Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing ethanol from polysaccharide alginate contained in a large amounts in brown algae, using the alginate assimilation capacity of the Sphingomonas sp. strain A1 and the strong ethanol production capacity of bacteria such as Zymomonas mobilis. Specifically, a method for producing ethanol using alginate as a raw material comprises causing genes encoding proteins and enzymes involved in Sphingomonas sp. strain A1-derived alginate assimilation and genes encoding enzymes involved in ethanol production to co-exist in a single microorganism and then culturing the microorganism in a medium containing alginate.

Abstract: A water heater capable of suppressing an increase in the combustion air temperature exiting the heater and the generation of nitrogen oxide within an easy structure is provided. In the water heater, a burner is provided in a combustion chamber which is below a hot water storage chamber that is an all primary air burner which takes in the air required for gas combustion, whereby the air is mostly primary air. In addition, the burner is provided with a supporting plate in the combustion chamber at a height that allows part of the burner head to be protruded into a space covered by a lower mirror plate.

Abstract: The object is to provide a water heater capable of efficiently transmitting radiation heat of a burner to hot water in a hot water storage chamber with improved thermal efficiency. In the water heater, a second restriction part having a shallower depth than a first restriction part is arranged along a peripheral edge of a lower mirror plate of a hot water storage chamber with a protrusion part protruding in a ring shape toward the center side of the lower mirror plate. The protrusion part is further arranged between the first restriction part and the second restriction part, and a burner is positioned so that the burner combustion surface faces the protrusion part.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a novel CTL epitope peptide of the SARS coronavirus. The present invention provides a peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 23 and 24.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and facility for preventing crumbling and powderization of green pellets when producing high strength green pellets using a powder feedstock and using the pellets in a rotary hearth reducing furnace and for efficiently reducing the same. It comprises kneading by a kneader 5 a feedstock of a powder of a fine particle size (20 to 80 wt % having size of not more than 10 ?m) including a metal oxide and carbon-bearing powder fed from a feed storage tank 1 and producing green pellets by a pan type pelletizer 7. The green pellets are screened by a pellet screen 9, then dried by a pellet dryer 11 and reduced by firing in a rotary hearth reducing furnace 13. At that time, the green pellets are continuously conveyed to prevent crumbling.

Abstract: An Li-containing ?-sialon-based phosphor represented by the formula (1): LixEuySi12-(m+n)Al(m+n)On+?N16-n-? (wherein assuming that average valence of Eu is a, x+ya+?=m; 0.45?x<1.2, 0.001?y?0.2, 0.9?m?2.5, 0.5?n?2.4, and ?>0).

Abstract: A method of reduction treatment of metal oxides characterized by using as a material a powder containing metal oxides and containing alkali metals and halogen elements and further, in accordance with need, carbon, mixing said material with water to produce a slurry, then dehydrating this and charging the dehydrated material, mixed with another material in accordance with need, into a rotary hearth type reduction furnace for reduction.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences coding for the chondroitinase ABC gene and isolated chondroitinase ABC protein produced in a host cell transformed with a nucleic acid vector directing the expression of a nucleotide sequence coding for chondroitinase ABC protein are described. Chondroitinase ABC prepared by chemical synthesis is also described. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies which are specifically reactive with chondroitinase ABC protein are disclosed. The isolated chondroitinase ABC can be used in methods of treating intervertebral disc displacement, promoting neurite regeneration, and detecting galactosaminoglycans.

Abstract: In a method for producing a reduced iron pellet, when a powder formed article including iron oxide and carbon is heated and reduced in a rotary hearth furnace, a formed article produced using a raw material, in which an average diameter of the iron oxide is 50 microns or less and a ratio of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide in a reduction zone is from 0.3 to 1, is reduced at a temperature of 1400° C. or less, thereby producing a reduced iron pellet in which a metallization ratio of iron is 50 to 85% and a ratio of residual carbon is 2% or less.

