Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting growth and reproduction of microorganisms in rapidly biodegradable hydrocarbonaceous products, containing minor amounts of aqueous liquids. The present invention also relates to rapidly biodegradable hydrocarbonaceous products containing an effective amount of a petroleum-derived hydrocarbonaceous product such that the rapidly biodegradable hydrocarbonaceous product resists visible growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: The internal resistance related value which is related to the internal resistance of a secondary battery is compared with a previously obtained relation between the internal resistance related value and battery condition to judge the battery condition of the secondary battery. Since the internal resistance related value is a value related to the internal resistance which closely depends on the battery condition, the battery condition can be judged in detail based on the above relation. And the internal resistance related value can be obtained more speedily with a predetermined method. On the other hand, when the level of the degradation of a negative electrode is low, an electrolyte is supplemented, and when the level of the degradation of the negative electrode is high, a reducing agent is added to the electrolyte to regenerate the secondary battery. With this regenerating method, the performance of the negative electrode can be recovered without degrading a positive electrode.

Abstract: Novel pharmaceutically/cosmetically-active bicyclic aromatic compounds having the structural formula (I): in which Ar1 is a radical having one of the structural formulae (a)-(c): and Ar2, X1, R1, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A system-in-package (SiP) type semiconductor device has a test function capable of conducting a test singly on a memory chip directly from outside. When a mode signal included in a test signal input from an external connection terminal indicates a “normal operation mode”, a test circuit provided on a logic chip allows a logic circuit to use an access path (wiring) to a memory circuit. On the other hand, when the mode signal indicates a “test mode”, the test circuit uses the access path to access the memory circuit and conducts a test, an accelerated life test, or a multi-bit test, based on the content of the test signal input from the external connection terminal. The test circuit also conducts a built-in self-test.

Abstract: In a fiberoptical network, for example in a LAN, spread spectrum modulation is used, for example, CDMA, by providing an electrical digital data signal to a spreading device including a multiplier also receiving the spreading code. Then a modulation is made of the spread signal at radio frequencies, the signal being multiplied by a subcarrier wave generated in a oscillator, whereby the data signal is carried on an RF subcarrier. A control channel signal from a control unit is added to the modulated signal, so that the control signal will be located in the baseband. The added signal is converted to an optical signal transmitted on an output fiber. The control channel signal can be TDMA-modulated using collision detection. Making spectrum spreading in the electrical domain allows the use of standard components developed for example for mobile telephone systems. No wavelength control and no optical filters are necessary, which allows a low cost system to be constructed.

Abstract: An inspection system for air cargoes, in which an accelerator, a collimator, and a vertical detector arm are all mounted on the floor; detectors are provided within both the horizontal detector arm and the vertical arm; the accelerator, the collimator, the horizontal detector arm and the vertical detector arm are provided in a same plane; the horizontal detector arm is supported by the upper end of the collimator, the vertical detector arm and the horizontal detector arm are connected to each other and provided in the side opposite to the accelerator; a stable portal-shaped frame is formed by means of the collimator, the horizontal detector arm and the vertical detector arm; the conveying device is located under the horizontal detector arm, being perpendicular to the portal-shaped frame, the collimator is provided between the conveying device and the frame.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the gap between an upper nozzle of a wire electric discharge machine includes placing a spacer member of a known thickness between a forward end of the upper nozzle and a workpiece. The forward end of the upper nozzle is brought into contact with the spacer member, so that the forward end of the upper nozzle is prevented from coming into direct contact with the workpiece. A Z-axis position of the upper nozzle is controlled on the basis of the thickness of the spacer member and the desired nozzle gap to set the gap between the forward end of the upper nozzle and the workpiece to a predetermined value. In controlling the Z-axis position of the upper nozzle, correction is made to compensate for a deformation of the upper guide, the spacer member, the workpiece, and the upper nozzle, and/or for a displacement of the upper guide resulting from a pressure of a working fluid.

Abstract: A variable valve timing control device includes a rotation member for opening or closing a valve, a rotation transmission member engaged with the rotation member to be relatively rotatable, a vane provided on either one of the rotation member or the rotation transmission member, a hydraulic chamber formed between the rotation member and the rotation transmission member and including an advance angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber, the advance angle chamber and the retarded angle chamber being formed by dividing the hydraulic chamber by the vane, a first hydraulic passage for supplying and discharging a fluid to the advance angle chamber, and a second hydraulic passage for supplying and discharging the fluid to the retarded angle chamber. The vane includes a surface hardness determined to be higher than a surface hardness of a sliding surface of the rotation member or the rotation transmission member for sliding the vane.

Abstract: There is provided a preventive or therapeutic agent for diseases accompanied by abnormal vascular function in which lipid deposition in the blood vessel is involved, said agent comprising a chymase inhibitor as an active ingredient. As the chymase inhibitor, a quinazoline derivative represented by the following formula is used. In the above formula, the ring A represents an aromatic ring.

