Abstract: A nail remover according to the present invention includes a tool head having a guide bore extending linearly through the head in a longitudinal direction, a push-rod slidably mounted in the guide bore of the head between a retracted position at which a free end of the push-rod is located in the guide bore and an extended position at which the free end of the push-rod protrudes from the guide bore, a driving device for advancing the push-rod from the retracted position to the extended position, and an actuator for activating the driving device. At least a portion of the peripheral wall defining an outlet of the guide bore is tapered toward an outboard edge of the wall so as to make it easy to introduce a nail into the guide bore. In operation, the guide bore receives the portion of a nail protruding from a plate such as a piece of plywood.

Abstract: A welding accessory which includes an arc shield having outer and inner peripheral surfaces such that a weld can be formed within the inner peripheral surface as the arc shield shields the weld form external air during forming of the weld. The arc shield includes a ceramic material having not less than 40 weight % of boron nitride. The arc shield may be formed of a composite of boron nitride and silicon nitride, a composite of boron nitride and alumina nitride, a composite of boron nitride, aluminum and silicon nitride, or a composite of boron nitride and zirconia.

Abstract: An arc stud welding machine having an arc shield mount section for retaining a generally semicylindrical arc shield segment. The arc shield mount section has a semicylindrical inner clamp member for abutment against an inner surface of said arc shield segment, two quarter cylinder outer clamp members for abutment against an outer surface of said arc shield segment, and pressure screws for applying pressure in the direction of said arc shield segment to said outer clamp members at approximately the middle of the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A novel beta-1,3-glucan (ganoderan) is produced by culturing a microorganism of genus Ganoderma. Ganoderan is composed of a backbone structure of beta-1,3-linked D-glucopyranose residues bearing, at some of the C-6 positions, side chains of single beta-1,6-linked D-glucopyranose residue, and, at some of the C-2 positions, side chains of another type wherein 2-4 D-glucopyranose residues are linked via beta-1,4-linkage. Hydrogenation of ganoderan leads to the formation of a polyol-type ganoderan. Intact- and polyol-type ganoderans both having a strong antioncotic activity. They are usable in chemicals, food products, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Abstract: An invention providing a process for producing orally-usable products possessing low- or anti-cariogenic properties is disclosed. The process comprises preparing said products with, or adding thereto a saccharide having a substantial anti-cariogenicity. The saccharides preferred in the invention are isomaltosyl mono-, di-, tri-glucoses, and reduction products thereof; for example, panose, isomaltotriose, isomaltosyl maltose, isomaltotetraose, isomaltopentaose, and reduction products thereof, i.e., pannitol, isomaltotriitol, isomaltosyl maltitol, isomaltotetraitol, and isomaltopentaitol. Such saccharides can be used in the production of any products used orally, including foods and drinks in general, to impart thereto a substantial low- or anti-cariogenic property, as well as to sweeten them.

Abstract: Novel plasma expander which consists of a refined pullulan having a narrow molecular weight distribution falling within the range of from 30,000 to 90,000; preparation of said plasma expander in a form suitable for intravenous injection in surgical operation and prevention of hemorrhage; and isolation of said refined pullulan from the conventional pullulan which possesses the molecular weight distribution broader than that mentioned above.