Abstract: According to the present invention, a transdermal absorbent for reducing a subcutaneous fat is provided, which comprises phytostenone. Accordingly, a method for further reducing a subcutaneous fat can be provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process according to which 5-ene-3-one or 3,6-dione derivatives of sterols can be synthesized with a better yield, as well as a process for production of lipid metabolism improvers, foods, drinks, and animal feeds containing the 5-ene-3-one or 3,6-dione derivatives of sterols. The process for production of 5-ene-3-one or 3,6-dione derivatives of sterols of the present invention involves preparing a culturing solution containing an Arthrobacter bacterium, which is a microorganism exhibiting a cholesterol oxidase activity, and then, adding to the culturing solution an equivalent amount of hexane so as to prepare a bilayer solution consisting of an aqueous layer and a hydrocarbon-based solvent layer. Thereafter, sterol, or a derivative thereof, is made as a substrate contained therein, a reaction performed with cholesterol oxidase at 30° C. for 2 days, and, ethanol then added to separate a hydrocarbon-based solvent layer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process according to which 5-ene-3-one or 3,6-dione derivatives of sterols can be synthesized with a better yield, as well as a process for production of lipid metabolism improvers, foods, drinks, and animal feeds containing the 5-ene-3-one or 3,6-dione derivatives of sterols. The process for production of 5-ene-3-one or 3,6-dione derivatives of sterols of the present invention involves preparing a culturing solution containing an Arthrobacter bacterium, which is a microorganism exhibiting a cholesterol oxidase activity, and then, adding to the culturing solution an equivalent amount of hexane so as to prepare a bilayer solution consisting of an aqueous layer and a hydrocarbon-based solvent layer. Thereafter, sterol, or a derivative thereof, is made as a substrate contained therein, a reaction performed with cholesterol oxidase at 30° C. for 2 days, and, ethanol then added to separate a hydrocarbon-based solvent layer.

Abstract: Provided are a novel DNA which encodes a selection marker appropriate for the transformation system of filamentous fungi of the genus Monascus and for expression of a recombinant DNA, and a novel DNA which functions as a promoter and a terminator. There is also provided a novel transformation system of filamentous fungi of the genus Monascus, in which filamentous fungi of the genus Monascus is transformed with a vector comprising the DNA encoding the above selection marker and the DNA encoding a desired protein in addition to promoter and terminator sequences to obtain a transformant; culturing the transformant; and isolating at high levels the expression product of the recombinant DNA.

Abstract: Control is exercised such that an arc discharge from a GMA electrode is performed after or simultaneously with start of oscillation of laser light from a laser oscillator, and oscillation of the laser light from the laser oscillator is stopped after or simultaneously with termination of the arc discharge from the GMA electrode. A coaxial laser beam machining head is configured such that the GMA electrode is disposed in a space portion between a first divisional laser beam and a second divisional laser beam, which have been formed by division by first and second reflecting mirrors, coaxially with the laser beams. Alternatively, the coaxial laser beam machining head is configured such that the GMA electrode is disposed in a space portion, which has been formed in a body of laser light by withdrawing part of the laser light outwardly with the use of first and second reflecting mirrors, coaxially with the body of the laser light.

Abstract: In a welding system for performing butt welding which comprises butting the end surfaces of steel plates, materials to be welded, placed on the upper surface of a table of a welding stage and welding the end surfaces together, a welding head is a laser/arc combined welding head for simultaneously performing laser light irradiation and arc discharge of the materials 38 to be welded, thereby welding the materials to be welded, and the position of an arc electrode 40 in an up-and-down direction relative to the materials 38 to be welded, the position of the arc electrode in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis of laser light 32 applied to the materials 38 to be welded, and the inclination angle of the arc electrode relative to the optical axis of the laser light 32 can be adjusted.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inexpensive phytase with a low Km value for phytic acid, DNA coding for the phytase, recombinant DNA having the DNA introduced thereinto, a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA, a process for preparing a phytase by use of the transformant, and an animal feed comprising the phytase.

Abstract: A system includes an operation input section which transmits operation request information of a service requested to a robot via the Internet, and a remote control section which receives the operation request information transmitted from the operation input section via the Internet, returns operation information for operating the robot to the user system via the Internet on the basis of the received operation request information, and remotely controls the robot on the basis of the operation information.

