Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle is fabricated from an austenitic stainless steel sheet having elongation of 50% or more after fracture by a uniaxial stretching test with a work-hardening coefficient of 4000 N/mm2 or a ferritic stainless steel sheet having elongation of 30% or more after fracture with Lankford value of 1.3 or more. The stainless steel sheets are reformed to a complicated shape of a fuel tank without work flaws such as cracks or break-down. Excellent corrosion-resistance of stainless steel itself is maintained in the fabricated fuel tank. Consequently, the proposed fuel tank is used without diffusion of gasoline to the open air over a long term.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining fatty acid esters from triglycerides by means of alcoholysis. In particular, the invention relates to a process for the transesterification of fat and/or oil by alcoholysis wherein, in order to accelerate the process in the initial stage, at least one alkanol fatty acid ester is added in a quantity such that the reaction mixture produced thereby consists of one phase. A high reaction rate can thereby be maintained in the process from the beginning.

Abstract: A method of treating mine drainage water including the step of adding a scale control agent to the mine drainage water and, optionally, adding an oxidizing agent to the mine drainage water and/or precipitating and settling the metals in their hydroxide form from the water. The treated water may be safely returned to the environment.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an automatic banding packing machine capable of easily removing the ring of a band with a simple structure when idle banding is carried out. When the rear end side of a band is to be pulled back by band pull-back means (84), an amount of the pull-back is detected by detecting means. It is decided that idle banding of the band is carried out when a result of the detection is greater than a preset length and the band is wound around a slide table. Thereafter, the rotation of a cam shaft (41) is temporarily stopped based on a signal, whereby the timing of the pressing to be carried out by a middle presser member, which is operated after melting the superposing portion of the band by means of a heater (36), is delayed in a predetermined time.

Abstract: This invention relates to an in-vivo diagnostic method based on near infrared radiation (NIR radiation) that uses water-soluble dyes and their biomolecule adducts, each having specific photophysical and pharmaco-chemical properties, as a contrast medium for fluorescence and transillumination diagnostics in the NIR range, to new dyes and pharmaceuticals containing such dyes.

Abstract: A coupling structure of a watch band in which a coupling member such as a coupling pin or a hair pin does not sup from a coupling hole even if a user practices strenuous sports or a rotation and a twist are always applied to the coupling portion due to use for years, and a method of manufacturing a piece member for the band coupling structure. In a coupling structure of a band comprising a plurality of piece members, a projection protruded in a central direction of a coupling hole from an internal wall of the coupling hole is formed on an outer end of the coupling hole in the piece member positioned on an outside in a transverse direction, and a coupling member is inserted in the coupling hole provided in the transverse direction of the piece member and is engaged with the projection, thereby coupling the piece members to each other.

Abstract: An electrical system for a turbine/alternator comprising a gas driven turbine and a permanent magnet alternator rotating on a common shaft includes an inverter circuit connectable either to an output circuit or the stator winding of the alternator. A control circuit during a start-up mode switches the inverter circuit to the stator winding of the alternator and during a power out mode switches the inverter circuit to the output circuit. During start-up the frequency and voltage of the electrical power to the inverter is controlled as a function of the time and/or rotation speed.

Abstract: A time computing device including an actuator mechanism for actuating a timer mechanism, which outputs elapsed time quantity. The actuator mechanism provides selection inputs corresponding to race total distance quantity and split number quantity. A central control mechanism is in communication with the actuator mechanism and sets a split distance increment and performs calculations resulting in a split time, a predicted split time and a predicted race finishing time. The time computing device includes a display mechanism for visually displaying actuator mechanism inputs and computational results. A predictive method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A decorative item and method for making same, such as an exterior part of a timepiece, wristwatch band and the like, includes a basis material of stainless steel having a carburized hardened later thereon in which carbon is diffused so as to form a solid solution in which crystalline chromium carbide is not formed and at least one hard coating is deposited on the carburized hardened layer of basis material, wherein the hard coating has a surface hardness greater than that of the carburized layer.

