Abstract: An encoder that encodes a current block in a picture includes circuitry and memory. Using the memory, the circuitry: performs a first transform on a residual signal of the current block using a first transform basis to generate first transform coefficients; and performs a second transform on the first transform coefficients using a second transform basis to generate second transform coefficients and quantizes the second transform coefficients, when the first transform basis is the same as a predetermined transform basis; and quantizes the first transform coefficients without performing the second transform, when the first transform basis is different from the predetermined transform basis.

Abstract: There is provided a vector comprising a first promoter sequence which constitutively or conditionally regulates transcription, a first transcription structure including a DNA-binding region, a nucleus localization signal sequence, an AhR-ligand binding control region and a transcriptional activation region, which is arranged downstream of the first promoter sequence, one or more second promoter sequence which is specifically coupled with the DNA-binding region, thereby to transcribe a transcription unit under control of the transcriptional activation region, and a second transcription structure including a reporter gene, which is arranged downstream of the second promoter sequence. Also, there are provided a transformant with the vector, and a method for monitoring and/or reducing the AhR-ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein capable of binding to an environmental hormone, which protein is supplemented with useful properties for measuring, quantifying and concentrating environmental hormones, such as high sensitivity, low cross-reactivity, unlikelihood of being influenced by interfering substances, and unlikelihood of being influenced by solvents. Specifically, the present invention provides a modified protein prepared by obtaining various genes for various antibodies with environmental hormones, and modifying, by gene recombination technology, various properties of the original antibody, such as affinity, avidity, cross-reactivity, resistance for interfering substance on antigen-antibody reaction, resistance for interfering substance on enzymatic color developing reaction, resistance for solvent and the like.

Abstract: There is provided a vector comprising a first promoter sequence which constitutively or conditionally regulates transcription, a first transcription structure including a DNA-binding region, a nucleus localization signal sequence, an AhR-ligand binding control region and a transcriptional activation region, which is arranged downstream of the first promoter sequence, one or more second promoter sequence which is specifically coupled with the DNA-binding region, thereby to transcribe a transcription unit under control of the transcriptional activation region, and a second transcription structure including a reporter gene, which is arranged downstream of the second promoter sequence. Also, there are provided a transformant with the vector, and a method for monitoring and/or reducing the AhR-ligand.

Abstract: Transgenic plants capable of metabolizing drugs are constructed by introducing a drug-metabolizing P450 molecular species into plants. These plants are capable of detoxifying and metabolizing foreign compounds such as environmental loads and extrinsic endocrine disruptors including drugs, poisons, and agrochemicals. Thus, they are highly useful when applied to field crops, etc. Also, a method for selecting the drug-metabolizing P450 molecular species is provided.

Abstract: A gene encoding a cytochrome P450 expressed specifically at initial stages in flower-bud growth and a promoter inducing expression of the gene are provided. The cytochrome P450 gene encodes the amino acid sequences encoded by the sequence having the nucleotide 1 to 1488 or the nucleotide 1 to 1617 in SEQ ID NO. 1, and the promoter consists of the base sequence within the nucleotide 1 to 1041 in SEQ ID NO. 4 that is necessary for the promoter activity.

Abstract: The expression of mitochondrial P450 in yeast is disclosed. The mitochondrial P450 includes a chimeric P450 in which a signal sequence present at the N-terminus of a mammalian mitochondrial P450 has been substituted by a signal of a yeast mitochondrial protein and a chimeric P450 in which the latter signal has been further substituted by a targeting signal sequence to microsome.An expression plasmid for producing the enzyme in a large scale, a recombinant yeast strain carrying the expression plasmid, a process for producing the enzyme by the use of the recombinant yeast, and a process for producing 5.beta.-cholestane-3.alpha., 7.alpha., 12.alpha., 27-tetrol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.3 and 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3 are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described is a detection method of a pyrethroid compound which comprises providing a first antibody against the pyrethroid compound, said first antibody having been obtained by immunizing a responder with an immunogen which is a first conjugate between a first carrier and a first haptenic compound represented by the following formula (1) or (2): ##STR1## mixing the first antibody with the sample solution, causing any unreacted portion of the first antibody to be bound on a second conjugate as a coated antigen, said second conjugate being formed of a second carrier and a second haptenic compound and having been coated on a surface of a solid phase carrier, whereby an antigen-antibody conjugate is obtained; andreacting the antigen-antibody conjugate with a second antibody against the first antibody, said second antibody having a labelled enzyme linked therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimeric enzyme gene which codes for a monooxygenase having both monooxygenase activity derived from cytochrome P-450 and reducing power supplying ability derived from NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase.The present invention further provides a yeast expression plasmid which contains said chimeric enzyme gene and expresses said monooxygenase gene; a transformed yeast strain which carries said yeast expression plasmid; a monooxygenase which has both the monooxygenase activity and the reducing power supplying ability as mentioned above; and a process for producing said monooxygenase.

