Abstract: A process for the multi-layer coating of electrically conductive substrates by the electrophoretic deposition of a first coating layer comprising an electrophoretically depositable aqueous coating medium, to which a second coating layer, comprising a first color- and/or effect-imparting base lacquer coating medium, is applied wet-into-wet, and the first and second coating layers thus obtained are stoved jointly, whereupon a third coating layer comprising a second color- and/or effect-imparting base lacquer coating medium is applied and a fourth coating layer comprising a clear lacquer coating medium is applied wet-into-wet thereto and the third and fourth coating layers are stoved jointly, wherein the total dry coat thickness of the second and third coating layers produced from the base lacquer coating media is between 15 and 40 .mu.m and the proportion of the second coating layer is between 20 and 50% of the total dry coat thickness of the second and third coating layers.

Abstract: An injection device which includes a container constructed and arranged to contain a medicament, a medicament disposed within the container, a seal constructed and arranged to seal the medicament in the container, and a hypodermic needle. The hypodermic needle has a tubular, elongated, generally cylindrical wall defining an internal longitudinal bore extending longitudinally through the cylindrical wall along a longitudinal axis. The cylindrical wall forms a forward end defining a forward opening of the bore and a rearward end defining a rearward opening of the bore, the cylindrical wall having a laterally facing opening spaced closer to the rearward opening of the longitudinal bore than the forward opening of the longitudinal bore. The longitudinal bore is restricted at a position between the rearward opening and the laterally facing opening.

Abstract: A system for the softening or other treatment of fabric articles is provided which comprises a vented bag comprising a fastening system and flexible sheet releasably impregnated with an effective amount of a liquid fabric-treatment composition.

Abstract: Human fetal neuro-derived cell lines are implanted into host tissues. The methods allow for treatment of a variety of neurological disorders and other diseases. A preferred cell line is SVG.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain substituted oxadiazole, thiadiazole and triazole peptoids which are useful as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) for the treatment of HNE-mediated processes implicated in conditions such as adult respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock and multiple organ failure. A series of studies also have indicated the involvement HNE in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, emphysema. HNE-mediated processes are implicated in other conditions such as arthritis, periodontal disease, glomerulonephritis, dermatitis, psoriasis, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, organ transplantation, corneal ulcers, and invasion behavior of malignant tumors.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus and process for using the same for drying or cooling powder. The apparatus includes a structure defining first and second fluidizing chambers separated by an air dispersing floor plate having a plurality of openings formed therethrough. The first fluidizing chamber receives fluidizing air introduced into the structure and passes the fluidizing air through the plurality of openings in the air dispersing floor plate to disperse the fluidized air. The second fluidizing chamber containing the powder receives the fluidized air dispersed by the air dispersing floor plate. The apparatus further includes a heat transfer unit including a plurality of rectangular heat transfer metal plates disposed vertically above the air dispersing floor plate. The heat transfer metal plates are arranged in parallel relationship to and horizontally spaced from each other to define vertically-extending external passages therebetween, which allow the fluidizing air to pass therethrough and suspend the powder.

Abstract: A controller of a conveyance system efficiently conveys parts. The controller includes an input/output interface receiving data related to the position and loading state of data of each vehicle; receiving carry-in/out requests from each job shop; and outputting carry-in/out instructions to each vehicle. The controller also includes a ROM storing a control program; a RAM storing job shop positional data, carry-in/out requests, vehicle loading state data; and a processing section computing values of a carriage instruction (e.g., origin, destination, carrier to be carried, carrying route) given to each vehicle using the carry-in/out request data from each job shop and the data stored in the RAM based on the program stored in the ROM.

Abstract: An improved pneumatically operated fastener driving device comprising an actuating assembly mounted with respect to a housing assembly and movable from an inoperative position to an operative position. A first sealing element is mounted with respect to a feed path. The first sealing element moves from a sealed position, wherein it prevents communication between an air pressure reservoir and a control pressure chamber when the actuating assembly is in the operative position, and an unsealed position, wherein the first sealing element permits such communication to move a main valve to a closed position when the actuating assembly is in the inoperative position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a method of preparing a raw material powder for permanent magnets superior in moldability, especially in moldability and productivity of bonded magnets. The method comprises subjecting an acicular iron powder having an aspect ratio of not smaller than 5:1 to heating at 800.degree.-900.degree. C. in fluidized state with a gas stream containing no oxygen until the acicular iron powder is transformed into a columnar shape iron powder having an aspect ratio of not larger than 3:1, a die-like shape iron powder or a spherical shape iron powder. The acicular iron powder may contain or may be attached by such a component effective for improving magnetic properties as a rare earth element metal, a rare earth element metal oxide, boron, cobalt and nickel.

