Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes an equalization section for equalizing a signal sequence which is reproduced from a magnetic recording medium and outputting an equalized waveform, and a conversion section for converting the equalized waveform into a maximum likelihood sequence by carrying out metric calculation based on average values of the equalized waveform.

Abstract: An injection mold for casting a semi-solidified Fe alloy includes a scalping gate for eliminating surface oxide film of a semi-solidified Fe alloy injected into the mold cavity from a pressure chamber. The scalping gate is arranged between the pressure chamber and a runner that is in communication with the mold cavity. The mold halves and the scalping gate are each formed of a copper alloy having a thermal conductivity of not less than 120 W/(m·K) and a hardness of not less than 180 HB. The mold halves and the scalping gate each have a cermet layer consisting essentially of at least one member selected from a group consisting of Co, Cu, Cr and Ni. The cermet layer is formed by electro-spark deposition, via an intermediate layer of Ni alloy, which is also formed by electro-spark deposition.

Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic medicament for diseases attributed to arteriosclerotic activity such as ischemic heart diseases and acute coronary arterial syndromes and the like, which contains as an active ingredient a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: 1

Abstract: A thixocast Fe-based alloy material is provided, from which a cast product having mechanical properties uniform over the whole thereof can be produced.

Abstract: An error propagation detection method and apparatus for use in decision feedback equalization type detection is disclosed, with which it is possible to detect error propagation even when a specific code conversion rule is satisfied in an MDFE system. If the input signal of a comparative decider be a binary signal a(k) expressed as ±1, an error signal ev(k) expressed by ev(k)=[y(k)−Ideal y(k)] sign[a(k)] is determined using a(k−1)≠a(k+1) as an error computation condition. The error signal ev(k) thus determined is checked to see whether it exceeds a specific value. If so, the slice level of the comparative decider is controlled to a corresponding offset value.

Abstract: The present invention provides an error propagation control method and device for effectively performing error propagation control in an M3DFE system. An error propagation detection section (24, 28) is provided at each one of a first multi-level decision feedback path (1) and a second multi-level decision feedback path (14), and a control section (30) is also provided so that error propagation control of a best path is performed at an erasure end point using the error propagation detection result of the best path. Since error propagation control of the best path is performed, effective error propagation control, even for M3DFE, can be implemented.

Abstract: A billet for a thixocasting process and a thixocasting process using the billet allows casting using a thixocasting process to be realized at low production cost without permeation of an oxide film to the inside of the billet in injection molding. In a billet used for a thixocasting process continuously cast by intermittently drawing out, the interval of the oscillation marks is 10 mm or less and the maximum tilt angle of the oscillation marks relative to a cross section which is at a right angle to the drawing out direction is 45° or less.

Abstract: A thixocast Fe-based alloy material is provided, from which a cast product having mechanical properties uniform over the whole thereof can be produced. The Fe-based alloy material comprises 1.8% by weight≦C≦2.5% by weight, 1.0% by weight≦Si≦3.0% by weight, 0.1% by weight≦Mn≦1.5% by weight, 0.5% by weight≦Ni≦3.0% by weight, and as the balance, iron (Fe) including inevitable impurities. The eutectic crystal amount Ec is in a range of 10% by weight<Ec<50% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to type A crystal of 5-[{6-(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy-2-naphthyl}methyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione characterized to have characteristic absorption peaks (2&thgr;) at 11.5°±0.3°, 14.5°±0.2°, 16.2°±0.3°, 17.0°±0.3°, 17.7°±0.20, 18.6°±0.3°, 19.1°±0.2°, 21.3°±0.4°, 22.4°±0.5°, 25.7°±0.5° and 28.3°±0.5° in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern, and also to a method for preparation thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The crystal is excellent in stability, and has advantages in handling, storage, and pharmaceutical preparation. The invention also relates to type B, C and D crystals of said compound.

Abstract: An error propagation control method and a recording/reproducing device which uses the method in a system which makes use of MDFE are disclosed. In the error propagation control method in accordance with multi-level decision feedback equalization in which the input to the detector is fed back to the input side via the feedback filter and the difference between the input signal and the feedback signal is input to the detector, the error propagation state is detected based on the output of the detector. Based on the error propagation detection result, a predetermined offset is added to the slice level of the detector, DC offset is added to the DC level of the input signal of the detector, or a sign of the tap of the feedback filter is reversed.

Abstract: The invention relates to type A crystal of 5-[{6-(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy-2-naphthyl}methyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione characterized to have characteristic absorption peaks (2&thgr;) at 11.5°±0.3°, 14.5°±0.2°, 16.2°±0.3°, 17.0°±0.3°, 17.7°±0.2°, 18.6°±0.3°, 19.1°±0.2°, 21.3°±0.4°, 22.4°±0.5°, 25.7°±0.5° and 28.3°±0.5° in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern, and also to a method for preparation thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The crystal is excellent in stability, and has advantages in handling, storage, and pharmaceutical preparation. The invention also relates to type B, C and D crystals of said compound.

