Abstract: The present invention relates to a white laminated polyester film comprising:a polyester base film having a transmission density of not less than 0.2 and hue b value of the surface thereof of not more than 2; andan adhesive layer laminated on at least one side of the polyester base film, which adhesive layer is formed by applying a coating solution comprising a polyvinyl alcohol resin and a water-soluble resin, a water-dispersible resin or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutically useful substituted guanidines, and methods of treatment and pharmaceutical compositions that utilize or comprise one or more of such guanidines.

Abstract: The present invention provides multilayer ion plated coatings comprising a titanium oxide as well as methods for applying such coatings onto a variety of substrates. In particular, the invention provides ion plated transparent multilayer coatings comprising layers of titanium oxide (particularly TiO.sub.x, x.apprxeq.2) and materials of low refractive indices such as SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgO etc. Further provided are articles of manufacture comprising such multilayer coatings and novel deposition methods.

Abstract: A riveting method comprises:adhesion-bonding a synthetic resin sheet 11 to a surface of a metal sheet 10 having a thickness of not more than 1 mm,adhesion-bonding a metal sheet 12 having a thickness of not more than 1 mm to a surface of the synthetic resin sheet 11,then stacking the metal sheet 12 and a metal plate or metal holding plate 2,forming a rivet hole from the surface of the metal plate or metal holding plate 2 to such a depth as reaching the synthetic resin sheet 11 but not penetrating the metal sheet 10,burying a mandrel-inserting type rivet in which a mandrel penetration aperture is formed from a head and through a shank of the rivet, and a mandrel having a mandrel head protruding out of the shank with the outer diameter of the head being more than the inner diameter of the penetration aperture is disposed through the penetration aperture in the rivet hole, andmoving the head of the mandrel by an operation of drawing the mandrel, thereby diametrically enlarging the top end of the rivet shank.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for producing a three-dimensional object from a powder material which includes powder particles and which is solidifiable by exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus includes a support having a substantially plane support surface for supporting said object, an applying device for applying a layer of the powder material to the support surface, a radiation device for selectively exposing the powder material to electromagnetic radiation at places corresponding to the object and a discharge electrode for generating an electric field for reducing charge differences on the powder particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing, controlling, regulating and monitoring flowing liquids, in particular for a membrane-type water conditioning apparatus, is provided, whereby a channel system for the flowing liquid is formed by means of a first body (1) having a surface (2), a plurality of recesses (10a, 10b, 10c, . . . ) provided at the surface and forming channel portions for a flowing liquid and a second body (4) which is non-rotationally connected to the first body and tightly separates the recesses (10a, 10b, 10c, . . . ) from the surroundings, and an inlet and outlet (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) for the liquid communicating with the channel portions. This design achieves, in comparison with a conventional pipework, a particularly compact construction. Moreover, a water conditioning apparatus comprising such an apparatus is provided.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device is composed of at least one optical retardation compensator plate 2 (and 3) inserted between a liquid crystal display element 1 and polarizer plates 4 and 5. The liquid crystal display element 1 is composed of a pair of electrode substrates 6 and 7 and a liquid crystal layer 8 sealed therebetween. The polarizer plates 4 and 5 flank the liquid crystal display element 1. The optical retardation compensator plate 2 (and 3) has a negative refractive index anisotropy (n.sub.a =n.sub.c >n.sub.b). The direction of a principal refractive index n.sub.b parallel to the normal to the surface and the direction of either a principal refractive index n.sub.a or n.sub.c in the surface incline either clockwise or counterclockwise around the direction of the principal refractive index n.sub.c or n.sub.a in the surface.

Abstract: A transfer sheet comprising not less that 75% by mass of a polycarbonate resin, and having a ratio of an infrared absorbency at a wave-number of 155 mm.sup.-1 to that at a wave-number of 160 mm.sup.-1 of not less than 0.02 and less than 0.3, a melting viscosity of not less than 2,500 Pa.multidot.s when measured at 280.degree. C. by a Koka-type flow tester and thickness of 130 to 250 .mu.m. The transfer sheet can satisfy requirements of a mechanical durability, flame retardant properties and a modability simultaneously.