Abstract: A device for turning on a thin film transistor liquid crystal display includes a first switching circuit for generating and outputting an inverse common voltage signal in response to a switching signal, a second switching circuit for generating and outputting a common voltage signal in response to an inverse switching signal and a level shift circuit for generating and outputting a potential capable of turning on a thin film transistor by using the inverse common voltage signal and the common voltage signal. The switches preferably are implemented with PMOS and NMOS transistors. This device can reduce power consumption by eliminating the analog switch, the operational amplifier and the push-pull circuit. A similar device for turning off a thin film transistor liquid display is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interior finish member having a door suitable for an air bag comprises a main body and a cover portion. The main body surrounds the periphery of the cover portion, and the main body and the cover portion form a continuous surface. The cover portion covers a folded air bag of an air bag device. The cover portion comprises: a door portion which covers the folded air bag; a breakable portion defined by a recessed periphery of the door portion whose thickness is thinner than adjacent portions of the interior finish member so that it may be broken easily in deployment of the air bag; and a hinge portion for connecting the door portion with the main body and for providing a pivot around which the door portion rotates when the door portion opens under a force of an expanding air bag. The main body is made of thermoplastic resin, and the cover portion is made of thermoplastic elastomer. Because they are capable of thermally fusing with each other, the main body and the cover portion can be integrally formed.

Abstract: A metallic member including not more than 0.6% C, 12 to 19% Cr, 6 to 12% Ni, not more than 2% Mn, not more than 2% Mo, not more than 1% Nb and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, whereHirayama's equivalent H eq=?Ni %!+1.05 ?Mn %!+0.65 ?Cr %!+0.35 ?Si %!+12.6 ?C %! is 20 to 23%;Nickel equivalent Ni eq=?Ni %!+30 ?C %!+0.5 ?Mn %! is 9 to 12%, andChromium equivalent Cr eq=?Cr %!+?Mo %!+1.5 ?Si %!+0.5 ?Nb %! is 16 to 19, wherein % is by weight, is made to have at least one ferromagnetized part having a magnetic flux density B.sub.4000 of not less than 0.3 T and at least one non-magnetized part having a relative magnetic permeability .mu. of not more than 1.2 at a temperature of not less than -40.degree. C., as continuously and integrally formed. The non-magnetized part has crystal grain sizes of not more than 30 .mu.m.

Abstract: A process and device produce fibrous starch materials through extrusion of a dispersion or aqueous solution of starch material in a flow of saline coagulant. The dispersion or aqueous solution is extruded through a microporous tubular wall in an annular chamber surrounding the microporous wall to obtain an extrusion flux of starch material which surrounds the tubular wall. Coagulation of the starch material is carried out by feeding a flow of coagulation agent in the annular chamber parallel to the extrusion surface. The fibers obtained from the process or device are able to be used in the paper sector as a substitution for or in combination with cellulose fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a condition of burning in an internal combustion engine includes a spark plug and an ignition coil. The ignition coil has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding is connected to the spark plug. An ion current sensing resistor is connected to a low voltage side of the secondary winding of the ignition coil for sensing an ion current. A diode is connected in parallel with the primary winding of the ignition coil. A switching element is connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil. The switching element is movable into and out of an on state. A suitable device is operative for resisting a current flowing through the diode when the switching element is in the on state.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods for using oxalate oxidase in plant pathology. A substantially pure gene encoding the oxalate oxidase enzyme is elucidated. The expression product of the gene which can be stably incorporated into a foreign plant host has a unique profile including a pH optimum of 3.5, a positive heat stability, a single sub-unit of approximately 25 kilodaltons and protease stability. The methodology of this invention exploiting oxalate oxidase for protection against oxalic acid encompasses providing to a plant in need of oxalic acid protection an oxalic acid degrading enzyme in an amount sufficient to protect the plant from the oxalic acid.

Abstract: A gas blast nozzle for a furnace for processing molten metal has a prolonged service life and is free from gas leakage. The nozzle comprises a refractory block having a narrow straight bore and a small metal pipe slidably arranged in the straight bore. A gas is blown by the small metal pipe. When the gas blast nozzle is partially worn, the small metal pipe is moved upwardly to project into the furnace and the worn area is filled with a refractory material.

Abstract: Four sets of shower heads 100, 200, 300, 400 are located in a surface modifying chamber of a surface modifying apparatus, and each shower head 100, 200, 300, 400 has surface modifier piping including a plurality of spray nozzles. The nozzles are arranged such that showers of an aqueous ozone solution injected from every adjacent two nozzles will contact the resin molded product and partly overlap one another. The phases in position of the nozzles can be offset a half-pitch or staggered with the staggered arrangement of the nozzles serving to compensate for any insufficient oxidation reaction to achieve uniform surface modification over the entire surface of the resin molded product 2. Further, the time required for the surface modification treatment can be reduced.

Abstract: A cradle assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a pair of spaced side frame members, a front cross frame member and a rear cross frame member. The front cross frame member is connected with front ends of the side frame members. The rear cross frame member extends between rear ends of the side frame members. The frame members are formed from tubular metal blanks by a hydroforming process in which each blank has fluid pressure provided internally thereto and thereby radially expanded so that the frame members have a peripheral configuration modified with respect to an original peripheral configuration of the associated blanks.

Abstract: A mobile communication system is provided in which a base station commands a mobile station (or field monitor) to measure the field strength for a specific channel. The mobile station reports the measured results to the base station. The measured results are used in conjunction with base station identification codes to obtain a single representative value which is used to determine what channels can be selected and used by the system. This enables an existing cellular system to be utilized as a first mobile communication system, and makes it possible to construct a second mobile communication system in the same area as the service area of the first system.