Abstract: A process for production of a modified carbon black, at a cheaper cost, for rubber reinforcement having the superior tan ? temperature dependence of silica and an excellent abrasion resistance and further having no problems arising due to a low electrical conductivity is provided granulating the carbon black, after or while adding a water-dispersed silica to the carbon black in a granulator.

Abstract: A device, referred to as the “automatic discard rack” for use on casino gaming tables or elsewhere to hold and mix playing cards, such as cards discarded following each hand of a played game. The device includes features for randomly picking up a portion of cards placed in the rack to allow cards inserted into the rack to be randomly inserted into cards already in the rack, and the cards to be repeatedly mixed by the device. Variations of the device include a housing, clamping portion, a moveable lifting portion for moving the clamping portion, a moving engine for causing the movement, including clamping, of the clamping portion, a controller for controlling all movement, sensor for sensing placement of cards in the device and initiating movement, a “kill switch,” and an on/off switch.

Abstract: On the basis of the temperature detected by a temperature detecting sensor, a control section determines whether the fuel processor in a warm up state or a stationary running state. In the machine-warming state, adjusting/supplying unit controls the S/C ratio of the water/fuel mixed gas so as to be lower than that in a stationary running state of the fuel processor. The quantity of water supplied to a vaporizing section is decreased so that the heat quantity required to create the water/fuel mixed gas can be reduced. Thus, the heat quantity used to warm the vaporing section pan be increased, thereby permitting the time for warming the fuel processor to be shortened. Further, even when the water/fuel-mixed gas is reformed to create a reformed gas, excessive water vapor is not left in the reformed gas. Therefore, condensation of water vapor does not occur within the fuel processor.

Abstract: In an ion implantation apparatus according to the present invention, ions are extracted from an ion source with the aid of extraction electrodes. The ions thus extracted are analyzed in mass by means of a mass analysis magnet apparatus and a mass analysis slit, so that the required ions are implanted in a substrate. Magnets for generating cusp magnetic fields are serially disposed along an ion beam line extending from the front part to the rear part of the mass analysis magnet apparatus.

Abstract: The charging system for a vehicle includes: a motor generator which operates as a generator to generate an alternating current when the motor generator is driven by an internal combustion engine, and operates as a motor when an alternating current is supplied thereto; a switching circuit for converting the alternating current generated by the motor generator into a direct current; a first accumulator accumulating therein the direct current converted by the switching circuit; a second accumulator accumulating therein the direct current converted by the switching circuit and having a smaller accumulation voltage than that of the first accumulator; a first opening/closing unit interposed between the first accumulator and the switching circuit; a second opening/closing unit interposed between the second accumulator and the switching circuit; and, a control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the first and second opening/closing units.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device that reduces the time for conducting a multiple word line selection test and operates stably. The semiconductor memory device includes memory cell blocks, row decoders, sense amps, block control circuits, and sense amp drive circuits. Each block control circuit generates a reset signal. The reset signal is used to select the word lines with the row decoders at timings that differ between the blocks. Each block control circuit provides the reset signal to the associated row decoder. The block control circuit also provides the reset signal to the associated sense amp drive circuit so that the sense amps are inactivated at timings that differ between the blocks.

Abstract: The recovery of nickel, cobalt and other metals by phytomining is described. Plants of the Alyssum genus are grown in nickel rich soil. The uptake of nickel is enhanced by maintaining specific soil conditions, including a concentration of calcium between (but not including) 0.128 mM an 5.0 mM and an acidic pH. Ni uptake may be further enhanced by maintaining a ratio of exchangeable Ca/Mg of 0.16-0.40. Uptake may be further enhanced by addition of chelating agents and ammonium based fertilizers.

Abstract: According to the present invention, for a module in which a plurality of integrated circuit devices are mounted in parallel, the inductance generated by the unit length of a branched signal line on a motherboard is so set that it is smaller for a branched signal line a longer distance from its branching point to its distal end, and is so set that it is larger for a branched signal line having a shorter distance from its branching point to its distal end, so that the time required for transmission of a signal from the branching point to the distal end of each branched signal line is the same.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory capable of avoiding disturbance in non-selected cells is obtained. This ferroelectric memory comprises pulse application means for applying pulses having a prescribed pulse width causing sufficient polarization inversion when applying a high voltage to the ferroelectric capacitors while hardly causing polarization inversion when applying a low voltage to the ferroelectric capacitors to the memory cells. The ferroelectric memory applies a pulse of a high voltage having the aforementioned prescribed pulse width to a selected memory cell while applying a pulse of a low voltage having the aforementioned prescribed pulse width to non-selected memory cells in at least either data writing or data reading. Thus, writing or reading is performed on the selected memory cell, while polarization inversion is hardly caused in the non-selected memory cells. Consequently, disturbance can be avoided in the non-selected memory cells.

