Abstract: A portable stretching apparatus can be deployed in a manner that allows one limb of a user to be restrained on a base unit supporting the user's body while another limb is stretched by pulling a cable at one end to move the other limb attached at the other end of the cable. A cable handling device is arranged so that it can be moved at any position across the width of the stretching device. A measuring device allows a user to measure the relative extent of a stretching exercise.

Abstract: A coding/decoding method for high density data recording/reproduction, and an encoder/decoder. In the coding method for encoding an 8-bit binary data symbol X.sub.k (k=1, 2, 3, . . . , 8), received from a storage device or a communications channel, into a 9-bit codeword Y.sub.l (l=1, 2, 3, . . . , 9), the number of a maximum transition run (MTR) is limited to a predetermined number, and the number of zero run lengths of the codeword whose MTR is limited is then limited to a predetermined number. Then, a pattern providing a bad effect on detection of a signal is removed from the codeword whose zero run length is limited. In the rate 8/9 modulation code having an MTR of 3, the code rate is high, and the path of the Viterbi detector is reduced as in the rate 2/3 RLL(1,7) code having an MTR of 2, thereby decreasing the delay and complexity of the detector.

Abstract: An ink composition for an ink jet printer. The ink composition contains an oligomeric dispersant, a pigment and a solvent. The oligomeric dispersant simultaneously has a hydrophilic group capable of interacting with water soluble solvent and an anchoring group capable of interacting with the pigment. The ink composition provides good printing properties, water fastness, light fastness and storage stability, by using less amount of dispersant.

Abstract: A ferroelectric capacitor taking a multilayer structure wherein a conductive oxide layer which is formed between a metal electrode and a ferroelectric layer, capable of enhancing the fatigue behavior in addition to reducing the leakage current. The multilayer structure can be fabricated by depositing a silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2) layer, an adhesive layer, a bottom metal layer, a lower conductive oxide layer, a ferroelectric layer, an upper conductive oxide layer and a top metal electrode layer are deposited over a silicon substrate, in sequence.