Abstract: A polyester film is disclosed, exhibiting a minimum value of not more than 0.15 with respect to the tan &dgr; value obtained at a frequency of 0.01 Hz within the range of 100 to 160° C., the tan &dgr; being determined in a tensile viscoelasticity measurement. A photographic support and photothermographic material using this polyester film are also disclosed, which exhibits superior dimensional stability even when subjected to thermal development at a high temperature and little roll set curl when used in a roll form.

Abstract: A two-dimensional position-sensitive X-ray detector is used for the precision measurement of lattice constants so that a plurality of X-ray rocking curves can be measured at the same time for the respective points on a sample and an area map, on the sample, of the lattice constants can be obtained in a short time. X-rays from an X-ray source pass through the first slit and are then incident on a crystal collimator. X-rays reflected by the crystal collimator are incident on the sample. X-rays diffracted at the sample are detected by the two-dimensional position-sensitive X-ray detector. The diffracted X-rays from the respective points on the sample are detected separately at respective points on the X-ray detector.

Abstract: A device for successively changing elongated flexible sheets or similar flexible objects from an active position to non-active positions includes a drum, relative to which the sheets or similar flexible objects are fixed. The drum is rotatable in two opposing rotational directions. The rotational directions of the drum are controlled by a timing device in relation to the rotational speed of the motor so that rotation takes place in a first direction for such a time that the sheet located in the active position becomes wound up onto the drum and that a second sheet, located in the first rotational direction after the first sheet, is carried to a position from which the second sheet is unwound from the drum to the active position, upon rotation of the drum in the other rotational direction. Thereafter the drum is rotated in the other rotational direction for such a time that the second sheet becomes unwound from the drum.

Abstract: A laser light is applied to the surface of an object to be processed and formed with a coating film and at least an upper portion of the coating film is removed through abrasion, by using an energy density variable optical system capable of applying the laser light to the surface of the object and varying an energy density of the laser light on the surface of the object. The coating film can be removed without using chemicals.

Abstract: A high frequency treatment apparatus of the present invention comprises a high frequency generation section for supplying high frequency power, a control section, which is connected to the high frequency generation section, and which controls output of the high frequency generation section, having a first control mode in which the maximal output value of high frequency power supplied from the high frequency generation section is confined to be equal to or less than a first predetermined value and a second control mode in which the maximal output value of high frequency power supplied from the high frequency generation section is confined to be equal to or less than a second predetermined value which is less than the first predetermined value, a treatment tool, which is connected to the high frequency generation section, and which performs a treatment of a diseased part by supplying high frequency power from the high frequency generation section controlled by the control section to the diseased part, and a con

Abstract: A fixing apparatus using a thin-sleeve roller is provided which gives a good fixing result while suppressing electric power consumption. The fixing apparatus includes a hollow cylindrical heating roller, a heat source positioned inside the heating roller, a pressing roller that is in pressure contact with the heating roller to form a nip between the heating roller and the pressing roller, and a controller that controls a conveyance velocity of the transfer material. The heating roller is divided into a first regions and a second region, with the first region being outside the second region. And the heat source includes a first heating section that mainly heats the first region, and a second heating section that mainly heats the second region.

Abstract: An optical pick-up device for use in an information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on an optical record medium. The device comprises a semiconductor laser, an information record medium having plural record layers laminated thereon, an outward route system for irradiating laser light from the semiconductor laser onto the information record medium through a beam splitter and objective lens, and an inward route system having a light detector for receiving the light reflected from the information record medium and transmitted through the objective lens, the beam splitter and pin-hole. The pin-hole has a radius, which is decided in such a manner that an expression Vp=2&pgr;r/(&lgr;/NA) satisfies following condition 3≦Vp≧6, wherein r is radius of the pin-hole, NA is lens aperture of the detection system, &lgr; is wave length of the laser light, and Vp is radius of Airy disc.