Abstract: A display device includes a non-linear element including an inorganic ferroelectric material in a polycrystalline state and a display medium driven through the non-linear element.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial blood vessel provided with collagen layer composed of ultra-fine fibers on at least the outside of a tube composed of a supporting framework material, and a method for producing the same. The present invention offers advantages such that its materials are easily acquired, it causes very little rejection after being transplanted into the body, it allows sutures to be maintained for a long time after transplant, and all or a portion is absorbed and degraded in the body after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An image transfer roller cleaning system for operation in conjunction with a retractable image transfer roller in an image forming apparatus. A transfer belt extends through a gap between the transfer areas of a group of photoreceptor drums and corresponding image transfer rollers from an upstream side to a downstream side. The photoreceptor drums are arranged in parallel to one another. The transfer rollers urge the transfer belt into engagement with the respective transfer areas of the photoreceptor drums during the transport of a printing medium through the gap. A cleaning brush located upstream from the gap acts to clean the inner side of the belt prior to its entry into the gap. Cleaning blades also clean the outer surfaces of the transfer rollers when predetermined transfer voltages are not being applied thereto. In addition, the cleaning system may include features such as checking sensors and/or circuits for monitoring purposes.

Abstract: To provide a method of isolating and detecting a new receptor gene, as a means of elucidating the function of neuronal cell-specific receptors, especially of elucidating the detailed mechanism of the neuronal cell differentiation inhibitory and nerve nutrition factor-like actions of activin receptors, DNA containing said new receptor gene, a method of producing a protein encoded by this new receptor gene, and use for this DNA and protein. The receptor protein of the present invention and DNA encoding this protein can be used for various purposes, including 1) ligand determination, 2) obtainment of antibodies and antisera, 3) construction of recombinant receptor protein expression systems, 4) development of receptor binding assay systems and screening for pharmaceutical candidate compounds using expression systems, 5) drug designing based on comparison with structurally similar ligand receptors, 6) reagent for preparation of probes and PCR primers for gene diagnosis, and 7) drug for gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a towing device for a golf trolley comprising longitudinal resilient linkage means. The linkage comprises a spring, a damper for the resilient portion, the remainder of the linkage being rigid, and means at one end of the linkage for pivotal attachment of the linkage to the bag-carrying part of the trolley. The towing device may be incorporated in the handle of a trolley or may be an accessory attachable to the trolley. The damper may comprise a piston-and-cylinder type damper which may contain air or other gas or oil or other hydraulic fluid. Embodiments using telescopic cylinders are also described. The extent of pivotal movement of the towing device relative to the bag-carrying part of the trolley is restricted by a flexible link or spring. The device may be attached to a belt or other item of clothing on the trunk of a user, and the trolley may have an auxiliary wheel fitted to the bottom of the bag-carrying part.

Abstract: A compound semiconductor device includes a contact structure having a plurality of layers provided on a compound semiconductor layer and an electrode provided on the contact structure. The contact structure includes a first contact layer made of In.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As (0.9.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1) on the side closest to the electrode.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a pair of substrates; polymer walls; and a display medium interposed between the pair of substrates, including a liquid crystal region partially provided with or completely surrounded by the polymer walls. The liquid crystal region includes a liquid crystal material having a helical pitch, the helical pitch being either unchanged or reduced upon rise in temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a non-human animal in which an exogeneous gene, a mutant gene thereof of a monocyte chemoattractant protein and/or a receptor thereof is introduced. The present transgenic animals can be utilized as a pathologic model animal for heart diseases, respiratory diseases, joint diseases, kidney diseases, arteriosclerosis, psoriasis, hyperlipidemia, allergic diseases, bone diseases, blood diseases, cerebrovascular disorders, traumatic cerebral disorders, infections diseases, demantia or chroric inflammatory diseases etc. Thus, it is possible to elucidate the mechanism of pathogenesis of these diseases, to determine therapies, and to screen for candidate compounds for the purpose of research and development of therapeutic drugs.

Abstract: A fine cell-containing polyester film of the present invention comprises 70 to 97% by weight of a polyester and 3 to 30% by weight of a thermoplastic resin immiscible with polyester and produced by stretching at least one direction, the difference in gloss between opposite surfaces of said polyester film being not less than 3%, and a gloss of one surface of said polyester film being not less than 25%. Such a fine cell-containing polyester film is excellent in gloss, printability, transport property and/or flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention features novel binding molecules and methods of improving the specific binding affinity of binding molecules, which methods do not use X-ray crystallography. For example, in one aspect, the invention features methods of making antibodies with improved specific binding affinity for a polypeptide produced during prothrombin activation. The present invention is useful for a variety of applications including, e.g., producing binding molecules with improved binding affinity; and screening for binding molecules which are in low abundance.

Abstract: An aluminium flake pigment characterized in that the ratio of the average thickness of flakes to the average diameter of flakes is in the range of 0.025 to 0.3, preferably 0.028 to 0.1 and the ratio of the water covering area to the specific surface area is in the range of 0.18 to 0.4, preferably 0.19 to 0.35 is disclosed herein.The aluminium flake pigment of the invention has the improved resistance to the circulation of the metallic paint during the painting.