Abstract: There is provided an etching method of a semiconductor substrate that includes a first layer containing germanium (Ge) and a second layer containing at least one metal element selected from nickel platinum (NiPt), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co), the method including: bringing an etching liquid which contains a specific acid compound into contact with the second layer and selectively removing the second layer.

Abstract: There is provided an etching solution of a semiconductor substrate that includes a first layer containing germanium (Ge) and a second layer containing a specific metal element other than germanium (Ge), the etching solution selectively removing the second layer and including an organic alkali compound.

Abstract: A control box is provided for a printer to enable additional information processing, such as transmission of a job and transmission of notifications. The control box is fixed to a plate member that is sandwiched between the printer and a pedestal, so that it can be secured to the printer without drastically altering the printer itself. As another method, wheels are provided for the plate member on which is mounted the control box. The control box is normally placed beside the main body of the printer, and when it can be moved as needed, a door or a tray provided on the side of the main body can be used. An operating panel that is used to enter an instruction for the control box is fixed to one end of a flexible strut that is secured at the other end. With this arrangement, pressure applied by a user can be dispersed.

Abstract: An attribute of object information to be processed and a corresponding process are designated, and a command to be executed is set. When the process designated for the object information having the designated attribute is performed, the command that is set is executed. Further, a status that is employed as a process execution condition is designated, and a corresponding process that is to be performed while the status corresponds to that of the designated status is stored with that status. Then, when it is determined that the current status is the designated status, the corresponding process is performed, and thus, each time a specific event occurs, a corresponding process can be performed without an instruction having to be issued. Specifically, a trigger for the issuance of a notification is set, and a time period extending from the time the trigger is tripped until the notification is issued is designated.

Abstract: A remote controller for exchanging information using infrared rays requests the direct transmission of a user interface (UI) to a device to be controlled, such as a printer or a facsimile machine, or the indirect transmission through another device that is connected to the device that is to be controlled. When the UI is returned upon receipt of the request, the menu of functions that the device that is to be controlled can execute using the UI is displayed on the screen of the remote controller, and a command to select function that is selected from the menu is transmitted to the device that is to be controlled.

Abstract: When a suspension instruction from a user is detected during the performance of a process, such as examining mail, a task for resuming a process that is currently being performed is added to a To Do List in which processes to be performed are registered, so that the process that is currently being performed and that is suspended can be performed later.

Abstract: A control box is provided for a printer to enable additional information processing, such as transmission of a job and transmission of notifications. The control box is fixed to a plate member that is sandwiched between the printer and a pedestal, so that it can be secured to the printer without drastically altering the printer itself. As another method, wheels are provided for the plate member on which is mounted the control box. The control box is normally placed beside the main body of the printer, and when it can be moved as needed, a door or a tray provided on the side of the main body can be used. An operating panel that is used to enter an instruction for the control box is fixed to one end of a flexible strut that is secured at the other end. With this arrangement, pressure applied by a user can be dispersed.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to isolate a gene coding for the enzyme synthesizing the coenzyme Q10 side chain from a fungal strain of the genus Saitoella and exploit it to advantage for the efficient microbial production of coenzyme Q10. The present invention provides; a DNA having the nucleotide sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:1 a DNA having a nucleotide sequence derived from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 by the deletion, addition, insertion and/or substitution of one or a plurality of nucleotides and coding for a protein having decaprenyl diphosphate synthase activity a DNA which hybridizes with the DNA having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 under a stringent condition and codes for a protein having decaprenyl diphosphate synthase activity.

Abstract: An attribute of object information to be processed and a corresponding process are designated, and a command to be executed is set. When the process designated for the object information having the designated attribute is performed, the command that is set is executed. Further, a status that is employed as a process execution condition is designated, and a corresponding process that is to be performed while the status corresponds to that of the designated status is stored with that status. Then, when it is determined that the current status is the designated status, the corresponding process is performed, and thus, each time a specific event occurs, a corresponding process can be performed without an instruction having to be issued. Specifically, a trigger for the issuance of a notification is set, and a time period extending from the time the trigger is tripped until the notification is issued is designated.

Abstract: The name of a job and a corresponding type of process (transmission, printing, etc). are displayed on a job list. When a local apparatus is selected as an apparatus having a job to be processed, the list of the jobs stored in that apparatus is displayed. When another apparatus is selected, a job list is read from the apparatus and displayed. Then, a job is selected from the list and a type of process to be performed is instructed. When the instructed process type matches the process type that is stored with the selected job, a setup change menu is displayed. When the process types do not match, a new setup menu is displayed so that the job can be easily changed or set. When a job for a user is present immediately after the log-in process, the job list is displayed. When a job for a user is not present, the main menu is displayed. In addition, when there is mail that has not yet been read and there is only one relevant mail message, the contents of the mail message are displayed.