Abstract: A method of reduction treatment of metal oxides characterized by using as a material a powder containing metal oxides and containing alkali metals and halogen elements and further, in accordance with need, carbon, mixing said material with water to produce a slurry, then dehydrating this and charging the dehydrated material, mixed with another material in accordance with need, into a rotary hearth type reduction furnace for reduction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and facility for preventing crumbling and powderization of green pellets when producing high strength green pellets using a powder feedstock and using the pellets in a rotary hearth reducing furnace and for efficiently reducing the same. It comprises kneading by a kneader 5 a feedstock of a powder of a fine particle size (20 to 80 wt % having size of not more than 10 ?m) including a metal oxide and carbon-bearing powder fed from a feed storage tank 1 and producing green pellets by a pan type pelletizer 7. The green pellets are screened by a pellet screen 9, then dried by a pellet dryer 11 and reduced by firing in a rotary hearth reducing furnace 13. At that time, the green pellets are continuously conveyed to prevent crumbling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and facility for preventing crumbling and powderization of green pellets when producing high strength green pellets using a powder feedstock and using the pellets in a rotary hearth reducing furnace and for efficiently reducing the same. It comprises kneading by a kneader 5 a feedstock of a powder of a fine particle size (20 to 80 wt % having size of not more than 10 ?m) including a metal oxide and carbon-bearing powder fed from a feed storage tank 1 and producing green pellets by a pan type pelletized 7. The green pellets are screened by a pellet screen 9, then dried by a pellet dryer 11 and reduced by firing in a rotary hearth reducing furnace 13. At that time, the green pellets are continuously conveyed to prevent crumbling.

Abstract: The present invention provides an avian influenza vaccine containing a peptide-bound liposome wherein; the peptide contains: (1) an amino acid sequence shown by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to 9, or (2) an amino acid sequence shown by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to 9 wherein one or two amino acids are substituted, has a length of 9 to 11 amino acids, and is capable of inducing HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes; wherein the liposome contains a phospholipid having an acyl group with 14 to 24 carbon atoms and one unsaturated bond or a hydrocarbon group with 14 to 24 carbon atoms and one unsaturated bond, and a liposome stabilizer; and wherein the peptide is bound to the surface of the liposome.

Abstract: A body 20 has body wall surfaces 21, 22 defining a body space inside. A core 30 is disposed within the body 20. The core 30 has a core wall surface defining a core space inside which has a bottom having an opening 33a. A valve 50 is inserted through the opening 33a of the core 30 with a clearance and can move along the core wall surface of the core 30. The valve 50 has a hole with a bottom which is comprised of holes 52a, 53a, 57a, a contact surface 58 that contacts the core wall surface of the core 30, a valve head 59 that can contact a valve seat 40, at least one first communication hole 55 that provides communication between the hole 53a and a second inflow fuel passage 30a within the core space, and at least one second communication hole 54 that provides communication between the hole 52a and the first inflow fuel passage 21a, 22a within the body space.

Abstract: A method for accurate and precise measurement of target proteins such as food allergen proteins in the specific foods is provided. The method is a method for immunological measurement of a food allergen protein in a processed food using an antibody against the food allergen protein, comprising adding animal tropomyosin to an assay solution upon measurement.

Abstract: A practical novel phosphor material composed of an ?-type silicon nitride, i.e., an ?-type silicon nitride phosphor containing a fluorescence-emittable element throughout an ?-type silicon nitride particle from the surface to the inside, is provided. Portions having a high emittable element concentration are preferably present like islands, and the fluorescence-emittable element is preferably a lanthanide metal. A powder composed of a fluorescence-emittable element is added to silicon diimide (Si(NH)2) or an amorphous silicon nitride powder obtained by thermally decomposing silicon diimide (Si(NH)2), the powders are mixed, and the mixture is fired in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, whereby the phosphor material is obtained.

Abstract: A polysilane composition characterized as containing a polysilane compound and a silicone compound in the ratio (polysilane compound:silicon compound) by weight of 80:20-5:95, and also containing an organic peroxide in the amount of 1-30 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the polysilane compound and silicone compound, wherein the silicone compound contains 40-100% by weight of a double bond containing silicon compound.

Abstract: In a metal-winning method, copper ore or copper-ore concentrates is effectively hydraulically leached in a chloride leach liquor and the resultant leached liquor is diaphragm-electrolyzed. A chloride electrolyte containing Br? ions and the leached metals is subjected to a diaphragm-electrolysis in an electrolytic cell comprising an anode compartment (4) and a cathode compartment (3). A portion of the electrolyte in the anode compartment (4) is withdrawn from below an anode (2) of the anode compartment (4) and is returned to the leaching step so as to increase the oxidation potential of the chloride leach liquor.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences coding for the chondroitinase ABC gene and isolated chondroitinase ABE protein produced in a host cell transformed with a nucleic acid vector directing the expression of a nucleotide sequence coding for chondroitinase ABE protein described. Chondroitinase ABC prepared by chemical synthesis also described. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies which are specifically reactive with chondroitinase ABC protein are disclosed. The isolated chondroitinase ABC can be used in methods of treating intervertebral disc replacement, promoting neurite regeneration, and detecting galactosaminoglycans.