Abstract: The invention relates to antioxidants or radical scavengers and their reaction products. The invention provides compounds and compositions for use in methods for scavenging radicals or for modulating the immune response comprising urocanic acid or salts, derivatives, functional equivalents and analogues thereof.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which air or dust does not enter a recording liquid tube when an ink cartridge is changed is disclosed. An engine unit, in which an image forming section and a sub scanning direction paper carrying section are integrated as one unit, is removably attached to an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, an ink cartridge storing section, in which an ink cartridge is removably stored, is integrated into the engine unit, and is changed together with the engine unit. In addition, a carriage, the recording liquid tube, and the ink cartridge storing section are removed as one unit from the engine unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can form a high-quality image while acquiring a stable conveyance performance. A conveyance belt (21) conveys a recording medium (12) by attracting the recording medium (12) by an electrostatic force. A recording head (7) discharges liquid droplets toward the recording medium (12) being conveyed by the conveyance belt (21). Alternating positive and negative electric charges are applied onto the conveyance belt (21). A conveyance speed is controlled in accordance with a charge period length of the alternating positive and negative electric charges applied onto the conveyance belt (21).

Abstract: The invention provides a composite textile or material comprising a substrate of high strength fibers, and having a natural or synthetic diamond coating bonded thereto. Preferably, the textile is a high strength fabric including or made from aramide fibers, and the natural or synthetic coating is applied by a process such as plasma or flame spraying, chemical vapor deposition, sintering, or fast pulse laser deposition. The textile or fabric can preferably be used to make or reinforce protective clothing including vests, hats, helmets, jackets, pants, shoes or boots, coats, blankets, rugs, curtains, and the like. The textile or fabric may also include an iodine or iodine containing coating, to absorb radioactive radiation, and to kill airborne pathogens, including bacteria and viruses.

Abstract: In the paper coating operation a wet or dry edge from coating composition is formed on the, seen in the direction of movement of the paper web, downstream side of the doctor, the so-called stalagmite formation. This stalagmite formation leads to various problems in the papermaking process and especially occurs at high speeds of the paper web and/or a high solids content of the coating composition, which two operating conditions are exactly required to obtain a maximum paper yield and a high paper quality. According to the invention the stalagmite formation is effectively prevented by supplying a fluid inhibiting the stalagmite formation to an area bounded, on the one hand, by the paper web and, on the other hand, by the above side of the doctor blade.

Abstract: This invention provides a recombinant swinepox virus comprising a foreign DNA sequence inserted into the swinepox virus genomic DNA, wherein the foreign DNA sequence is inserted within a HindIII N fragment of the swinepox virus genomic DNA and is capable of being expressed in a swinepox virus infected host cell. The invention further provides homology vectors, vaccines and methods of immunization.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes a substrate, and a light absorption layer formed thereon which includes a phthalocyanine compound (I) having a thermal decomposition temperature in a range of 250.degree. C. to 350.degree. C., measured by thermogravimetry with a temperature elevation rate of 10.degree. C. and a phthalocyanine compound (II) having a thermal decomposition temperature in a range of 350.degree. C. to 450.degree. C., measured by thermogravimetry with a temperature elevation rate of 10.degree. C. This optical information recording medium can be produced by providing the light absorption layer, directly or via an intermediate layer, on a substrate with information pits and/or guide grooves being on the surface thereof by film formation coating, providing a light reflection layer, directly or via an intermediate layer, on the light absorption layer by vacuum film formation, and providing a protective layer on the light reflection layer.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor which can improve the yield, characteristics and reliability of the thin film transistor by selectively forming a semiconductor layer on a desired portion using a of a substrate using a temperature difference of the surface of a substrate achieve by heating the substrate with a lamp. The method comprises the steps of forming a black matrix layer of metal on a portion of the whole surface of an insulating glass substrate, forming an insulating layer for protecting the substrate on the whole substrate including the black matrix layer, forming source/drain electrodes on the insulating layer over the black matrix, selectively forming a semiconductor layer on the insulating layer including the source/drain electrodes, forming a gate insulating layer and forming a gate electrode.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding Hu paraneoplastic antigenic polypeptide is provided by this invention. This invention also provides a purified Hu antigenic polypeptide and compositions containing the purified Hu antigenic polypeptide. Further provided by this invention is a monoclonal antibody directed to an epitope on the Hu paraneoplastic antigenic polypeptide. Compositions containing this monoclonal antibody also are provided by this invention. This invention also provides methods of diagnosis and treatment using the compositions described hereinabove.

Abstract: An illegal view/copy protection method for a digital broadcasting system is disclosed including an audio/video signal transmission step for multiplexing and transmitting audio/video bit stream scrambled in control words and information where the control words and CPTC information for illegal view/copy protection are encrypted; and an audio/video reception step for decrypting the transmitted bit stream to analyze the CPTC information and control words, deciding whether recording is allowed or not to be recorded on cassette tape, and using the control words, performing descrambling and decoding to output audio/video signals to a monitor, thereby protecting copyright.