Abstract: Insecticidal protein of B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai IPL is produced by growing a transformant microorganism harboring a recombinant expression vector carrying a gene coding for the insecticidal protein.

Abstract: Transformed yeasts with yeast expression plasmid containing yeast alcohol dehydrogenase promoter and bovine adrenocortical cytochrome P-450.sub.17.alpha. cDNA, which produce bovine adrenocortical cytochrome P-450.sub.17.alpha., and processes for producing 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone which comprises 17-hydroxylating pregnenolone or progesterone to 17-hydroxypregnenolone or 17-hydroxyprogesterone, respectively, with the said transformed yeasts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimeric enzyme gene which codes for a monooxygenase having both monooxygenase activity derived from cytochrome P-450 and reducing power supplying ability derived from NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase.The present invention further provides a yeast expression plasmid which contains said chimeric enzyme gene and expresses said monooxygenase gene; a transformed yeast strain which carries said yeast expression plasmid; a monooxygenase which has both the monooxygenase activity and the reducing power supplying ability as mentioned above; and a process for producing said monooxygenase.

Abstract: The thermoplastic polymeric molding composition of the invention has good moldability in shaping by injection molding, extrusion molding and compression molding and capable of giving shaped articles having good machinability in mechanical working such as cutting, grinding and latching. The composition is compounded from 2 to 70 parts by weight of a thermoplastic polymer such as a polyamide resin and from 98 to 30 parts by weight of a metallic filler such as zinc powder and zinc oxide powder having a surface coated with a water repellent agent such as silane coupling agents, titanate coupling agents and silicone fluids in a specified amount. A part of the above mentioned particulate filler may optionally be replaced with a fibrous filler such as glass fibers and carbon fibers so that the shaped articles of the molding composition may be imparted with increased impact strength.

Abstract: A combination roll has a roll shaft and a plurality of roll units mounted on the roll shaft. The roll units include an end roll unit which can be locked to the roll shaft. Each of the roll units comprises a roll portion formed with a contact portion and a shaft inserting portion which has engaging means at each of opposite ends thereof. The diameter of the shaft inserting portion is less than the diameter of the roll portion. All of the roll units are engaged by the engaging means, thereby forming an assembled roll, and are locked to the roll shaft through the end roll unit.

Abstract: An expression vector, a plasmid containing yeast alcohol dehydrogenase I promoter and terminator and the gene coding for the rat liver cytochrome P-450MC gene Saccharomyces cerevisiae transformed with the plasmid and process for preparing rat liver cytochrome P-450MC.

Abstract: Composition for extrusion molding comprising a blend of 90 to 30 weight percent of thermoplastic resin and 10 to 70 weight percent of inorganic filler and a modifier selected from sorbitan fatty acid esters and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters in an amount of 0.1 to 5 parts by weight based upon 100 parts by weight of the blend.

Abstract: A molding material having superior buffering character, moldability and dimensional stability obtained by incorporating a copolymer composed predominantly of polyethylene or ethylene with an inorganic filler blend comprising sand with an average particle size of 100 to 500 microns and calcium sulfite, and foaming the resulting composition. A molded product having a lustrous and beautiful superficial coating can be obtained by pressing the aforementioned foamed body while it is still hot against a smooth cool solid surface and cooling the foamed body down to a temperature below its softening point. Further, the aforementioned molding material is useful for packings, mattresses and lightweight construction materials.

Abstract: An oil adsorbent comprising a plastic material for eliminating oils present in or on the surface of water through adsorption. Said adsorbent is produced by foaming by a physical means polyethylene containing 30-80% by weight of at least one inorganic calcium compound selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfite and calcium carbonate, to prepare a foamy substance having a density of 0.06-0.10 g/cc and then shaping the substance to have a network structure.

Abstract: Foamed thermoplastic resin which contains glass beads of from 1 to 2 mm in diameter has an improved mechanical strength and enhanced light reflection ability.

Abstract: Insecticidal protein of B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai IPL is produced by growing a transformant microorganism harboring a recombinant expression vector carrying a gene coding for the insecticidal protein.