Abstract: The present invention provides a zirconia sintered body containing a fluorescent agent and having excellent translucency and excellent strength. The present invention also provides a zirconia shaped body and a zirconia calcined body from which the zirconia sintered body can be obtained. The present invention relates to a zirconia sintered body comprising a fluorescent agent, wherein the zirconia sintered body comprises 4.5 to 9.0 mol % yttria, and has a crystal grain size of 180 nm or less, and a three-point flexural strength of 500 MPa or more. The present invention relates to a zirconia shaped body comprising a fluorescent agent, wherein the zirconia shaped body comprises 4.5 to 9.0 mol % yttria, and has a three-point flexural strength of 500 MPa or more after being sintered at 1,100° C. for 2 hours under ordinary pressure, and a crystal grain size of 180 nm or less after being sintered at 1,100° C. for 2 hours under ordinary pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a zirconia sintered body containing a fluorescent agent and having excellent translucency and excellent strength. The present invention also provides a zirconia shaped body and a zirconia calcined body from which the zirconia sintered body can be obtained. The present invention relates to a zirconia sintered body comprising a fluorescent agent, wherein the zirconia sintered body comprises 4.5 to 9.0 mol % yttria, and has a crystal grain size of 180 nm or less, and a three-point flexural strength of 500 MPa or more. The present invention relates to a zirconia shaped body comprising a fluorescent agent, wherein the zirconia shaped body comprises 4.5 to 9.0 mol % yttria, and has a three-point flexural strength of 500 MPa or more after being sintered at 1,100° C. for 2 hours under ordinary pressure, and a crystal grain size of 180 nm or less after being sintered at 1,100° C. for 2 hours under ordinary pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes of producing useful substances, which include the steps of culturing in a medium microorganisms that lack from their chromosomal DNA all or part of a gene encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a gene encoding a protein that is 80% or more homologous to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 so as to produce and accumulate the useful substances in the culture, and recovering the useful substances from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides microorganisms, in which the activity of 4-hydroxybenzoate polyprenyltransferase or 2-octaprenylphenol?2-octaprenyl-6-methoxyphenol flavin reductase is reduced or lost, and which have an ability to produce lactic acid, in particular, microorganisms comprising a chromosomal DNA in which a gene encoding a protein having 4-hydroxybenzoate polyprenyltransferase activity or a protein having 2-octaprenylphenol?2-octaprenyl-6-methoxyphenol flavin reductase activity is partially or completely defective; and a process for producing lactic acid using the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microorganism which comprises a chromosomal DNA lacking a part or entire of the gene encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, or the gene encoding a protein having 80% or more homology with the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, and has the ability to produce a useful substance; a process for producing a useful substance using said strain; especially a process for producing a useful substance which is selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins, saccharides, organic acids, and lipids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microorganism which comprises a chromosomal DNA lacking a part or entire of the gene encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, or the gene encoding a protein having 80% or more homology with the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, and has the ability to produce a useful substance; a process for producing a useful substance using said strain; especially a process for producing a useful substance which is selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins, saccharides, organic acids, and lipids.

Abstract: A method of producing a device having a minute structure such as a semiconductor element. The producing method comprises the following steps: (a) forming a film of liquid containing a sublimable material on a surface of a product of the device, the sublimable material being solid ordinary temperature and at normal pressure, the minute structure being formed at the surface of the product; (b) improving a wettability of at least one of the minute structure and a region surrounding the minute structure by the liquid film of the sublimable material; (c) converting the liquid film into a state containing the sublimable material in solid phase so as to form a protective film; and (d) vaporizing the protective film to be removed.