable as additives to be added to solid materials, such as resin, ceramics, metal, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing fine carbon fibers' aggregates having a median diameter of not more than 30 ?m, which comprises a pulverization step where a composition which includes (a) fine carbon fibers' aggregates having a median diameter of not less than 30 ?m and (b) a dispersion medium undergoes acceleration in order to form a turbulent flow and/or collision flow, thereby shearing force and/or impacting force exert on the (a) component included in the composition and thus the (a) component is pulverized, wherein the value of [ID/IG of fine carbon fibers' aggregates after pulverization of the (a) component]/[ID/IG of fine carbon fibers' aggregates before pulverization of the (a) component] (wherein the ID/IG is calculated from measurement values determined by Raman spectroscopic analysis using 514 nm light of the argon laser) is in the range of 0.7 to 1.5.