Abstract: A wheat-derived sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase cDNA is provided which is characterized in that said cDNA has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No. 1 in FIG. 1. A wheat-derived invertase cDNA is provided which is characterized in that said cDNA has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No. 2 in FIG. 2. A method is provided for isolating a wheat-derived sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase cDNA having a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No.1 in FIG. 1 and a wheat-derived invertase cDNA having a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No. 2 in FIG. 2.

Abstract: A gas liquid centrifugal separator includes a cylindrical vessel having an axis extending in a vertical direction, an exhaust port in a top wall of the vessel which discharges gas separated from a liquid-gas mixture, a drainage port provided in a bottom wall of the vessel which discharges liquid separated from the liquid-gas mixture, and an introducing port in a peripheral wall of the vessel which introduces the mixture into the vessel. Gas-liquid separation is conducted by an inverted conical liquid surface formed in an upper separating chamber of the vessel as a result of the mixture traveling circumferentially along an inner peripheral surface of the vessel.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a DNA fragment for a plant characterized by obtaining a polymorphic DNA fragment by genomic comparison using a plant material, and then using an RNA-derived labeled probe to select a DNA fragment therefrom; a gene coding for the DNA fragment; a promoter; expression vector and transformed plant obtained using the gene; as well as a breeding method for plants using the DNA fragment as a marker are provided.

Abstract: A wheel bearing device is provided to prevent loosening of a hub ring and an outer joint ring that are fitted together. An irregular portion treated with hardening is formed on a fit face of the hub ring on an inside periphery of which the outer joint member is fitted. A low hardness portion of the outer joint member formed with hardness lower than that of the irregular portion is expanded in diameter to make it bite into the irregular portion. In this way the hub ring and the outer joint ring are unitized together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substance which lowers LDL cholesterol levels in serum and which is fat soluble &bgr;-sitostanol fatty acid ester, and to a method for preparing and using the same. The substance can be taken orally as a food additive, food substitute or supplement. A daily consumption of the &bgr;-sitostanol ester in an amount between about 0.2 and about 20 g/day has been shown to reduce the absorption of biliary and endogenic cholesterol.

Abstract: A negative resist composition comprises at least a constituent component which has a vinyl ether structure protected with an acetal in a molecule thereof. In the formation of negative resist patterns, an aqueous basic solution can be used without swelling.

Abstract: A dielectric element capable of attaining excellent element characteristics by suppressing an oxide dielectric film from deterioration of characteristics caused by hydrogen is obtained. This dielectric element comprises a lower electrode including a first conductor film containing a metal, silicon and nitrogen, a first insulator film including the oxide dielectric film and an upper electrode including a second conductor film containing the metal, silicon and nitrogen, while the metal includes at least one metal selected from a group consisting of Ir, Pt, Ru, Re, Ni, Co and Mo. According to this structure, the first conductor film and the second conductor film function as barrier films preventing diffusion of hydrogen. Consequently, the first conductor film and the second conductor film suppress hydrogen from diffusing into the oxide dielectric film. Thus, the oxide dielectric film is prevented from deterioration of characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production and use of custom tailored, bacterial enzyme mixtures or components thereof for degrading biofilms in both industrial and therapeutic applications. The industrial applications include but are not limited to the use biofilm-degrading, multiple specificity, hydrolytic enzyme mixtures for removing or preventing the formation of biofilms in water cooling towers, industrial process piping, heat exchangers, in food processing or food preparation, in potable water systems, reservoirs, swimming pools, or related sanitary water systems, and on membranes such as those used for desalinization, industrial processes, or related applications.

Abstract: A MR element with a magnetic sensing region and outside regions thereof which locate outside the magnetic sensing region along a track width direction, includes a multi-layered structure with an anti-ferromagnetic thin-film layer, a first ferromagnetic thin-film layer constituted by a single layer of ferromagnetic material or by multi layers of ferromagnetic material, a non-magnetic metal thin-film layer and a second ferromagnetic thin-film layer constituted by a single layer of ferromagnetic material or by multi layers of ferromagnetic material which are sequentially formed on a substrate. The all layers in the multi-layered structure exist in the magnetic sensing region, and at least the anti-ferromagnetic thin-film layer with its initial thickness exists in the outside regions.

Abstract: A receiver for bidirectional signal transmission, where signals are sent and received in both directions over a signal transmission line, has a signal line, a first hold capacitor, a signal line voltage buffer circuit, a hybrid circuit, and a decision circuit. The signal line is connected to the signal transmission line, the first hold capacitor is used to hold a signal, and the signal line voltage buffer circuit is used to buffer a voltage of the signal line. Further, the hybrid circuit is used to output a received signal by separating the received signal from the signal line voltage buffered by the buffer circuit, and the decision circuit is used to make a decision on the logic value of the received signal separated and output by the hybrid circuit.