Abstract: A therapeutic system comprising a therapeutic applicator for treating living tissues and an observation unit for determining the position of the applicator. The therapeutic energy applied from the applicator to the living tissues is controlled in accordance with data representing the position of the applicator, determined by the observation unit. It is therefore easy to operate the system even if the applicator and the observation unit (e.g., an MRI apparatus) are used at the same time. The image of the living tissues remains clear during the use of the therapeutic applicator.

Abstract: An ink jet head is provided having ink chambers, energy-generating elements provided in the ink chambers, respectively, and ink outlet ports communicating with the ink chambers, respectively. The ink jet head may be left unused for a time longer than a predetermined time, with a meniscus formed in each ink outlet port. In this case, a drive pulse is applied to each energy-generating element several times, thereby forcing the ink outwards from the ink outlet ports and increasing a surface area of the ink from a surface area of the meniscus. Then, a negative pressure is applied in each ink chamber, thereby drawing the ink back toward the ink chambers, thus forming a meniscus again in the ink outlet ports. In this condition, a drive pulse is applied to the energy-generating elements, thus ejecting an ink droplet from the ink outlet ports to record data.

Abstract: A method of using a specified active ingredient for treating alopecia, female hirsutism and seborrhea and for preventing bone metastasis caused by prostatic cancer. The specified active ingredient is a compound (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable (i) salt, (ii) ester or (iii) hydrate thereof. R1, R2: hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, a protected hydroxyl group or a lower alkoxy group.

Abstract: A gas spring apparatus comprises an outer tube, a cylinder held in the outer tube, and a rod having a piston located in the cylinder. The rod is inserted into the cylinder through a sealing portion. The interior of the cylinder is divided in two, a first liquid chamber situated on the side of the sealing portion and a low-pressure gas chamber situated on the side remoter from the sealing portion, by the piston. A space between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the cylinder is divided between a high-pressure gas chamber and a second liquid chamber by a metal bellows. A first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber communicate with each other by liquid communicating portions. A gas is charged in the high-pressure gas chamber at a higher pressure than in the low-pressure gas chamber.

Abstract: A flash apparatus is provided with a flash tube of the point light source type, a reflector, and a diffuser panel. The reflector reflects light flux from the flash tube forward. The diffuser panel is placed in a light flux passing position in front of the flash tube and the reflector and diffuses the light flux from the flash tube. The diffuser panel is so formed that diffusion angles of the light flux can vary with positions between a center corresponding to a light-emitting axis of the flash tube to a periphery concerning an area where the light flux from the flash tube passes.

Abstract: A dimethylfurancarboxyanilide compound of the formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each is hydrogen, (C2-C6)-alkyl, (C3-C6)-cycloalkyl, (C3-C6)-alkenyl, (C2-C6) alkynyl, (C1-C3)-halogenoalkyl, (C2-C6)-alkoxy, (C1-C6)-alkoxy-(C1-C6)-alkyl, cyano, substituted amide, (C1-C6)-alkoxy-carbonyl, benzoyl which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 2 substituents, benzoylamino which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 2 substituents; (C2-C6)-alkanoylamino, (C3-C6)-cycloalkylcarbonylamino, benzyl which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 2 substituents, phenyl which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 2 substituents, or (C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonyl-(C2-C5)-alkenylene; and R1 and R2 do not both represent hydrogen at the same time. A wood preservative containing the dimethylfurancarboxyanilide compound as an active ingredient. A method of preserving wood by applying the dimethylfurancarboxyanilide compound to wood.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a both-sided document having images on both sides thereof is provided with a document stand; a reading section; a feeder having a feeding passage and to feed the both-sided document from the document stand to the reading section along the feeding passage; a pair of reversing rollers provided on a reversing passage to reverse the both-sided document after an image of the both-sided document is read at the reading section and to reefed the reversed both-sided document from the reversing passage to the feeding passage so that an image on another side of the both-sided document is read at the reading section; a pair of ejecting rollers provided on an ejecting passage and to eject the both-sided document to a delivery section after the images on both sides of the both-sided document are read at the reading section; and a switching mechanism to connect an outlet passage of the reading section to one of the reversing passage and the ejecting passage; wherein one of the pair of reversing roll