Abstract: A data retrieval method and apparatus in a distributed database system. Data is retrieved from a distributed database quickly with a minimum load on each terminal. A contents file is provided in each terminal, and a link file is provided in a center system to coordinate access to the distributed data in each terminal.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that converts a vertical file (28) of time series data records from multiple terminals (10-14) and stored by time into a horizontal file (52) where records are organized by terminal (10-14). The user can then access the desired terminal information rapidly in the horizontal file (52) rather than having to perform an inefficient sequential search of the vertical file (28). After the terminal data is horizontally stored, the data is used to create display or print-out windows of the terminal data for many locations. Each window includes the data from a single terminal (10-14). For example, each window could include a graph of rain data for a location. The system also creates a cross reference table (76) of the addresses of the data used to create each window.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing trans-L-hydroxyproline, which comprises culturing a microorganism which is capable of decomposing amino acids other than trans-L-hydroxyproline but which is substantially incapable of decomposing trans-L-hydroxyproline in a culture medium containing collagen hydrolyzate, and recovering trans-L-hydroxyproline from the resulting culture.The process enhances the content of trans-L-hydroxyproline based on the total weight of amino acids contained in collagen hydrolyzate, and enables efficient production of trans-L-hydroxyproline which is useful as a starting material for the synthesis of medicines.