Abstract: An evolutionary and reusable device for delimiting and organising spaces and volumes, adaptable to the dimensions of an existing architectural space, is capable of being modified without accessories, easily and rapidly decorated by the user by means of decorative objects and expandable connected space elements of fixed and variable dimensions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a facing-targets-type sputtering apparatus and method capable of forming a metal film under the conditions of low gas pressure and low discharge voltage. An opening is formed in each of two facing side faces of a vacuum chamber vessel or in each of two facing side faces of a box-type discharge unit attached to an opening portion of a vacuum chamber vessel. The two openings are covered by a pair of cooling blocks. Each cooling block holds a target facing a discharge space. Magnetic field generation means is disposed so as to surround each target and operative to generate a magnetic field that surrounds a discharge space provided between the paired targets. Electron reflection means is disposed above the exposed surface of each target along the periphery of the target. A DC power and a high-frequency power are applied between the vacuum chamber vessel and the targets.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for production of surimi with stable quality from fish infected with the parasite Ichthyophonus hoferi, and a process for production of surimi based products of good quality using the surimi as the raw material. In the process for production of surimi from parasite-infected fish, an additive for inhibiting protease activity and recovering gel-forming capability, and calcium are added in the process of production of surimi from fish infected with Ichthyophonus hoferi, preferably from Alaska pollock. A protease inhibitor, preferably a thiol protease inhibitor, is used as the additive.

Abstract: In order to improve the reliability of engine starting by using a motor, the engine cranking using the motor is started according to a request for starting the engine, and when the elapsed time from the starting time of the engine operation reaches a first predetermined time and it is detected that the transmission is in the in-gear state, the engine cranking is continued if the engine speed is equal to or less than a predetermined engine speed defined for determining whether the engine reaches a predetermined starting phase. The engine cranking may be continued for a second predetermined time which is longer than the first predetermined time.

Abstract: When one clock signal (CLK) is output, the following operations are performed: an input data signal D is latched by a data latch; a detection-type signal K is latched by a signal latch; the input data signal D is input to a 1 detecting circuit and a 0 detecting circuit, which are connected in parallel, while the data latch holds the input data signal D; for example, a 1 detection process for detecting that bit data changes from 0 to 1 or a 0 detection process for detecting that bit data changes from 1 to 0 is performed; and either a 1 detection or a 0 detection output operation, which is selected by a selector circuit 27, is performed. As a result, a bit search process is quickly performed.

Abstract: A valve-operating mechanism includes cam followers carried on an engine body 1 with their tip ends being in sliding contact with the cam, rocker arms integrally connected to the cam followers and carried on the engine body coaxially with said cam followers with their tip ends being connected to valves, and valve springs for biasing the valves in closing directions. In the valve-operating mechanism, auxiliary springs are connected to the cam followers for biasing and turning the cam followers in the same directions as directions in which the valve springs bias and turn the rocker arms through the valves. Thus, a couple of forces generated over the axis of the cam follower and the rocker arm due to biasing force of the valve spring can be offset in a valve-closing process.

Abstract: There is provided an ink jet head to transmit a shock wave propagated by an oscillator plate to the ink discharge orifice without significant power-loss for ink ejection. An ink jet head has a body (10) having an oscillator plate with an outer surface (11) and an inner surface (12), the inner surface being parallel to the outer surface. The ink jet head also has an ink pressuring chamber formed in the body between the inner surface and an opposed lower wall (13), the lower wall being angled relative to the inner surface. The ink jet head also has an ink feed chamber formed in the body. The ink jet head also has an ink feed passage formed in the body communicating between the ink feed chamber and the ink pressuring chamber, the ink feed passage having an ink feed orifice opening into the ink pressuring chambers.

Abstract: Predetermined frequency components contained in a luminance signal are extracted by BPF (12a)-(12n), and amplified by limited amplifiers (16a)-(16n). As a result, an addition signal, including a luminance signal component amplified and suppressed and a noise component amplified, is obtained from an adder (20a). The luminance signal is also supplied through an HPF (14) and adjusted in level by an amplifier (18). Therefore, a noise component is obtained from a subtracter (20b) by subtracting an amplified signal from the addition signal by a subtracter (20b). A subtracter (20c) subtracts this noise component from the luminance signal supplied from a delay circuit (22a), thereby outputting a luminance signal reduced of noise through an output terminal (S2). Because the luminance signal is separated into a plurality of bands by the plurality of BPFs, there is no possibility of saturating in noise component by the limiters, thus fully removing noise.

