Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a concrete composition in which the amount of air entrained can be maintained stably and which is excellent in strength and durability, a concrete composition which is excellent in freeze-thaw durability owing to the good quality of foams and is excellent in air content stability with time and which can form curing products excellent in strength and durability, a method of producing such concrete composition, and a cement admixture.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte batter includes: an electrode body having at least a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a cylindrical container with its bottom closed, in which the electrode body and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution are contained; and a lid body for closing an opening portion of the container. The lid body has a lid portion which constitutes a peripheral edge portion of the lid body, a projecting portion which constitutes a central portion of the lid body, and a stepped portion which has a vent hole and is positioned between the lid portion and the projecting portion. A metal plate having a through-hole is disposed between the lid body and the electrolyte body. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the movement of the battery by a motive force generated when a decomposition gas generated in an abnormal state is discharged to the outside of the battery.

Abstract: According to a method for mounting a plurality of solar battery modules, an underlying member (roofing member) is fixed at a location where the solar battery modules are to be mounted. The underlying member has a wiring made of conductive material that is formed for drawing electric power from the solar battery modules and has connection terminals at respective positions to be connected with each solar battery module. Connection terminals of each solar battery module are coupled with the connection terminals of the underlying member to fasten each solar battery module.

Abstract: There is provided: a (meth)acrylic acid (salt) polymer which has high properties and is little colored; and a process which can produce this polymer with a high polymerization conversion without causing the corrosion of the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An output circuit for a transmission system includes an input terminal receiving an input logical signal, a first output terminal outputting a first output logical signal having a logic corresponding to a logic of the input logical signal, a second output terminal outputting a second output logical signal having a logic corresponding to an inverted logic of the input logical signal, a first constant voltage supply circuit generating a first voltage level, a second constant voltage supply circuit generating a second voltage level, and an output logic formation circuit connected to the first and second constant voltage supply circuits. The output logic formation circuit generates the first and second output logical signals having either the first voltage level or second voltage level based on the logic of the input logical signal.

Abstract: An output buffer circuit includes first and second MOS transistors connected in series between a power supply and ground, a first pull up transistor coupled between the power supply and a gate of the first MOS transistor, a first pull down transistor coupled between ground and the gate of the first MOS transistor, a second pull up transistor coupled between the power supply and the gate of the second MOS transistor, a second pull down transistor coupled between ground and the gate of the second MOS transistor, a slew-rate control node, a third MOS transistor coupled between the power supply and the slew-rate control node, a fourth MOS transistor coupled between ground and the slew-rate control node, a first variable resistance provided between the first pull up and pull down transistors, and a second variable resistance provided between the second pull up and pull down transistors.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery having improved low temperature characteristics and preservation characteristics. The non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes a negative electrode containing a carbon material as a negative electrode active material, a positive electrode containing a positive electrode active material and which is arranged facing the negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte arranged between the negative and positive electrodes. The negative electrode contains a material not doped with lithium and/or not emitting lithium in an amount of not less than 20 wt % and not larger than 40 wt % based on the negative electrode active material.

Abstract: In a solar cell, at least one of reinforcing material and buffering material is provided at least partially on at least one of a back surface, a front surface and a side surface of the solar cell. With these reinforcing material and/or buffering material, occurrence of cell fracture due to load imposed by external force can be decreased.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery which is capable of minimizing damage if the battery is crushed with pressure is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a hydroxyl group-containing betaine compound and a long-chain alkyl group-containing betaine compound, both of which are highly biodegradable and useful as surfactants, bactericides, antistatic agents, softening agents, rust inhibitors, resin modifiers, synthetic intermediates, etc. The invention further provides processes for producing such betaine compounds.

