Abstract: The invention relates to mutant ?-amylases that may be produced at high yield from recombinant microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified promoter DNA capable of enhancing transcription of genes encoding proteins or polypeptides, and a method for producing proteins or polypeptides efficiently by use of the modified promoter DNA. A promoter DNA recognized by SigA and SigE, which is produced by modifying a nucleotide sequence including a promoter recognized by SigA and bases in the vicinity thereof; an expression vector harboring the promoter DNA; a recombinant microorganism containing the expression vector; and a method for producing proteins or polypeptides characterized by culturing the recombinant microorganism.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant ?-amylases that may be produced at high yield from recombinant microorganisms.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I), wherein Z represents C—R7 or N, and R represents alkyl that may be optionally substituted, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl or alkoxycarbonylamino, are useful as agricultural and horticultural fungicides.

Abstract: Novel difluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives of the formula (I) Difluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives represented by the formula wherein X represents halogen, Y represents CH or N, R1 represents hydrogen, and R2 represents hydrogen or hydroxy, or R1 and R2 together may form C=O with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, and their use as herbicide for paddy field weeds.

Abstract: A herbicide composition for paddy field characterized by containing (a) a herbicidal difluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the formula (I) and (b) at least one herbicidal compound selected from the group consisting of pretilachlor, butachlor, alachlor, metolachlor, acetochlor, clomeprop, bromobutide, benfuresate, indanofan, pyrazolate, benzofenap, pyrazoxyfen, pyraclonil, oxaziclomefone, bensulfuron-methyl, azimsulfuron, imazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, cyclosulfamuron, ethoxysulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, orthosulfamuron, cinosulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, penoxsulam, thiobencarb, pyributycarb, molinate, dimethametryn, simetryn, cafenstrole, quinclorac, anilofos, mefenacet, fentrazamide, pentoxazone, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, benzobicyclon, mesotrione, AVH301 (code no.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant ?-amylase obtained by making replacement or deletion of at least one of amino acid residues such as the 167th Gln, 169th Tyr and 178th Ala in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 in an ?-amylase having said amino acid sequence, or an ?-amylase having a homology of at least 70% to said amino acid sequence, a gene encoding the mutant ?-amylase, a vector, transformed cells, a process for producing a mutant ?-amylase, comprising culturing the transformed cells, and a detergent composition comprising the mutant ?-amylase. The mutant ?-amylase of the invention has excellent properties of high resistance to chelating agents, high specific activity in an alkaline region and excellent stability to heat, and is hence useful for detergents for automatic dish washer, laundry detergents and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alkaline cellulase variants having an amino acid sequence which exhibits at least 95% homology with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein said alkaline cellulase variant is mutated to include at least one substitution at (a) position 10, (b) position 16, (c) position 22, (d) position 33, (e) position 39, (f) position 76, (g) position 109, (h) position 242, (i) position 263, (j) position 308, (k) position 462, (l) position 466, (m) position 468, (n) position 552, (o) position 564, or (p) position 608 in SEQ ID NO: 2, or at a position corresponding thereto, wherein said alkaline cellulase variant has alkaline cellulase activity. The present invention also relates to a gene encoding the variant; a vector containing the gene; a transformant containing the vector; and a detergent composition containing the alkaline cellulase variant.

Abstract: An information collecting apparatus and collecting/analyzing system, including an input unit for sampling digital signals input from each part of an object to be measured, a transfer unit for transferring the digital signals via a communication interface to a host computer in substantially real time, and a control unit for controlling the input unit and transfer unit; and a host computer, including a signal processing unit for processing digital signals transferred from the information collecting apparatus, a storage device for storing processed digital signals in substantially real time, display units for displaying various types of images based on digital signals stored in the storage device, and a control unit for controlling the signal processing unit, storage device and display units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant ?-amylase obtained by making replacement or deletion of at least one of amino acid residues such as the 167th Gln, 169th Tyr and 178th Ala in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 in an ?-amylase having said amino acid sequence, or an ?-amylase having a homology of at least 70% to said amino acid sequence, a gene encoding the mutant ?-amylase, a vector, transformed cells, a process for producing a mutant ?-amylase, comprising culturing the transformed cells, and a detergent composition comprising the mutant ?-amylase. The mutant ?-amylase of the invention has excellent properties of high resistance to chelating agents, high specific activity in an alkaline region and excellent stability to heat, and is hence useful for detergents for automatic dish washer, laundry detergents and the like.

Abstract: Liquefying alkaline amylases, each having residual activity not less than 70% when treated at pH 10 and 45° C. for 30 minutes in the presence of 1 to 100 mM of EDTA or EGTA, are described. Also described are detergents comprising these amylases. In comparison with conventional amylases for detergents, the liquefying alkaline amylases of this invention have a high chelating-agent resisting performance.

Abstract: Described are herbicidal compositions comprising A) at least one compound from the benzoylcyclohexanedione group and B) at least one compound from the group of the herbicides which act selectively against monocotyledonous and/or dicotyledonous harmful plants in rice. These compositions have a superior action compared with the herbicides employed individually.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant &agr;-amylases that may be produced at high yield from recombinant microorganisms.

Abstract: A microorganism wherein one or more genes selected from the group of genes participating in sporulation in the middle to late stages of sporulation have been deleted or inactivated; and a process for producing a target product (a protein) by use the microorganism. No spore is formed when this microorganism is employed, thereby enabling production of a target product (a protein) while decreasing energy loss, production of a by-product and specific production speed to decrease unnecessary consumption of a medium. Moreover, the production period can be prolonged, whereby the target product (the protein) can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: Described are herbicidal compositions comprising A) at least one compound from the benzoylcyclohexanedione group and B) at least one compound from the group of the herbicides which act selectively against monocotyledonous and/or dicotyledonous harmful plants in rice. These compositions have a superior action compared with the herbicides employed individually.

Abstract: An information collecting apparatus arid collecting/analyzing system, including an input unit for sampling digital signals input from each part of an object to be measured, a transfer unit for transferring the digital signals via a communication interface to a host computer in substantially real time, and a control unit for controlling the input unit and transfer unit; and a host computer, including a signal processing unit for processing digital signals transferred from the information collecting apparatus, a storage device for storing processed digital signals in substantially real time, display units for displaying various types of images based on digital signals stored in the storage device, and a control unit for controlling the signal processing unit, storage device and display units.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant &agr;-amylases that may be produced at high yield from recombinant microorganisms.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention are an alkaline cellulase variant obtained by using a cellulase having an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90% homology with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ. ID NO:1 and substituting the amino acid residue of the cellullase at (a) position 10, (b) position 16, (c) position 22, (d) position 33, (e) position 39, (f) position 76, (g) position 109, (h) position 242, (i) position 263, (j) position 308, (k) position 462, (l) position 466, (m) position 468, (n) position 552, (o) position 564, or (p) position 608 in SEQ. ID NO:1, or at a position corresponding thereto with another amino acid residue; a gene encoding the variant; a vector containing the gene; a transformant containing the vector; and a detergent composition containing the alkaline cellulase variant.

Abstract: Described are herbicidal compositions comprising

Abstract: Synergistic herbicidal compositions comprising herbicides from the benzoylcyclohexanedione group for use in rice crops Described are herbicidal compositions comprising