Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing an oxime comprising reacting a ketone and hydroxylamine in the presence of a carboxylic acid and/or its salt in a system consisting of an aqueous phase and a hydrophobic solvent phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a high purity, high quality amide compound, particularly, lactam. A first embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that an amount of each of a halide, an aldehyde compound, an alcohol compound and a nitrile compound contained in a solution recycled into an oxime-forming step is controlled to an amount of 0.4 mol % or less based on the ketone as a starting material. A second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of a ketone, an oxime and an amide compound are purified by hydrogenation and/or crystallization for eliminating impurities containing a double bond. A third embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a content of impurities having a cyclic bridge structure is controlled by using a cycloalkanone purified by recrystallization.

Abstract: The invention provides an inter-cylinder air/fuel ratio imbalance determination apparatus and method. The determination apparatus includes a “limiting current type air/fuel ratio sensor”, and acquires a pre-correction index quantity that is greater the greater the degree of non-uniformity of the cylinder-by-cylinder air/fuel ratios, on the basis of a time differential value of the output value of the air/fuel ratio sensor. The determination apparatus obtains as the correction-purpose output value an average value of the output value obtained during a fuel-cut operation. The correction-purpose output value is greater the higher the responsiveness of the air/fuel ratio sensor. The determination apparatus acquires an air/fuel ratio imbalance index value by correcting the pre-correction index quantity so that the pre-correction index quantity is smaller the greater the correction-purpose output value.

Abstract: A food serving tray having a replaceable pattern which comprises a front plate for dishing out the food and a planar bottom portion, a plurality of compartments formed in the planar bottom portion, each compartment having a transparent bottom portion, a plate having a printed pattern which is detachably put on the base of the transparent bottom portion, a frame for holding the plate in the compartment, a transparent cover put on the bottom of the compartment and a tableware groove provided longitudinally on the flange of either front plate or planar bottom portion of the food serving tray.