Abstract: According to a method for mounting a plurality of solar battery modules, an underlying member (roofing member) is fixed at a location where the solar battery modules are to be mounted. The underlying member has a wiring made of conductive material that is formed for drawing electric power from the solar battery modules and has connection terminals at respective positions to be connected with each solar battery module. Connection terminals of each solar battery module are coupled with the connection terminals of the underlying member to fasten each solar battery module.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes: an electrode body having at least a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a cylindrical container with its bottom closed, in which the electrode body and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution are contained; and a lid body for closing an opening portion of the container. The lid body has a lid portion which constitutes a peripheral edge portion of the lid body, a projecting portion which constitutes a central portion of the lid body, and a stepped portion which has a vent hole and is positioned between the lid portion and the projecting portion. A metal plate having a through-hole is disposed between the lid body and the electrode body. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the movement of the battery by a motive force generated when a decomposition gas generated in an abnormal state is discharged to the outside of the battery, and hence to improve the reliability of the battery.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery which is capable of minimizing damage if the battery is crushed with pressure is disclosed.

Abstract: An output circuit for a transmission system includes an input terminal receiving an input logical signal, a first output terminal outputting a first output logical signal having a logic corresponding to a logic of the input logical signal, a second output terminal outputting a second output logical signal having a logic corresponding to an inverted logic of the input logical signal, a first constant voltage supply circuit generating a first voltage level, a second constant voltage supply circuit generating a second voltage level, and an output logic formation circuit connected to the first and second constant voltage supply circuits. The output logic formation circuit generates the first and second output logical signals having either the first voltage level or second voltage level based on the logic of the input logical signal.

Abstract: An output circuit for a transmission system is disclosed. The output circuit of the present invention comprises an input terminal receiving an input logical signal, a first output terminal outputting a first output logical signal having a logic corresponding to a logic of the input logical signal, a second output terminal outputting a second output logical signal having a logic corresponding to an inverted logic of the input logical signal, a first constant voltage supply circuit generating a first voltage level, a second constant voltage supply circuit generating a second voltage level, and an output logic formation circuit connected to said first and second constant voltage supply circuits. The output logic formation circuit generates the first and second output logical signals having either the first voltage level or second voltage level based on the logic of the input logical signal.

Abstract: These amino group-containing mono- or dithiols are represented by formula (I). In order to prepare them, ethylene sulfide is reacted with at least one compound of formula (II), the average number of moles of ethylene sulfide added corresponding to the total m+n, and possibly the compound of formula (I) as obtained is further reacted with ethylene sulfide in order to increase the value of m+n. R1 stands for a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms; R2 stands for a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms, or a —(CH2—CH2—S)n—H group; m and n, which are identical or different, each represent 0 or an integer in the range of 1 to 10 and satisfy 1.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a low solvent content type-coating composition by which the resultant coatings with good scuff resistance or water resistance as well as good chipping resistance are produced, while the content of an organic solvent to be used can be much reduced. The low solvent content type-coating composition comprises a polyester oligomer having a hydroxyl group in an amount of 2.0 to 10.0 moles/Kg-resin, a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 300 to 1500, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 300 to 3000, and a ratio of a weight average molecular weight/a number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of 1 to 2.0, an amount of a modifying lactone being 31 to 85%, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon group of C4-22 which is not derived from lactones. The present invention is also to provide a process for coating a low solvent content type-coating composition on, for example, a base coating composition by a wet-on-wet coating.

Abstract: Indication members provided around a central hole in a disk does not adversely affect reference surfaces to be clamped, and clear, stable indication is maintained. For this purpose, first and second optical disks having annular light transmissive disk substrates with a common central hole, one surface of each of which light transmissive disk substrates is provided with a reflection film, are attached to each other as one body with an adhesive layer interposed therebetween, such that the reflection films opposed each other, thereby forming a compound optical disk. Label members are provided from the reflection film side by printing or attachment on flat portions surrounding the central hole.

Abstract: A method for producing a thin semiconductor film according to the present invention includes the steps of: placing a group-IV compound or a derivative thereof in a plasma state; decomposing the group-IV compound or the derivative thereof into active species; and depositing the active species on a substrate, wherein energy for generating plasma is intermittently supplied at a supply time interval which is equal to or less than a reciprocal of {(secondary reaction rate constant of a source gas reacting with active species other than long-life active species within the plasma).times.(number of source gas molecules)}.

Abstract: A substrate for a solar cell has a first surface with minute unevenness formed by spraying abrasive grains with a count of #2000 or higher, on which a layered structure for photoelectric transfer is to be formed, wherein the unevenness on the first surface of the substrate has a difference in height between convex portions and concave portions of around 0.1 to 0.5 .mu.m.