Abstract: A novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase derived from a microorganism capable of producing a PHA having a novel side-chain structure and a DNA encoding the amino acid sequence for the synthase are provided. Two PHA synthase proteins (SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 3) derived from Pseudomonas cichorii H45 (FERM BP-7374) and PHA synthase genes encoding these PHA synthases are provided, respectively (SEQ ID NOs. 2 and 4). A recombinant microorganism is endowed with a PHA producing ability.

Abstract: A novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase derived from a microorganism capable of producing a PHA having a novel side-chain structure and a DNA encoding the amino acid sequence for the synthase are provided. Two PHA synthase proteins (SEQ ID Nos. 1 and 3) derived from Pseudomonas jessenii P161 (FERM BP-7376) and PHA synthase genes encoding these PHA synthases are provided, respectively (SEQ ID Nos. 2 and 4). A recombinant microorganism is endowed with a PHA producing ability.

Abstract: A process to remedy a polluted medium includes contacting a first medium containing a pollutant with a second medium containing a microorganism which is capable of decomposing the pollutant. A membrane permeable to the pollutant and impermeable to the microorganism is spaced between the first and second media. The first medium and the second medium may flow in opposite directions to each other.

Abstract: A method for producing a microbial polyester by culturing a microorganism being capable of producing a poly hydroxyalkanoate polyester in a culture medium containing 1-hexene as a sole carbon source.

Abstract: A microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate which comprises one or more of monomer units represented by Formula (1), 1

Abstract: A bit synchronizing circuit is arranged by a bit synchronization counter constructed of an up/down counter or an adding/subtracting counter; an edge detector for detecting an edge of an input NRZ signal to output an edge detection pulse; two sets of edge number counters for counting total numbers of edge detection pulses outputted from the edge detector during a 1 cycle of the counting operation by the bit synchronization counter; and two sets of registers for fetching the count value of the bit synchronization counter at the time instant every time the edge detector outputs the edge detection pulse, and also for storing an accumulation value of the count values fetched during the 1 cycle of the counting operation by the bit synchronization counter. Both the two edge number counters and the two registers are operated with shifts of a half cycle, respectively.

Abstract: A biologically pure culture of Pseudomonas cepacia strain KK01 (FERM BP-4235) is capable of degrading trichloroethylene. A method for obtaining microorganisms having a trichloroethylene degrading ability comprises the steps of culturing microorganisms separated from the bodies of termites in a culture medium. A method for remediating a soil contaminated with trichloroethylene comprises the steps of providing a soil contaminated with trichloroethylene and bringing microorganisms having a trichloroethylene degrading ability derived from intestine of termites into contact with the soil, and biodegrading trichloroethylene in the soil.

Abstract: A process for remedying an environment contaminated with an aliphatic organochlorine compound which includes the use of Pseudomonas cepacia strain KK01 (FERM BP-4235) or Corynebacterium species (FERM BP 5102) and Renobacter species (FERM BP-5353). The first two microorganisms are capable of introducing an oxygen atom into the aliphatic organochlorine compound in order to convert the aliphatic compound to an epoxide. During protonization the epoxide is converted into a chlorinated organic acid. Renobacter species strain FERM BP-5353 decomposes chlorinated organic acids to substances naturally existing in nature. The chlorinated and/or halogenated acids include chloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid and dichloropropionic acid, etc. The polluted environments in which the processes may be carried out include the soil, ground water and waste water.

Abstract: A bacterium strain JM1 (FERM BP-5352) capable of degrading organic compounds without inducers is disclosed. Further, methods for degrading organic compounds and remedying an environment using the bacterium strain are also disclosed. The microorganism is brought into contact with the environment under conditions which stimulates the organism to degrade the organic compounds and thus, remedying the environment of pollutants. A kit and method for selectively detecting the strain expressing oxygenase from a sample containing strain J1 FERM BP-5102 is also disclosed. The latter strain expresses oxygenase when induced, however, strain JM1 FERM BP-5352 does not require induction. In addition, a process for obtaining strain JM1 FERM BP-5352 is also disclosed.

