Abstract: A plurality of n semiconductor elements U.sub.1 to U.sub.n are sequentially formed on a substrate side by side and connected in series. Different arrangements for providing external terminal connections for the plurality of elements are disclosed. The element U.sub.i (where i=1, 2, . . . n) has a first electrode E.sub.i formed on the substrate, a non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Q.sub.i formed on the electrode E.sub.i, and a second electrode F.sub.j+1 (j=1, 2, . . . (n-1)) is coupled with the electrode E.sub.j via a coupling portion K.sub.j formed by an extension of the electrode F.sub.j+1. The laminate member Q.sub.i has formed therein at least one semiconductor junction. The second electrode F.sub.i has a conductive metal oxide layer making contact with the non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Q.sub.i and a conductive material layer formed on the metal oxide layer and the non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Q.sub.

Abstract: A part of intake passages is made into an arcuate form extending around a surge tank. A rotatable drum is provided in the surge tank to change the length of the arcuate part of the passages. The rotatable drum is controlled by a control mechanism which is operated in accordance with the engine speed for example, so that the effective length of the intake passages may be changed to keep synchronization between the natural frequency of the intake system and the frequency of the pressure wave caused by the reciprocal motion of the piston of the engine.

Abstract: An improvement to the sealing ring of U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,951 is disclosed, wherein the sealing ring is of a special design including an in situ sealing flange generating corner, and the stepped thread pin and box members have been modified in the shoulder areas between the thread sections thereof to provide a pressure transmitting area for transmitting torque to the ring, and an undercut area to provide room for formation of the in situ sealing flange which extends beyond the faces of the improved ring.With the improved design, the sealing ring is capable of retaining hot gases or liquids with a pressure differential across the sealed joint exceeding the yield pressure of the rubber or plastic of which the ring is made, in at least a given direction.

Abstract: A method for fermentation of a stockbreeding waste, especially fowl droppings which comprises mixing the stockbreeding waste, synthesized wollastonite and concentrated sulfuric acid to condense and granulate the mixture, adjusting the resultant granules to pH 6.0-7.85, water content of 65-78.5% and a temperature of 25.degree.-35.degree. C. and spontaneously fermenting the granules at a place not influenced by rainfalls is disclosed. The product obtained by the present method is usable as fertilizer, a soil quality-improving material, a material for seed microorganisms, etc.

Abstract: Fuel briquettes on the basis of solid organic combustible material, notably biomass material such as straw or other agricultural, horticultural and silvicultural waste or organic household waste, or fine particle industrial waste obtain a satisfactory storing and transporting quality when the binder therein is 3-50% by weight of fly ash coke. Fly ash coke is the carbon rich fraction separated from the mineral components of fly ash, preferably by flotation under specified conditions. The briquettes are otherwise prepared in briquette presses according to the teachings of the art. Preferably there is used a nozzle pressure for the extrusion of 70-100 kg/cm.sup.2 and it is advantageous to preheat the raw materials to 50.degree.-70.degree. C. before conveying them to the briquette press.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a foamed foodstuff by inserting powdered and granular ingredients for a foodstuff into an extruder which is provided with two screws which mesh with each other and rotated at high speed in the same direction, mixing and heating the ingredients in a preheating zone, adding a predetermined quantity of a liquid to the mixed ingredients in a liquid-addition zone, kneading the moistened ingredients in a kneading zone, transforming the starch in the ingredients into alpha starch in an alpha formation zone, and then extruding the ingredients from the extruder.

Abstract: A method of directly detecting amino acids, other organic and inorganic copper-complexing agents, and indirectly detecting non copper-complexing species comprising use of a potentiometric flow-through electrode detector suitable for use in high performance liquid chromatography and autoanalyzers. Said detector comprises a copper metal indicator electrode and a suitable reference electrode within a miniature flow through cell and which detector has the property that it provides a voltage response to the particular molecule to be detected thereby.

Abstract: Platelet aggregation inhibiting compositions and methods of use containing compounds of the formula ##STR1## where Z completes a bond or is a ##STR2## group; one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydroxy and the other is hydrogen or alkyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, taken together, form an oxo group; and the remaining substituents are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A photo-chemical vapor deposition of a silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) film which includes the step of irradiating a gas mixture of monosilane (or polysilane) and ammonia (NH.sub.3) or hydrazine (N.sub.2 H.sub.4) gas but without mercury vapor by ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 nm (or 300 nm) or less to deposit the silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) film having a charge density of 1.times.10.sup.11 cm.sup.-2 or less on a substrate held at 100.degree.-500.degree. C. in a reaction chamber held under a pressure of 0.1 to 10 Torr.

