Abstract: A water heater heats water with a combustion gas. An exhaust tube includes one end portion and the other end portion, is connected to the water heater at one end portion, and inside thereof is defined as an emission path for the combustion gas. An exhaust pipe is greater in outer diameter than the exhaust tube, and a part of the exhaust tube on a side of the other end portion is introduced in the inside thereof. An exhaust terminal is attached to an end portion of the exhaust pipe and has an exhaust port for exhausting the combustion gas to the outside. An exhaust straightening member is attached to the other end portion of the exhaust tube and has an opening portion for allowing the combustion gas to flow out toward the exhaust port.

Abstract: Water-forming NADH oxidase derived from Streptococcus mutans should be further improved in terms of stability for practical use in industrial production. An object of the present invention is to provide an enzyme that is obtained through modification of a water-forming NADH oxidase, which is useful as an NAD+ regeneration system for stereoselective oxidation catalyzed by an oxidoreductase, by protein engineering techniques so that the enzyme can withstand long-term use without exhibiting a reduction of its activity for the regeneration of NAD+, that is, an enzyme having improved stability, and to provide a method for efficiently producing a useful substance such as an optically active alcohol or amino acid. The present invention relates to an enzyme modification method that can improve the stability of water-forming NADH oxidase derived from Streptococcus mutans by appropriately introducing mutation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method enabling convenient production of an optically active secondary alcohol useful as a pharmaceutical intermediate, particularly an optically active 1,2-diol and an optically active 2-alkanol, from an enantiomer mixture thereof. An oxidizing enzyme source having the capability of selectively oxidizing one enantiomer of secondary alcohol is allowed to act on an enantiomer mixture of secondary alcohol in the presence of a reducing enzyme source having the capability of reverse enantio-selectively reducing a ketone derivative, to convert the enantiomer mixture into a substantially single enantiomer at a theoretical percent recovery of 100%, whereby an optically active secondary alcohol is produced.

Abstract: This invention is a sound apparatus having a plurality of different kinds of speakers and that independently performs correction of the sound signal for each speaker to obtain optimum sound and sound field. This sound apparatus has an output device that receives audio signals and outputs sound, and comprises: a correction device for correcting the audio signals that are input to each of the output devices; and a correction-characteristic-setting device which sets correction characteristic for each of the output devices; and where the correction device correct the audio signals based on the set correction characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a production method of an enantiomer-enriched compound, which includes the following (1) and (2): (1) contacting an enantiomer mixture with a stereoselective dehydrogenase, for which NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme, thereby preferentially oxidizing one enantiomer and leaving the other enantiomer to form NADH, and (2) contacting the NADH formed by the oxidation reaction in (1) with a water-forming NADH oxidase stable under oxidative conditions to convert the NADH to NAD+. According to the present invention, in the production of an enantiomer-enriched compound from an enantiomer mixture, which uses a dehydrogenase, NAD+ can be regenerated even without addition of a stabilizer and an enantiomer-enriched compound can be obtained efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention provides an industrially advantageous process for biochemical production of glyoxylic acid from glyoxal. More specifically, the present invention provides a process for production of glyoxylic acid, which is characterized in that the process comprises allowing oxidoreductase that can convert glyoxal into glyoxylic acid, such as oxidase and dehydrogenase, to act on glyoxal, so as to convert glyoxal into glyoxylic acid.

Abstract: To provide a method for preparing optically active compounds, which mainly contain (R)-amino compounds, by microbial enzymes efficiently and inexpensively; a polypeptide having stereoselective transaminase activity which can be suitably used for the above preparation method; and a DNA encoding the polypeptide. A method for preparing an optically active amino compound, characterized in stereoselectively transaminating by acting a transaminase on an amino group acceptor, a ketone compound in the presence of an amino group donor, a primary amine; a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having stereoselective transaminase activity; and a polypeptide having stereoselective transaminase activity obtainable from a culture of a microorganism belonging to the genus Arthrobacter.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to obtain the optimum music level by separately and independently performing the sound correction for the high-frequency range and low-frequency range according to the noise level. The invention comprises: a memory unit in which high-frequency-correction-level information, corresponding to the vehicle speed and music level, and low-frequency-correction-level information, corresponding to the low-frequency noise/music level ratio, are stored; a high-frequency-correction-level-information-acquisition unit that obtains high-frequency-correction-level information based on the vehicle speed and music level; and a low-frequency-correction-level-information-acquisition unit that obtains low-frequency-correction-level information based on the low-frequency noise/music level ratio; and it corrects the sound by a sound-quality-adjustment unit based on the high-frequency-correction-level information and low-frequency-correction-level information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to such an engine as mentioned below. The engine comprises a belt transmission device (2) which interlockingly operates a cooling fan (1) and a timing transmission device (4) which interlockingly actuates a fuel injection pump (3). The belt transmission device (2) and the timing transmission device (4) are dividedly arranged at a front end and a rear end of a cylinder block (6), respectively. The fuel injection pump (3) is arranged on one horizontal side of the cylinder block (6) and a belt tensioner (7) of the belt transmission device (2) is disposed in front of the fuel injection pump (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides an industrially advantageous process for producing glyoxylic acid by a biochemical procedure using oxidase. In particular, the present invention provides novel (D)-2-hydroxy-acid oxidase acting on a 2-hycoxy acid to produce a corresponding 2-keto acid, and a process for producing glyoxylic acid in which the 2-hydroxy-acid oxidase, a culture solution of microorganisms capable of producing the enzyme, microorganism cells isolated from the culture solution, or a product of treatment of microorganism cells acts on glycolic acid to convert the glycolic acid to glyoxylic acid.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to obtain the optimum music level by separately and independently performing the sound correction for the high-frequency range and low-frequency range according to the noise level. The invention comprises: a memory unit in which high-frequency-correction-level information, corresponding to the vehicle speed and music level, and low-frequency-correction-level information, corresponding to the low-frequency noise/music level ratio, are stored; a high-frequency-correction-level-information-acquisition unit that obtains high-frequency-correction-level information based on the vehicle speed and music level; and a low-frequency-correction-level-information-acquisition unit that obtains low-frequency-correction-level information based on the low-frequency noise/music level ratio; and it corrects the sound by a sound-quality-adjustment unit based on the high-frequency-correction-level information and low-frequency-correction-level information.