Abstract: A client generates a request in accordance with an operation initiated by a user, and transmits the request to a server for a local apparatus or to another apparatus. The server interprets the received request, adds a job to a database, and generates and transmits operation screen information to the client. Then, a daemon monitors the database, and detects and performs an executable job. Furthermore, when the local apparatus is designated to display a job list, to select a job therefrom and to print it, the local apparatus processes the job. When another apparatus is designated to process a job, the job is transmitted to that apparatus. When the transmission source of the received job matches a transmission source that has been registered, the execution process is inhibited. The time for executing a selected job is designated and, so that the selected job will be executed at that time, is stored with the job.

Abstract: When a suspension instruction from a user is detected during the performance of a process, such as examining mail, a task for resuming a process that is currently being performed is added to a To Do List in which processes to be performed are registered, so that the process that is currently being performed and that is suspended can be performed later.

Abstract: In an information processing system wherein a printer and a personal computer are connected together, when the printer receives a print job from a scanner, as there are a plurality of processes corresponding to the received printed job, the printer distinguishes between a print process to be performed by the printer and a print notification process to be performed for a user by the personal computer. When the printer initiates printing, it instructs the personal computer to perform the print notification process. Upon receipt of the instruction, the personal computer calls a user to notify the user that printing has been initiated.

Abstract: A gene of decaprenyl diphosphate synthase, which is the key gene participating in the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10 was isolated from a bacterium belonging to the family Rhizobiaceae. By transferring this gene into a microorganism such as Escherichia coli and expressing therein, coenzyme Q10 can be effectively produced.

Abstract: A client generates a request in accordance with an operation initiated by a user, and transmits the request to a server for a local apparatus or to another apparatus. The server interprets the received request, adds a job to a database, and generates and transmits operation screen information to the client. Then, a daemon monitors the database, and detects and performs an executable job. Furthermore, when the local apparatus is designated to display a job list, to select a job therefrom and to print it, the local apparatus processes the job. When another apparatus is designated to process a job, the job is transmitted to that apparatus. When the transmission source of the received job matches a transmission source that has been registered, the execution process is inhibited. The time for executing a selected job is designated and, so that the selected job will be executed at that time, is stored with the job.

Abstract: A printer that is instructed to perform a printing job analyzes the job and determines a process to be executed, and identifies the performances of the printer and other printers and their states. Based on the results of the analysis and on the states of the printers, the printer decides whether it should not perform a process or whether the process should be performed by another printer. It also decides whether a process is unnecessary or is not permitted for a user, and halts the performance of such a process. When it determines that a process should be performed by another printer, it transfers the job to that printer.

Abstract: A DNA fragment coding for a decarbamylase protein improved in thermostability as the result of replacement of at least one base of a DNA fragment coding for a decarbamylase protein derived from a microorganism with another base and the resultant replacement of at least one of the corresponding amino acids, and its production process; a vector containing the DNA fragment; a transformant obtained by transformation with the vector; as well as a decarbamylase improved in thermostability and its production process. Also disclosed is a process for producing a D-.alpha.-amino acid, which comprises converting an N-carbamoyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid into the corresponding D-.alpha.-amino acid in an aqueous medium by the action of a decarbamylase having a thermostable temperature of 65.degree. C. or higher; and collecting the D-.alpha.-amino acid produced.

Abstract: A process for the efficient production of a D-amino acid from the corresponding DL-5-substituted hydantoin by one-step reaction which comprises using a composite immobilized enzyme at a pH about neutrality, said composite immobilized enzyme being obtained by immobilizing a hydantoinase having its optimal pH within an alkaline range and a D-N-carbamyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase having its optimal pH about neutrality in a coexisting state on an immobilizing support, simultaneously, is disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a D-.alpha.-amino acid, in which an N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid corresponding to the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents phenyl, hydroxy-substituted phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or thienyl, is converted by a microbial enzyme in an aqueous medium to a D-.alpha.-amino acid corresponding to the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R is the same as defined above, decarbamylase produced by a microorganism of the genus Comamonas, Blastobacter, Alcaligenes, Sporosarcina, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium or Arthrobacter is used as the enzyme converting the N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid to the D-.alpha.-amino acid.The conversion of the N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acids to the D-.alpha.-amino acids is carried out in a neutral to alkaline pH range.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a D-.alpha.-amino acid, in which an N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid corresponding to the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents phenyl, hydroxy-substituted phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or thienyl, is converted by a microbial enzyme in an aqueous medium to a D-.alpha.-amino acid corresponding to the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R is the same as defined above, decarbamylase produced by a microorganism of the genus Comamonas, Blastobacter, Alcaligenes, Sporosarcina, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium or Arthrobacter is used as the enzyme converting the N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid to the D-.alpha.-amino acid.The conversion of the N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acids to the D-.alpha.-amino acids is carried out in a neutral to alkaline pH range.