Abstract: A novel fructosyl amino acid oxidase derived from genus Fusarium or Gibberella, a process for producing the enzyme, an assay of an amadori compound using the enzyme, a reagent or a kit containing the enzyme, a process for producing fructosyl lysine and/or fructosyl N.sup..alpha. -Z-lysine as a substrate of a fructosyl amino acid oxidase, which is useful for screening and/or culturing a microorganism capable of producing the enzyme, and a medium containing fructosyl lysine and/or fructosyl N.sup..alpha. -Z-lysine for screening and/or culturing a microorganism capable of producing a fructosyl amino acid oxidase is provided.

Abstract: A protein derived from a strain of methylotrophic yeast which has a protein disulfide isomerase activity having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 1, or protein in which the amino acid sequence has been modified by deletion or addition of one or a few amino acids, or substitution with other amino acid(s) and which has a protein disulfide isomerase activity; and a process for production thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant protein which shows fructosyl amino acid oxidase activity, a DNA encoding the same, an expression vector containing the DNA, a transformant transformed by the expression vector, and the method of preparing recombinant fructosyl amino acid oxidase by culturing the resultant transformant, and the recombinant fructosyl amino acid oxidase thus obtained.

Abstract: A common rail is provided which is simple in structure and capable of connecting a piping component to a thick wall pipe thereof in a highly sealed and light weighted manner. In a common rail adapted to connect a pipe component to at least one end of a thick wall pipe having a flow passage 1' therein for accumulating pressure of high pressure fuel so that high pressure fuel is supplied from a high-pressure pump and distribute-supplied to an injection nozzle, the end portion of the thick wall pipe 1 is reduced in diameter by drawing. A thread portion 1a is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the diameter-reduced end portion. A connecting end of the piping component 3 is connected to an end portion of the thick wall pipe 1 by screwing a fastening screw means 5, 5' to the thread portion 1a.

Abstract: An audio/video (AV) information transaction system includes AV appliances installed in individual rooms, controllers associated with the AV appliances and a host computer which is linked with the controllers through a local area network (LAN), thereby forming a computer network. The host computer transfers control programs to the controllers. A controller in a room which runs the received control program sends a command signal of the demand of AV output reception to other controller in other room over the LAN cable, and the receiving controller operates the associated AV appliance and delivers the output AV signal to the demanding controller over the LAN cable.

Abstract: A lamp socket for supporting an HID lamp includes a hollow casing having a lamp mounting opening defined at one end and the opposite end closed;an electrode carrier member disposed inside the casing; a center electrode disposedon the electrode carrier member at a location coaxial with an axis perpendicular to a plane of the lamp mounting opening and engageable with a center contact point in a mouthpiece of a lamp to be received in the lamp socket; a peripheral electrode disposed on the electrode carrier member at a location offset laterally from the center electrode and also from the axis for engagement a peripheral contact point in the mouthpiece of the lamp; an electrode shielding member disposed within the casing for movement between projected and retracted positions; and a coil spring for biasing the electrode shielding member to the projected position and operable to permit the electrode shielding member to move towards the retracted position against a biasing force thereof in response to insertion of th

Abstract: A novel fructosyl amino acid oxidase derived from genus Penicillium, which is active on both of fructosyl lysine and fructosyl valine, a process for producing the enzyme, an assay of an amadori compound using the enzyme, a reagent or a kit containing the enzyme is provided.

Abstract: A novel fructosyl amino acid oxidase derived from genus Fusarium or Gibberella, a process for producing the enzyme, an assay of an amadori compound using the enzyme, a reagent or a kit containing the enzyme, a process for producing fructosyl lysine and/or fructosyl N.sup..alpha. -Z-lysine as a substrate of a fructosyl amino acid oxidase, which is useful for screening and/or culturing a microorganism capable of producing the enzyme, and a medium containing fructosyl lysine and/or fructosyl N.sup..alpha. -Z-lysine for screening and/or culturing a microorganism capable of producing a fructosyl amino acid oxidase is provided.

Abstract: A novel fructosyl amino acid oxidase derived from genus Fusarium, which is active on both of fructosyl lysine and fructosyl valine, a process for producing the enzyme, an assay of an amadori compound using the enzyme, a reagent or a kit containing the enzyme is provided.

Abstract: A joint structure for joining a branch member to a high pressure fuel rail which automatically aligns a spigot head of the branch member, if offset, upon tightening of a bolt and increases the rigidity of the spigot head to provide a sufficient degree of mechanical strength so that the spigot head can positively be "seated", and which insures connection between the branch member and the fuel rail if a fuel under substantially high pressure repeatedly flows over a prolonged period of time and if piping is subject to vibration and is free from leakage. In this joint structure, the branch member includes a spherical spigot end surface at its distal end, an annular flange axially spaced away from the spigot end surface, and a conical surface converging from the annular flange toward the spigot end surface.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions which are effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus organisms (MRSAs) contain peptides isolated from horseshoe crabs combined with one or more .beta.-lactam antibiotics and/or chloramphenicol antibiotics. The compositions exhibit synergistic bactericidal effects against MRSAs at low concentrations, and can be used as defensive agents against opportunistic infections.

