Abstract: A film-forming resin which is a copolymer of (meth)acrylamide and (meth)acrylate monomers is disclosed. The film-forming resin can sustain a hair style over a prolonged period of time, even under high humidity, when used in a hair care product. Further, it is excellent in shampoo-washability and set-retaining power.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyfluoropropionyl halide, which is characterized by oxidizing at least one dichloropentafluoropropane selected from 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane and 1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane by oxygen under irradiation with light and in the presence of chlorine.The polyfluoropropionyl halide can be obtained from the dichloropentafluoropropane industrially advantageously in good yield. Further, in a gas phase reaction, the polyfluoropropionyl halide can be obtained in a very high reaction yield without decomposition of the desired product and without corrosion of the material for the reactor or the glass for the light source portion even in a reaction for a long period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of three-dimensional fiber-reinforced ceramics, which apparatus contains a foundation open at an upper end thereof and enclosing an empty space and a cylinder disposed on the foundation, the empty space of the foundation and an open space of the cylinder integrally forming a continuous empty space, and the continuous empty space having an empty region at a lowermost portion thereof having a filter plate set fast therein and having a pressure piston set fast above said filter plate to form between the pressure piston and the filter plate an empty region for accommodating a slurry for the production of the three-dimensional fiber-reinforced ceramics;wherein the filter plate contains a porous sintered metallic plate and a filter paper having holes not more than 0.3 .mu.

Abstract: An agricultural machine has a fixed structure, a retractable assembly connected to the fixed structure by at least one joint such that said retractable assembly can move to at least one locking position, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes (i) at least one stop element mounted for movement with one of the fixed structure and retractable assembly and cooperable with the other of the fixed structure and the retractable assembly to lock the retractable assembly in one locking position; (ii) at least one elastic element cooperating with the at least one stop element to bias the at least one stop element into a stop element lock position in cooperation with the other of the fixed structure and the retractable assembly so as to lock the retractable assembly in the locking position. The stop element is enclosed in the stop lock position such that the stop element can be moved from the said stop lock position only by a special tool.

Abstract: A flexible coupling between two rotary shafts comprises a flexible metallic member rigidly connected to each of the shafts, the flexible member comprising connection zones interconnected by deformation zones which are traversed by slots perpendicular to the axis of the shafts and dividing the deformation zones into a plurality of strips which are integrally connected with each other and with the connection zones.

Abstract: A method and device for the bending, on a frame, at least one glass sheet by gravity includes two bending steps. The glass sheets are first supported at their periphery along a first peripheral line by a rough bending device during the first step and along a second peripheral line by a definitive bending device during the second step. Transfer of the glass sheets from the first peripheral line to the second peripheral line is performed by positively and continuously regulating a position of at least one of the rough and definitive bending devices in reaction to forces generated on the at least one of the rough and definitive bending devices by contact with the glass sheet.

Abstract: An output circuit has a bipolar transistor circuit of a 1st and a 2nd bipolar transistor connected in Darlington configuration. The base of the 1st transistor is supplied with an input signal. The collector of the 2nd transistor is connected to a power supply through a 1st diode. And, a signal is outputted from the emitter of the 2nd transistor. The output circuit also includes a 1st PMOS transistor. The source of the 1st PMOS transistor is connected to the base of the 2nd transistor, its drain being grounded, and its the backgate being connected to the power supply through the 1st diode. The output circuit may further includes a 2nd PMOS transistor having a source and a backgate both connected to the power supply, a drain connected to the base of the 2nd transistor through a second diode, and a gate supplied with an inverting signal of the input signal.

Abstract: An A/D converter and a method of testing the same. Resistors R1 to Rn are connected in series between power-supply terminals receiving a high potential and a low potential, respectively. The potentials at the nodes of the resistors R1 to Rn are input to voltage comparators C1 to Cn-1, respectively. Each comparator compares the input potential with an input signal Vin. The output signals of comparator is supplied to an encoder. The encoder converts the input signals into a digital signal. A test terminal is connected to one of the nodes of the resistors R1 to Rn. Either the high potential at the terminal or the low potential at the terminal is applied to the test terminal to test the A/D converter.

Abstract: Process for the inertization of liquid waste, mud and solid waste, containing sulphates and heavy metals, which comprises a neutralization step of the compounds to be treated and an anaerobic reduction step of the sulphate ion to allow the formation of sulphide ions necessary for the process. A consortium of sulphate-reducing bacteria and lactobacilli is used, with whey as a carbon and nitrogen source.

Abstract: A sputtering method comprises applying a negative voltage intermittently in a constant periodic cycle to a cathode disposed in a vacuum chamber, wherein the negative voltage is intermittently applied so that a time during which the negative voltage is not applied includes a time during which the voltage is controlled to be zero volt in a range of from 10 .mu.s to 10 ms, and the zero voltage time is equal to or longer than the time required by one arcing from its generation to extinction.