Abstract: An ejection inhibiting mechanism in a disk memory device of a meidum exchanging type has a latching solenoid for inhibiting the operation of an ejecting mechanism for ejecting a memory medium; an inhibit releasing device for releasing the inhibition of the operation of the ejecting mechanism by the operation of the latching solenoid when a predetermined time has passed after power of the disk memory device is stopped; and a storage battery charged at any time and supplying power to the latching solenoid and the inhibit releasing device. The operation of the ejecting mechanism is inhibited until the rotation of the memory medium is stopped. A cartridge for a disk constructing the memory medium is ejected after the power of the disk memory device is turned off and the rotation of the disk is completely stopped. An attractive state of the latching solenoid is released when the predetermined time has passed.

Abstract: A process is described for the recovery of rare earth elements from a sulphurous acid solution containing them. The rare earth elements can be successfully separated and recovered by solvent extraction from the sulphurous acid solution, being an organo-phosphorus compound as extraction agent. Di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid or 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-ethylhexyl ester is preferred as extraction agent.

Abstract: A bipolar cell unit is described for use in a metal/air battery, e.g. an aluminum/air battery. Each bipolar cell unit comprises (a) an air cathode having opposed major surfaces, one of the surfaces being exposed to air and the other of the surfaces being adapted for exposure to electrolyte, (b) a metal anode comprising a metal plate having opposed major surfaces with one plate major surface positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to the cathode surface exposed to air thereby forming an air gap between the anode and cathode, (c) structural means for connecting the air cathode to the anode plate whereby the air cathode is supported by the anode plate such that air is permitted to move through the air gap while electrolyte is excluded and (d) an electrical connection between the anode and cathode.

Abstract: A laser printer or like electrostatic recording apparatus of the type developing an electrostatic latent image provided on a photoconductive drum by toner which is conveyed by a developing roller. Various devices of the apparatus including the photoconductive drum and developing roller are separated into an upper and a lower unit which are openable away from each other. A photoconductive drum assembly including the photoconductive element and a developing assembly including the developing roller are individually detachable from a body of the apparatus. Various measures are taken to enhance stable and safe operation, miniaturization, easy maintenance, operability, service life, and image quality.

Abstract: A device is described for collecting molten metal break-outs which may occur during direct chill casting of light metal, e.g. aluminum or aluminum alloy ingots. The device includes a water-cooled mould of the cross sectional shape of the ingot desired, this mould having a vertically moveable base portion to support the ingot formed and being disposed above a pit for receiving the resultant casting and means for applying water onto the freshly solidified surface of the ingot as it emerges from the mould downwardly into the pit. The novel feature consists of at least one hollow container adjacent the side or sides of the ingot being formed, each container being packed with dry, highly heat-absorptive, finely divided material having a large surface to volume ratio. Each container has an open top positioned a short distance below the mould such as to catch a break-out of molten metal at the exit of the mould.

Abstract: In a method of constructing a representation of the distribution of absorption in a planar region of a body interpolation is provided, between data signals representing absorption of radiation along parallel paths, to provide signals for an increased number of such paths as required for the processing used. The interpolation is performed by forming differences of second or higher order, subdividing the differences and then combining them by running additions.

Abstract: The surface treatment is carried out by employing an apparatus comprising a vessel and a holed container rotatably equipped in said vessel.Materials to be treated are filled into said holed container of said apparatus then treating liquids and/or washing liquids are charged in order into said holed container according to the treatment process and said holed container is driven to rotate thus treating liquids and/or washing liquids contact whole surface of said materials and the treatment is carried out. After the treatment, treating liquids and/or washing liquids are effectively removed from the surface of said materials by the centrifugal force accompanying with the rotation of said holed container.

Abstract: A soffit system includes a plurality of panels of individually adjustable length, in a side-by-side nested array supported on at least two spaced-apart stringer members. Each adjustable panel has at least two similar components, an end portion of one being inserted in an end portion of the other so that the two components overlap. Each component has a horizontal web and two parallel side flanges with conformingly curved profiles opening in the same direction, i.e. one flange being externally concave and the opposite externally convex. The side flanges of the overlapped components snap fit together to interlock their overlapping end portions, thus providing the adjustable-length feature.

Abstract: Large diameter storage tanks are constructed from strip metal wound in a helical path in which the tank is built upwardly. The strip is fed to a support assembly arranged circularly on a base, and the upper edge of the strip that is fed to the support assembly is aligned with the lower edge of the helical turn immediately thereabove so that the edges are spaced apart in a vertical plane from each other and then butt welded together. The strip is vertically adjusted to maintain a predetermined spacing of adjacent helical turns of the strip in the area of the welding thereof. The support structure in the area of the welding includes parts positioned on opposite sides of the strips, the inside one of which may be collapsed to permit removal of the assembly following completion of the tank. Top structures accommodating the helically wound strip are utilized.