Abstract: There are here provided a method for biodegrading trichloroethylene which comprises the step of bringing an aqueous medium containing trichloroethylene into contact with microorganisms having a trichloroethylene degrading ability derived from intestines of termites to degrade trichloroethylene; a method for obtaining the microorganisms; a method for remediating a soil by the use of the microorganisms; and a method for biodegrading an chlorinated organic compound with the microorganisms.

Abstract: A novel microbial strain JMC1 (FERM BP-5960) that it is a mutant strain derived from JM1 (FERM BP-5352) constitutively expressing oxygenase, and a method for biodegrading aromatic compounds and chlorinated organic compounds by using strain JMC1 as well as a method for environmental remediation which comprises a step of biodegrading contaminant in the environment by using strain JMC1. Aromatic compounds and/or chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds contained in the environment can be removed at a low temperature by using the novel strain JMC1 without using any inducer substances.

Abstract: Novel microorganism strains JM2N (FERM BP-5961), JM6U (FERM BP-5962) and JM7 (FERM BP-5975), mutants of strain J1 (FERM BP-5102), constitutively expressing an oxygenase, and a method for biodegradation of organic compounds and a method for environmental remediation by decomposing pollutants in the environment using these novel microorganisms. These microorganisms do not require any inducer to express their organic compound-degrading ability, and use of these microorganisms enables effective decomposition of organic compounds and environment remediation.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a microorganism in soil releases, from a constituting material thereof, an inducer for production of an enzyme of the microorganism for soil remediation. The carrier for holding a microorganism may comprise a combination of a microorganism holding carrier composed of a hydrophilic polymer for holding the microorganism with an inducer-holder composed of another polymer for holding inducer manifesting a biological action to the microorganism adjacent to each other. A method for remediation of soil comprises application of the microorganism-holding carrier into the soil. A soil-remedying agent comprises the microorganism-holding carrier and a microorganism held thereon which exhibits enzyme activity for decomposition of a polluting substance in the soil under action an inducer released by the carrier.

Abstract: An organic compound is biodegraded using JM1 (FERM BP-5352) by contacting the JM1 with an organic compound and culturing the JM1 in a medium including source of conjugated carbon which is citric acid, maleic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A multi-level signal demodulation apparatus includes an A/D converter for converting an input analog signal of which the amplitude is modulated by a multi-level to a digital signal, a memory for storing the digital signal, a threshold generator for calculating plural threshold levels in accordance with the digital signal which is stored in the memory, and a demodulator for demodulating the digital signal which is obtained by the A/D converter in accordance with the plural threshold levels to a signal according to a level of the digital signal.

Abstract: A bacterial strain J1 (FERM BP-5102) which can effectively degrade aromatic compounds and/or chlorinated organic compounds such as trichloroethylene (TCE) is disclosed. Also the degradation occurs at a lower temperature such as 15.degree.. Further, a method for purifying waste water, soil or a gas polluted with the above chemical compounds utilizing the bacterium is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for remedying polluted soil which comprises the steps of injecting a liquid agent containing a microorganism into the polluted soil, and injecting a gas into a region wherein the water content of the soil became 0.6 or more times its saturation water content after the injection of the liquid agent. Using this method bioremediation of contaminated soil can be economically and efficiently carried out.

Abstract: A process is disclosed in which a chloroorganic compound is decomposed by means of a microorganism. The relevant microorganisms are induced to do so by contact with an aromatic compound which may be extracted from a plant containing lignocellulose or may be p-coumaric acid. It is believed that these compounds stimulate the microorganism to express oxygenase, and that the presence of oxygenase in the microroganism enables it to decompose the chlororoganic compound.

Abstract: A process for biologically decomposing a halogenated organic acid using Renobacter sp. FERM BP-5353 is disclosed. The microorganism has dehalogenase activity and is capable of decomposing the halogenated organic acid. The halogenated acids include chloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid and dichloropropionic acid, etc. The polluted environments in which the processes may be carried out include the soil, ground water and waste water. Furthermore, the processes may be useful for decomposing aliphatic organochlorine compounds using various microorganisms such as those from the genera Pseudomonas and Corynebacterium.

Abstract: A biologically pure culture of Pseudomonas alcaligenes KB2 (Deposition No. FERM P-14644) which can decompose at least one of aromatic compounds and haloorganic compounds, and a process utilizing this strain to decompose these compounds, and a process for remedying environment polluted with these compounds utilizing this microorganism.