Abstract: An Al-coated steel sheet is improved in anti-scratching property during press-working and corrosion-resistance to a stored fuel by direct formation of an alkali-soluble resin film on an Al-coated steel sheet. An alkali-soluble resin, which can be dissolved in an alkali liquid of pH 9.0 or higher, is preferably urethane or acrylic resin with an acid value of 40-90 having a carboxyl group in its molecule. Alkali metal may be substituted for 1-50% hydrogen atom of the carboxyl group. A powdery synthetic resin at a ratio of 1-25 mass % and/or powdery silica at a ratio of 1-30 mass % may be dispersed in the resin film. The resin film is preferably of 0.2-5.0 ?m in thickness. After the Al-coated steel sheet is painted with the resin, it is shaped to upper and lower halves of a fuel tank and washed with an alkali to dissolve off the resin film. The upper and lower halves are welded together and coated with a paint at their external surfaces to fabricate a fuel tank.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a plant, in particular a cultivated lettuce plant (L. sativa), with a lasting resistance to a pathogen, in particular Bremia lactucae, comprising of providing one or more specific DNA markers linked to one or more resistance genes, determining the presence of one or more resistance genes in a plant using these DNA markers, subsequently crossing a first plant comprising one or more resistance genes with a second plant comprising one or more resistance genes, and selecting from the progeny a plant in which one or more resistance genes are present by using the DNA markers. The invention further relates to the plants obtained with this method, seeds and progeny of these plants, as well as progeny thereof.

Abstract: A foldable child support device includes a main frame unit, first and second frame units, and a seat support member. The main frame unit includes left and right frame portions. The first frame unit includes a first rod member, two arm members connected respectively to the left and right frame portions, and a first connector unit for connecting pivotally the first rod member to the arm members such that the first frame unit is foldable. The second frame unit includes a second rod member, a third rod member connected pivotally to the main frame unit, and a second connector unit for interconnecting pivotally the second rod member and the third rod member such that the second frame unit is foldable. The seat support member is mounted on the main frame unit, and cooperates with the first frame unit to define a seating area.

Abstract: A method of quickly and accurately inspecting the stitching accuracy at which regions of a lithographic pattern are stitched at boundaries. The numerous regions of the lithographic pattern are exposed or delineated, one at a time. Inspected regions are scanned with a charged-particle beam to detect secondary electrons. The obtained signal is stored as an inspected image in an image memory, together with positional data about the inspected regions. After completion of acceptance of images from all the inspected regions, the inspected image is compared with a separately prepared reference image by an image processing unit. Pattern elements in the inspected regions corresponding to the reference image are extracted. Deviations at field boundaries or the like can be detected from the relative positions of these pattern elements, if any.

Abstract: Methods for the identification, production and use of staphylokinase derivatives characterized by a reduced immunogenicity after administration in patients. The derivatives of the invention are obtained by preparing a DNA fragment comprising at least the part of the coding sequence of staphylokinase that provides for its biological activity; performing in vitro site-directed mutagenesis on the DNA fragment to replace one or more codons for wild-type amino acids by a codon for another amino acid; cloning the mutated DNA fragment in a suitable vector; transforming or transfecting a suitable host cell with the vector; culturing the host cell under conditions suitable for expressing the DNA fragment; and purifying the expressed staphylokinase derivative to homogeneity. Preferably the DNA fragment is a 453 bp EcoRI-HindIII fragment of the plasmid pMEX602sakB, (pMEX.

Abstract: The Smart Resolution Valve Pressure Control System allows any pressure control system using valve state pulsing to modify airflow at an optimum and consistent range of operation thereby enhancing control accuracy and increasing the useable cycle life of any valve combination used.

Abstract: A method of making a single crystal of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT). The method includes providing a flat-bottomed iridium crucible containing PMN-PT starting material, and placing the crucible into a vertical Bridgman furnace having at least two temperature zones, which is subsequentially pressured with an inert gas. The crucible then descends into the temperature zones of the vertical Bridgman furnace. The temperature zones of the vertical Bridgman furnace include a first temperature zone having a temperature higher than a melting temperature of the PMN-PT material and a second temperature zone having a temperature less than the melting temperature of the PMN-PT material. The single crystals of the PMN-PT prepared using the above-described method exhibits a [110] crystal orientation and may be used in electroacoustic transducers. The electroacoustic transducers are useful in devices that detect or generate acoustic waves.

Abstract: A new and distinct Globularia arabica Jaub. et Sp. plant with a compact growth habit and dark blue flowers suitable for use as a potted plant.