Abstract: A ceramic article made from a mixture comprising (on a dry weight basis) magnesium oxide (MgO) in an amount up to 2% by weight, a defined rare earth oxide in amount up to 10% by weight, balance beryllium oxide, and trace elements, the defined rare earth oxide being zirconium oxide (ZrO.sub.2), hafnium oxide (HfO.sub.2), cerium oxide (Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3), yttrium oxide (Y.sub.2 O.sub.3), ytterbium oxide (Yb.sub.2 O.sub.3) or thorium oxide (ThO.sub.2). Such ceramic articles have much improved properties in particular higher densities than attainable hitherto and better crossbreak strength and surface smoothness as fired. The ceramic compositions can also be admixed with supplementary ceramic materials such as silicon carbide to produce microwave absorbing materials.

Abstract: In a dynamic random access semiconductor memory device comprising a sense amplifier and two pairs of bit lines sharing the sense amplifiers, each of the bit lines having a plurality of memory cells connected thereto, when a memory cell connected to one of the bit-line pairs is selected, the memory cells connected to the other bit-line pair are not connected to the sense amplifier, and, during a refresh cycle for rewriting data into a selected memory cell connected to a bit line of one of the bit-line pairs, the bit lines of the other bit-line pair are disconnected from the sense amplifier.

Abstract: The (+)-cis-, (-)-cis-, (+)-trans- and (-)-trans- forms of 2-methylspiro(1,3-oxathiolan-5,3')quinuclidine are prepared by optical resolution of each of the (.+-.)-cis- and (.+-.)-trans-isomers. These compounds find application in treating diseases of the central nervous system in mammals, especially diseases due to a deficiency in the central cholinergic system. Biological tests indicate that the (-)-cis-form, as well as the (.+-.)-cis-isomer, shows particular promise for treating senile dementia of Alzheimer's type.

Abstract: Cloned DNA is mutated by creating a single-stranded target region in a cloned DNA segment, and introducing a mutation into the single-stranded target region by treating the target region with a chemical or biological mutagenizing agent capable of introducing mutations into single-stranded DNA. The mutated target region then is rendered double-stranded and a microorganism is transformed with the mutated double-stranded DNA present in an expression vector. The transformed microorganism is cultivated under conditions wherein the mutated DNA is expressed to form an expression product, and the expression product is screened to identify a desired mutation in the DNA segment. Mutant subtilisins of enhanced thermal stability are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reverse flow prevention device for combustion apparatuses control operated by electrical power, and which is provided with a combustion gas discharge tube for discharging the combustion process by-product. The reverse flow device comprising a reverse flow gas collecting tube installed within the combustion gas discharge tube for collecting reverse flow gas. The reverse flow device also comprises a detection means, with a function of detecting a reverse flow gas and turning OFF the combustion apparatus when the pressure of the reverse flow gas acting on the detection means is above a certain level.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a memory cell array of a folded bit line configuration comprises memory cells, two each of which are formed to share a contact hole and surrounded by an isolation trench, and data charge storage capacitance formed on the entire sidewall of the isolation trench except a part of the isolation trench where an isolation oxide film is formed on the sidewall of the isolation trench. The isolation oxide film separates the two memory cells from each other. One word line passes through a region for one bit memory cell, and two bit lines pass through a region for one bit memory cell.

Abstract: Immobilized IgG binding proteins and the use thereof to effect affinity chromatography and separate the subclasses of IgG. Disclosed are cysteine-containing IgG binding proteins which have high binding capacity for human IgG and mouse monoclonal IgG.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant glutamine synthetase (GS) enzyme which is resistant to inhibition by herbicidal GS inhibitors, such as phosphinothricin (PPT), genetic sequences coding therefor, plants cells and prokaryotes transformed with the genetic sequences, and herbicidal GS inhibitor-resistant plant cells and plants.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire reinforced by steel cords embedded as a reinforcing layer in rubber is disclosed in which each of the steel cords has a multilayer structure composed of a core layer made of a number of element wires twisted together, and at least one sheath layer made of a larger number of element wires surrounding the core layer. The ends of some of the element wires are located at a distance of 1 to 10 mm from those of the other element wires in the longitudinal direction of each of the steel cords at the end portion thereof so that the end portion is unflat.

Abstract: The monoclonal antibodies are specific for a determinant found on hepatitis B surface antigen, and show high affinity for this determinant. Hybridomally produced monoclonal IgM antibodies having high affinity are useful for the immunoassay and purification of viral antigens.

Abstract: A purge module is provided which provides gas to an enclosure at a first flow rate in order to purge the enclosure of harmful gases. After the pressure within the enclosure has reached a predetermined level, a sensor enables gas at a low pressure to be supplied to the enclosure after a predetermined time has passed. The purge module also enables power to be supplied to the device being purged at the same time the purge gas flow rate is changed.

Abstract: A water-absorbent resin composition having superior gel stability which comprises a water-absorbent resin, at least one oxygen-containing reducing inorganic salt and, optionally, at least one organic antioxidant.

Abstract: A car height adjusting apparatus for a tractor, which lifts the car body by utilizing the driving power of the tractor and thereby without using a lifting device, such as a jack or a crane.

Abstract: Within a digital PBX system or the like, an appartaus permits provision of digital composite tone alerting particularly suitable for piezoelectric transducers with one arbitrarily selectable tone, by means of logic circuits for latching the sign-bit in a received PCM signal that exceeds a validity threshold, and by combining the toggling sign-bit with another tone to yield the composite tone.

Abstract: An advertising device for a vending machine which can display the image of serving drinks out of a tea-kettle into a cup or the like. The device includes first and second displays installed inside of a transparent or semitransparent billboard in front of the machine. The first and second displays are controlled to operate in relation to the operation of the machine and display the images of serving drinks out of the tea-kettle and the steaming from the cup respectively.

Abstract: The invention discloses that, in the presence of NifA and NtrA, the expression of a desired DNA molecule which has been operably linked to an ntrA-RNA polymerase and NifA dependent promoter can be regulated by regulating the oxygen level of the culture medium. The invention relates to vectors which may be used in accordance with this discovery, and to methods for using such vectors.

Abstract: A method for extracting and separating an aglycone which constitutes a glycoside, said method comprises steps of:subjecting a material containing the glycoside to hydrolysis to decompose the glycoside into a sugar moiety and an aglycone;extracting the aglycone from the hydrolyzed material by using a fluid at supercritical or subcritical conditions as an extraction agent; andseparating the extracted aglycone from the extraction agent.