Abstract: An electrolyte such as a saturated picric acid solution in a cell for measuring electrochemical polarization is placed in contact with an alloy steel such as a CrMoV steel which has been subjected to a high-temperature and stress-applied condition, and a potential is swept between the CrMoV steel and a salt bridge in the cell, whereby the Mo-rich carbide M.sub.6 C undergoes a dissolution reaction at a potential near a specified value and this reaction is visible as the secondary anode peak current, or the second appearance of peak current on the waveform of electric polarization. Since the secondary anode peak current is closely related to the amount of M.sub.6 C precipitation, the progress of degradation in the CrMoV steel can be evaluated by a simple method with good precision.

Abstract: The semiconductor memory is facilitated with control circuitry for effecting plural self-refresh modes having respectively different refresh periods. The plural self-refresh modes are typified by a PS (pseudo) refresh mode which is applied when the memory is in the nonselected state for a comparatively long period of time, such as in the state in which memory backup is being facilitated, and by a VS (virtual) refresh mode in which the refreshing operation of the memory cells is effected intermittently during the intervals of memory accessings. The pseudo refresh mode has a longer refresh time period than the virtual refresh mode. The control circuitry also has counter circuits for the generating of refresh address signals in accordance with a first timing signal indicative of a pseudo refresh mode and a second timing signal indicative of a virtual refresh mode, the latter timing signal being a higher frequency signal.

Abstract: A process for preparing a .sup.13 C-labelled compound which comprises reacting an alcohol .sup.13 C-labelled carbon source compound and a substrate in the presence of an enzyme system consisting of oxidase belonging to EC1 group and capable of converting the alcohol .sup.13 C-labelled carbon source compound to an aldehyde .sup.13 C-labelled carbon source compound, lyase belonging to EC4 group and capable of synthesizing a carbon-carbon bond and at least one of isomerases belonging to EC5 group and capable of isomerizing substrates to obtain a .sup.13 C-labelled compound specifically labelled with .sup.13 C in a specific carbon position.

Abstract: A tape cassette accommodating a tape-shaped member has an accommodation case and a cover for covering the accommodation case. On the accommodation case, an exit slit is formed, the tape-shaped member being fed out of the tape cassette through the exit slit. On the accommodation case, a protruded portion is formed at the exit slit, the protruded portion is protruded by a predetermined amount in the feeding direction of the tape-shaped member and extending along the exit slit. Further, a pair of snapping members are provided on one of the cover member and the accommodation case, while receiving member Is provided on the other for receiving the snapping members so as to fix the cover member onto the accommodation case.

Abstract: There is provided in connection with a semiconductor memory, such as of the pseudostatic RAM, a layout of the circuit components thereof including a method of testing the memory. There is provided an oscillation circuit which is capable of withstanding bumping of the power source voltage (varying) which effects stabilization regarding the operation of the circuits included therewith including a refresh timer circuit. There is also provided for testing a refresh timer circuit and a semiconductor memory which includes a refresh timer circuit. There is further provided for an output buffer which is capable of high speed operation with respect to memory data readout, a voltage generating circuit which is capable of stable operation and a fuse circuit, such as provided in connection with redundant circuitry in the memory and which is characterized as having a configuration of a fuse logic gate circuit employing complementary channel MOSFETs together with a fuse.

Abstract: A data output buffer is provided in connection with a semiconductor memory, such as a pseudostatic RAM, which is capable of high speed operation with respect to memory data readout. The buffer includes a latch circuit comprising a pair of NAND gate circuits having input and output terminals connected in cross connection, a pair of precharge MOSFETs provided respectively between the noninverted and inverted input terminals of the latch circuit, a pair of CMOS NAND gates which transfer the inverted signal of the latch circuit according to an inverted timing signal and a pair of series-connected MOSFETs effecting a pull-up/pull-down arrangement which receives the inverted signal of the output signal of the NAND gates.

Abstract: An inner-cam type distribution fuel injection pump has a lubricating system for lubricating the interior of a cam chamber defined by an inner cam and a rotor with a lubricating oil having a viscosity higher than the viscosity of fuel oil. The pump is structured to prevent the fuel oil from leaking into the lubricating oil.

Abstract: Azulene derivatives of the following formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 stands for an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 stands for an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and R.sup.3 is at the 5- or 6-position and stands for an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group of 6 to 9 carbon atoms or an aralkyl group of 7 to 10 carbon atoms; have antihyperlipidemic activity. Many of the compounds are also novel per se.

Abstract: Azulene derivatives of the following formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 stands for an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 stands for an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and R.sup.3 is at the 5- or 6- position and stands for an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group of 6 to 9 carbon atoms or an aralkyl group of 7 to 10 carbon atoms; have antihyperlipidemic activity. Many of the compounds are also novel per se.