Abstract: An infrared photodetector includes at least two quantum well layers with depths adjusted to provide different peak spectral responses. A readout circuit includes first and second charge wells for receiving moving charges from the photodetector. The readout circuit also includes a switching mechanism for selectively switching the second charge well in parallel with the first charge well, to vary the integration time of the moving charges. Switching the second charge well in parallel with the first charge well increases the dynamic range of the system. The switching can be based on one or more of a) a range to a target that is being detected by the photodetector, b) a brightness (e.g. in the infrared range) of the target, c) a rate charge of the first charge well, and d) a remaining capacity of the first charge well.

Abstract: Electrostatic attraction is performed on a plate-shaped object 9 in that an attraction power source 3 applies a voltage to a pair of attraction terminals 23, 24 mounted inside a dielectric block 22, the surface of which is an attraction surface, thereby inducing static electricity in an attraction surface. The attraction power source 3 adjusts the surface potential of a plate-shaped object 9 by independently controlling voltages applied to the respective attraction terminals 23, 24. Processing is carried out on the surface of the plate-shaped object 9 while the injection of charged particles into the plate-shaped object 9 is suppressed. A control part 6 which controls the attraction power source 3 records, in a recording part 62, data obtained by measuring in advance the surface potential of the plate-shaped object 9 while respectively changing the voltage applied to the attraction terminals 23, 24, and controls the attraction power source 3 with a pattern selected in accordance with this data.

Abstract: Local buses for performing writing/reading of data are provided in correspondence to memory blocks each having a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells, and also circuits for performing writing/reading of data are provided in correspondence to the memory blocks. In addition, data transfer lines for bidirectionally transferring data are provided commonly to the memory blocks, and transfer switch gates for performing data transfer between the memory blocks are provided commonly to the memory blocks. The memory blocks are divided into banks, writing/reading of data on individual memory blocks are performed in units of banks, and parallel execution of writing and reading or of writing/reading and internal transfer is performed. Thus, it is possible to improve data transfer processing efficiency in a nonvolatile semiconductor device.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel heteroethynylenic compounds having the general formula (I): as well as to the use of these compounds in pharmaceutical compositions intended for use in human or veterinary medicine (dermatological, rheumatic, respiratory, cardiovascular and ophthalmological complaints in particular), or alternatively in cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: A device for inspecting solder connections between a component and a substrate or between two components or substrates, wherein the component is disposed upon the surface of the substrate, the device including an image receiving unit. An image transmitting device, the image transmitting device including a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the image receiving unit. A tip assembly removably coupled to the second end of the image transmitting device, the tip assembly further including a mirror and an image receiving aperture, the tip assembly configured to transmit an image of the solder connections received by the mirror, through the image transmitting device, to the image receiving unit, and an illumination device, the illumination device including a light source, at least one light transmitting device, and at least one light emitting aperture disposed adjacent the image receiving aperture, the light emitting aperture directed towards the solder connections to be inspected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a non-woven fibrous web comprised of aramid fibers and aramid fibrid which comprises forming a foam furnish by agitating the fibers and fibrid in a foamed medium, and passing the foam furnish onto a screen and defoaming the furnish. In effectively agitating the aramid fibers in the foamed medium, the agitating means is mounted for displacement within the foamed medium and includes a convex leading surface facing in the direction of displacement. The leading surface includes upper and lower portions converging in the direction of displacement to form a generally convex leading surface and driving means for displacing the agitating means in the direction of displacement for dispersing and mutually separating the aramid fibers within the foamed medium.

Abstract: The monoclonal antibody produced by a hybridoma cell strain TRD-L1, -L2 or -L3 which is obtained by the fusion between mouse myeloma cells and spleen cells of a mouse immunized with a human lung adenocarcinoma cell secretion component reacts in a specific fashion with a glycoprotein antigen that has a moecular weight of 200 kD or more (SDS-PAGE) and is present in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. It can be used efficiently in cancer diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1, 1?), a floorboard having such a locking system and a flooring made of such floorboards. The locking system has mechanical cooperating means (36, 38; 6, 8, 14) for vertical and horizontal joining of adjoining floorboards. The means for horizontal joining about a vertical plane (F) comprise a locking groove (14) and a locking strip (16) which is located at opposite joint edge portions (4a, 4b) of the floorboard (4). The locking strip (6) projects from the joint plane (F) and has an upwards projecting locking element (8) at its free end. The locking groove (14) is formed in the opposite joint edge portion (4a) of the floorboard at a distance from the joint plane (F). The locking groove (14) and the locking element (8) have operative locking surfaces (10, 11).

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate is disclosed, and said method comprises the steps of imagewise light-exposing to infrared radiation, a presensitized plate for use in making a lithographic printing plate, said presensitized plate having an image-forming layer which comprises an IR-absorbing agent, and developing the light-exposed plate with an alkaline liquid developer comprising a polyhydric alcohol-type alkylene oxide adduct.