Abstract: A releasable connection device for coupling a bucket 9 to a vehicle comprises a support 2 attached to the lifting vehicle, the support comprising two arms 4, 6 and a channeled member 8 connected between the two arms. Two plates 14, 16 are attached to the bucket 9 and have a bar 18 connected between them. In use, the bar 18 fits into the channelled member 8 and the bucket 9 and support 2 are secured by two hydraulically operated locking bolts 22 attached to the support 2, which pass through holes 20 in plates 14 and 16. When connected, the bucket and support may be manoeuvred by means of hydraulic rams attached to the support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new furyl derivatives of 16-substituted prostaglandins, to a process for their preparation and to pharmaceutical and veterinary compositions containing them.The new compounds of the invention are optically active or racemic prostaglandins of the following formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is(1) --OH or --OR' wherein R' is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl optionally substituted by phenyl or by a monocycloalkyl group or by a pentatomic or hexatomic heteromonocyclic ring containing at least one heteroatom chosen from O, S and N;(2) ##STR2## wherein each of R" and R"', is independently, hydrogen; C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl; phenyl; or a pentatomic or hexatomic heteromonocyclic ring containing at least one heteroatom chosen from O, S and N; or R" and R"', together with the nitrogen atom to which they are linked, form a pentatomic or hexatomic heteromonocyclic ring optionally containing a further heteroatom chosen from O, S and N;(3) --W--(CH.sub.2).sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder metallurgical method for producing high speed steel products, the shape of which is close to the desired final shape of the product, i.e. according to the so called near net shape technique.

Abstract: An improved speed reduction drive for an electric chain saw is disclosed. The speed reduction drive comprises a first rotatable member directly driven by the drive shaft of the electric motor for rotation therewith. A second rotatable member is connected to the drive sprocket for the cutter chain for rotation in the same direction. At least one endless drive loop drivingly connects the first and second rotatable members for rotation in the same direction, whereby rotational inertia of the electric motor opposes "kickback" of the chain saw.

Abstract: An electrically operated valve assembly comprises a valve, an electrical device 18 to operate the valve in one direction, and means 19 to prevent reverse current flow if the valve should drive the electrical device in reverse when the valve moves in a direction opposite to the said one direction. In the embodiment shown the valve has a plunger controlled by a cam, the cam being driven by a motor 18. The valve may however also be controlled by a solenoid.

Abstract: A rail anchoring clip and sleeper assembly comprising a sleeper and at least one rail anchoring clip arranged in use to longitudinally anchor a rail across the sleeper, the sleeper having means to locate the rail in a direction longitudinal of the sleeper and means to locate the clip in a direction lateral of the sleeper, the clip being constructed of resilient material and being shaped when resiliently deformed in use to define a first portion that bears tightly against the upper surface of one side of the rail foot, a second portion that bears tightly against the underside of the sleeper to compressibly anchor the rail onto the sleeper and a third portion in cooperative engagement with said means to locate said clip laterally of the sleeper, the positions of contact of the first, second and third portions with the rail and sleeper respectively being spaced apart in a direction longitudinal of the sleeper.

Abstract: A tire having a tread, wherein a polymer component in the rubber composition constituting the tread comprises at least 30% by weight of a specific styrene-butadiene rubber produced by solution polymerization (S-SBR), and wherein the pattern of the tread has a specific contact area ratio, lateral groove density and lateral siping density is suitable for an all-season tire having high-wet grip properties, low rolling resistance, excellent low-temperature characteristics, and excellent on-ice and on-snow performance at a highly balanced level and with no sacrifice whatsoever of abrasion resisting characteristics.

Abstract: Sulfonium compounds represented by the formula ##STR1## having immunostimulant activity and useful as the active components of drugs and agricultural chemicals.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which has a non-single crystal semiconductor layer formed on a substrate and in which the non-single crystal semiconductor layer is composed of a first semiconductor region formed primarily of non-single crystal semiconductor and a second semi-conductor region formed primarily of semi-amorphous semiconductor. The second semi-conductor region has a higher degree of conductivity than the first semiconductor region so that a semi-conductor element may be formed.

Abstract: A parameter such as the depth (d) of a liquid (12) in a tank (10) is measured by use of an ultrasonic transducer (14) outside the tank (10). This is possible by choosing the ultrasonic frequency and the thickness of the tank wall such that a defined relationship is satisfied.

Abstract: A valve device is provided for use in a pressurized hydraulic fluid path, for example the hydraulic path of a hydraulic leg of a mine roof support which is required to yield under two different sets of conditions. The valve device has a port 15 for connection to the pressurized hydraulic fluid path, a bleed valve 25 being arranged to permit hydraulic fluid to bleed from the path at a first rate when the pressure in the path exceeds the first limit, for example to permit the hydraulic leg to collapse at a very slow rate, for example as a mine roof converges. There is also a dump valve 20 arranged to permit hydraulic fluid to flow from the path at a second greater rate, for example if a rock burst occurs. Although the dump valve 20 reacts to high pressure surges of fluid, it does not react to low pressure surges because a non-return valve device 30 traps on one side of the dump valve hydraulic fluid which is at a pressure in the region of the first limit.