Abstract: This invention is a sound apparatus having a plurality of different kinds of speakers and that independently performs correction of the sound signal for each speaker to obtain optimum sound and sound field. This sound apparatus has an output device that receives audio signals and outputs sound, and comprises: a correction device for correcting the audio signals that are input to each of the output devices; and a correction-characteristic-setting device which sets correction characteristic for each of the output devices; and where the correction device correct the audio signals based on the set correction characteristic.

Abstract: A centrifugal tumbling granulating apparatus 1 comprises a fixed wall 7 having a grain contact portion 7a which is in contact with powder grains 2 and of which a horizontal section is formed in a circular shape, and a rotating disk 5 provided a clearance 12 away from an inner side of the fixed wall 7 and rotating in a horizontal direction by a motor 13, wherein an air supply device 21 for supplying drying air 22 to an upper surface side of the rotating disk 5 is provided above the rotating disk 5. The air supply device 21 has a cylindrical straight tube portion 25, and an air supply port 23 formed in a cone shape, and is disposed in a centrifugal tumbling chamber 6 to be movable in an up-and-down direction. During a granulating step, the air supply device 21 stops to supply the dry air 22 and waits at an upper position H. After the granulation processing, the air supply device is lowered at a lower position L and supplies the dry air 22 onto the rotating disk 5 to dry granulated substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to such an engine as mentioned below.

Abstract: A pair of compression rollers 38a and 38b parallel with each other are provided and powder grains are supplied to a powder grain introduction/compression part 50 formed between the rollers 38a and 38b and, thereby, compression moldings of the powder grains are formed. A powder grain press/feed means 20 is provided in a front stage of the rollers 38a and 38b. The press/feed means 20 has a deaerating barrel 24 and previously presses the powder grains supplied between the rollers 38a and 38b. In side surfaces of the rollers 38a and 38b, side seals 37 are arranged with clearances 72 maintained from the rollers 38a and 38b. During pressing the powder moldings, the powder grains enter into the clearances so that closer layers are formed between the side surfaces of the compression rollers 38a and 38b and the side seals 37, thereby sealing the powder grain introduction/compression part 50.

Abstract: To provide a method for preparing optically active compounds, which mainly contain (R)-amino compounds, by microbial enzymes efficiently and inexpensively; a polypeptide having stereoselective transaminase activity which can be suitably used for the above preparation method; and a DNA encoding the polypeptide. A method for preparing an optically active amino compound, characterized in stereoselectively transaminating by acting a transaminase on an amino group acceptor, a ketone compound in the presence of an amino group donor, a primary amine; a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having stereoselective transaminase activity; and a polypeptide having stereoselective transaminase activity obtainable from a culture of a microorganism belonging to the genus Arthrobacter.

Abstract: In an electric power steering apparatus, a bearing of a drive shaft provided with a worm gear is connected to the drive shaft in an axial direction. It installs an elastic body (a holding device) which elastically deforms so as to move the drive shaft in an axial direction at a time of load input when tooth faces of the worm gear and the worm wheel are brought into contact with each other.

Abstract: Relating to an enzyme capable of efficiently converting a ketone compound to an optically active amino compound by transamination, and a process for preparing an optically active amino compound using the enzyme. An (S)-&agr;-phenethylamine:pyruvate transaminase, which acts on (S)-&agr;-phenethylamine and a ketone compound, thereby catalyzing transamination for forming acetophenone and an amino compound corresponding to the ketone compound; a process for preparing an optically active amino compound using the transaminase; and a method for culturing a microorganism for producing the above transaminase, comprising adding to a medium one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of propylamine, 1-butylamine, 2-butylamine, 2-pentylamine, isopropylamine and isobutylamine as an inducer for the enzyme when a microorganism for producing (S)-&agr;-phenethylamine:pyruvate transaminase is cultured.

Abstract: The method for preparing an optically active (R)-amino compound characterized by the method comprising stereoselectively carrying out amino group transfer by action of an (R)-form-specific transaminase in the co-presence of a ketone compound (amino acceptor), and an amino compound (amino donor) of a racemic form or an (R)-form, to give an optically active (R)-amino compound. According to the present invention, it is made possible to easily prepare at a high yield the optically active (R)-amino compounds and the like having an aryl group and the like at their 1-position, which have been conventionally difficult to prepare.

Abstract: The method for preparing an optically active (R)-amino compound characterized by the method comprising stereoselectively carrying out amino group transfer by action of an (R)-form-specific transaminase in the co-presence of a ketone compound (amino acceptor), and an amino compound (amino donor) of a racemic form or an (R)-form, to give an optically active (R)-amino compound. According to the present invention, it is made possible to easily prepare at a high yield the optically active (R)-amino compounds and the like having an aryl group and the like at their 1-position, which have been conventionally difficult to prepare.