Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: An optical waveguide structure has excellent heat resistance and a low water absorbing property and can be manufactured with a low material cost. Such an optical waveguide structure includes: an optical waveguide having two surfaces, a core layer including core portions and cladding portions each having a refractive index lower than that of each of the core portions, the core layer having two surfaces, and cladding layers provided so as to make contact with the two surfaces of the core layer and having a refractive index lower than that of each of the core portions; and conductor layers provided on the two surfaces of the optical waveguide. In the optical waveguide structure, each of the cladding layers is formed of a norbornene-based polymer as a major component thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide waveguide structures and methods of forming such structures where core and laterally adjacent cladding regions are defined. Some embodiments of the present invention provide waveguide structures where core regions are collectively surrounded by laterally adjacent cladding regions and cladding layers and methods of forming such structures.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide waveguide structures and methods of forming such structures where core and laterally adjacent cladding regions are defined. Some embodiments of the present invention provide waveguide structures where core regions are collectively surrounded by laterally adjacent cladding regions and cladding layers and methods of forming such structures.

Abstract: N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine can be produced by cultivating a fungus capable of producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, such as Trichoderma hamatum AB10282 strain (FERM BP-10623) or Trichoderma harzianum AB10283 strain (FERM BP-10624), in a culture medium supplemented with a carbon source other than chitin and chitin oligosaccharide and a nitrogen source to produce and accumulate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the culture medium and then collecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from the culture medium.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an original-form stage for holding an original form, a projection optical system for introducing light from the original form into an object to be exposed, and a detection optical system for detecting positions at plural points on the original form, in an optical-axis direction of the projection optical system, wherein a space for enclosing the original-form stage is different from a space for enclosing at least part of the detection optical system.

Abstract: A substrate on which an optical element is mounted is provided, including: an optical element; an optical circuit substrate which is formed by an optical waveguide layer having a core portion and cladding portions; and an electrical circuit substrate on which is provided a mounting portion that is used for mounting the optical element, wherein the optical element is mounted on the electrical circuit substrate via the optical circuit substrate and wherein the optical circuit substrate has an optical element mounted thereon and is provided with a receptor structure having a conductive portion that conducts electricity between an electrode of the optical element and an electrode of the electrical circuit substrate.

Abstract: The method of producing a metal film in accordance with the present invention includes: the organic film forming step of applying, onto a substrate or a film, an underlayer composition containing an addition polymerizable compound having three or more reactive groups, an addition polymerizable compound having acid groups, and an addition polymerizable compound having hydrophilic functional groups and polymerizing the composition, to form an organic film; the metal salt producing step of processing the organic film with an aqueous solution containing metal (M1) ions, to convert the acid groups to a metal (M1) salt; the metal fixing step of processing the organic film processed with the aqueous solution containing metal (M1) ions with an aqueous metal (M2) ion solution containing metal (M2) ions having lower ionicity than the metal (M1) ions, to convert the metal (M1) salt of the acid groups to a metal (M2) salt; and the reduction step of reducing the metal (M2) ions, to form a metal film on a surface of the or

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a means to effectively enhance the production of cytokines and/or chemokines in mammals. The object is solved by providing an agent for enhancing the production of cytokines and/or chemokines, which comprises, as an effective ingredient, a polypeptide having any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 3; a polypeptide having any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 3, where one or more amino acids thereof are deleted or replaced with other amino acid(s) and/or one or more amino acids are added thereunto, without substantially losing the biological activity of the polypeptide.

Abstract: An exhaust system for discharging exhaust gases through an exhaust passageway, emitted from a multi-cylinder combustion engine mounted on a motor vehicle includes a partition plate formed therein for dividing the exhaust passageway into a plurality of juxtaposed exhaust passages and having a communicating hole defined therein, and an exhaust gas sensor positioned at a location in proximity of the communicating hole for detecting a composition of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an original-form stage for holding an original form, a projection optical system for introducing light from the original form into an object to be exposed, and a detection optical system for detecting positions at plural points on the original form, in an optical-axis direction of the projection optical system, wherein a space for enclosing the original-form stage is different from a space for enclosing at least part of the detection optical system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological tissue examination agent comprising hemoglobin labeled with 15O2 and a method for producing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a biological tissue examination agent for diagnosing a cause or condition of a disease by detecting oxygen metabolism in a biological tissue using hemoglobin labeled with 15O2, and a method for producing the same. The present invention also relates to a method for detecting oxygen metabolism in a biological tissue.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an image sensor, a measurement optical system configured to guide measurement light to obliquely enter the projection optical system, and further guide the measurement light returned from the projection optical system to the image sensor, and a control unit configured to calculate surface position information of the substrate based on the output from the image sensor. The control unit calculates the surface position information of the substrate based on an interval between the image, of a mark arranged on the original stage, formed by the measurement light which has passed through the mark and the image of the mark formed by the measurement light reflected by the mark.

Abstract: There is provided an interchangeable lens type camera which is so safe as to prevent spread of fire when dust strays into the interior of the camera to cause heating and/or electrical leakage of the electric circuitry and invite ignition. The camera includes a case having a mount section for mounting a detachable lens; electric circuitry provided within the case; and a member covering at least a portion of the electric circuitry to prevent the electric circuitry from being exposed to the exterior when the lens is detached from the mount section.

Abstract: An intake system for a combustion engine includes an intake passage (12), a suction duct (22) protruding into the intake passage (12) to communicate therewith and having front and rear wall areas (22a and 22b), and a fuel injector (21) positioned upstream of the intake duct (22) for injecting fuel (F) into the suction duct (22). The rear wall area (22b) has a height greater than that of the front wall area (22a).

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide waveguide structures and methods of forming such structures where core and laterally adjacent cladding regions are defined. Some embodiments of the present invention provide waveguide structures where core regions are collectively surrounded by laterally adjacent cladding regions and cladding layers and methods of forming such structures.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a means to effectively enhance the production of cytokines and/or chemokines in mammals. The object is solved by providing an agent for enhancing the production of cytokines and/or chemokines, which comprises, as an effective ingredient, a polypeptide having any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 3; a polypeptide having any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 3, where one or more amino acids thereof are deleted or replaced with other amino acid(s) and/or one or more amino acids are added thereunto, without substantially losing the biological activity of the polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided are novel processes for the efficient production of L-epi-2-inosose and epi-inositol which are useful either as various medicines or intermediates for the syntheses of various medicines. In the processes, inexpensive myo-inositol is used as a starting compound which is reacted with a gram-negative bacterium capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose, and thereby producing L-epi-2-inosose by conversion of myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose. A biologically pure culture of Pseudomonas sp. AB 10215 strain is also provided which has a characteristic nature of being capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose.

Abstract: A throttle body configured to supply air to an air-intake port of an engine is disclosed. The throttle body typically includes an air-intake passage through which air flows. The air-intake passage at least partially has a non-perfect circle portion with a cross-section of a non-perfect circle shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of an air flow of air taken in from outside. The non-perfect circle shape typically has long and short axes. At least one of a first throttle valve and a second throttle valve typically is mounted within the non-perfect circle portion of the air-intake passage. The first throttle valve and second throttle valve may include throttle valve members each having a shape conforming to the non-perfect circle shape of the cross-section of the non-perfect circle portion of the air-intake passage. Typically, the first throttle valve and the second throttle valve are each configured to control an amount of the air flow.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.