Abstract: The semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises: a semiconductor substrate 10 of a first conductivity type; a well 28 of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type formed in a region 18 surrounding a region 20 of the semiconductor substrate 10; a diffused layer 42 of the second conductivity type formed, buried in the semiconductor substrate 10 in the region 20 and connected to the well 28 on a side thereof; and a well 44 of the first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate 10 in the region 20 on the side of a surface thereof and electrically isolated from a rest region of the semiconductor substrate 10 by the well 28 and the diffused layer 42.

Abstract: A dielectric element employing an oxide-based dielectric film capable of suppressing oxidation of an electrode or deterioration of film characteristics of the oxide-based dielectric film is obtained. This dielectric element comprises an insulator film including the oxide-based dielectric film and the electrode including a first conductor film containing at least a metal and silicon. The aforementioned metal includes at least one metal selected from a group consisting of Ir, Pt, Ru, Re, Ni, Co and Mo. Thus, the aforementioned first conductor film serves as a barrier film for stopping diffusion of oxygen. In heat treatment for sintering the oxide-based dielectric film, therefore, oxygen is effectively inhibited from diffusing along grain boundaries of the electrode. Consequently, a conductive material located under the electrode can be inhibited from oxidation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer capable of forming an ultra-fine pattern with excellent rectangular shape in a silylated surface resolution process using a chemically amplified type resist composition as single layer or the most upper layer among multiple layers and to a resist composition using the polymer. The said polymer and resist composition are useful in a silylated surface resolution process, and by conducting the silylated surface resolution process using the said resist composition, contrast of silylation becomes higher and it becomes possible to obtain ultra-fine pattern regardless of the kind of exposure energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling power supply for use in a vehicle causes a lamp load to blink by power supply from an in-vehicle battery or generator. The power to be supplied to the lamp load is stepwise decrease whenever a blinking time of the lamp load passes prescribed times. In this configuration a lamp load can blink for a longer time without saving power excessively.

Abstract: An improved contactless integrated circuit (IC) card having one or more laminate members, a wire-wound coil provided on the laminate member for receiving power and for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external device, and an IC module for inputting and outputting the signals, the wire-wound coil being coupled to the IC module, wherein the improvement comprises an end portion of the wire-wound coil being formed into a buffer portion near the point at which the wire-wound coil is coupled to the IC module so as to absorb tension generated in the wire-wound coil.

Abstract: A semiconductor amplifier circuit comprises a transimpedance amplifier for amplifying an input signal; a by-pass transistor connected between an input terminal of the transimpedance amplifier and the ground potential; a first resistor, one end of the first resistor being connected to an output terminal of the transimpedance amplifier; a capacitor connected between the other end of the first resistor and the ground potential; a second resistor connected between the other end of the first resistor and the gate of the by-pass transistor via an inverter; and a differential amplifier having a signal input terminal connected to the output terminal of the transimpedance amplifier and a reference-voltage input terminal connected to the other end of the first resistor.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a balloon catheter in which the inner tube is prevented from slackening after balloon inflation, improving the rewrapping of the balloon, discontinuity in the rigidity of the joined portions of the outer tube and the balloon is lessened, which prevents breakage, and the catheter advances through blood vessels better and passes more easily through narrow segments, preventing the catheter from “accordioning” and enhancing insertion force transmission. The balloon catheter pertaining to the present invention has a catheter shaft (1) with a double-tube structure comprising an outer tube (4) and an inner tube (5), and a balloon (3) disposed at the distal end portion of this catheter shaft (1).

Abstract: Aluminum alloy, which consists of from 2 to 20% by weight of Sn, from 3% by weight or less of Cu, and from 0.3 to 5% by volume of TiC particles, the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities, exhibits improved fatigue resistance at a high temperature region, while maintaining compatibility at low temperature notwithstanding improved fatigue resistance.

Abstract: A control system provided in a hybrid vehicle with a combustion engine for outputting a driving force, an electric motor for generating a force for assisting the output from the engine, depending on driving conditions, a power storage unit for storing electric energy generated by the motor acting as a generator using the output from the engine and electric energy regenerated by the motor when the vehicle decelerates. The control system includes an output assist determination means for determining, based on a determination threshold value as the standard, whether to assist the output from the engine by the motor, depending on the driving conditions of the vehicle. An air-fuel controller is provided for changing the air-fuel ratio of the mixture, which is to be supplied to the engine, to a condition leaner or richer than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A linear motor system for a driving apparatus comprises a first linear motor having a primary side to which either one of first and second movable elements which are relatively movable with respect to each other, and a secondary linear motor having a secondary side mounted to this one of first and second movable elements so as to extend in the relatively movable direction to be continuous to the primary side of the first linear motor. The second linear motor has a primary side mounted to another one of the first and second movable elements, and the first linear motor also has a secondary side mounted to the another one of the first and second movable elements so as to extend in the relatively movable direction to be continuous to the primary side of the second linear motor.