Abstract: A virtual machine management apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and the processor configured to, perform, for each of applications executed in virtual machines, a determination of a tendency of a time when a load associated with execution of each of applications is low, select a certain virtual machine from the virtual machines based on the tendency of the time, and perform an assignment of a first application to the certain virtual machine.

Abstract: A virtual machine management apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and the processor configured to, perform, for each of applications executed in virtual machines, a determination of a tendency of a time when a load associated with execution of each of applications is low, select a certain virtual machine from the virtual machines based on the tendency of the time, and perform an assignment of a first application to the certain virtual machine.

Abstract: Provided are self-cloning Aspergillus oryzae that expresses amidase without induction culture exhibiting high amidase degradation activity, and a method for reducing acrylamide in which this self-cloning Aspergillus oryzae is used. Self-cloning Aspergillus oryzae, which has a gene which codes a polypeptide with a specific amino acid sequence indicated in SEQ ID NO:1, or has a base sequence hybridizable to a complementary sequence of the gene encoding SEQ ID No:1 under stringent conditions, has a protein with amidase activity which the gene is expressed without induction culture, the process of reducing acrylamide by contact treatment with the above described self-cloning Aspergillus oryzae and acrylamide-containing matter, and a method of producing reduced acrylamide food or beverage.

Abstract: Provided is a means for achieving an excellent plant growth promoting effect of a 5-aminolevulinic acid easily even with a few applications thereof. A solid fertilizer comprising the following components (A) and (B): (A) a 5-aminolevulinic acid represented by the following general formula (I): R2R1NCH2COCH2CH2COR3??(I) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group; and R3 is a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an acyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, an aryloxy group, an aralkyloxy group or an amino group, a derivative thereof or a salt of the acid or the derivative, and (B) a solid fertilizer raw material.

Abstract: The object is to provide: a safe immunomodulating agent which can be used as a pharmaceutical or a food material; a method for production of the immunomodulating agent; and a novel application of a coffee extract residue. Disclosed is an immunomodulating agent comprising a coffee extract as an active ingredient. Preferably, the coffee extract is an extract containing arabinogalactan. The immunomodulating effect of the immunomodulating agent relies on the promotion of the proliferation of an immunocompetent cell such as a macrophage. The immunocompetent cell is preferably any one selected from a macrophage like strain RAW264 or J774.1, a murine splenocyte, a murine peritoneal macrophage and a murine dendrocyte. A composition containing the immunomodulating agent can be used as a composition such as a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition and a cosmetic composition.

Abstract: A process for efficiently producing a polysaccharide from coffee beans or/and a coffee extraction residue. Use of these has not received attention because of difficulty in decomposing these. The process, which is for producing a polysaccharide from coffee beans or/and a coffee extraction residue, comprises: a step (a) in which the coffee beans or/and coffee extraction residue are reduced to particles having a diameter of 10.0 ?m to 5.0 mm; a step (b1) in which after the step (a), the particles are heated at 50-100° C. in the presence of a dilute alkali; a step (c1) in which after completion of the step (b1), cellulase is caused to act thereon; a step (b2) in which after the step (c1), a heat treatment is conducted at 120° C. or higher in the presence of a dilute alkali; and a step (c2) in which after the step (b2), cellulase is caused to act thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an agent for improving alkali tolerance of a plant and to a method for improving alkali tolerance of a plant through application of the agent to the plant. The agent for improving alkali tolerance of a plant is characterized by containing 5-aminolevulinic acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt of either of these and an iron compound. The method for improving alkali tolerance of plant is characterized by including treatment with the agent.

Abstract: The object is to provide: a safe immunomodulating agent which can be used as a pharmaceutical or a food material; a method for production of the immunomodulating agent; and a novel application of a coffee extract residue. Disclosed is an immunomodulating agent comprising a coffee extract as an active ingredient. Preferably, the coffee extract is an extract containing arabinogalactan. The immunomodulating effect of the immunomodulating agent relies on the promotion of the proliferation of an immunocompetent cell such as a macrophage. The immunocompetent cell is preferably any one selected from a macrophage like strain RAW264 or J774.1, a murine splenocyte, a murine peritoneal macrophage and a murine dendrocyte. A composition containing the immunomodulating agent can be used as a composition such as a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition and a cosmetic composition.

Abstract: A multistage plant culture method and apparatus for carrying out the method are disclosed. Culture beds constituted by rooting medium contained in culture containers and initially containing plant seedlings are moved, in order; from an uppermost level to a lowermost level after the plants have been grown at each level for a predetermined period. After cropping, the culture bed at the lowermost level is removed, and a new culture bed containing seedlings is placed at the vacant uppermost level. This sequence is repeated. The culture containers have a predetermined length and are supported on a plurality of support means arranged vertically at different heights. A culture container lift unit includes culture container holding means capable of movement towards or away from the culture containers, and also capable of holding the containers and moving them up or down to facilitate their movement between the different levels.