Abstract: A facsimile adapter unit which is coupled to a host system and a line and used for communicating between the host system and a station coupled to the line. The facsimile adapter unit includes a decoder for decoding image data which is transmitted from the station via the line and for outputting decoded image data, an error detection unit for detecting an error in the decoded image data, and a processing unit for sending the host system the decoded image data when the error detection unit does not detect the error in the decoded image data and, when the error is detected, for sending the host system information representing that an error is generated in the decoded image data instead of the decoded image data in which the the error is detected.

Abstract: A DNA containing a gene which codes for aspartokinase III originating in Escherichia bacteria and which has in the coding region a mutation which releases the feedback inhibition by lysine on the aspartokinase III, a recombinant DNA wherein the DNA is linked to a vector DNA capable of autonomous replication in Escherichia bacteria, a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia which has been transformed by the introduction of the above mentioned recombinant DNA into the cells thereof, and a method for the production of L-threonine which comprises culturing the microorganism in a fermentation medium, producing and accumulating L-threonine in the culture medium, and collecting the L-threonine from said-culture medium. Escherichia bacteria-derived AK III genes are obtained which sufficiently release the feedback inhibition due to lysine.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which computes the full-step number of full-step drive pulses at each control period, generates microstep drive pulses on the basis of the full step number so as to make a drive angle at each control period correspond to a full-step unit, and drives a motor drive current on the basis of the microstep drive pulses.

Abstract: A method for producing a polychloroprene latex, which comprises copolymerizing chloroprene and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid in the presence of a polyvinyl alcohol, wherein a glycol ether is also present during the copolymerization.

Abstract: A method for preparing inorganic oxide-based materials of spherical form with substantially monomodal distribution, consisting of forming a sol of at least one of the inorganic oxides of interest, adding to said sol a solvent immiscible with the sol, finely dispersing the obtained two-phase mixture into a dispersion of particles of equal diameter, growing said particles by limited coalescence to the desired diameter, gelling said mixture by adding a second solvent containing a gelling agent, and removing the solvent.

Abstract: A method for producing electric energy in a biofuel-powered fuel cell, the metal in the first acid metallic salt solution forming a redox pair having a normal potential between -0.1 and 0.7 V and the metal in the second acid metallic salt solution forming a redox pair having a normal potential between 0.7 and 1.3 V, both metals preferably being vanadium which forms the redox pairs vanadium(IV)/(III) and vanadium (V)/(IV), respectively;carbohydrate being supplied as fuel to the first reactor (1) andthe reaction in the first reactor (1) being effected in the presence of platinum or ruthenium as the first catalyst (2).

Abstract: This invention presents diamond coated tool member of high toughness exhibiting excellent diamond adhesion to the substrate. The green compacts of the usual Co and WC composition are subjected to primary sintering in a vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere, followed by secondary sintering in a vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere at a pressure in the range of 10-200 atmospheres at a temperature between the liquid formation temperature of Co and 1,500.degree. C. The as-sintered surfaces are subjected to chemical etching, followed by fine polishing in an ultrasonic bath held at room temperature or a temperature just below the boiling point. The cutting tool substrate having the polished surface is placed in a CVD reactor to deposit a diamond coating. The concentration profile of Co in the diamond coated tool member hus formed has a Co-deficient layer and a Co-gradient layer.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus has a cathode base for supporting a substrate, and a clamper for clamping a peripheral edge portion of the substrate against the cathode base. A plating solution is supplied onto the substrate so that the surface of the substrate is plated. A negative pressure source clamps the substrate by drawing the clamper under a negative pressure through a suction conduit.

Abstract: The improved metal-in-gap magnetic head has a thin ferromagnetic metal film and a gap film superposed on an oxide substrate in that order and an intermediate film made of a nonmagnetic metal or a semiconductor is formed either in the space between the oxide substrate and the ferromagnetic film or between the ferromagnetic film and the gap film or in both spaces and then heat treated to provide such a profile that the element forming the intermediate film is of high concentration at the interface between the ferromagnetic film and the oxide substrate or the gap film whereas said element is of low concentration and distributed in a substantially uniform and continuous manner throughout the interior of the ferromagnetic film.The ferromagnetic film is formed preferably of an Fe--Al--Si (Sendust) alloy, an Fe--M--N alloy or an Fe--M--C alloy (M=Zr, Ta, Nb, Hf, etc.).

Abstract: A magnetron plasma processing apparatus includes, a vacuum chamber storing an etching object, a first electrode which is provided in the vacuum chamber and holds the etching object, a second electrode which is disposed in opposition from the first electrode and parallel with the first electrode. A gas-supply unit feeding etching gas to the vacuum chamber while, a magnetic-field generating means is disposed on the part opposite from the first electrode in opposition from the second electrode, and a power-supply unit feeds power to either the first or second electrodes and generates discharge between the electrodes. The magnetic-field generating means is provided with a magnetic block whose both-end surfaces are provided with magnetic poles having polarity inverse from each other, and in addition, a plane recess opposite from the second electrode is provided between both-end surfaces of the magnetic block.