Abstract: An iron based alloy material for a thixocasting process and a method for casting the material which extends the service life of dies by inhibiting solidification contraction, and in which casting defects such as size variations and cracks can be inhibited. The material comprises 1.6 wt %≦C≦2.5 wt % and 3.0 wt %<Si≦5.5 wt %, and a carbon equivalent (the value of CE) defined as “C(wt %)+1/3Si(wt %)” of 2.9 to 3.5. This material is made to be in a half-melted state with 35 to 50 wt % of a solid phase to be cast under a pressure load.

Abstract: An injection mold for semi-solidified Fe alloy includes a scalping gate for eliminating surface oxide film of a semi-solidified Fe alloy injected into the mold cavity from a pressure chamber. The scalping gate is arranged between the pressure clamber and a runner that is in communication with the mold cavity. The mold halves and the scalping gate are each formed of a copper alloy having a thermal conductivity of not less than 120 W/(m·K) and a hardness of not less than 180 HB. The mold halves and the scalping gate each has a cermet layer consisting essentially of at least one member selected from a group consisting of Co, Cu, Cr and Ni. The cermet layer is formed by electro-spark deposition, via an intermediate layer of Ni alloy also formed by electro-spark deposition.

Abstract: Method of accurately measuring various kinds of non-linear transition shifts (NLTSs) in the magnetic recording/reproduction using an MR-type reproducing head is provided.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes an equalization section for equalizing a signal sequence which is reproduced from a magnetic recording medium and outputting an equalized waveform, and a conversion section for converting the equalized waveform into a maximum likelihood sequence by carrying out metric calculation based on average values of the equalized waveform.

Abstract: When a pin layer magnetic field offset judgment unit judges that a magnetic field in a pin layer of a spin valve head through which a sense current flows in the interference direction has been deviated from a normal direction, a recovery processing unit allows a recovery from the abnormality arising from the magnetic field offset. For example, the direction of the sense current is switched from the interference direction to the assist direction, and the sense current larger than that upon the ordinary reading action is allowed to flow so that the temperature of an antiferromagnetic layer exceeds the blocking temperature, whereby the direction of the magnetic field in the pin layer is modified to the normal direction by the action of a magnetic field generated from the sense current. After the modification, the sense current is returned to have its ordinary value in the interference direction.

Abstract: A write signal is examined so as to recognize occurrence of magnetization reversal for a first bit to be recorded, a second bit preceding the first bit and a third bit preceding the second bit. A write signal reversal for the first bit is delayed by a first delay when the second bit has an associated write signal reversal and when the third bit does not have an associated write signal reversal. A write signal reversal for the first bit is delayed by a second delay set to be smaller than the first delay, when the third bit has an associated write signal reversal and when the second bit has an associated write signal reversal, and a write signal reversal for the first bit is delayed by a third delay set to be smaller than the second delay, when the third bit has an associated write signal reversal and when the first bit does not have an associated write signal reversal.

Abstract: A signal reproducing circuit includes first power supply lines having different potentials, a magneto-resistive effect head having one end thereof coupled to the first power supply line, for reproducing data recorded on a magnetic recording medium in a read operation, and a first constant current source coupled between another end of the magneto-resistive effect head and the second power supply line, for supplying the magneto-resistive effect head with a sense current in the read operaion. Also included are first and second transistors having collectors thereof coupled to the first power supply line, respectively, and responsive to voltage signals obtained from the one end and the other end of the magneto-resistive effect head.

Abstract: A signal reproducing circuit for a magneto-resistive effect head includes a constant current source for supplying a sense current to an MR head in a read state, first constant current sources for supplying first constant currents to a pair of reproduction transistors in the read state, and a capacitor connected between the emitters of the transistors. Furthermore, second constant current sources for supplying second constant currents are connected in parallel with the first constant current sources. Control is given so that when switching an idle state to the read state is commanded, the second constant current sources remain on for a given period of time. Owing to this circuitry, a transient period during which the idle state is switched to the read state or a transient period during which heads are switched in the read state can be shortened to a great extent.

Abstract: A method for esterifying C13 deoxy taxoid intermediates employs three steps, i.e., oxygenation of the C13 deoxy taxoid intermediate to produce a C13 enone taxoid intermediate; reduction of the C13 enone to produce an alcohol; followed by esterification of the C13 alcohol. Key intermediates include C13 deoxy taxoids; C13 enone substituted taxoids; and C1-C2 cyclo carbonate esters of taxoids.