Abstract: A linear oscillator includes a reciprocating moving part, a case to contain the moving part, and an amplitude control spindle moveably supported in the case. The moving part and the amplitude control spindle reciprocate at a frequency approximately equal to the resonance frequency of the linear oscillator.

Abstract: A ZrO2—Al2O3 composite ceramic material having high mechanical strength and toughness as well as excellent wear resistance and hardness is provided. This ceramic material includes a first phase of ZrO2 grains containing 10 to 12 mol % of CeO2 as a stabilizer and having an average grain size of 0.1 &mgr;m to 1 &mgr;m, and a second phase of Al2O3 grains having an average grain size of 0.1 to 0.5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A catalyst for removing carbon monoxide (CO) in a hydrogen rich gas according to a water gas shift reaction is provided, which is characterized in that platinum and rhenium are supported on rutile titania as a support. This catalyst provides a high CO conversion at a relatively low reaction temperature between 200° C. and 300° C. and is excellent in cost/performance due to a reduction in amount of supported platinum. It is preferred that a weight ratio of an amount of supported platinum to an amount of supported rhenium is in a range of 3:1 to 1:1, and particularly 3:2. In addition, when the catalyst is produced by supporting rhenium first and then platinum on the support, the catalyst performance can be remarkably improved.

Abstract: A depilating device includes at least one pair of depilating claws which are provided on a circumferential surface of at least one rotating cylinder and which are configured to open and close to pinch and pull out hair due to a rotation of the at least one rotating cylinder. A plate has an outer surface and inner surface which is configured to face the circumferential surface of the at least one rotating cylinder and has at least one slit through which the hair passes toward the circumferential surface of the at least one rotating cylinder. The slit extends along a substantially rotational direction of the at least one rotating cylinder.

Abstract: An improved fire detector unit has a plastic base defining a smoke chamber for detection of a smoke density in terms of light scattering due to the smoke particles in the smoke chamber. The base carries a circuit board mounting a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and other components forming a fire detecting circuit responsible for generating a fire warning signal based upon the detected smoke density. A metal-made electromagnetic shield is molded into the base to protect the light receiving element from electromagnetic radiation noises. The electromagnetic shield includes a ground terminal for connection with a ground line of the circuit board. In addition, terminal pins are molded into the base for electrical and physical connection of the circuit board to the base.

Abstract: A semiconductor-chip mounting substrate with a high degree of reliability of an electrical connection between a substrate and a semiconductor chip such as IC chips is provided. The substrate has at least one projection thereon, which is integrally molded with the substrate. A conductive layer is formed on the projection to obtain a first bump. The semiconductor chip has a terminal projecting as a second bump on its surface. The semiconductor chip is mounted on the substrate such that the first bump contacts the second bump. A required contact pressure between the first bump and the second bump is held by use of a pressure holding means.

Abstract: By combining various indexes concerning brain functions, still more highly accurate brain function examination is achieved. An apparatus for examining the subject's brain functions acquires two or more indexes of pupillary indexes that show subject's pupillary characteristics, visual indexes that show subject's visual system functions, intelligence evaluating indexes that are results of the intelligence test carried out on the subject, and behavior evaluating indexes that show the results of subject's behavior examination. Two or more indexes are stored in the memory and outputted from the output unit. By combining two or more kinds of independent indexes, accurate determination of dementia cases and further the degree of senescence of brain functions can be achieved. In addition, the brain function examining apparatus put together a number of a plurality of indexes by the multivariate calculation and converts into different values of fewer numbers. Thus, brain functions can be examined simply and easily.