Abstract: In a welding system for performing butt welding which comprises butting the end surfaces of steel plates, materials to be welded, placed on the upper surface of a table of a welding stage and welding the end surfaces together,

Abstract: Control is exercised such that an arc discharge from a GMA electrode is performed after or simultaneously with start of oscillation of laser light from a laser oscillator, and oscillation of the laser light from the laser oscillator is stopped after or simultaneously with termination of the arc discharge from the GMA electrode. A coaxial laser beam machining head is configured such that the GMA electrode is disposed in a space portion between a first divisional laser beam and a second divisional laser beam, which have been formed by division by first and second reflecting mirrors, coaxially with the laser beams. Alternatively, the coaxial laser beam machining head is configured such that the GMA electrode is disposed in a space portion, which has been formed in a body of laser light by withdrawing part of the laser light outwardly with the use of first and second reflecting mirrors, coaxially with the body of the laser light.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inexpensive phytase with a low Km value for phytic acid, DNA coding for the phytase, recombinant DNA having the DNA introduced thereinto, a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA, a process for preparing a phytase by use of the transformant, and an animal feed comprising the phytase.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated phytase derived from a microorganism. The microorganism is preferably from the genus Monascus. The phytase has a Michaelis constant of 10 to 110 &mgr;M when phytic acid is used as a substrate. A process for producing the phytase is also provided as is an animal feed comprising the phytase. The phytase is preferably isolated from Monascus anka IFO 30873. The phytase has a Km of 107 &mgr;m when phytic acid is used as a substrate, the optimum pH is 2.5, the optimum temperature is 45° C., the molecular weight of the phytase is 140 kDa when measured by gel filtration, and the isolectric point is 5.2 using chromatofocusing.

Abstract: The present invention provides phytases having low Km values for phytic acid, a process for producing the phytases by using a microorganism having the ability to produce and accumulate the phytases and feed containing the phytases.

Abstract: A laser beam machining head includes a dividing optical system for dividing laser light into two separate laser beams, and providing spacing therebetween; a condensing optical system for condensing the separate laser beams into condensed laser light, and projecting it onto a cutting site of an object to be cut; and an inner assist gas nozzle placed between the separate laser beams, a width of an opening of a tip portion of the inner assist gas nozzle being nearly equal to a cutting width. Or the tip opening of the inner assist gas nozzle is slender; or its tip side is inclined, and the angle of inclination is variable; or the relative positions of the inner assist gas nozzle and a workpiece, or the relative positions of the focal position of the condensing optical system and the workpiece are variable independently; or an outer assist gas nozzle surrounding the separate laser beams is provided.

Abstract: The phytase is preferably isolated from Monascus anka IFO 30873. The phytase has a Km of 20 &mgr;m when phytic acid is used as a substrate, the optimum pH is 6.0, the optimum temperature is 50° C., the molecular weight of the phytase is 120 kDa when measured by gel filtration, and the isolectric point is 4.8 using chromatofocusing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inexpensive phytase with a low Km value for phytic acid, DNA coding for the phytase, recombinant DNA having the DNA introduced thereinto, a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA, a process for preparing a phytase by use of the transformant, and an animal feed comprising the phytase.

Abstract: In a laser beam machine head, when a filler wire and an optical axis of a laser beam are arranged coaxially, a convex roof mirror and a concave roof mirror are combined to divide the laser beam into two separate laser beams to that no laser beam is projected onto a filler wire feed pipe. Furthermore, the filler wire is fed from outside the laser beams to a condensing position via a filler wire guide in the spacing between the separate laser beams, or an electrode supported by a water flow pipe or an electrode holding pipe is brought close to the condensing position.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated phytase derived from a microorganism. The microorganism is preferably from the genus Monascus. The phytase has a Michaelis constant of 10 to 110 &mgr;M when phytic acid is used as a substrate. A process for producing the phytase also is provided, as is an animal feed comprising the phytase.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inexpensive phytase with a low Km value for phytic acid, DNA coding for the phytase, recombinant DNA having the DNA introduced thereinto, a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA, a process for preparing a phytase by use of the transformant, and an animal feed comprising the phytase.

Abstract: A small-sized ultrasonic motor can produce a high torque and a stable turning force. The ultrasonic motor has: a cylindrical casing, a hollow output shaft extending coaxially through the cylindrical casing supported rotatably by the casing a ring-like stator fixedly mounted on the inner surface of the cylindrical casing having piezoelectric elements fixed on the back surface thereof, a ring-like rotor mounted on the hollow output shaft and facing the front surface of the stator, and springs for pushing the rotor toward the stator. Also disclosed is a laser beam welding apparatus for welding the inner circumferential surface of a tube by using the ultrasonic motor.