Abstract: A separator disk for use in centrifugal separation of components is designed to automatically position itself during separation at the interface between the supernatant and the remaining components. Preferably the interface is between plasma and red blood cells.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus having page turning capability for reading assistance enables to easily turn over pages of a book by a simple operation and provides a more comfortable environment for the person who spends time on reading. To properly use an apparatus (50), set an open book on a supporting means (1), press the midsection over the right and left pages by a page-pressing means (2), and then press the edges of the right and left pages by page-turning-up means (3, 4). To turn over the page, activate an interlocking means by using a remote handling means, move either one of the right and left page-turning-up means (3, 4), and press the page surface to create a shearing force between the first and second pages so that the page can be turned up. After that, a page-turning-over means (5) starts moving and slips into the back of the page. The page-turning-over means (5) presses the page from behind and turns over the page to the other side.

Abstract: While a reference means having a positional relationship to the pass-line of a continuance mill determined in advance and caliber profile (area enclosed by the groove profile of a rolling roll) formed by a rolling roll at each stand are imaged within the same visual field and a position corresponding to the pass-line is calculated based on the region corresponding to the reference means within the taken image, the center position of the region corresponding to the caliber profile within the taken image is calculated and the misalignment amount of the caliber profile can be calculated based on the calculated center position and the calculated position corresponding to the pass-line. Accordingly, a misalignment amount can be measured accurately as long as images of the reference means and the caliber profile are taken within the same visual field.

Abstract: The radar signature of a vessel is reduced by retrofitting it with an array (10) of elements (15) fastened to surfaces (14b) of the vessel. The elements (15) have planar faces (11-12) so oriented that incident radar signal (20) is reflected away from its angle of incidence.

Abstract: An open coil resistance heating apparatus uses a pair of twisted wires having a particular gauge and pitch as the resistance heating wire. Using the twisted pair of wires in the selected gauge and pitch results in significant cost reductions; less wire is needed to achieve the same heating capacity.